Patent ID: 6092072
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: G06F,G06K,G06N,Y10S

Abstract:
A computer based method of clustering related data in a computer database, said computer database stored on a computer readable medium and including a set of data points, the method comprising the steps of:a) establishing a cluster for every data point in said computer database, said data points being representative points of said cluster;b) calculating a distance between said representative points of every cluster;c) merging a pair of clusters having a closest pair of representative points into a merged cluster, said merged cluster having representative points;d) calculating a mean of said representative points for said merged cluster;e) selecting a number of scattered data points from said representative points of said merged cluster, said scattered data points representing a shape of said merged cluster;f) establishing a new set of representative points for said merged cluster by shrinking said number of scattered points toward the mean of said merged cluster;g) repeating steps b) through f) until a predetermined termination condition is met; andh) storing clusters which remain after step g) in a computer readable medium.