Patent ID: 7720615

Claim:
A method of evaluating water samples for the possible future presence of a water quality event, comprising: obtaining a plurality of water quality data over a period of time, wherein the data comprises values for water quality parameters, processing with a computer said data to determine correlation coefficients between data parameters; processing said data to identify any linear dependencies between data parameters; processing said data to standardize the scales of said data; evaluating said data over a plurality of proliferation time periods and neuron numbers; calculating MSEs and R2's from said evaluations; determining an optimal proliferation time period and optimal neuron number using said calculations; determining whether any of the said data fall within a predetermined range; and, in the event they all are not, estimating a valid likelihood that said water sample will be subject to a water quality event at one or more specific times in the future, based on subsequent, periodic data values and said proliferation time period and neuron number.