The search for an intelligent evader: Strategies for searcher and evader in the two-region problem

This paper considers the search for an evader concealed in one of two regions, each of which is characterized by its detection probability. The single-sided problem, in which the searcher is told the probability of the evader being located in a particular region, has been examined previously. We shall be concerned with the double-sided problem in which the evader chooses this probability secretly, although he may not subsequently move: his optimal strategy consists of that probability distribution which maximizes the expected time to detection, while the searcher's optimal strategy is the sequence of searches which limits the evader to this expected time. It transpires for this problem that optimal strategies for both searcher and evader may generally be obtained to a surprisingly good degree of approximation by using the optimal strategies for the closely related (but far more easily solved) problem in which the evader is completely free to move between searches.     

An inventory model with search for best ordering price

This paper presents a single-item inventory model with deterministic demand where the buyer is allowed to search for the most favorable price before deciding on the order quantity. In the beginning of each period, a sequential random sample can be taken from a known distribution and there is a fixed cost per search. The decision maker is faced with the task of deciding when to initiate and when to stop the search process, as well as determining the optimal order quantity once the search process is terminated. The objective is to minimize total expected costs while satisfying all demands on time. We demonstrate that a set of critical numbers determine the optimal stopping and ordering strategies. We present recursive expressions yielding the critical numbers, as well as the minimal expected cost from the beginning of every period to the end of the horizon.     

A search game taking account of attributes of searching resources

This article deals with a two‐person zero‐sum game called a search allocation game (SAG), in which a searcher and a target participate as players. The searcher distributes his searching resources in a search space to detect the target. The effect of resources lasts a certain period of time and extends to some areas at a distance from the resources' dropped points. On the other hand, the target moves around in the search space to evade the searcher. In the history of search games, there has been little research covering the durability and reachability of searching resources. This article proposes two linear programming formulations to solve the SAG with durable and reachable resources, and at the same time provide an optimal strategy of distributing searching resources for the searcher and an optimal moving strategy for the target. Using examples, we will analyze the influences of two attributes of resources on optimal strategies. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 2008     

New results on rendezvous search on the interval

In a rendezvous search problem, two players are placed in a network and must try to meet each other in the least possible expected time. We look at rendezvous search on a discrete interval in which the players are initially placed using independent draws (usually assumed to be from the same distribution). Some optimal solutions are known if this distribution is uniform, and also for certain other special types of distribution. In this article, we present two new results. First, we characterize the complete set of solutions for the uniform case, showing that all optimal strategies must have two specific properties (namely, of being swept and strictly geodesic). Second, we relate search strategies on the interval to proper binary trees, and use this correspondence to derive a recurrence relation for solutions to the symmetric rendezvous problem for any initial distribution. This relation allows us to solve any such problem computationally by dynamic programming. Finally, some ideas for future research are discussed. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 60: 454–467, 2013     

An (s,q) inventory model with stochastic and interrelated lead times

In this article we introduce a lead time mechanism that allows simultaneous order arrivals. This mechanism ensures that orders never cross each other. For the continuous review (s, q) inventory system with constant demand, we show that the allowance of batch arrivals gives rise to a discontinuous cost function. By exploiting the special structure of this cost function, a search algorithm is derived that yields the optimal order strategy in a reasonable amount of time. The search is restricted to integer order strategies only. We also consider an approximate method of solution that is based on a related model with a continuous cost function. The results obtained by this approximation are, in general, very satisfactory. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The search for an intelligent evader concealed in one of an arbitrary number of regions

This paper considers the search for an evader concealed in one of an arbitrary number of regions, each of which is characterized by its detection probability. We shall be concerned here with the double-sided problem in which the evader chooses this probability secretly, although he may not subsequently move; his aim is to maximize the expected time to detection, while the searcher attempts to minimize it. The situation where two regions are involved has been studied previously and reported on recently. This paper represents a continuation of this analysis. It is normally true that as the number of regions increases, optimal strategies for both searcher and evader are progressively more difficult to determine precisely. However it will be shown that, generally, satisfactory approximations to each are almost as easily derived as in the two region problem, and that the accuracy of such approximations is essentially independent of the number of regions. This means that so far as the evader is concerned, characteristics of the two-region problem may be used to assess the accuracy of such approximate strategies for problems of more than two regions.     

Optimal resource extraction with uncertain reserves

We consider the problem of finding a plan that maximizes the expected discounted return when extracting a nonrenewable resource having uncertain reserves. An extraction plan specifies the rate at which the resource is extracted as a function of time until the resource is exhausted or the time horizon is reached. The return per unit of resource extracted may depend on the rate of extraction, time, and the amount of resource previously extracted. We apply a new method called the generalized search optimization technique to find qualitative features of optimal plans and to devise algorithms for the numerical calculation of optimal plans.     

Use of a classifier in a knowledge-based simulation optimization system

This article defines and develops a simulation optimization system based upon response surface classification and the integration of multiple search strategies. Response surfaces are classified according to characteristics that indicate which search technique will be most successful. Typical surface characteristics include statistical measures and topological features, while search techniques encompass response surface methodology, simulated annealing, random search, etc. The classify-then-search process flow and a knowledge-based architecture are developed and then demonstrated with a detailed computer example. The system is useful not only as an approach to optimizing simulations, but also as a means for integrating search techniques and thereby providing the user with the most promising path toward an optimal solution. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Solving partially observable agent‐intruder games with an application to border security problems

In this paper, we introduce partially observable agent‐intruder games (POAIGs). These games model dynamic search games on graphs between security forces (an agent) and an intruder given possible (border) entry points and high value assets that require protection. The agent faces situations with dynamically changing, partially observable information about the state of the intruder and vice versa. The agent may place sensors at selected locations, while the intruder may recruit partners to observe the agent's movement. We formulate the problem as a two‐person zero‐sum game, and develop efficient algorithms to compute each player's optimal strategy. The solution to the game will help the agent choose sensor locations and design patrol routes that can handle imperfect information. First, we prove the existence of ?‐optimal strategies for POAIGs with an infinite time horizon. Second, we introduce a Bayesian approximation algorithm to identify these ?‐optimal strategies using belief functions that incorporate the imperfect information that becomes available during the game. For the solutions of large POAIGs with a finite time horizon, we use a solution method common to extensive form games, namely, the sequence form representation. To illustrate the POAIGs, we present several examples and numerical results.     

Optimal search plan minimizing the expected risk of the search for a target with conditionally deterministic motion

This article deals with a search problem for a moving target with a rather simple type of motion called factorable conditionally deterministic. A search plan is characterized by (ϕ, T), the elements of which specify how to search and when to stop the search, respectively. The problem is to find the optimal search plan which minimizes the expected risk (the expected search cost minus the expected reward). We obtain conditions for the optimal search plan, and applying the theorems, we derive the optimal search plan in a closed form for the case in which the target moves straight from a fixed point selecting his course and speed randomly.     

Many‐player rendezvous search: Stick together or split and meet?

Rendezvous search finds the strategies that players should use in order to find one another when they are separated in a region. Previous papers have concentrated on the case where there are two players searching for one another. This paper looks at the problem when there are more than two players and concentrates on what they should do if some but not all of them meet together. It looks at two strategies—the stick together one and the split up and meet again one. This paper shows that the former is optimal among the class of strategies which require no memory and are stationary, and it gives a method of calculating the expected rendezvous time under it. However, simulation results comparing both strategies suggest that in most situations the split up and meet again strategy which requires some memory leads to faster expected rendezvous times. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 48:710–721, 2001     

舰载反潜直升机吊放声纳区域反潜策略建模

为提高舰载反潜直升机吊放声纳区域反潜搜索作战效能,对舰载反潜直升机吊放声纳区域反潜搜索策略问题进行了建模。根据潜艇目标位置信息的不确定性,研究了潜艇目标位置信息的概率分布函数,采用Markov状态转移概率矩阵描述了潜艇目标位置信息变化的方法。其次,给出了基于贝叶斯理论的潜艇目标信息概率分布函数更新公式。再次,推导了舰载反潜直升机吊放声纳区域反潜最优策略,给出了舰载直升机吊放声纳区域反潜搜索算法。最后给出了典型案例,验证了反潜搜索策略的有效性。研究成果可为舰载反潜直升机吊放声纳区域反潜提供决策依据。     

Rendez‐vous search on a rectangular lattice

In a rendez‐vous search two or more teams called seekers try to minimize the time needed to find each other. In this paper, we consider s seekers in a rectangular lattice of locations where each knows the configuration of the lattice, the distribution of the seekers at time 0, and its own location, but not the location of any other. We measure time discretely, in turns. A meeting takes place when the two seekers reach the same point or adjacent points. The main result is that for any dimension of lattice, any initial distribution of seekers there are optimal strategies for the seekers that converge (in a way we shall make clear) to a center. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2007     

智能搜救机器人在障碍地形的自主构型规划

为了解决带有辅助摆臂的智能搜救机器人自动规划构型以实现自主越障的难题,提出一种能够适应复杂地面形状的搜救机器人越障构型规划新方法,其核心是一种高适应性、高效率的机器人姿态预测算法。通过将地形表示为离散的点集,建立了搜救机器人的单侧姿态预测数学模型;进一步提出了快速求解该问题的算法,每秒可预测1 000～1 500个姿态。基于此,设计了机器人越障过程中状态、动作的评价指标,运用动态规划算法与滚动优化思想构建了具有优化能力的、能够实时运行的构型规划器。仿真与实物实验的结果表明,该方法能够使机器人自主调整构型穿越复杂地形,且相较强化学习算法和人工操作具有更平稳的越障效果。     

Joint determination of preventive maintenance and safety stocks in an unreliable production environment

In this article we formulate an analytical model of preventive maintenance and safety stock strategies in a production environment subject to random machine breakdowns. Traditionally, preventive maintenance and safety stocks have been independently studied as two separate strategies for coping with machine breakdowns. Our intent is to develop a unified framework so that the two are jointly considered. We illustrate the trade-off between investing in the two options. In addition, we provide optimality conditions under which either one or both strategies should be implemented to minimize the associated cost function. Specifically, cases with deterministic and exponential repair time distributions are analyzed in detail. We include numerical examples to illustrate the determination of optimal strategies for preventive maintenance and safety stocks. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

一类对固定目标的集群搜寻对策问题及求解

利用集群搜索对策的理论与方法 ,建立了集群对固定目标的一类搜索对策模型 ,给出了集群的ε -最优搜寻策略 ,并考虑了其在搜索过程中的应用     

集群搜索对策理论在搜索-规避对抗中的应用

使用对策论的观点和方法 ,结合搜索论的知识 ,建立了一类搜索 -规避对抗对策模型 .对模型的结论做了系统分析 ,考虑了对策双方的最优策略及使用 .     

Using multiple searchers in constrained-path,moving-target search problems

The search theory open literature has paid little, if any, attention to the multiple-searcher, moving-target search problem. We develop an optimal branch-and-bound procedure and six heuristics for solving constrained-path problems with multiple searchers. Our optimal procedure outperforms existing approaches when used with only a single searcher. For more than one searcher, the time needed to guarantee an optimal solution is prohibitive. Our heuristics represent a wide variety of approaches: One solves partial problems optimally, two use paths based on maximizing the expected number of detections, two are genetic algorithm implementations, and one is local search with random restarts. A heuristic based on the expected number of detections obtains solutions within 2% of the best known for each one-, two-, and three-searcher test problem considered. For one- and two-searcher problems, the same heuristic's solution time is less than that of other heuristics. For three-searcher problems, a genetic algorithm implementation obtains the best-known solution in as little as 20% of other heuristic solution times. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

考虑随机回放的卫星数传调度问题的一种求解方法

针对考虑随机回放的卫星数传调度问题,从置换空间到调度解空间的映射方法和置换空间的搜索算法两方面进行了研究.提出了一种时间窗优先的置换序列映射算法,并证明该映射算法可以将置换序列映射到调度解空间上的最优解.提出了一种遗传随机搜索算法,基于有记忆功能的随机邻域搜索,在置换空间上搜索产生优化调度的置换序列.仿真计算表明,遗传随机搜索算法可以增强遗传算法的局部搜索能力,在搜索结果上平均获得了2.72%的改进.     

The knapsack problem with disjoint multiple-choice constraints

In this article we consider the binary knapsack problem under disjoint multiple-choice constraints. We propose a two-stage algorithm based on Lagrangian relaxation. The first stage determines in polynomial time an optimal Lagrange multiplier value, which is then used within a branch-and-bound scheme to rank-order the solutions, leading to an optimal solution in a relatively low depth of search. The validity of the algorithm is established, a numerical example is included, and computational experience is described.