Abstract
We describe a scheme in which a multimode laser diode, with effective coherence length less than 250 µm, is used to illuminate sensors multiplexed in time and with their status read by coherence sensing. Data is presented which shows that the spectral characteristics of the laser light remain essentially unchanged upon direct modulation of the laser injection current or whilst subject to laser feedback. This has allowed the multiplexing scheme network to be implemented without recourse to either a Bragg cell modular or an optical isolator. The technique was applied to measure displacement, strain and temperature. © 1991.

Abstract
This paper describes a shell for cooperating expert systems that has been developed at the University of Porto. The main goal of this shell is two-fold: to generate a community of cooperative knowledge-based systems and to develop several special reasoning techniques which can be used under a distributed and cooperative paradigm. UPShell is able to convert a set of generated intelligent systems (ISs) into a community of cooperative ISs. In this first version it is already possible to generate different intelligent systems which are able to run 'simultaneously' as separate Unix processes and, using a message-passing mechanism, to communicate among themselves. They can be set to pursue an overall goal in a cooperative way. Moreover, several tasks can be given to each IS to be solved simultaneously, and the IS can switch from task to task according to dynamic priorities reflecting the urgency attached to the specific sub-tasks that emerge. The shell described here may also be used to test, within a distributed environment, some time-bounded reasoning techniques that are presently being developed. The paper has three main parts: a general overview of the UPShell (Section 1); a tutorial explaining, by means of examples, how to use the package (Section 2); and, finally, some considerations on the reasoning techniques used and future improvements (Sections 3-5).

Abstract
The author describes a man-computer interactive mass transit crew scheduling module which was developed as a component of a Decision Support System (DSS) implemented in a personal computer at the Oporto Urban Transport Authority (STCP). The problem of crew scheduling is briefly discussed and set in the context of the broader process of the planning and control of urban transport services. The general philosophy and the structure of the module are analysed. A crew scheduling heuristic based method is presented. Particular attention is paid to the interactive nature of the approach adopted. Results of the actual implementation process at STCP are given.

Abstract
The use of Multi-Agent Systems as a Distributed AI paradigm for Robotics is the principal aim of our present work. In this paper we consider the needed concepts and a suitable architecture for a set of Agents in order to make it possible for them to cooperate in solving non-trivial tasks. Agents are sets of different software modules, each one implementing a function required for cooperation. A Monitor, an Acquaintance and Self-knowledge Modules, an Agenda and an Input queue, on the top of each Intelligent System, are fundamental modules that guarantee the process of cooperation, while the overall aim is devoted to the community of cooperative Agents. These Agents, which our testbed concerns, include Vision, Planner, World Model and the Robot itself.

Abstract
Distributed problem solving nodes (so-called experts in this paper) may face severe time constraints in some real applications. In such circumstances, experts should not only cooperate with each other to solve large and complicated problems but also meet real-time constraints in order to make the solutions effective. Here we present a blackboard-based monitor which takes full responsibility to control experts distributed in the cooperative problem solving system. We claim this monitor can support different styles of cooperation between experts and sophisticated task scheduling behaviours local to each expert which are crucial for real-time applications. Moreover, this paper highlights the ability of the monitor to dynamically choose cooperation policies and adjust local task scheduling behaviours according to the rapidly changing environment under real-time constraints.

Abstract
A reflective array of optical-fiber sensors multiplexed in time and with their status read using coherence sensing associated with directly modulated multimode laser-diode illumination is investigated. Sensor sensitivity as determined by primary noise sources is evaluated and numerical results are presented. The concept is demonstrated with two all-fiber Michelson interferometers and applied to the measurement of periodic and quasi-static parameters. It is shown that the effect of feedback light into the laser cavity on the level of the system noise floor is negligible, making unnecessary the use of source optical isolation.