Flexible Cost and Constraint Assignment Method and System For Hierarchical Networks
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method for flexible cost and constraint assignment for a hierarchical network comprising a plurality of nodes, comprising the steps of:
- (a) defining one or more constraints on a total cost for the hierarchical network;
(b) defining a path and types of nodes for the hierarchical network; and
(c) defining a cost function for each node in the hierarchical network, wherein the cost function depends on a cost function of the node'"'"'s parent node, cost functions for the node'"'"'s child nodes, and the type of the node.
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Abstract
A method and system for flexible cost management in a hierarchical network is disclosed. The method and system define paths and a cost function for each type of node in a hierarchical network. The cost function depends on the hierarchical level of the node, cost function of the node'"'"'s parent node, and cost functions for the node'"'"'s child nodes. Constraints can be placed on the costs of the nodes by introducing time periods and/or various user defined criteria in their cost functions. Constraints on the total network can also be defined to bound the total cost of the network. In this manner, flexibility is injected in the management of costs in the hierarchical network.
26 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for flexible cost and constraint assignment for a hierarchical network comprising a plurality of nodes, comprising the steps of:
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(a) defining one or more constraints on a total cost for the hierarchical network; (b) defining a path and types of nodes for the hierarchical network; and (c) defining a cost function for each node in the hierarchical network, wherein the cost function depends on a cost function of the node'"'"'s parent node, cost functions for the node'"'"'s child nodes, and the type of the node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer readable medium with program instructions for flexible cost and constraint assignment for a hierarchical network comprising a plurality of nodes, comprising the instructions for:
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(a) defining one or more constraints on a total cost for the hierarchical network; (b) defining a path and types of nodes for the hierarchical network; and (c) defining a cost function for each node in the hierarchical network, wherein the cost function depends on a cost function of the node'"'"'s parent node, cost functions for the node'"'"'s child nodes, and the type of the node.
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10. A system, comprising:
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a server for receiving parameters for a hierarchical network, wherein the parameters comprises; one or more constraints on a total cost for the hierarchical network, a path and types of nodes for the hierarchical network, and a cost functions for each node in the hierarchical network, wherein the cost function depends on a cost function of the node'"'"'s parent node, cost functions for the node'"'"'s child nodes, and the type of the node; and a database for storing the received parameters. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification