Abstract: A method and system for scheduling events into a set of opportunities is presented. The method includes 1) dividing a path of an image acquisition device so that there is at least a first portion and a second portion at any given moment, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion includes at least one state and the first portion includes a null state in which no image is taken; 2) combining each state in the first portion with at least one state in the second portion one by one to generate a series of updated sequences; and 3) selecting at least one of the updated sequences based on a merit value associated with each of the updated sequences. The invention uses only two groups out of all the relevant opportunities for most calculations, and is especially applicable to situations like satellite pass scheduling.

Abstract: Apparatus for analysis of a complex system comprising elements to determine the effective elements of a system in carrying out a given task, the apparatus comprising: a sampler for carrying out successive silencing operations comprising silencing elements and combinations of elements of the system and measuring results of the given task, a predictor for providing predictions for predicting results for the given task for further element silencing combinations, and a contributions calculator for using said measured results and said predicted results to generate Shapley value predictions for said elements as indicators of an effectiveness of a respective element in carrying out the given task.

Abstract: Apparatus for analysis of a complex system comprising elements to determine the effective elements of a system in carrying out a given task, the apparatus comprising: a sampler for carrying out successive silencing operations comprising silencing elements and combinations of elements of the system and measuring results of the given task, a predictor for providing predictions for predicting results for the given task for further element silencing combinations, and a contributions calculator for using said measured results and said predicted results to generate Shapley value predictions for said elements as indicators of an effectiveness of a respective element in carrying out the given task.

Abstract: A method and system for scheduling events into a set of opportunities is presented. The method includes 1) dividing a path of an image acquisition device so that there is at least a first portion and a second portion at any given moment, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion includes at least one state and the first portion includes a null state in which no image is taken; 2) combining each state in the first portion with at least one state in the second portion one by one to generate a series of updated sequences; and 3) selecting at least one of the updated sequences based on a merit value associated with each of the updated sequences. The invention uses only two groups out of all the relevant opportunities for most calculations, and is especially applicable to situations like satellite pass scheduling.