Novel classification methods for sensitive problems and uneven datasets based on neural networks and fuzzy logic

This paper describes a novel binary classification method named LASCUS that can be applied to uneven datasets and sensitive problems such as malfunction detection. Such method aims at filling the gap left by traditional algorithms which have difficulties when coping with unbalanced datasets and are not able to satisfactorily recognize unfrequent patterns. The proposed method is based on the use of a self organizing map (SOM) and of a fuzzy inference system (FIS). The SOM creates a set of clusters to be associated either to frequent or unfrequent situations while the FIS determines such association on the basis of data distribution. The method has been tested on the widely used benchmarking Wisconsin breast cancer database and on two industrial applications. The obtained results, which are discussed in the paper, are encouraging and in line with expectations.