V-MAS: a Video conference Multiagent System Alma Gómez-Rodríguez, Juan C. González-Moreno, Loxo Lueiro-Astray, and Rubén Romero-González Dpto. de Informática (University of Vigo) Ed. Politécnico, Campus As Lagoas, Ourense, 32004 (SPAIN). {alma, jcmoreno}@uvigo.es {loxomp, rrglez}@gmail.com http://gwai.ei.uvigo.es/ Abstract. In this work an original case study corresponding to a new multiagent system implementation is presented. The built system is a distributed videoconferencing software which is integrated in an e-learning environment. The system provides the user with specific functionalities including storage of data and multiple profile management. It has been developed following a well know multiagent methodology: INGENIAS and implemented using the Java Multimedia Framework. The use of the system in a university domain has yield to promising results. Moreover, the software has been designed in an open way resulting in a portable system, which can be used in other domains different form e-learning such as e-Health-care or e-Business. Keywords: Video conference, Multiagent Systems, INGENIAS Methodology 1 Introduction Thanks to the facilities provided by Internet, there is an important boom of the e- learning environments. The e-learning frameworks provide a method of apprenticeship without time or space constraints. Students can learn independently in their own place, but having also the possibility of working and collaborating with people from other places. FAITIC [8] is a web portal which offers a range of services related to e-learning. With this portal, the University of Vigo tries to offer new possibilities to undertake a continued learning process using information technologies. Trying to improve the functionality of the framework described previously, a new videoconference system with support for private conversations was required. Due to the special characteristics of the environment, it was decided to implement the system using an agent philosophy. As it is know, the intrinsic characteristics of agents (autonomy, reactivity, proactivity, etc.) provide a good approach in the solution of distributed complex problems [12]. This was very useful in the system required, so it was designed using a methodology for Multiagent Systems (MAS) [15], in particular INGENIAS, and implemented incorporating the usual characteristics of agents.