Abstract: A system is provided for the separation into and the indentification of classes of events wherein each of the events is represented by a signal vector comprising the signals s, s.sub.z . . . , s.sub.j . . . , s.sub.N. The system comprises a plurality of assemblies, each of the assemblies including a matrix of junction elements for respectively receiving as inputs the different respective signals of a vector. The junction elements provide a transfer of information A.sub.ij s,; i.e., the product of the transfer function of the element and the signal input applied thereto. The information transferred by the junction elements is summed in each assembly. In the training mode of operation information summed in each assembly is applied to a scalar multiplier and the resulting information is in turn applied to a threshold stage which is actuated to produce an output if the input applied thereto attains a prescribed value.

Abstract: A curve follower or line tracing system for converting the common representation of patterns of lines into features which are readily usable as inputs to an adaptive information processing system such as a Nestor adaptive module. The problem addressed by this system is how to sequentially identify, from a global exposure or tracing of a curve, the starting and subsequent points of the curve in the same manner as tracing it by hand. In the curve follower, an array of light sensitive elements located on a grid identify a line at the grid points. Since the end point of the line has a single neighbor, it is readily located. The identification of an end point is used to subsequently inhibit further identification of the end point and create another point which is similar identified. Overall biases may be employed to define a preferred line direction. Once the resulting sequence is obtained, the line may be coded.

Abstract: An adaptive information processing system includes input terminals adapted to receive N input signals s.sub.1, s.sub.2, . . . s.sub.N representing an "input"; output terminals adapted to present n output responses r.sub.1, R.sub.2, . . . r.sub.n representing a "response"; and information processing apparatus, connecting the input with the output terminals, and operative to carry out the processing steps required to "map" different inputs into responses in accordance with a particular passive modification algorithm. This algorithm permits the recognition of unknown inputs and separates inputs which are in different classes but which are originally close to one another.

Abstract: A digital adaptive information processing system which executes the algorithm described in our U.S. Pat. No. 3,950,733 issued April 13, 1976. The system includes a digital input register adapted to receive and store N numbers s.sub.1, s.sub.2, . . . s.sub.N representing an input signal; a digital output register adapted to receive and store n numbers r.sub.1, r.sub.2, . . . r.sub.n representing an output response; and digital information processing apparatus, connecting the input register with the output register, and operative to carry out the processing steps required to "map" the numbers stored in the input register into numbers placed in storage in the output register in accordance with the aforementioned algorithm.

Abstract: An adaptive information processing system includes a module, called a Nestor module, having a plurality (N) of input terminals 1, 2 . . . , j . . . , N, adapted to receive N input signals s.sub.1, s.sub.2 . . . , s.sub.j . . . , S.sub.N, respectively, and a plurality (n) of output terminals 1, 2 . . . , i . . . , n, adapted to present n output responses r.sub.1, r.sub.2 . . . , r.sub.i . . . , r.sub.n, respectively. A plurality of junction elements, called mnemonders, couple various ones (or a multiplicity) of the input terminals with various ones (or a multiplicity) of the output terminals. These mnemonders provide a transfer of information from an input terminal j to an output terminal i in dependence upon the signal s.sub.j appearing at the input terminal j and upon the mnemonder transfer function A.sub.ij. Means are provided for modifying the transfer function A.sub.