Patent ID: 7277573

Claim:
A method for characterizing data in a three-dimensional space, said data being based on at least three measurable phenomena wherein a data point in said three-dimensional space is defined by one measurement of each of said at least three measurable phenomena, said method comprising the steps of: providing a number N of said data points; selecting a size of said three dimensional-space which contains all of said N data points; partitioning said three-dimensional space into a plurality of smaller three-dimensional subspaces; utilizing a three-dimensional runs test comprising: providing a scoring system whereby each three-dimensional subspace is scored as a zero if no data point is located therein and as a one if at least one data point is located therein; providing a predefined route passing through said three-dimensional space whereby said predefined route passes through every three-dimensional subspace only one time; producing a series of ones and zeros by sequentially scoring each subspace along said predefined route with said scoring system, a total number of said ones produced during each predefined measurement route being equal to n 1 , a total number of said zeros produced during each predefined measurement route being equal to n 2 , n 1 +n 2 being equal to a total number of said three-dimensional subspaces; determining a total number of runs r in said series of ones and zeros whereby each run is a consecutive sequence of all ones or a consecutive sequence of all zeros; selecting an acceptable false alarm rate α wherein said false alarm rate is a statistical likelihood of labeling said N data points as nonrandom when said N data points are actually random; determining a probability p that r is within a statistically expected range of values for r if said N data points are random; and comparing p to α for producing a three dimensional runs test decision that said set of N data points is random or nonrandom.