Abstract: There is disclosed herein a recognize only embodiment of a recognition matrix comprised of a forward matrix and a reverse matrix each having a plurality of contacts which cause convergence responses on target lines when an input signal is received by said contact. Learning is performed by changing the characteristics of the contacts to alter the convergence responses they cause in accordance with a learning rule involving the comparison of total convergence response on each target line to a convergence threshold. The contacts are not programmed ad hoc in the field as events are individually learned. Instead each contact is programmed permanently by the user for a class of events which is fixed and which can never change. The user typically performs the learning on a computer simulator for all the events which a particular system is to be used to recognize.