US 2011/0035344 A1 · COMPUTING MIXED-INTEGER PROGRAM SOLUTIONS USING MULTIPLE STARTING VECTORS

Abstract

An optimization engine includes a mixed-integer programming (MIP) solver that receives a programming model, an outcome objective, and a group of start vectors. Each of the MIP start vectors in the group specify one or more restrictions to apply to the programming model. The MIP solver uses the programming model to compute a potential solution from each of the MIP start vectors included in the group, which results in a group of potential solutions. Next, the MIP solver selects one of the potential solutions in the group as an optimal intra-group solution. The optimal intra-group solution is the potential solution in the group that best achieves the outcome objective. In turn, the optimal intra-group solution is used to complete the outcome objective.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving a programming model and an outcome objective;
receiving a plurality of mixed-integer programming (MIP) start vectors, wherein each of the plurality of MIP start vectors specify one or more restrictions to apply to the programming model;
using the programming model in a processor to compute a potential solution for each of the MIP start vectors, resulting in a plurality of potential solutions, wherein each one of the potential solutions included in the plurality of potential solutions corresponds to one of the MIP start vectors included in the plurality of MIP start vectors;
and
selecting one of the potential solutions included in the plurality of potential solutions as an optimal intra-group solution that best achieves the outcome objective;
and
using the optimal intra-group solution to complete the outcome objective.

4 more elements

A computer program product stored in a computer readable medium, comprising functional descriptive material that, when executed by an information handling system, causes the information handling system to perform actions that include:

receiving a programming model and an outcome objective;
receiving a plurality of mixed-integer programming (MIP) start vectors, wherein each of the plurality of MIP start vectors specify one or more restrictions to apply to the programming model;
using the programming model to compute a potential solution for each of the MIP start vectors, resulting in a plurality of potential solutions, wherein each one of the potential solutions included in the plurality of potential solutions corresponds to one of the MIP start vectors included in the plurality of MIP start vectors;
and
selecting one of the potential solutions included in the plurality of potential solutions as an optimal intra-group solution that best achieves the outcome objective;
and
using the optimal intra-group solution to complete the outcome objective.

4 more elements

An information handling system comprising:

one or more processors;
a memory accessible by at least one of the processors;
a nonvolatile storage area accessible by at least one of the processors;
a set of instructions stored in the memory and executed by at least one of the processors in order to perform actions of:
receiving a programming model and an outcome objective;
receiving a plurality of mixed-integer programming (MIP) start vectors, wherein each of the plurality of MIP start vectors specify one or more restrictions to apply to the programming model;
using the programming model to compute a potential solution for each of the MIP start vectors, resulting in a plurality of potential solutions, wherein each one of the potential solutions included in the plurality of potential solutions corresponds to one of the MIP start vectors included in the plurality of MIP start vectors;
and
selecting one of the potential solutions included in the plurality of potential solutions as an optimal intra-group solution that best achieves the outcome objective;
and
using the optimal intra-group solution to complete the outcome objective.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Computing mixed-integer program solutions using multiple starting vectors

Life of this patent

Computing mixed-integer program solutions using multiple starting vectors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20