Patent ID: 7209924
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: G06N,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for using a continuous attribute as an input attribute for a decision tree for a given output attribute, where a score can be calculated which corresponds to a measure of the usefulness of a subrange of an input attribute considered as a state over said given output attribute, comprising: determining a range of values for said continuous attribute; where said values for said continuous attribute are stored on at least one storage medium; dividing said range into partitions, where each partition corresponds to a sub-range of said range; determining whether to merge said at least two adjacent partitions, comprising calculating a score gain corresponding to a hypothetical partition resulting from the merger of two adjacent partitions compared to sum of scores for each of said two adjacent partitions; and performing a merger based on the step of determining whether to merge.