Recognition of general patterns using neural networks.

The Hopfield model of neural network stores memory in its symmetric synaptic connections and can only learn to recognize sets of nearly "orthogonal" patterns. A new algorithm is put forth to permit the recognition of general ("non-orthogonal") patterns. The algorithm specifies the construction of the new network's memory matrix Tij, which is, in general, asymmetrical and contains the Hopfield neural network (Hopfield 1982) as a special case. We find further that in addition to this new algorithm for general pattern recognition, there exists in fact a large class of Tij memory matrices which permit the recognition of non-orthogonal patterns. The general form of this class of Tij memory matrix is presented, and the projection matrix neural network (Personnaz et al. 1985) is found as a special case of this general form. This general form of memory matrix extends the library of memory matrices which allow a neural network to recognize non-orthogonal patterns. A neural network which followed this general form of memory matrix was modeled on a computer and successfully recognized a set of non-orthogonal patterns. The new network also showed a tolerance for altered and incomplete data. Through this new method, general patterns may be taught to the neural network.