eFC-Evolving Fuzzy Classifier with Incremental Clustering Algorithm Based on Samples Mean Value

Abstract

This paper introduces a new multiclass classifier called the evolving Fuzzy Classifier (eFC). Starting its knowledge base from scratch, the eFC structure evolves based on a clustering algorithm that can add, merge, delete, or update clusters (= rules) simultaneously while providing class predictions. The procedure to add clusters uses the procrastination idea to prevent outliers from affecting the quality of learning. Two pruning mechanisms are used to maintain a concise and compact structure. In the first, redundant clusters are merged based on a similarity measure, and in the second, obsolete and unrepresentative clusters are excluded based on an inactivity strategy. The center of the clusters is adjusted based on the mean value of the attributes. The eFC model was evaluated and compared with state-of-the-art evolving fuzzy systems on 8 randomly selected data streams from the UCI and Kaggle repositories. The experimental results indicate that the eFC outperforms or is at least comparable to alternative state-of-the-art models. Specifically, the eFC achieved an average accuracy of 7% to 37% higher than the competing classifiers. The results and comparisons demonstrate that the eFC is a promising alternative for classification tasks in non-stationary environments, offering good accuracy, a compact structure, low computational cost, and efficient processing time.