Method for comparing a value to a threshold in the presence of uncertainty

摘要

A method for deciding the relationship between a physical property and a threshold, comprising measuring a physical property to obtain a measured value, calculating the distribution of actual values for the physical property 102, calculating the error distribution of the obtained measured value 104, calculating the penalty associated with an erroneous decision 106, and calculating a margin based on the expected loss 108 from selecting at least one possible actual value as a function of the calculated distribution of actual values, the calculated error distribution of the measured value, and the calculated penalty associated with an erroneous decision. Embodiments including a system and apparatus are also disclosed.