Patent ID: 6052678
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: G06N

Abstract:
A problem solving operation apparatus for obtaining an optimum solution through a search in a search space for a solution of a problem, comprising:search means for generating a plurality of optimum solution search states in a state transition diagram, each for searching said optimum solution of the problem using a combination of at least one optimum solution search technique, at least one of said optimum solution search states using a combination of at least two optimum solution search techniques;search process observation and state transition means for observing an optimum solution search process for the problem in one of said plurality of optimum solution search states using at least one optimum solution search technique, and for causing a state transition in the state transition diagram to another one of said plurality of optimum solution search states using at least one different optimum solution search technique when a predetermined transition condition with respect to an efficiency of said optimum solution search process is satisfied in the one of said plurality of optimum solution search states;memory means for storing a group of solution candidates for the problem;first means for performing a first search on the group of solution candidates according to a first optimum solution search technique;second means for performing a second search on the group of solution candidates according to a second optimum solution search technique;objective value calculation means for calculating an objective value of each solution candidate of the group of solution candidates;condition examination means for examining whether the transition condition is satisfied in the one of the optimum solution search states, based on the objective value, to produce an examination result; andstate transition control means for outputting a control signal to control said first means, said second means, and said objective value calculation means based on the examination result from said condition examination means, and for combining operations of said first and second means to generate the at least one of the optimum solution search states with the at least two optimum solution search techniques using the control signal. satisfied in said optimum solution search process.