Knowledge provider system and knowledge providing method utilizing plural knowledge provider agents which are linked by communication network and execute message processing using successive pattern matching operations

Abstract

A knowledge provider system is configured as a plurality of data servers connected via a data communication network, which function as respective knowledge provider agents in response to information request messages sent from users of the network. Each agent holds a script which contains a knowledge base, and data defining predetermined message formats for respective types of messages and predetermined content formats for respective types of message contents which can be handled by that agent. A message received by an agent is pattern-matched against the message formats, if it is thereby found to be an information request message the message content portion is pattern-matched against the predetermined content formats, and if that matching is successful, the subject for which information is requested is pattern-matched against the contents of the knowledge base, to find a set of information corresponding to that subject. If any of the pattern matching operations is not successful, the agent originates messages for successively propagating the content portion of that information request message to other agents via the network. Obtained information is then sent back to the originating agent and hence to the user.