Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-28
2001-05-15
Amsbury, Wayne (Department: 2171)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233572
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to the fields of supply chain management, and single- and multi-enterprise planning. More particularly, the present invention relates to a computer implemented system and method for high level controlled searching through a problem space.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer implemented planning systems are widely used for factory, enterprise and supply chain planning functions. In general, the systems model the manufacturing environment and provide plans for producing items to fulfill consumer demand within the constraints of the environment.
A classic artificial intelligence search can include elements such as: an initial state, a goal state, a termination criteria, and a set of moves between states of the search space. For example, in a “blocks world” problem space, an artificial intelligence search engine could have an initial state of a red block and blue block on a table and a yellow block on top of the blue block. A goal state for such an engine could be the goal of building a planned sequence of moves which place the red block on top of the blue block. The termination criteria could be to achieve the goal within 10 minutes or quit. The set of moves could comprise: moving an uncovered block onto the table and moving an uncovered block from the table onto another uncovered block. An artificial intelligence search process, then, could compute a plan for the required moves to achieve the goal. When applied to planning problems, the number of “blocks” greatly increases, and the initial and goal states become more complex.
With more “blocks” and/or more complex initial and goal states, this type of search can be computationally challenging. Further complexity can be added to a system when the types and numbers of moves grow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a computer implemented system and method for high level controlled searching through a problem space is disclosed that provides significant advantages over previously developed searching mechanisms.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the system can include a plurality of subsearch processes, wherein each subsearch process can comprise: a goal function, a termination criteria, a problem subset, a problem selection algorithm, a move subset, a lower subsearch set, and a script. The problem subset can be an identified flaw, infeasibility, or suboptimal condition in a given system. The problem selection algorithm is operable to select a targeted problem from the problem subset. The move subset is a set of functions or operations operable to optimize the current subsearch. The lower subsearch set is a set of one or more “downstream” subsearches. The script is operable to specify or determine the appropriate moves or subsearches to execute.
It is a technical advantage that the invention can allow convenient expression of complex divide-and-conquer type searches.
It is another technical advantage that the invention allows for combined automated and manual searches, as well as potentially other types of searches.
Other technical advantages should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the specification, claims, and drawings.
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IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, “Adaptive Context-Dependent Decision Making”, IBM Corporation, Mar. 1987, vol. 29, Issue No. 10, p. No. 4468-4471.*
Kawaji et al., “Solving the nonlinear dynamic control problems by GA with structuring the search space”, IEEE, 1995, pp. 151-156.*
Luger et al., “Artificial Intelligence and the Design of Expert Systems”, The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc, pp. 77-147, 1989.*
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Crawford, Jr. James M.
Kennedy Brian M.
Kunchithapatham Arun
Lin Tiaohua
Venkatasubramanyan Narayan
Amsbury Wayne
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
i2 Technologies, Inc.
Pardo Thuy
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