The p-Collection Problem in a Flow Network with Lower Bounds

摘要

In this paper we extend the p-collection problem to a flow network with lower bounds, and call the extended problem the lower-bounded p-collection problem. First we discuss the complexity of this problem to show NP-hardness for a network with path structure. Next we present a linear time algorithm for the lower-bounded 1-collection problem in a network with tree structure, and a pseudo-polynomial time algorithm with dynamic programming type for the lower-bounded p-collection problem in a network with tree structure. Using the pseudo-polynomial time algorithm, we show an exponential algorithm, which is efficient in a connected network with few cycles, for the lower-bounded p-collection problem.