Resource schedule for scheduling rail way train resources

• US 7,222,083 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2003
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Julich, Paul M., Vu, Thu V., Crone, Michael S., Wills, M. Scott, Thomae, Douglas A., Matheson, William L.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOYCE, ANDRE D
• Application Number:
  US10/438,900
• Publication Number:
  US 20040111309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,467 Days
• Field of Search: 705/7, 705/8
• US Class Current: 705/7.25
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2205/04 Satellite based navigation systems, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/12 Preparing schedules
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/14 Following schedules
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/16 Trackside optimisation of vehicle or train operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06312 Adjustment or analysis of established resource schedule, e.g. resource or task levelling, or dynamic rescheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06314 Calendaring for a resource
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 706/932 Mathematics, science, or engineering

Abstract

A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.

Claims

1. A railway resource scheduler comprising:

a processor for receiving orders for rail service, each of the orders including an identification of a time interval over which the service is to be provided and a cost function;

a processor for receiving user-defined constraints;

a processor for receiving data as to an availability and capability of resources including train action effects and associated costs;

a processor for selecting resources to perform each activity in the orders;

a processor for accessing an activity list for the selected resources for each of the orders;

a processor for converting the activity lists into time intervals;

a processor for grouping the time intervals for the orders; and

a processor for moving the grouped time intervals relative to each other to effect scheduling consistent with user-defined constraints and minimum cost.

2. The scheduler of claim 1 wherein the scheduler performs annealing within a constraint satisfaction system operating as a virtual engine.

3. The scheduler of claim 1 wherein the scheduler is responsive, at least in part, to parameters related to costs.

4. The scheduler of claim 1 wherein the scheduler is responsive, at least in part, to train trips and processes such trips as being class objects each having constraint objects bound thereto which fire independently of each other.

5. The scheduler of claim 1 wherein said processor for moving is operable in first and second phases, the first phase permitting relatively large moves within a permissible time interval and a second phase permitting relatively small moves, the size of the permitted move decreasing as the temperature decreases.

6. The scheduler of claim 1 wherein said processor for moving is responsive at least in part to the feasibility and the cost of a schedule.