US Patent 7596736 Iterative process for identifying systematics in data

An iterative process for identifying systematics in data is provided. In general, a set of data is processed based on a signature definition to create a set of signature data. The set of signature data is then analyzed to identify common signatures. The set of signature data is modified, using knowledge of the common signature(s), creating a revised set of signature data. The revised set of signature data is then analyzed again to identify new common signatures, if any. The modifying and analyzing steps are repeated until no new common signatures are identified. When no new common signatures are identified, the identified common signatures are reported.