SOFTWARE ENGINEERING PROJECT REPORT

CS2310
SPRING 2005
NEGOTIATION PROTOCOLS
By
Anjana Divakar

Abstract:
With the advent of computer technology and the internet ,consumers prefer to conduct
their business electronically .These electronic transactions have to be monitored and
carried out efficiently .This paper focuses on the need and construction of negotiation
protocols for e commerce and also provide distance services through negotiation.
1. Introduction:
There exist many conceptualizations of negotiation. Adopting the framework of
Jennings et al., negotiation is decomposed into the following components.
Negotiation protocols, negotiation objects and agents decision making models.
Negotiation protocols define the rules that govern the negotiation. Negotiation objects
represent the matter the participants negotiate over. Agents decision making models
are the decision making apparatus that participants employ to achieve their objectives
in accordance with the protocol [1]. In this paper, the focus is on building negotiation
protocols using the Reo Coordination language to demonstrate how it can help in
solving the task of providing care to senior citizens in a minimum amount of time
while maximizing work and utilizing the resources given effectively.
The rest of the paper has the following organization. The Reo coordination
language is introduced and observing the outcome of using Reo with negotiation
protocols is detailed. Conclusion and future scope are outlined.
2. The Reo Coordination Language:
Reo presents a paradigm for composition of software components based on the notion
of channels. Reo enforces a channel based coordination model that defines how
designers can build complex coordinators out of simpler ones. Application designers
think of Reo as a glue code for compositional construction of connectors that are

responsible for coordinating all the activities of component instances in a component

based system [1].
Negotiation protocols have been identified with three problems in an open
electronic negotiation environment [1]:
1. Lack of common understanding of the protocol: Formal semantics are not provided
thereby confusing the participants and preventing a common understanding of the
protocol.
2. Lack of support for temporary business constellation: Since participants shared
interests are only temporary, they are free to break off or leave during the course of
the negotiation process at any arbitrary moment in time.
3. Inability to deal with nested negotiations: Aside from the negotiation among
participants, negotiation is required while forming an alliance. Nested negotiation
is requires the ability to compose one negotiation protocol with the other ones in a
systematic manner.
Reo overcomes the above mentioned problems that negotiation protocols face.
Reo provides formal semantics, offers dynamic reconfigurability and
composability.
2.1 Terms and Concepts:
Reo views a system to be made up of component instances that interact through
connectors. Focus is given on the communication between the component
instances which takes place through the connectors. Reo allows composition of a
connector out of simpler connectors where channels represent atomic connectors.
A channel has two channel ends namely sink and source. Sink dispenses data out
of its channel while source accepts data into its channel. Reo models a connector
as a graph of nodes and edges. There are three types of nodes namely sink, source
and mixed. A mixed node contains both source and non-deterministically selects a
data item available at one of its sink channel ends and replicates the data item to
all of its source channel ends when all of them can accept the data item. A source
node contains only source channel ends. If a component writes a data item to a
source node, the node replicates the data item to all of its source channel ends
when all of them can accept the data item. A sink node contains only sink channel
ends. When a component tries to take a data item from a sink node, the node nondeterministically selects a data item available at one of its sink channel ends [1].
4. Using Reo to construct negotiation protocols:
This project aims at using negotiation protocols to provide care for senior citizens based
on time constraints and availability of services.

An example at approaching the problem is shown below:

There are N Nurses trying to nurse S senior citizens located at L locations

in T time slots.

Schedules will have to be generated so that all Nurses will start the day
and end the day from their location Ln.

Work Rule All nurses will work on fixed regular day time and there is a
max number of senior citizens nursed per day.

Representation:
The above problem can be symbolically represented as:
1. N = the set of nurses {N1, N2, N3.Ni}
2. L = the set of locations of senior citizens {L1, L2, L3, .Lj}
Ln = the set of locations for the Nurses {Ln1, Ln2, Ln3, .Lnp}. Each Schedule is
associated with a nurse N will start and end with the location of associated nurse.
3. S = Senior citizens located in L to be nursed for the timeslot TW. There could
be the possibility that one or more senior citizens can be available in a Location.
This can be represented as L = (S1 S2Sn)
4. TW = Work time slots. These time slots are variable time slots depending on
the work request specified from senior citizens.
Strategy:

The senior citizens all need care at different or maybe at the same time and make
requests for services.

Nurses are allotted to provide care for them and one nurse maybe allotted to more
than one patient/senior citizen.

Some form of negotiation is needed to ensure that all patients are attended to and
given treatment without any delay using minimum number of nurses and within a
short time span.

The patients basically make requests or bids for a time slot TW for their
treatment.

Nurses are allocated according to the availability of their schedule.

If more than 2 patients make a bid/request at the same time and at that instant only
one nurse is currently available then the patient with greater priority is given
preference. The other patient waits his turn until the next nurse is free from
attending to her previous patient.

Technique:

All patients must first register with the initiator who keeps a track of all the
members, in this case the patients.

The patients after they register give their priority number.

The priority numbers are stored in a queue.

The bid validator checks to see which priority number is highest. The patient
with the highest priority is allocated the first nurse. The next nurse is allocated
to the patient with the second highest priority and so on.Nurse1 may be
allocated to more than one patient since the number of nurses is limited when
compared to the number of patients.

Once their request has been carried out the patient can leave the group after
informing the initiator. The patient can rejoin the group again by registering
with the initiator.

The Reo Language is modified to provide this kind of scenario. A circuit

detailing the sequence of events and how time slots are allotted to the senior
citizens/patients is done in an effective manner.

The basic idea is to maximize work or services in a minimum amount of time

using the resources effectively.

5. Circuit Diagram:
Initiator
auction

bid validator

registration queue
D
B

nurse
nurse
nurse

d a b
c
bbbbb
Bit
valid

service

true
a
a>b
b

Service
given, won

false
No service
yet, lost

Result
generator

All requests are sent to the database DB where the patients register for services. The
priority numbers are placed in a queue. The database containing particulars about the
nurses is also maintained by the initiator. In the bid validator stage, the priorities are
checked one by one and compared to see which priority is the highest. The highest
priority is sent to the next stage which is the auction stage. Correspondingly, the
initiator keeps track of the nurses who are in the database and once the bid vaildator
indicates the value true or valid bid to the initiator, the initiator sends the information
that a nurse is available and her services will be rendered to the patient. If not, the
result no service rendered will be given as a result.

6. Conclusion:
In this paper, specifying negotiation protocols using Reo coordination language is
provided. Reo has several noteworthy attributes such as dynamic reconfigurability that
make it an easy language to build negotiation protocols on. The formal semantics also
enable one to obtain a clear understanding of the protocol used. Reos circuit is so
designed that any modifications can be made at run time if required.
7. Future Work:
As part of future work, there is still room for improvement in implementing the circuit
modeled on Reo. I would like to study negotiation protocols in detail and investigate
other possible areas where they could be put to use in a distributed environment.

REFERENCES:

1.Diakov,Nilolay and Zlatev,Zlatko Constructions of Negotiation Protocols for ECommerce Applications

2.Lemniotes,T and Arbab,Farhad Coordinating Web Services using Channel Based
Communication
3.Farrugia,James Logical Systems:Towards Protocols for Web-Based Meaning
Negotiation
4.Bichler,Martin A Road Map to Auction Based Negotiation Protocols for Electronic
Commerce

1.

How did you get started in this field, and what do you think has made you
successful throughout your career? (This gets the other person talking about
himself/herself and can provide you insights about how you can get started and achieve
success of your own.)
2. What are some ways that other people you know have gotten started in this
field? (This will help you learn how most people get their start in the industry.)

3. What are the pros and cons of working in this field? (This cuts right to the chase
about the good, the bad, and the ugly about an industry.)
4. What traits, skills, or experiences do employers in your field look for in
candidates? (This will help you understand how you can enhance your candidacy and
how you should position yourself to employers.)
5. If you were me, what would you do to try to break into this field now? (This
will get the other person to tell you what you should be doing to find a job in the field at
this time.)
6. What publications, professional associations, or events should I check out
for additional information on this field? (This will direct you to other valuable
resources about breaking into a field.)
7. Do you know anyone else I can speak to for advice about breaking into this
field? (This builds your network even further and may lead to additional insights.)
8. Can you take a quick glance at my resume and give me your feedback? (This is
a subtle way of reminding the other person that you want to find a job in the field, and
this may also give you some ideas on how to improve your resume.)
9. If I have additional questions in the future, can I reach out to you again?
(This keeps the door open for future advice.)
10. Is there anything I can do to help you? (Always look for ways to return the favor
when someone helps you by offering their time and advice.)

BSIT Narrative Report Format 1

1. 1. Republic of the Philippines LAGUNA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
Siniloan Host Campus Siniloan Laguna A NARRATIVE REPORT ON ON-THE-JOB
TRAINING UNDERTAKEN AT LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES-SINILOAN
BRANCH SINILOAN, LAGUNA A Report Submitted to the Faculty of the COLLEGE
OF ARTS AND SCIENCES LAGUNA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY Siniloan
(Host) Campus Siniloan, Laguna In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree in BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ANAYA
JERIAN DELA CRUZ SANDOVAL 2010
2. 2. LAGUNA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY VISION, MISSION, COLLEGE
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
VISION The University shall be known as a premier university in CALABARZON
offering academic programs and related services designed to respond to the
requirements/needs of the Philippines and the global economy particularly Asian
countries. MISSION AND MAIN THRUSTS The University shall primarily provide
advance education, professional, technological and vocational instruction in
agriculture, fishery, forestry, science, engineering, industrial technologies, teacher
education, medicine, law, arts and sciences, information technology and other related
fields. It shall also undertake research and extension services, and provide a

progressive leadership in its area of specialization. COLLEGE OF ARTS AND

SCIENCES GOALS In pursuit of the University Vision/Mission, the College of Arts
and Sciences is committed to develop students with well-rounded personality flexible
enough to adjust in the changing needs of time for global competitiveness which are
related to research, extension and production; equip them with knowledge and skills
in Computer Education and other related fields in arts and sciences. THE
OBJECTIVES OF THE IT PROGRAM General The Associate in Information
Technology leading to Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program of the
Laguna State Polytechnic University aims to develop the student's intellectual,
emotional and skills competencies provided with the advanced and detailed
knowledge of the design, implementation, and management issues involved in the
application of IT as well as to prepare him to become more responsive regarding to
the local, national and global demands affecting the IT industry. The theories
acquired through various academic exercises coupled with on-the-job training
activities are expected to increase the number of globally competitive experts in the
field of IT environment. ii
3. 3. Specific The specific objectives of the program are aligned to the four-fold
functions of the University Instruction, Research & Development, Extension and
Production: A. Instruction 1. To provide theoretical and technical skills through
instruction, seminars and workshops; 2. To expose students to globally competitive
graduates with desirable work values and attitudes; 3. To develop locally and globally
competitive graduates with desirable work values and attitudes; 4. To initiate creative
and innovative professional enhancement among instructors and students through
skills training, on-the-job training and training and industry. B. Research and
Development 1. Strengthen competencies of both instructors and students in the field
of research that will serve as a basis for technological problem-solving; 2. Conduct
information technology survey, interviews and feasibility studies to meet the demands
of the changing world through information technologies and processes; 3. Produce IT
researchers and researches to serve as a self-generating critical mass of human
resources for research and development in information technology area. C.
Extension 1. Forge critical linkages with local and foreign partners to support the
activities of the department; 2. Conduct outreach programs such as basic and
advance computer literacy programs, and the like; 3. Create training plans and
information technology packages to supply the need of the community; 4. Provide
assistance for project development. D. Production 1. Produce information systems
and technologies that can be used as an income generating project of the college; 2.
Construct improvised and innovative teaching materials, tools and equipment. iii
4. 4. APPROVAL SHEET This narrative report attached hereto entitled A NARRATIVE
REPORT ON ON-THE-JOB TRAINING UNDERTAKEN AT LAND BANK OF THE
PHILIPPINES-SINILOAN BRANCH, SINILOAN, LAGUNA prepared, presented and
submitted by MS. ANAYA JERIAN D. SANDOVAL in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for graduation for the degree in BACHELOR OF SCINECE IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, is hereby endorse for approval. FOR-IAN V.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

SANDOVAL (Type Name of English Critic Here) I.T. Practicum Coordinator/ English
Critic OIC Dean, College of Arts and Sciences __________________
__________________ Date Date Accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the Degree in BACHELOR of SCIENCE IN INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY (BSIT). ARCHIEVAL M. JAIN OIC Dean, College of Arts and
Sciences ____________________ Date iv
5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Acknowledgement is the act of owning or recognizing in a
particular character or relationship; recognition as regards the existence, authority,
truth, or genuineness. Type your acknowledgement here. THE TRAINEE v
6. DEDICATION Type your dedication here. Dedication is the act of consecrating an
altar, temple, church or other sacred building. It also refers to the inscription of books
or other artifacts when these are specifically addressed or presented to a particular
person. This practice, which once was used to gain the patronage and support of the
person so addressed, is now only a mark of affection or regard. In law, the word is
used of the setting apart by a private owner of a road to public use. vi
7. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Type the authors autobiography/bibliography here.
Write in third person and in paragraph form. Present the information in your
curriculum vitae in paragraph form. vii
8. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Type the executive summary here. Based your executive
summary to your on-the-job training. Executive summary is a term used in business
for a short document that summarizes a longer report, proposal or group of related
reports in such a way that readers can rapidly become acquainted with a large body
of material without having to read it all. It will usually contain a brief statement of the
problem or proposal covered in the major document(s), background information,
concise analysis and main conclusions. It is intended as an aid to decision making by
business managers. The executive summary contains: brief information on-the-job
training short introduction about the company department/division/section
assigned personnel in-charge inclusive dates of training areas of training
including summary of routinary activities general self-assessment general
recommendations. An executive summary differs from an abstract in that an abstract
will usually be shorter and is intended to provide a neutral overview or orientation
rather than being a condensed version of the full document. Abstracts are extensively
used in academic research where the concept of the executive summary would be
meaningless. viii
9. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. Title Page i Vision, Mission, College Goals and ii
Objectives of the Information Technology Program Approval Sheet iv
Acknowledgement v Dedication vi Biographical Sketch vii Executive Summary viii
Table of Contents ix CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1 Historical Background of the
Company Vision/Mission/Objectives of the Company Organizational Chart of the
Company Department/Division/Section Personnel In-Charge and Designation
Inclusive Dates of Training 2 IN-PLANT TRAINING PROGRAM Timetable Areas of
Training Function and Duties of Employees List of References in the Company
Library 3 DAILY ROUTINARY ACTIVITIES Daily Routines 4 SELF-ASSESSMENT

Achievements a. Skills and Current Technology Learned/Enforced b. Equipment,

Tools, Machinery, Testing Apparatus, etc. Handled c. Strong Points Versus Weak
Points d. Best Experience on the Job e. Evidence of Background Preparation ix
10. 10. Faults a. Causes b. Suggested Solutions Personal Relations: Integration with the
Company Personnel Attendance and Punctuality Interest and Commitment 5
RECOMMENDATIONS Potential of Company as a Training Ground a. Availability and
Appropriateness of Facilities, Tools, Machinery and Equipment b. Company
Personnel Cooperation Assessment to the Duration of Training Proposed Revisions
for the Improvement of the Training Program Advised to Future Student-Trainee
APPENDICES Appendix A. Curriculum Vitae Appendix B. OJT Pre-Interview
Ranking Appendix C. Endorsement Letter Appendix D. Parents Waiver and Consent
Appendix E. Memorandum of Agreement Appendix F. Certification of Completion
Appendix G. Evaluation Sheet for OJT Appendix H. Daily Time Record Appendix I.
Company Location Map Appendix J. Facilities, Equipment, Tools and Machinery
Appendix K. OJT Photos Appendix L. Compiled Documentation and Presentation on
DVD x