This is the first textbook on pattern recognition to present the Bayesian viewpoint. The book presents approximate inference algorithms that permit fast approximate answers in situations where exact answers are not feasible. It uses graphical models to describe probability distributions when no other books apply graphical models to machine learning. No previous knowledge of pattern recognition or machine learning concepts is assumed. Familiarity with multivariate calculus and basic linear algebra is required, and some experience in the use of probabilities would be helpful though not essential as the book includes a self-contained introduction to basic probability theory.

This volume features key contributions from the International Conference on Pattern Recognition Applications and Methods, (ICPRAM 2012,) held in Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal from February 6th-8th, 2012. The conference provided a major point of collaboration between researchers, engineers and practitioners in the areas of Pattern Recognition, both from theoretical and applied perspectives, with a focus on mathematical methodologies. Contributions describe applications of pattern recognition techniques to real-world problems, interdisciplinary research, and experimental and theoretical studies which yield new insights that provide key advances in the field. This book will be suitable for scientists and researchers in optimization, numerical methods, computer science, statistics and for differential geometers and mathematical physicists.

Focuses on mathematical understanding Presentation is self-contained, accessible, and comprehensive Full color throughout Extensive list of exercises and worked-out examples Many concrete algorithms with actual code

Sequential Methods in Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning

Methodologies of Pattern Recognition is a collection of papers that deals with the two approaches to pattern recognition (geometrical and structural), the Robbins-Monro procedures, and the implications of interactive graphic computers for pattern recognition methodology. Some papers describe non-supervised learning in statistical pattern recognition, parallel computation in pattern recognition, and statistical analysis as a tool to make patterns emerge from data. One paper points out the importance of cluster processing in visual perception in which proximate points of similar brightness values form clusters. At higher levels of mental activity humans are efficient in clumping complex items into clusters. Another paper suggests a recognition method which combines versatility and an efficient noise-proofness in dealing with the two main problems in the field of recognition. These difficulties are the presence of a large variety of observed signals and the presence of interference. One paper reports on a possible feature selection for pattern recognition systems employing the minimization of population entropy. Electronic engineers, physicists, physiologists, psychologists, logicians, mathematicians, and philosophers will find great rewards in reading the above collection.

The fundamental mathematical tools needed to understand machine learning include linear algebra, analytic geometry, matrix decompositions, vector calculus, optimization, probability and statistics. These topics are traditionally taught in disparate courses, making it hard for data science or computer science students, or professionals, to efficiently learn the mathematics. This self-contained textbook bridges the gap between mathematical and machine learning texts, introducing the mathematical concepts with a minimum of prerequisites. It uses these concepts to derive four central machine learning methods: linear regression, principal component analysis, Gaussian mixture models and support vector machines. For students and others with a mathematical background, these derivations provide a starting point to machine learning texts. For those learning the mathematics for the first time, the methods help build intuition and practical experience with applying mathematical concepts. Every chapter includes worked examples and exercises to test understanding. Programming tutorials are offered on the book's web site.

Statistical pattern recognition; Probability density estimation; Single-layer networks; The multi-layer perceptron; Radial basis functions; Error functions; Parameter optimization algorithms; Pre-processing and feature extraction; Learning and generalization; Bayesian techniques; Appendix; References; Index.