From 1972 to 1974, I was working on a PhD thesis entitled Multiple Server Queues with Service Time Depending on Waiting Time.The method of analysis was the embedded Markov chain technique, described in the papers [82] and [77]. My analysis involved lengthy, tedious deri- tions of systems of integral equations for the probability density function (pdf) of the waiting time. After pondering for many months whether there might be a faster, easier way to derive the integral equations, I ?nally discovered the basic theorems for such a method in August, 1974. The theorems establish a connection between sample-path level-crossing rates of the virtual wait process and the pdf of the waiting time. This connection was not found anywhere else in the literature at the time. I immediately developed a comprehensive new methodology for deriving the integral equations based on these theorems, and called it system point theory. (Subsequently it was called system point method,or system point level crossing method: SPLC or simply LC.) I rewrote the entire PhD thesis from November 1974 to March 1975, using LC to reach solutions. The new thesis was called System Point Theory in Exponential Queues. On June 12, 1975 I presented an invited talk on the new methodology at the Fifth Conference on Stochastic Processes and their Applications at the University of Maryland. Many queueing theorists were present.
From the reviews:
This excellent book by the originator of level crossing methods for stochastic models is a highly welcome addition to the literature on queues and inventories. The level crossing method is very powerful and sometimes results in extremely quick and easy derivations when compared with other methods. This book is in a class by itself for its focus on level crossing and for its breadth of coverage, and abundance of new ideas. Some applications of the method even deserve to be inserted into standard texts on stochastic models. Researchers will find a wealth of ideas in this book just waiting for consideration. I suspect that the book will result in a number of dissertations which develop and apply some of the methods presented.
Dr. Myron Hlynka, Department of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Windsor
"As the title indicates, this monograph explores the LC method thoroughly for obtaining probability distributions of state variables in a variety of stochastic models. ... The book is intended for research-and-applications-oriented workers in operations research, management science, engineering, probability and statistics, actuarial science, mathematics and the natural sciences. Intended for a large audience ... . The book is a welcome addition to any library frequented by researchers interested in stochastic modelling." (Sreenivasan Ravi, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2009 m)
"Level Crossing Methods in Stochastic Models is a book that describes how such methods can be used to analyse a variety of stochastic models including M/G/1 queues (and variants), M/M/c queues, G/M/c queues, multi-dimensional models, inventory models, and many others. ... Overall, the book is well written ... . I recommend the book for anyone doing research in queuing or stochastic models. The book is also helpful as a reference in that it summarizes results for a wide variety of systems." (J. Shortle, Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 61 (5), 2010)
"The book is aimed at the serious researcher in stochastic models, and is loaded with potential research topics. ... If someone is working on a new stochastic model, my advice is to examine this book for a related model and try to adopt the methods of the book to the new model. ... I highly recommend the book. ... There is a large international community of researchers in queueing and stochastic models. It's time to queue up to purchase this book." (Myron Hlynka, Technometrics, Vol. 51 (3), August, 2009)
This excellent book by the originator of level crossing methods for stochastic models is a highly welcome addition to the literature on queues and inventories. The level crossing method is very powerful and sometimes results in extremely quick and easy derivations when compared with other methods. This book is in a class by itself for its focus on level crossing and for its breadth of coverage, and abundance of new ideas. Some applications of the method even deserve to be inserted into standard texts on stochastic models. Researchers will find a wealth of ideas in this book just waiting for consideration. I suspect that the book will result in a number of dissertations which develop and apply some of the methods presented.
Dr. Myron Hlynka, Department of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Windsor
"As the title indicates, this monograph explores the LC method thoroughly for obtaining probability distributions of state variables in a variety of stochastic models. ... The book is intended for research-and-applications-oriented workers in operations research, management science, engineering, probability and statistics, actuarial science, mathematics and the natural sciences. Intended for a large audience ... . The book is a welcome addition to any library frequented by researchers interested in stochastic modelling." (Sreenivasan Ravi, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2009 m)
"Level Crossing Methods in Stochastic Models is a book that describes how such methods can be used to analyse a variety of stochastic models including M/G/1 queues (and variants), M/M/c queues, G/M/c queues, multi-dimensional models, inventory models, and many others. ... Overall, the book is well written ... . I recommend the book for anyone doing research in queuing or stochastic models. The book is also helpful as a reference in that it summarizes results for a wide variety of systems." (J. Shortle, Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 61 (5), 2010)
"The book is aimed at the serious researcher in stochastic models, and is loaded with potential research topics. ... If someone is working on a new stochastic model, my advice is to examine this book for a related model and try to adopt the methods of the book to the new model. ... I highly recommend the book. ... There is a large international community of researchers in queueing and stochastic models. It's time to queue up to purchase this book." (Myron Hlynka, Technometrics, Vol. 51 (3), August, 2009)
"Level crossing methods are a set of sample path-based mathematical tools used in applied probability to create reliable probability distributions. It consists of 11 Chapters, 145 items in the References ... . this edition is a valuable tool for all researchers working on stochastic application problems, for example, inventory control, queueing theory, reliability theory, actuarial ruin theory, renewal theory, and related Markov processes." (János Sztrik, zbMATH 1380.60002, 2018)