Patent ID: 8218881
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: G06K,G06T

Abstract:
1. A clustering processing method for dividing a sample group into a plurality of clusters based on a feature amount of each sample, the plurality of clusters each belonging to one of a plurality of layers composed of M layers (M=2, . . . , K), the clustering processing method comprising: a sample allocating step of allocating a sample targeted for processing to a cluster belonging to a first layer, based on a result of comparing the feature amount of the target sample with a representative feature amount of each of clusters belonging to the first layer; a determination step of determining whether to allocate a cluster belonging to an M−1th layer to an Mth layer; and a cluster allocating step of allocating a cluster belonging to the M−1th layer to the Mth layer, if it is determined in the determination step to allocate a cluster belonging to the M−1th layer to the Mth layer, wherein the sample allocating step, the determination step and the cluster allocating step are repeatedly executed with the samples each targeted for processing in order, until all of the samples are allocated to one of clusters belonging to a Kth and highest layer.