Patent ID: 6967899

Claim:
A method for characterizing a plurality of data sets in a d-dimensional Euclidean space, said data sets being based on a plurality of measurements of physical phenomena, said method comprising the steps of: reading in data points from a first data set of said plurality of data sets, said first data set being characterized in said d-dimensional Euclidean space wherein said d-dimensional Euclidean space comprises any whole number d of dimensions; creating a first virtual d-dimensional volume containing said data points of said first data set; partitioning said first virtual d-dimensional volume into a plurality k of partitions; determining an expected number E(M) of said plurality k of partitions which contain at least one of said data points if said first data set were randomly dispersed; determining a number M of said plurality k of partitions which actually contain at least one of said data points; and statistically determining a range of values around E(M) such that if said number M is within said range of values, then said first data set is characterized as random in structure, and if said number is outside of said range of values, then said first data set is characterized as non-random.