Notice of Violation of IEEE Publication PrinciplesFormalization of Capability for Command-Based Agent

Intentional agent systems are increasingly used in a wide range of complex applications. Capability has recently been introduced into some of these systems as a software engineering mechanism to support modularity and reusability while still allowing meta-level reasoning. Depending on circumstances, capability may not always result in an achievable plan for realizing the goal, but it is a prerequisite for such. Based on BDI logic, this paper presents a BGC model, which includes a mental state of command. Under BGC frame, the notion of capability is discussed and formalized, also the axiom system and compatibility of capability is investigated. Furthermore, a style of agent commitment is defined as self-aware agent, which allows an agent to modify its goals and commands as its capabilities change. Practice shows BGC logic and capability theory can solve the dynamic selection between roles and agents, and meet the demands of command-based MAS application on obedience and flexibility properly