Double-Constraint Fuzzy Clustering Algorithm

Abstract

Given a set of data objects, the fuzzy c-means (FCM) partitional clustering algorithm is favored due to easy implementation, rapid response, and feasible optimization. However, FCM fails to reflect either the importance degree of the individual data objects or that of the clusters. Numerous variants of FCM have been proposed to address these issues. However, most of them cannot effectively apply the available information on data objects or clusters. In this paper, a double-constraint fuzzy clustering algorithm is proposed to reflect the importance degrees of both individual data objects and clusters. By incorporating double constraints into each data object and cluster, the objective function of FCM is reformulated and its realization equation is mathematically conducted. Consequently, the clustering accuracy of FCM is improved by applying the available information on both data objects and clusters. Especially, the proposed algorithm effectively addresses the limitations inherent in the existing variants of FCM. The experimental results validate the effectiveness, implementation, and robustness of the new fuzzy clustering algorithm.

Keywords

• fuzzy clustering
• c-means algorithm
• data constraint
• cluster constraint