Patent ID: 6976048

Claim:
A method for solving a problem through an interval solution process, comprising: receiving a representation of the problem, wherein the problem includes a number of variables x 1 , x 2 , x 3 , . . . x n and at least one interval parameter p, wherein the interval parameter p is an interval, wherein the interval parameter is distinct from the variables, wherein the problem is an interval global optimization problem, and wherein solving the interval global optimization problem involves splitting the interval parameter p as well as splitting boxes defined by the interval variables x 1 , x 2 , x 3 , . . . x n , with respect to variables x 1 , x 2 , x 3 , . . . x n , but not with respect to p; storing the representation in a computer memory; and performing the interval solution process on the problem within an arithmetic unit, which performs interval computations; wherein the interval solution process involves, splitting the problem into sub-problems by splitting the interval parameter p into subintervals, and creating a separate sub-problem for each subinterval, and performing the interval solution process on the sub-problems.