Subclass partitioning in a pattern recognition classifier system

A computer program product, operative in a data processing system and implemented on a computer readable medium, for establishing a classification architecture, comprising a plurality of operative classes, to distinguish between a plurality of occupant classes comprising:

• a partition search component that determines a hierarchy of subclass partitions, based on a degree of similarity between subclasses associated with the plurality of occupant classes;
• and
• a system control that iteratively selects a subclass partition according to the determined hierarchy, evaluates the fitness of a pattern recognition classifier having an architecture derived from the selected subclass partition, and retains a class separation associated with the selected subclass partition when the evaluated fitness is better than that associated with a preceding subclass partition in the hierarchy.

A system for establishing a classification architecture, comprising a plurality of operative classes, for a pattern recognition classifier operative to distinguish among a plurality of occupant classes as part of a vehicle occupant protection system, comprising:

• a partition search component that determines a hierarchy of subclass partitions, based on a degree of similarity between subclasses associated with the plurality of occupant classes;
• and
• a system control that iteratively selects a subclass partition according to the determined hierarchy, evaluates the fitness of a pattern recognition classifier having an architecture derived from the selected subclass partition, and retains a class separation associated with the selected subclass partition when the evaluated fitness is better than that associated with a preceding subclass partition in the hierarchy.