There are two major research communities concerned with Pattern
Analysis: Pattern Recognition (PR) and
Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, both Databases and Theory, and many
other domains such
as Networks, Architecture, Vision, and Speech/Natural-Language are
established fields that involve patterns. There are terms in
computing like data mining (looking for patterns). Mathematics
contains books and papers that equate the entire discipline with
the science of patterns. Other tendencies there overlaps
mathematical research and exposition with image and graphic
communication (visual patterns).
For many reasons the Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineers (IEEE) publications offer a valuable introduction to Pattern
Analysis research, one especially rich in applications. The organization
publishes several journals that serve research subfields. A few of them
are listed below:
IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence
(PAMI);
IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics (SMC);
IEEE Expert;
IEEE Transactions on
Knowledge & Data Engineering; and,
IEEE Transactions on Visualization &
Computer Graphics
One aspect of the IEEE is that they have the largest membership of any
professional society. Another is their rapid adoption of new technology.
Yet a third is the general access provided through low-cost student
membership to a wealth of information. To see some of this go to IEEE Xplore, a dynamic online
delivery system for IEEE technical and scientific information.
Art, architecture, language (linguistics, semiotics), religion, and many
other human activities also are intertwined with patterns. These
publications are non-IEEE sources that use the word in their title:
Alexander C., Ishikawa S., and Silverstein, M., et. al., A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction, NY: Oxford University Press, 1977.
Klinger, A., and Salingaros, N., "A Pattern Measure," Environment and
Planning B: Planning and Design 2000, 27-4, pp. 537-547, July 2000.