A novel associative network accommodating pattern deformation

Abstract

In this paper we propose a novel associative network model which is able to associate a pattern with deformed versions of itself. The model is composed of a set of logical units (viewed as a set of marbles) and a set of regularly arranged physical units (viewed as a landscape). The marbles can move freely around the landscape under the influence of various kinds of forces arising from the landscape and other features of the world being modelled. This motion represents the evolution of the network. Information is embodied by the topological relationships among the marbles. When a network's evolution is initiated with an input pattern, topological relationships among marbles are observed and some aggregate features are preserved throughout the later evolution of the network. Evolution continues until all the marbles (logical units) match a set of physical units which corresponds to a local stable state of the network. Preliminary experiments show that the model works quite well for recognising topologically deformed letters.