Abstract: A method of searching and identifying a signal includes the steps of providing a signal having one or more signal units and identifying at least one of the signal units by a predetermined pattern having a first order. Next, comparing a group of the one or more signal units comprising the at least one signal unit, to one or more predetermined patterns having an order higher than the first order, and if a match is found, modifying the signal by replacing the group of the one or more signal units by a higher order signal unit. Finally, identifying the higher order signal unit by a higher order pattern, wherein the higher order pattern comprises information identifying the group of one or more signal units. The predetermined patterns are ordered according to a hierarchy, wherein a higher order pattern comprises at least one lower order pattern. The signal may be electronic data, transient signals, digital signals, analogue signals, text, spectra, gene sequences or genetic data.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of structuring a set of signals according to predetermined patterns by means of an apparatus for processing said signals, said patterns forming a hierarchy, wherein a pattern of a higher order comprises at least one pattern of a lower order, said method comprising the steps of: providing a set of signals comprising at least one unit of signals matching a signal patterns, said unit comprising information identifying the signals comprised in said unit, comparing a group of signals out of said set of signals, comprising at least one of said units, to one or more predetermined patterns of a higher order than the order of a unit contained in said group of signals by said processing apparatus, if a match is found, modifying said set of signals by said processing apparatus, said step of modifying said set comprising the step of replacing the group of signals matching the pattern by a higher order unit corresponding to said group of signals matching said higher order pattern, said unit