Method and apparatus for computer controlled nonlinear optimization

Claim 1

A method of computer controlled nonlinear optimization comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area of said computer, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting to said computer a problem for which an optimum solution is sought; d) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) applying, by means of said computer said selected methods to sad problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method in said computer being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; and g) repeating steps (d) to (f) in said computer for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained.

Claim 2

A method of computer controlled nonlinear optimization comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area of said computer, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting to said computer a problem for which an optimum solution is sought; d) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) applying, by means of said computer said selected methods to sad problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method in said computer being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; and g) repeating steps (d) to (f) in said computer for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained.

Claim 4

A method for optimizing by computer the performance of a computer controlled process using computer controlled nonlinear optimization, the method comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area of said computer, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting to said computer a problem relating to the performance of said controlled process for which an optimum solution is sought; d) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) applying by means of said computer said selected methods to sad problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method in said computer being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; g) repeating steps (d) to (f) in said computer for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained, thereby to obtain an optimized solution to said problem; and h) controlling said process by said computer to obtain an optimum performance of said process.

Claim 5

A method for optimizing by computer the performance of a computer controlled process using computer controlled nonlinear optimization, the method comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area of said computer, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting to said computer a problem relating to the performance of said controlled process for which an optimum solution is sought; d) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) applying by means of said computer said selected methods to sad problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method in said computer being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; g) repeating steps (d) to (f) in said computer for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained, thereby to obtain an optimized solution to said problem; and h) controlling said process by said computer to obtain an optimum performance of said process.

Claim 7

A method for optimizing by computer the performance of a computer controlled process using computer controlled nonlinear optimization, the method comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area of said computer, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting to said computer a problem relating to the performance of said controlled process for which an optimum solution is sought; d) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) applying by means of said computer said selected methods to sad problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; g) repeating steps (d) to (f) in said computer for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained, thereby to obtain an optimized solution to said problem; and h) controlling said process by said computer to obtain an optimum performance of said system.

Claim 8

A method for optimizing by computer the performance of a computer controlled process using computer controlled nonlinear optimization, the method comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area of said computer, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting to said computer a problem relating to the performance of said controlled process for which an optimum solution is sought; d) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) applying by means of said computer said selected methods to sad problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; g) repeating steps (d) to (f) in said computer for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained, thereby to obtain an optimized solution to said problem; and h) controlling said process by said computer to obtain an optimum performance of said system.

Claim 10

A method of computer controlled nonlinear optimization comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area of said computer, separately from said methods, a plurality of first techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) storing in a third memory area of said computer, separate from said methods, a plurality of second techniques each of said second techniques relating to a corresponding one of said methods; d) inputting to said computer a problem for which an optimum solution is sought; e) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; f) extracting from aid third memory area any one of said second techniques corresponding to said selected method; g) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; h) applying by means of said computer said selected methods to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method in said computer being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of first techniques and said extracted second techniques; and e) repeating steps (e) to (h) in said computer for successive said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained.

Claim 11

A method of computer controlled nonlinear optimization comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area of said computer, separately from said methods, a plurality of first techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) storing in a third memory area of said computer, separate from said methods, a plurality of second techniques each of said second techniques relating to a corresponding one of said methods; d) inputting to said computer a problem for which an optimum solution is sought; e) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; f) extracting from aid third memory area any one of said second techniques corresponding to said selected method; g) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; h) applying by means of said computer said selected methods to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method in said computer being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of first techniques and said extracted second techniques; and e) repeating steps (e) to (h) in said computer for successive said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained.

Claim 13

A method of computer aided design of an industrial or technological device by computer controlled nonlinear optimization, the method comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area of said computer, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting a problem to said computer, said problem relating to the parameters of said device, which parameters are to be optimized subject to predetermined constraints; d) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) applying, by means of said computer said selected methods to sad problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; g) repeating steps (d) to (f) in said computer for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained, thereby to obtain an optimized solution to said problem; and deriving optimized parameters for said device.

Claim 14

A method of computer aided design of an industrial or technological device by computer controlled nonlinear optimization, the method comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area of said computer, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting a problem to said computer, said problem relating to the parameters of said device, which parameters are to be optimized subject to predetermined constraints; d) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) applying, by means of said computer said selected methods to sad problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; g) repeating steps (d) to (f) in said computer for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained, thereby to obtain an optimized solution to said problem; and deriving optimized parameters for said device.

Claim 15

A method of computer aided design of an industrial or technological system by computer controlled nonlinear optimization, the method comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area of said computer, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting a problem to said computer, said problem relating to the parameters of said system, which parameters are to be optimized subject to predetermined constraints; d) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) applying by means of said computer said selected methods to sad problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; g) repeating steps (d) to (f) in said computer for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained, thereby to obtain an optimized solution to said problem; and deriving optimized parameters for said system.

Claim 16

A method of computer aided design of an industrial or technological system by computer controlled nonlinear optimization, the method comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area of said computer, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting a problem to said computer, said problem relating to the parameters of said system, which parameters are to be optimized subject to predetermined constraints; d) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) applying by means of said computer said selected methods to sad problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; g) repeating steps (d) to (f) in said computer for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained, thereby to obtain an optimized solution to said problem; and deriving optimized parameters for said system.

Claim 17

A method of nonlinear optimization comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area; b) storing in a second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting a problem for which an optimum solution is sought; d) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) applying said selected method to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; and g) repeating steps (d) to (f) for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained.

Claim 18

A method of nonlinear optimization comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in a first memory area; b) storing in a second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting a problem for which an optimum solution is sought; d) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) applying said selected method to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; and g) repeating steps (d) to (f) for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained.

Claim 19

A method of computer controlled nonlinear optimization comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of programs each representing a nonlinear optimization method in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of data representing techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting to said computer a problem for which an optimum solution is sought; d) extracting a selected program corresponding to a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) running said selected program in said computer to apply said selected method to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said data representing said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; and g) repeating steps (d) to (f) in said computer for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained.

Claim 20

A method of computer controlled nonlinear optimization comprising the steps of: a) storing a plurality of programs each representing a nonlinear optimization method in a first memory area of a computer; b) storing in a second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of data representing techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; c) inputting to said computer a problem for which an optimum solution is sought; d) extracting a selected program corresponding to a selected method from said first memory area; e) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; f) running said selected program in said computer to apply said selected method to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said data representing said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques; and g) repeating steps (d) to (f) in said computer for successive ones of said methods until an optimum one of said possible solutions is obtained.

Claim 21

An apparatus for nonlinear optimization comprising: a) memory means having first and second memory areas for: (i) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in said first memory area of said memory means; and (ii) storing in said second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; b) input means for the input of a problem for which an optimum solution is sought; c) a processor for repeatedly: (i) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; (ii) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; and (iii) applying said selected methods to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said plurality of techniques; thereby to obtain an optimum possible solution to said problem.

Claim 22

An apparatus for nonlinear optimization comprising: a) memory means having first and second memory areas for: (i) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in said first memory area of said memory means; and (ii) storing in said second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; b) input means for the input of a problem for which an optimum solution is sought; c) a processor for repeatedly: (i) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; (ii) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; and (iii) applying said selected methods to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said plurality of techniques; thereby to obtain an optimum possible solution to said problem.

Claim 23

An apparatus for optimizing the performance of a controlled process using nonlinear optimization, the apparatus comprising: a) memory means having first and second memory areas for: (i) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in said first memory area of said memory means; and (ii) storing in said second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; b) input means for the input of a problem relating to said controlled process for which an optimum solution is sought; c) a processor for repeatedly: (i) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; (ii) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; (iii) applying said selected methods to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques thereby to obtain an optimum possible solution to said problem; and d) means for controlling the performance of said process on the basis of said optimum possible solution.

Claim 24

An apparatus for optimizing the performance of a controlled process using nonlinear optimization, the apparatus comprising: a) memory means having first and second memory areas for: (i) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in said first memory area of said memory means; and (ii) storing in said second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; b) input means for the input of a problem relating to said controlled process for which an optimum solution is sought; c) a processor for repeatedly: (i) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; (ii) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; (iii) applying said selected methods to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said extracted one or more of said plurality of techniques thereby to obtain an optimum possible solution to said problem; and d) means for controlling the performance of said process on the basis of said optimum possible solution.

Claim 25

An apparatus for optimizing the performance of a controlled system using nonlinear optimization, the apparatus comprising: a) memory means having first and second memory areas for: (i) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in said first memory area of said memory means; and (ii) storing in said second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; b) input means for the input of a problem relating to said controlled system for which an optimum solution is sought; c) a processor for repeatedly: (i) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; (ii) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; (iii) applying said selected methods to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said plurality of techniques, thereby to obtain an optimum possible solution to said problem; and d) means for controlling the performance of said controlled system on the basis of said optimum possible solution.

Claim 26

An apparatus for optimizing the performance of a controlled system using nonlinear optimization, the apparatus comprising: a) memory means having first and second memory areas for: (i) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in said first memory area of said memory means; and (ii) storing in said second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; b) input means for the input of a problem relating to said controlled system for which an optimum solution is sought; c) a processor for repeatedly: (i) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; (ii) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; (iii) applying said selected methods to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said plurality of techniques, thereby to obtain an optimum possible solution to said problem; and d) means for controlling the performance of said controlled system on the basis of said optimum possible solution.

Claim 27

An apparatus for computer aided design of an industrial or technological device or system by computer controlled nonlinear optimization, the apparatus comprising: a) memory means having first and second memory areas for: (i) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in said first memory area of said memory means; and (ii) storing in said second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; b) input means for the input of a problem relating to parameters of said device or system, which parameters are to be optimized subject to predetermined constraints; c) a processor for repeatedly: (i) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; (ii) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; (iii) applying said selected methods to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said plurality of techniques, thereby to obtain an optimum possible solution to said problem; and d) means for displaying said optimized parameters for said device or system on the basis of said optimum possible solution.

Claim 28

An apparatus for computer aided design of an industrial or technological device or system by computer controlled nonlinear optimization, the apparatus comprising: a) memory means having first and second memory areas for: (i) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in said first memory area of said memory means; and (ii) storing in said second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; b) input means for the input of a problem relating to parameters of said device or system, which parameters are to be optimized subject to predetermined constraints; c) a processor for repeatedly: (i) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; (ii) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; (iii) applying said selected methods to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said plurality of techniques, thereby to obtain an optimum possible solution to said problem; and d) means for displaying said optimized parameters for said device or system on the basis of said optimum possible solution.

Claim 29

An apparatus for nonlinear optimization, the apparatus comprising: a) memory means having first, second and third memory areas for: (i) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in said first memory area; (ii) storing in said second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of first techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; and (iii) storing in said third memory area, separate from said methods, a plurality of second techniques each of said second techniques relating to a corresponding one of said methods; input means for the input of a problem for which an optimum solution is sought; c) a processor for repeatedly: (i) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; (ii) extracting from said third memory area any of said second techniques corresponding to said selected method; (iii) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; and (iv) applying said selected methods to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said plurality of techniques and said extracted second techniques, thereby to obtain an optimum possible solution to said problem.

Claim 30

An apparatus for nonlinear optimization, the apparatus comprising: a) memory means having first, second and third memory areas for: (i) storing a plurality of nonlinear optimization methods in said first memory area; (ii) storing in said second memory area, separately from said methods, a plurality of first techniques for controlling said methods, said techniques being applicable to all said methods; and (iii) storing in said third memory area, separate from said methods, a plurality of second techniques each of said second techniques relating to a corresponding one of said methods; input means for the input of a problem for which an optimum solution is sought; c) a processor for repeatedly: (i) extracting a selected method from said first memory area; (ii) extracting from said third memory area any of said second techniques corresponding to said selected method; (iii) extracting one or more of said plurality of techniques from said second memory area; and (iv) applying said selected methods to said problem to obtain a possible solution, the application of said selected method being controlled by said plurality of techniques and said extracted second techniques, thereby to obtain an optimum possible solution to said problem.