Imprecise Computations with Deferred Optional Tasks

The imprecise computation model is an extension of the traditional real-time processing model. In this model, each imprecise task is logically divided into two portions: a mandatory portion and an optional portion. Since the optional portions of imprecise tasks can be traded for their deadlines and/or the required quality of service (QoS), the resulting quality of executing tasks in this model can be controlled by different strategies of the scheduling algorithms. In this paper, we present two significant results pertaining to on-line scheduling problems in the model of imprecise computation obeying Deferred Optional Tasks (DOT) scheduling discipline. The first significant result presented is, to the best of our knowledge, the very first proof of NP-hardness property for the problem of on-line, imprecise DOT scheduling without preemption (DOTwoP). And the second one is that we propose an O(n log n) algorithm to solve the problem of on-line, imprecise DOT scheduling with preemption (DOTwP) when tasks are ready upon arrival.