Method and system for probabilistic allocation of indivisible resources

A computing apparatus for allocating resources, the computing apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory;
• and
• a communication interface coupled to each of the processor and the memory,
• wherein the processor is configured to:
• receive, via the communication interface, first information that relates to a number of agents included in a plurality of agents;
• receive, via the communication interface, second information that relates to whether, for each respective agent included in the plurality of agents, the respective agent is requesting an allocation of an indivisible resource during a particular allocation round, wherein the indivisible resource is perishable and cannot be carried over to future rounds;
• assign, to each respective agent included in the plurality of agents, a respective weight that relates to an importance of the respective agent, wherein differing weights are applied to the plurality of agents;
• calculate, for each respective agent based on the assigned respective weight, a respective agent-specific allocation probability;
• determine an allocation of the indivisible resource for the particular allocation round based on each respective agent-specific allocation probability;
• measure metrics regarding utilization rate of the indivisible resource allocated;
• and
• modify the respective agent-specific allocation probability based on measured utilization rate for optimizing efficiency in resource exhaustion while maintaining fairness with respect to the plurality of agents.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for allocating resources, the storage medium comprising executable code which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:

• receive first information that relates to a number of agents included in a plurality of agents;
• receive second information that relates to whether, for each respective agent included in the plurality of agents, the respective agent is requesting an allocation of an indivisible resource during a particular allocation round, wherein the indivisible resource is perishable and cannot be carried over to future rounds;
• assign, to each respective agent included in the plurality of agents, a respective weight that relates to an importance of the respective agent, wherein differing weights are applied to the plurality of agents;
• calculate, for each respective agent based on the assigned respective weight, a respective agent-specific allocation probability;
• determine an allocation of the indivisible resource for the particular allocation round based on each respective agent-specific allocation probability;
• measure metrics regarding utilization rate of the indivisible resource allocated;
• and
• modify the respective agent-specific allocation probability based on measured utilization rate for optimizing efficiency in resource exhaustion while maintaining fairness with respect to the plurality of agents.