Patent ID: 7882128
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for detecting patterns in input data containing a plurality of transactions, each transaction having at least one unstructured item, the method comprising: receiving filter conditions for interesting patterns in the plurality of transactions of unstructured items in the input data, wherein the patterns include one or more of sequences, association rules, and sequence rules, wherein the filter conditions include at least one condition based on one or more of: weight, total weight with respect to input data, average weight of supporting transactions, weight of a role body, weight of a role head, total weight of a role head with respect to input data, total weight of a role body with respect to input data, and accessible additional total weight; determining, based on the received filter conditions, a first set of filter conditions for restricting a search space in connection with generation of candidate patterns and a second set of filter conditions applicable in connection with evaluation of child candidate patterns, selecting an evaluated candidate pattern as a parent candidate pattern and maintaining evaluation information about the parent candidate pattern, generating child candidate patterns by extending the parent candidate pattern and applying the first set of filter conditions, evaluating the child candidate patterns, while taking into account the second set of filter conditions, with respect to the input data together in sets of similar candidate patterns and based on the evaluation information about the parent candidate pattern, each set having up to a predetermined number of similar candidate patterns and at least one set of the sets of similar candidate patterns having at least two similar candidate patterns, and recursively using at least one child candidate pattern successfully passing the evaluation step as a parent candidate pattern until no further child candidate patterns can be used as a parent candidate pattern.