Neural networks with subdivision

Computer apparatus for processing input information for a prespecified application to indicate one output category from a set of prespecified output categories for said prespecified application in response to said input information, the input information being supplied to said apparatus as a data array, the computer apparatus comprising:

• an input stage for accepting said data array and converting said data array to a corresponding internal representation;
• a data preprocessor connected to said input stage for analyzing said data array based on a plurality of distinct feature attributes to generate a corresponding plurality of attribute measures;
• a plurality of interconnected processors, said processors being interconnected and exercising a mutual influence each processor of a first subset of said processors being prespecified with a particular correspondence to one of said feature attributes and adapted to accept from said data preprocessor one of said attribute measures for said data array, said interconnected processors processing said plurality of attribute measures to generate a result representative of category attributes, each processor of a second subset of said processors being prespecified with a particular correspondence to one of said category attributes;
• a data postprocessor to said plurality of processors for obtaining category attribute indicators for said category attributes by correlating said result with predefined category attribute measures;
• and
• an output stage for accepting said category attribute indicators and combining said category attribute indicators in a prespecified manner to generate said output category for said input information.

Neural network apparatus for pattern recognition by categorization of an input pattern by indicating one output category from a set of prespecified output categories in response to said input pattern, said input pattern being supplied to the apparatus as a data stream corresponding to an input pattern field, said neural network apparatus comprising:

• an input stage for accepting said input pattern and converting said data stream to a corresponding internal representation;
• a data preprocessor connected to said input stage for analyzing said data stream based on a plurality of distinct pattern attributes to generate a corresponding plurality of attribute measures;
• a neural network comprising a plurality of interconnected neurons, said neural network divided into portions, each of said portions being predefined to include a number of said interconnected neurons and said portions being interconnected and exercising a mutual influence, each portion of a first subset of said portions being prespecified with a particular correspondence to one of said pattern attributes and adapted to accept from said data preprocessor one of said attribute measures for said input pattern, said neural network processing said attribute measures to reach a neural state representative of pattern category attributes, each portion of a second subset of said portions being prespecified with a particular correspondence to said category attributes;
• a data postprocessor connected to said neural network for obtaining category attribute indicators for said category attributes by correlating said neural state with predefined pattern category attribute measures;
• and
• an output stage for accepting said pattern category attribute indicators from said postprocessor and combining said pattern category attribute indicators in a prespecified manner to generate said output category for said input pattern.