Multi-category classification by least squares support vector regression

Multi-category classification is a most interesting problem in the fields of pattern recognition. A one-step method is presented to deal with the multi-category problem. The proposed method converts the problem of classification to the function regression and is applied to solve the converted problem by least squares support vector machines. The novel method classifies the samples in all categories simultaneously only by solving a set of linear equations. Demonstrations of computer experiments are given and good performance is achieved in the simulations.