British Telecommunications Public Limited Company

Christos Voudouris

Behnam Azvine

Nader Azarmi

Kwok Ching Tsui

David Lesaint

Ian S Alletson

John J O'Donoghue

Raphael Dorne

Robert N W Laithwaite

Paul Walker

Andrew P Noble

A modeling tool for building a model of a problem involves a plurality of variables, whereby a heuristic search method can be carried out to optimize a solution for the modeled problem. The model of a problem includes a plurality of expressions defined as corresponding to one or more declarative statements and at least some of the expressions are dependent on at least one of the variables. The problem modeling tool can include automatically updating each declarative statement in response to changes to each variable associated therewith.

Software tool for heuristic search methods

In a multi-modal user interface, user inputs may be made in various different ways. For instance, the user might use a keyboard, a speech system, a vision system, a mouse or pen. Different inputs made by the user may be related and may have different significance. A processing system detects and resolves ambiguities and/or conflicts in inputs made by the user using the different input modes available.

Multimodal user interface

A plurality of resources, typically service operatives, are allocated to a plurality of tasks by a method in which initial information relating to the tasks to be allocated and the resources available to perform the tasks is provided. An initial series of schedules is first generated allocating resources to the tasks, and then modifying the individual schedule of at least one resource in response to updated information. Changes to individual schedules may be made in response to such updated information independently of the schedule generation. The initial, series of schedules may be generated in a two-stage process in which a rule-based system allocates tasks selected as being difficult to allocate (e.g., because they are linked to other tasks). then a stochastic (non-systematic) search system compiles the rest of the schedule. Periodically, the stochastic system may be interrupted to allow a further rule-based system to analyze the schedules created thus far, and fix the best ones in the schedule, so that the stochastic system can then concentrate on improving the remaining schedules. In order to allow the system to handle rapid changes in the requirements for tasks and the resources, on a scale faster than the time required to generate the schedules, a schedule modification system is arranged to make changes in the short term in between schedule updates delivered by the schedule generation system.

Method and apparatus for resource allocation when schedule changes are incorporated in real time

Call pattern data is generated for scheduling calls between a number of sites connected to a communication network. The call pattern data defines instructions for a number of sites to make a number of connections across the network to other sites over a predetermined period. This is achieved by creating a list of calls to be scheduled and then assigning in turn each of the calls to a source and a destination site. The source site and destination site are selected to satisfy one or a number of call constraint criteria associated with each call. The call pattern data representing the call is then generated and stored on a computer storage medium for subsequent download to the sites.

Method of scheduling connections

Growing community of inventors

Ipswich, United Kingdom

Christos Voudouris