Abstract: A computer-implemented method. The method comprising: (a) obtaining a candidate characterising code, the candidate characterising code being indicative of character of an example of a physical system; (b) accessing a database of extant characterising codes, the extant characterising codes being indicative of character of other examples of the physical system; (c) determining a degree of similarity between the candidate characterising code, and at least one of the extant characterising code; and (e) providing, as an output, the results of the comparison.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of creating a database of characterising codes, each characterising code being indicative of character of a respective example of a physical system. The method comprises the steps of performing for each example: (a) receiving data including respective values of a plurality of parameters associated with the system; (b) identifying, from a plurality of data clusters, a data cluster for each value, said data clusters each defining a range of possible values of the respective parameter; (c) assigning each parameter to its identified data cluster; (d) generating, from the assigned data clusters, a characterising code for that example including a unique label for each of the identified data clusters; and (e) storing the characterising code in a database of characterising codes.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method. The method comprising: (a) obtaining a plurality of unique identifiers, each unique identifier being associated with a respective characterising code, each characterising code being indicative of character of an example of a same physical system; (b) accessing a database of characterising codes, and retrieving each respective characterising code; (c) determining a degree of similarity between each retrieved characterising code; and (d) providing, as an output, the determined degrees of similarity.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method. The method comprising: (a) obtaining a candidate characterising code, the candidate characterising code being indicative of character of an example of a physical system; (b) accessing a database of extant characterising codes, the extant characterising codes being indicative of character of other examples of the physical system; (c) determining a degree of similarity between the candidate characterising code, and at least one of the extant characterising code; and (e) providing, as an output, the results of the comparison.