Fuzzy control apparatus in which rules can be changed, method of operating same, control system in which changeover is controlled by fuzzy reasoning, and method of controlling the same

A method of operating a fuzzy control apparatus which includes fuzzy reasoning means in which a rule may be changed during operation, comprising:

• storing a fuzzy reasoning output which prevails immediately prior to a rule change when a rule change is made;
• generating a fuzzy-control output by combining after the rule change, the stored fuzzy reasoning output which prevailed immediately prior to the rule change with the fuzzy reasoning output which prevails following the rule change using a combining ratio and altering said combining ratio in such a manner that, with passage of time from a moment at which the rule change is made, there is a gradual decrease in a percentage of the fuzzy reasoning output which prevailed immediately prior to the rule change, and a gradual increase in a percentage of the fuzzy reasoning output which prevails following the rule change, in the fuzzy-control output;
• and
• outputting, as the fuzzy-control output, and upon passage of a predetermined time from the moment at which the rule change is made, the fuzzy reasoning output which prevails following the rule change.

A fuzzy control apparatus in which a rule may be changed, comprising:

• fuzzy reasoning means in which a rule may be changed during operation;
• rule holding means for holding a code which represents a new rule to be used by said fuzzy reasoning means;
• means for determining whether a degree of suitability of an input signal with respect to a membership function of an antecedent in said fuzzy reasoning means falls within predetermined limits to permit a rule change;
• and
• control means for applying the code of the new rule held in said rule holding means to said fuzzy reasoning means when it is determined that the suitability of the input signal falls within said predetermined limits, and for forbidding application of the code of the new rule to said fuzzy reasoning means when it is determined that the suitability of the input signal falls outside said predetermined limits.