Pattern classification using linear programming

An information processing system for separating a plurality of patterns into a discrete set of classes, each of said patterns having a plurality of input signals disposed therewithin, said system comprising:

• a pattern class separator having input terminals, output terminals, and a plurality of assemblies, each said assembly being operatively disposed between said input terminals and said output terminals to identify one of said discrete set of classes, each such assembly having threshold element means, summer means, a plurality of junction elements, and a plurality of product and power means, each of said product and power means receiving one or more of said input signals from said input terminals and producing a product therefrom for delivery to one of said junction elements, each of said junction elements receiving either one of said input signals or one of said produced products from one of said product and power means and multiplying said input signal or said produced product by a preselected constant to produce a junction element output, said summer means receiving all of said junction element outputs and totaling them to provide a summer output, said threshold element means receiving said summer output and measuring said summer output against a preselected value set therein to determine whether said summer output is a member of said one of said discrete set of classes and producing an assembly output which will have a value of 1 when said output equals or exceeds said preselected value and which will have a value of 0 when said assembly output is less than said preselected value, said value of 1 signifying that said summer output corresponds to said one of said discrete set of classes, said assembly output being transmitted to one of said output terminals of said pattern class separator to create a pattern class separator output.