Abstract: In a semiconductor protection circuit, a current fuse and a transistor are connected in series between a power supply terminal and a ground. A bias circuit is provided between the base and the emitter of the transistor. The bias circuit applies between the base and the emitter of the transistor a constant bias voltage that is lower than a normal environment temperature forward voltage of a p-n junction between the transistor's base and emitter. When a load connected to the other terminal of the current fuse is overheated, the forward voltage of the p-n junction drops, and the transistor is turned on.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a fuzzy symbol matches a predetermined reference pattern by generating membership functions that collectively represent a reference pattern having identifying features; sampling the fuzzy symbol to generate an input pattern representative of the fuzzy symbol; transforming the input pattern to generate an inverted input pattern; comparing the input pattern with a first membership function to determine a first quantity of identifying features of the reference pattern that are present in the fuzzy symbol; comparing the inverted input pattern with a second membership function to determine a second quantity of identifying features of the reference pattern that are present in the fuzzy symbol; and determining that the fuzzy symbol matches the reference pattern if the first and second quantities are sufficiently high.

Abstract: A fuzzy inference apparatus wherein basic operation blocks used in each step of the fuzzy inference process are respectively constituted as an independent operation block and are detachable. It is preferable that a plurality of operation blocks with different basic operation systems are prepared for all or some steps of the fuzzy inference process and inputs/outputs of different basic operation blocks in the same step are compatible.

Abstract: A defuzzifying apparatus, for a fuzzy inference machine in which the consequent of a fuzzy inference is represented by a fuzzy set or a singleton, comprises a bias impression unit that adds an arbitrary-largeness bias value to each inference output grade, and circuitry a center of gravity of each inference output grade after the bias value is added. If the fuzzy inference is accomplished by hardware, it is possible to improve fluctuation of a final output due to noise or inference grade error. Even when an input does not match with any rule, any abnormal output can be prevented.

Abstract: A pattern recognition method capable of implementing a system suitable for the recognition of a complicated pattern. A reference pattern to be collated with an input pattern is represented using a plurality of membership functions to thereby apply fuzziness to the reference pattern. The input pattern which is input along a cross-detecting line is logically inverted for the production of an inverted input pattern. The input pattern is collated with any one of the plurality of membership functions to judge whether or not the input pattern is provided with at least one of the features of the reference pattern. Also, the inverted input pattern is collated with any one of the other membership functions to thereby judge whether or not the input pattern is provided with at least another one of the features of the reference pattern. The results of these inversions are synthesized.

Abstract: A membership function generator comprising an adder circuit which receives input VIN and center position voltage Vx for generating one side of a membership function (MF), an inversion circuit which generates the other side of the MF, adder circuits which generate the upper base of a trapezoid MF, and an adder circuit which combines one side-and the other side of MF and also sets the MF height.