An apparatus and method for analyzing known data, and storing the known data in a pattern database ("PDB") as a template is provided. Additional methods are provided for comparing target data against the templates in the PDB. The data is stored in such a way as to facilitate the visual recognition of desired patterns or indicia indicating the presence of a desired or undesired feature within the new data. The apparatus and method is applicable to a variety of applications where large amounts of information are generated, and/or if the data exhibits fractal or chaotic attributes.