Control theory is a mathematical description of how to act optimally to gain future rewards. In this paper I give an introduction to deterministic and stochastic control theory; partial observability, learning and the combined problem of inference and control. Subsequently, I discuss a class of non-linear stochastic control problems that can be efficiently solved using a path integral. In this ...

Optimal control theory is a mature mathematical discipline with numerous applications in both science and engineering. It is emerging as the computational framework of choice for studying the neural control of movement, in much the same way that probabilistic inference is emerging as the computational framework of choice for studying sensory information processing. Despite the growing popularit...

The control of quantum dynamics via specially tailored laser pulses is a longstanding goal in physics and chemistry. Partly, this dream has come true, as sophisticated pulse-shaping experiments allow us to coherently control product ratios of chemical reactions. The theoretical design of the laser pulse to transfer an initial state to a given final state can be achieved with the help of quantum...

Market segmentation is an essential element of marketing in industrialized countries. Goods can no longer be produced and sold without considering customer needs and recognized the heterogeneity of these needs. In this paper, we use market segmentation approach in single product inventory system with deteriorating items. The objective is to make use of optimal control theory to solve the produc...

In this paper the design of a time-optimal controller for a class of hybrid systems where the continuous part is modelled by integrator processes is outlined. The controller may be used for classical tracking problems where the goal is to follow a given trajectory. However, since the control law can be expressed as a function of the present continuous state it can also compensate for disturbanc...