Fuzzy computers

Claim 2

A fuzzy computer comprising: a plurality of membership function generator circuits (43, 43A, 43B, 43C. 43D) for generating electric signals each of which is distributed on a plurality of lines and represents a predetermined fuzzy membership function, and a fuzzy inference engine (50, 51) which receives as inputs the electric signals outputted by said plurality of membership function generator circuits for executing a predetermined fuzzy operation and for outputting the result of said operation as electric signal distributed on a plurality of lines.

Claim 3

A fuzzy computer comprising: a fuzzy memory (41A, 41 B, 42, 43D, 61) for successively outputting a plurality of fuzzy membership electric signals each distributed on a plurality of lines in accordance with a predetermined sequence: a fuzzy inference engine (31, 32, 33) which receives as inputs a plurality of outputs from said fuzzy memory for successively executing predetermined fuzzy operations and for outputting the results of said operations: and an output circuit (53, 62, 63) for executing a predetermined connective operation with regard to the result of each fuzzy operation successively outputted by said fuzzy inference engine.

Claim 4

A fuzzy computer comprising: a fuzzy memory (41A, 41 B, 42, 43D, 61) for successively outputting a plurality of fuzzy membership electric signals each distributed on a plurality of lines in accordance with a predetermined sequence: a fuzzy inference engine (31, 32, 33) which receives as inputs a plurality of outputs from said fuzzy memory for successively executing predetermined fuzzy operations and for outputting the results of said operations: and an output circuit (53, 62, 63) for executing a predetermined connective operation with regard to the result of each fuzzy operation successively outputted by said fuzzy inference engine.

Claim 5

A fuzzy inference engine for executing a modus ponens in which an antecedent includes an implication having two fuzzy propositions, comprising: arithmetic circuits (Qi, Q,', Q 11 , Q 11 ', Q 21 , Q 22 ) for computing a conjunction "and/or" of the two fuzzy propositions, and, a switching circuit (Q 31 , Q 32 ) for selecting a conjunction computing circuit in dependence upon a conjunction selection input.

Claim 6

A fuzzy inference engine for executing a modus ponens in which an antecedent includes an implication having two fuzzy propositions, comprising: arithmetic circuits (Qi, Q,', Q 11 , Q 11 ', Q 21 , Q 22 ) for computing a conjunction "and/or" of the two fuzzy propositions, and, a switching circuit (Q 31 , Q 32 ) for selecting a conjunction computing circuit in dependence upon a conjunction selection input.

Claim 7

A membership function generator comprising: an electric signal distribution generator circuit (44a - 44d, VL. OL1, OL2) for generating electric signals, each of which is distributed on a plurality of lines, representing a plurality of membership functions each having a different shape, and a selection switch circuit (40A, 40B, 49) for selecting any one of said plurality of electric signal distributions in dependence upon a selection signal.

Claim 8

A membership function generator comprising: an electric signal distribution generator circuit (44a - 44d, VL. OL1, OL2) for generating electric signals, each of which is distributed on a plurality of lines, representing a plurality of membership functions each having a different shape, and a selection switch circuit (40A, 40B, 49) for selecting any one of said plurality of electric signal distributions in dependence upon a selection signal.

Claim 9

The membership function generator according to claim 4, further comprising a switch array for delivering an electric signal distribution selected by said selection switch circuit to a predetermined plurality of output signal lines.

Claim 10

A membership function generator comprising: an electric signal distribution generator circuit (44B) for generating an electric signal, which is distributed on a plurality of lines, representing a basic membership function having a predetermined shape; a plurality of output terminals; and a pass array (45B) comprising a switch group and a line group for connecting lines of said electric signal distribution generator circuit to respective output terminals at positions corresponding to said lines or shifted a predetermined number of lines therefrom.

Claim 11

A membership function generator comprising: an electric signal distribution generator circuit (44B) for generating an electric signal, which is distributed on a plurality of lines, representing a basic membership function having a predetermined shape; a plurality of output terminals; and a pass array (45B) comprising a switch group and a line group for connecting lines of said electric signal distribution generator circuit to respective output terminals at positions corresponding to said lines or shifted a predetermined number of lines therefrom.

Claim 12

The membership function generator according to claim 6, further comprising a decoder (46B) for decoding a code designating a membership function and outputting a signal for controlling on/off action of said switch group in dependence upon the code.

Claim 13

A MIN/MAX circuit comprising: a first comparator for performing a MIN operation and including a plurality of three-terminal control elements having control terminals to which inputs are respectively applied and carrier injection terminals connected in common to form an output terminal, said three-terminal control elements being connected in such a manner that a three-terminal control element having the smallest input applied thereto is rendered conductive; and a second comparator for performing a MAX operation and including a plurality of three-terminal control elements having control terminals to which inputs are respectively applied and carrier injection terminals connected in common to form an output terminal, said three-terminal control elements being connected in such a manner that a three-terminal control element having the largest input applied thereto is rendered conductive: said first and second comparators being connected in cascade.

Claim 14

A MIN/MAX circuit comprising: a first comparator for performing a MIN operation and including a plurality of three-terminal control elements having control terminals to which inputs are respectively applied and carrier injection terminals connected in common to form an output terminal, said three-terminal control elements being connected in such a manner that a three-terminal control element having the smallest input applied thereto is rendered conductive; and a second comparator for performing a MAX operation and including a plurality of three-terminal control elements having control terminals to which inputs are respectively applied and carrier injection terminals connected in common to form an output terminal, said three-terminal control elements being connected in such a manner that a three-terminal control element having the largest input applied thereto is rendered conductive: said first and second comparators being connected in cascade.