Brokerage between buyer and seller agents using Constraint Satisfaction Problem models

We have proposed a two-layered multi-agent framework for brokerage between buyers and sellers. The brokerage is processed in two layers for efficient linking between buyers and sellers: the competition layer and the constraint satisfaction layer. In the competition layer, we match the constituents of brokerage process to agents and use a functional relationship of a multi-agent framework for the communication among them. The seller agents, as requested by the buyer agents, are selected through the competition in the competition layer. In the constraint satisfaction layer, we model the relationship between buyer agents and seller agents in Constraint Satisfaction Problems (CSP). The CSP solver finds an optimal solution by choosing the best brokerage to satisfy various preferential requirements for users. We have implemented a prototype system for dealing in real estate on the Internet by applying the proposed framework. Finally, we have modeled the brokerage system using CSP and have shown the experimentation about the satisfaction level of users regarding their preferences. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.