Abstract: A semiotic decision making system operates to respond, for example, to natural language queries. The system operates independent of the type of symbolic elements in which queries are cast. A training corpus of information in the form of sequential sets of a selected type of element is input to the system and processed by a semiotic processing module to create a knowledge database based upon the lineal relationship of elements within the training corpus. The knowledge database is then used to make decisions relating to queries input in the same type of elements. Accordingly, inputting a French training corpus results in a knowledge base useful in answering French questions. Multiple semiotic processing modules may be used to enhance performance.

Abstract: A semiotic decision making system processes a training corpus of information in the form of sequential sets of elements to create a database which is thereafter used to make decisions relating to queries input in the same type of elements. Sets of sequential elements of a training corpus are received. Ordered pairs of sequential elements and ordered pairs are identified. The ordered pairs include element/element, pair/element, element/pair and pair/pair ordered pairs, in a recursive semiotic process based on the statistical occurrence of element sequences in the training corpus sets whereby each ordered pair represents an n sequential element subset of a training corpus set defined by a set of nested ordered pairs. Constituent sets of ordered pairs and elements are identified for the training corpus sets.

Abstract: A decision making system uses semiotic processing modules to transform a training corpus of information, in the form of sequential sets of symbols, into a knowledge database. The knowledge database is thereafter used to make decisions relating to queries input in the same type of training corpus symbols. In the knowledge base, the system stores data representations of analyses of subsets of the training corpus sets of sequential elements. The knowledge base data representations comprise predicates and elemental and non-elemental acts. An inductive processor recursively processes the training corpus sets by evaluating the relationship and frequency of occurrence of individual elements and sets of elements in the training corpus. After processing of the training corpus is completed, the resultant knowledge base is used to evaluate queries in a performance mode of operation.

Abstract: A marine gyro compass output is corrected to take account of accelerations cting upon the ship in which it is installed by calculating about once per second a correction capable of expression by differential equations which are solved by numerical methods by taking small but finite time increments to linearise the equations with regard to time, the current calculated correction factor being applied to correct the gyro compass output many times per second. The corrections can take into account (a) ship north-south acceleration, (b) change in Coriolis acceleration, (c) earth rotation rate and (d) azimuth error for east-west speed. Furthermore, account can be taken of the constant characteristics of the particular gyro compass to be corrected in terms of its tilt limit, its period of damped oscillation, its damping and the characteristics of the compass electrolytic level which determines tilt.