Patent ID: 7406475
Filing Date: 2008-07-29
Classification: G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of optimizing allocation of resources for a resource allocation problem, the problem being defined by problem variables, problem expressions, problem constraints and an objective function to be optimized in accordance with a predetermined optimization criterion, wherein the problem variables are representative of at least some of resources to be allocated, temporal parameters associated with allocation of the resources, tasks to be performed, costs associated with allocation of resources, capabilities of the resources and capacity of the resources, wherein the problem expressions are representative of relationships between the problem variables, and wherein the problem constraints are representative of constraints placed upon the problem variables, (i) building a model of said resource allocation problem in accordance with said problem variables, problem expressions, problem constraints, and objective function, whereby a heuristic search method are carried out to optimize a solution for the modeled problem; (ii) generating a solution to the modeled problem, the solution comprising a set of values representative of at least some of the problem variables; (iii) generating a further solution to the modeled by: (iv) assessing whether the objective function satisfies the predetermined optimization criterion as a result of the change applied at (iii), and, if not, repeating (iii) until the objective function is deemed to satisfy the predetermined optimization criterion; (v) determining whether the generated further solution better satisfies the objective function and if so, setting the generated further solution as the solution to be modified in (a); (vi) repeating (iii) through (v) until a predetermined number of solutions have been generated; and (vii) outputting the generated solution which best satisfies the objective function as a solution to the modeled problem.