Optimization using a multi-dimensional data model
View Patent ↗In one embodiment, a method for optimization using multi-dimensional data includes receiving a problem instance to be solved using an optimization engine. The problem instance is specified in a multi-dimensional format associated with a multidimensional data model that includes multiple data dimensions each including a hierarchy of members. The problem instance includes an objective function, an optimization operator, and one or more constraints. The optimization engine is unable to solve the problem instance including the objective function, the optimization operator, and the one or more constraints in the multi-dimensional format. The method also includes, using a transformation module, transforming the problem instance including the objective function, the optimization operator, and the one or more constraints into a format appropriate for the optimization engine and communicating the transformed problem instance including the objective function, the optimization operator, and the one or more constraints to the optimization engine to be solved.
1. A computer-readable storage medium embodied with software for optimization using multi-dimensional data, the software when executed using a computer system is configured to:
receive a problem instance to be solved using an optimization engine, the problem instance specified in a multi-dimensional format associated with a multi-dimensional data model that includes a plurality of data dimensions each including a hierarchy of members, the problem instance comprising an objective function, an optimization operator, a problem domain, an evaluation level, and one or more constraints, the objective function comprises a data measure or a combination of data measures to be optimized and an aggregation domain for each data measure, the problem domain includes all data in the multi-dimensional data model that is located hierarchically below one or more specified intersections in the multi-dimensional data model, the evaluation level specified by identifying a particular level in the hierarchy of each data dimension, the optimization engine unable to solve the problem instance in the multi-dimensional format;
transform the problem instance into a format appropriate for the optimization engine;
communicate the transformed problem instance to the optimization engine to be solved; and
receive a solution associated with the problem instance from the optimization engine.
2. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1 , further configured to:
transform the solution into the multi-dimensional format.
3. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein transforming the problem instance comprises:
parsing the received problem instance to identify pre-defined multi-dimensional syntax; and
translating the multi-dimensional syntax to a syntax appropriate for the optimization engine.
4. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein transforming the problem instance comprises generating multiple problem constraints in a format appropriate for the optimization engine from a single problem constraint included in the specified problem instance, the single problem constraint identifying a member in each data dimension to which the constraint is applicable.
5. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein transforming the problem instance comprises importing data applicable to the problem instance from one or more data storage locations, the imported data included in the transformed problem instance in a format appropriate for the optimization engine.
6. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein each intersection is identified by specifying a member in each data dimension.
7. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 6 , wherein one or more data measures included in the objective function has an associated data value in a data storage location for each of one or more intersections in the problem domain.
8. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1 , further configured to replicate a single constraint in the multi-dimensional format into multiple constraints in the multi-dimensional format, the single constraint including one or more coverage sets identifying multiple members of one or more data dimensions to which the constraint applies.
9. A computer-readable storage medium embodied with software for optimization using multi-dimensional data, the software when executed using a computer system is configured to:
receive a problem instance request from a user in a multi-dimensional data optimization system wherein a problem instance is specified in a multi-dimensional format associated with a multi-dimensional data model that includes a plurality of data dimensions each including a hierarchy of members, the problem instance comprising an objective function, an optimization operator, a problem domain, and one or more constraints, the objective function comprises a data measure or a combination of data measures to be optimized, the problem domain includes all data in the multi-dimensional data model that is located hierarchically below one or more specified intersections in the multi-dimensional data model; and
provide a problem instance graphical user interface (GUI) to the user via a user interface.
10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the problem instance GUI comprises:
a data model list for selecting the multi-dimensional data model, wherein the selected data model indicates which data is used to solve the problem instance request from the user.
11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10 , wherein the problem instance GUI comprises:
a domain field for selecting a domain for the problem instance request from the user, the domain field is configured to receive an input from the user of a member of each data dimension of the selected data model.
12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 11 , further configured to:
provide a tree structure for hierarchically illustrating one or more members of each data dimension to assist the user in selecting the domain.
13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , further configured to:
provide a problem structure GUI to the user, in response to the user selecting a problem structure button associated with the problem instance GUI.
14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , further configured to:
provide a constraint editor GUI to the user, in response to a user selection of a constraint set button associated with the problem structure GUI.
15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the constraint editor GUI comprises:
a constraint set name field configured to receive an input from the user for naming a constraint set; and
a constraint list configured to receive one or more problem constraints from the user.
16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the constraint set editor GUI comprises:
one or more function fields configured to receive an input from the user selecting one or more components of a constraint.
17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , further configured to:
provide a function editor GUI to the user, in response to a user selection of a function edit button associated with the problem structure GUI.
18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the function editor GUI comprises:
a function field configured to receive an input from the user specifying a function or a measure to be optimized.
19. A multi-dimensional data optimization system, comprising:
means for receiving, by a computer, a problem instance request from a user in a multi-dimensional data optimization system, the problem instance request comprising an objective function including a data measure or a combination of data measures to be optimized;
means for providing, by the computer, a problem instance graphical user interface (GUI) to the user via a user interface, the problem instance GUI comprises:
a data model list for selecting a multi-dimensional data model, wherein the selected data model indicates which data is used to solve the problem instance request from the user; and
a domain field for selecting a domain for the problem instance request from the user, the domain field is configured to receive an input from the user of a member of each dimension of the selected data model; and
means for providing, by the computer, a tree structure for hierarchically illustrating one or more members of each dimension to assist the user in selecting the domain.