Systems for allocating multi-function resources in a process system and methods of operating the same

A method of operating a resource allocator to allocate a plurality of multi-function resources among a plurality of tasks within a process system, said process system capable of executing at least one application process, said method of operating said resource allocator comprising the steps of:

• monitoring measurable characteristics with a monitoring controller, said measurable characteristics associated with said at least one application process, said plurality of multi-function resources, and said plurality of tasks, wherein each of said measurable characteristics comprises one of:
• a status characteristic and a logistical characteristic;
• representing mathematically said plurality of multi-function resources and said plurality of tasks within a model of said process system, and defining relationships among related ones thereof as a function of said at least one application process;
• and
• operating said model in response to ones of said monitored measurable characteristics, and allocating ones of said plurality of multi-function resources among ones of said plurality of tasks within said process system using a resource allocation controller to efficiently execute said at least one application process.

A process system capable of executing at least one application process, said process system comprising:

• a plurality of process subsystems;
• a plurality of tasks to be performed within said plurality of process subsystems;
• a plurality of multi-function resources;
• and
• a resource allocator that is operable to allocate said plurality of multi-function resources among said plurality of tasks, said resource allocator comprising:
• a monitoring controller that monitors measurable characteristics associated with said at least one application process, said plurality of multi-function resources, and said plurality of tasks, wherein each of said measurable characteristics comprises one of:
• a status characteristic and a logistical characteristic;
• a model of said process system representing mathematically said plurality of multi-function resources and said plurality of tasks, and defining relationships among related ones thereof as a function of said at least one application process;
• and
• a resource allocation controller that operates said model in response to ones of said monitored measurable characteristics, and allocates ones of said plurality of multi-function resources among ones of said plurality of tasks within said process system to efficiently execute said at least one application process.

A resource allocator operable to allocate a plurality of multi-function resources among a plurality of tasks within a diffusion process, said diffusion process capable of executing at least one diffusion process plan, said resource allocator comprising:

• a monitoring controller that monitors measurable characteristics associated with said at least one diffusion process plan, said plurality of multi-function resources, and said plurality of tasks, wherein each of said measurable characteristics comprises one of:
• a status characteristic and a logistical characteristic;
• a model of said diffusion process representing mathematically said plurality of multi-function resources and said plurality of tasks, and defining relationships among related ones thereof as a function of said at least one diffusion process plan;
• and
• a resource allocation controller that operates said model in response to ones of said monitored measurable characteristics and allocates ones of said plurality of multi-function resources among ones of said plurality of tasks within said diffusion process to efficiently execute said at least one diffusion process plan.

A method of operating a resource allocator to allocate a plurality of multi-function resources among a plurality of tasks within a diffusion process, said diffusion process capable of executing at least one diffusion process plan, said method of operating said resource allocator comprising the steps of:

• monitoring measurable characteristics with a monitoring controller, said measurable characteristics associated with said at least one diffusion process plan, said plurality of multi-function resources, and said plurality of tasks, wherein each of said measurable characteristics comprises one of a status characteristic and a logistical characteristic;
• representing mathematically said plurality of multi-function resources and said plurality of tasks within a model of said diffusion process, and defining relationships among related ones thereof as a function of said at least one diffusion process plan;
• and
• operating said model in response to ones of said monitored measurable characteristics, and allocating ones of said plurality of multi-function resources among ones of said plurality of tasks within said diffusion process using a resource allocation controller to efficiently execute said at least one diffusion process plan.