Enhanced learning and recognition operations with multi-dimensional rectangular volumes

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a pattern recognition device in association with a learning process, a plurality of input vectors;
• and
• iteratively processing, by the pattern recognition device, the input vectors to compute a knowledge map including a plurality of multi-dimensional rectangular knowledge elements configured to have different sizes along different dimensions, the processing including:
• determining whether an input vector is within an influence field of an existing multi-dimensional rectangular knowledge element of the knowledge map, and
• determining whether to enter the input vector into the knowledge map as an entered multi-dimensional rectangular knowledge element based on the determining of whether the input vector is within the influence field of the existing multi-dimensional rectangular knowledge element.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a memory operative to maintain a knowledge element array including a plurality of multi-dimensional rectangular knowledge elements configured to have different sizes along different dimensions, each knowledge element including one or more operands defining a data vector and a category identifier;
• and
• control logic operative to:
• receive configuration information defining one or more weights to be applied to one or more operands;
• receive an input vector;
• match the input vector to one or more knowledge elements of the knowledge element array by at least computing an aggregate distance between the input vector and the one or more knowledge elements, wherein the aggregate distance is influenced by the one or more weights;
• and
• return, responsive to one or more detected matches, one or more category identifiers associated with one or more corresponding knowledge elements.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a memory operative to maintain a knowledge element array including a plurality of multi-dimensional rectangular knowledge elements configured to have different sizes along different dimensions, each knowledge element including one or more operands defining a data vector and a category identifier;
• and
• control logic operative to:
• receive configuration information defining one or more operands to be masked;
• receive an input vector;
• match the input vector to one or more knowledge elements of the knowledge element array by at least computing an aggregate distance between the input vector and the one or more knowledge elements, the one or more masked operands being omitted from computing the aggregate distance;
• and
• return, responsive to one or more detected matches, one or more category identifiers associated with one or more corresponding knowledge elements.

Logic encoded in one or more non-transitory computer-readable media and when executed operable to:

• obtain, in association with a learning process, a plurality of input vectors;
• and
• iteratively process the input vectors to compute a knowledge map including a plurality of multi-dimensional rectangular knowledge elements configured to have different sizes along different dimensions, wherein to process the input vectors, the logic is further operable to:
• determine whether an input vector is within an influence field of an existing multi-dimensional rectangular knowledge element of the knowledge map;
• and
• determine whether to enter the input vector into the knowledge map as an entered multi-dimensional rectangular knowledge element based on the determining of whether the input vector is within the influence field of the existing multi-dimensional rectangular knowledge element.