Determine Event Recurrence Pattern for a set of dates

Question

I am looking for a pattern, algorithm, or library that will take a set of dates and return a description of the recurrence if one exits, i.e. the set [11-01-2010, 11-08-2010, 11

Answer 1

What I would do:

1. Create samples of the data
2. Use a clustering algorithm
3. Generate samples using the algorithm
4. Creating a fitness function to measure how well it correlates to the full data set. The clustering algorithm will come up with either 0 or 1 suggestions and you can meassure it against how well it fits in with the full set.
5. Elementate/merge the occurrence with the already found sets and rerun this algorithm.

Looking at that you may want to use either Simulated Annealing, or an Genetic Algorithm. Also, if you have the descriptions, you may want to compare the descriptions to generate a sample.

Answer 2

Have a look at your favourite calendar program. See what patterns of event recurrence it can generate. Reverse engineer them.