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A Potentially Powerful Connectionist Unit: The Cortical Column

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Neurocomputing

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NATO ASI F,volume 68))

Abstract

We propose a novel approach to neuron-like models that consists in simulating cortical columns, i.e. associations of elementary neurons having a specific, functionnal activity. This model is built according to a theory which is consistent with neurobiological data. It provides autonomous units, each computing its output as a function of its inputs, modulated by such internal features as learning coefficients.

Implementing this model is achieved through a network of columns that simulates the inherently parallel functionning of the nervous system. Since each column behaves autonomously, the network is functionnaly specified by just describing the connectivity pattern of each area.

We describe in details this model and present the experimental conditions in which it has been and is now tested. Results already obtained show the efficiency of the model in terms of recognition raté as well as its ability to deal with higher level problems. We shall also discuss main general points such as topology, connectivity, temporal processing, etc.

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© 1990 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Guyot, F., Alexandre, F., Haton, J.P., Burnod, Y. (1990). A Potentially Powerful Connectionist Unit: The Cortical Column. In: Soulié, F.F., Hérault, J. (eds) Neurocomputing. NATO ASI Series, vol 68. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-76153-9_43

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-76153-9_43

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-76155-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-76153-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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