A method compares a first data sequence with a second data sequence. A cross-correlation matrix of distances between all possible pairs of values of the first and second data sequences is constructed. A minimum cost path between diagonally opposing corners of the cross-correlation matrix is determined. The minimum cost path is projected onto a transfer function that maps between the first data sequence and the second data sequence. Then, the minimum cost path is projected onto a deformation function that corresponds to a similarity between the first data sequence and the second data sequence.