def _covered_spikes_criterion(occ_superset, size_superset, occ_subset,
    size_subset, l_covered_spikes):
    """
    evaluate covered spikes criterion
    (see pattern_set_reduction)
    """
    reject_superset = True
    reject_subset = True
    score_superset = (size_superset - l_covered_spikes) * occ_superset
    score_subset = (size_subset - l_covered_spikes) * occ_subset
    if score_superset >= score_subset:
        reject_superset = False
    else:
        reject_subset = False
    return reject_superset, reject_subset
