Local arc consistency for non-invertible semirings, with an application to multi-objective optimization

• Published in: Expert systems with applications 2012-02, Vol.39 (2), p.1708-1717
• Main Authors: Bistarelli, Stefano, Gadducci, Fabio, Larrosa, Javier, Rollon, Emma, Santini, Francesco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorptivity; Algorithms; Arc consistency; Cartesian; Consistency; Expert systems; Invertible semiring; Liquid crystal displays; Multi-objective; Operators; Optimization; Soft constraint
• ISSN: 0957-4174; 1873-6793
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eswa.2011.06.062

► We generalize the previous consistency algorithms to more sophisticated semirings. ► Our focus is on invertible semirings, equipped with either a total or a partial order. ► We show a novel associative operator, characterizing the least common divisor (LCD). ► The LCD value is to the amount we can “safely move” in the consistency algorithm. We extend algorithms for local arc consistency proposed in the literature in order to deal with (absorptive) semirings that may not be invertible. As a consequence, these consistency algorithms can be used as a pre-processing procedure in soft Constraint Satisfaction Problems (CSPs) defined over a larger class of semirings, such as those obtained from the Cartesian product of two (or more) semirings. One important instance of this class of semirings is adopted for multi-objective CSPs. First, we show how a semiring can be transformed into a novel one where the + operator is instantiated with the least common divisor (LCD) between the elements of the original semiring. The LCD value corresponds to the amount we can “safely move” from the binary constraint to the unary one in the arc consistency algorithm. We then propose a local arc consistency algorithm which takes advantage of this LCD operator.