Real-time interactive adjustment of control parameters for a genetic algorithm computer

• US 20030095151A1
• Filed: 11/20/2001
• Published: 05/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Carter, Richard J., Shackleford, J. Barry
• Application Number:
  US09/988,598
• Publication Number:
  US 20030095151A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/833
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/126 Evolutionary algorithms, e.g. genetic algorithms or genetic programming

Abstract

A genetic algorithm machine with user-controlled parameters that is non-problem specific. A user interface directly manipulates several input parameters, the number of crossovers per run, the probability that any bit will be a cutpoint, and the probability that any bit will be mutated, that constrain the genetic algorithm machine'"'"'s solving capabilities, allowing the user to control whether and how efficiently the genetic algorithm evolves a best solution.

Claims

1. A graphical user interface displaying in a first portion thereof an evolution of a solution for a genetic algorithm, said graphical user interface comprising:

an evolution parameter field in a second portion of said graphical user interface, said evolution parameter field having a first position, said evolution parameter field comprising at least one variable related to the evolution of said genetic algorithm; and

modification means for modifying the evolution of said solution for said genetic algorithm in real time based upon a positional adjustment of said evolution parameter field from said first position to a second position.

2. The graphical user interface according to claim 1, wherein said evolution parameter field is a slider.

3. The graphical user interface according to claim 1, wherein said evolution parameter field is manipulated by a mouse, joystick, knob, or touchpad.

4. The graphical user interface according to claim 1, wherein said variable related to the evolution of said genetic algorithm is a number of evaluations performed in said genetic algorithm.

5. The graphical user interface according to claim 1, wherein said variable related to the evolution of said genetic algorithm is a probability of any bit in a chromosome being a cutpoint in said genetic algorithm.

6. The graphical user interface according to claim 1, wherein said variable related to the evolution of said genetic algorithm is a probability of any bit in a chromosome being mutated in said genetic algorithm.

7. The graphical user interface according to claim 1, wherein said modification means comprises a direct manipulation of said genetic algorithm as indicated by the positional adjustment of said evolution parameter field, said direct manipulation being accomplished by overwriting a variable used in said genetic algorithm.

8. A method for dynamically modifying an evolution of a solution for a genetic algorithm, said method comprising steps of:

adjusting an evolution parameter field within a graphical user interface of a computer system from a first position to a second position, resulting in a positional adjustment, said evolution parameter field comprising at least one variable related to the evolution of said genetic algorithm;

updating the evolution of said solution for said genetic algorithm in real time based upon said positional adjustment in said step of adjusting; and

displaying the update of said solution for said genetic algorithm within the graphical user interface.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein in said step of adjusting, said evolution parameter field is adjusted from said first position to said second position by a user.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein said step of updating comprises a direct manipulation of said genetic algorithm as indicated by the positional adjustment of said evolution parameter field, said direct manipulation being accomplished by overwriting a variable used in said genetic algorithm.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said variable used in said genetic algorithm is a number of evaluations performed in said genetic algorithm.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said variable used in said genetic algorithm is a probability of any bit in any solution being a cutpoint in said genetic algorithm.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein said variable used in said genetic algorithm is a probability of any bit in any solution being mutated in said genetic algorithm.

14. A machine readable memory for storing computer code to act as a graphical user interface to a genetic algorithm, said memory comprising:

a first code section stored in memory for receiving an adjustment of an evolution parameter field within said graphical user interface from a first position to a second position, resulting in a positional adjustment, said evolution parameter field comprising at least one variable related to the evolution of said genetic algorithm;

a second code section stored in memory for updating the evolution of said solution for said genetic algorithm in real time based upon said positional adjustment in said step of adjusting; and

a third code section stored in memory for displaying the update of said solution for said genetic algorithm within the graphical user interface.

15. The machine readable memory according to claim 14, wherein said memory exists on a server.

16. The machine readable memory according to claim 14, wherein said memory exists on a website.