Abstract: A fuzzy reasoning system separately manages fuzzy rule groups, and fuzzy sets each including a plurality of membership functions. When executing fuzzy reasoning, the system selects one fuzzy rule group and at least one fuzzy set in conformity with a situation at that time and combines them. Thereafter, it executes the reasoning for fact information. This arrangement facilitates the building of a flexible fuzzy reasoning system which can confirm to varying situations. In another aspect, the separate management of the fuzzy rule groups and the fuzzy sets allows the selection of only any desired membership function of the fuzzy set to obtain a grade of membership based on the fact information.

Abstract: The definition of membership functions which define a fuzzy set is easily and visually performed by using a pointing device. When a membership function shape model on a function graph display device is pointed to by the pointing device, a parameter value is computed from the pointed-to position, and this value is set in a parameter value memory area in a membership function memory area. The membership functions are defined by performing this operation repeatedly.