1994-03-14
1996-12-10
Downs, Robert W.
395 3, 395 61, 395900, 395934, G06G 700
Patent
active
055839665
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a fuzzy retrieval apparatus and method.
BACKGROUND ART
Fuzzy retrieval is a retrieval method that allows fuzziness of data stored in a data base or fuzziness of retrieval conditions.
Fuzzy retrieval in the conventional fuzzy retrieval apparatus is executed in the following manner: A given retrieval condition is expressed by a membership function. From the data that has been stored in a data base, the data that corresponds to the retrieval condition is read out and the degree of membership with respect to the membership function representing the retrieval condition of the data that has been read out is calculated. Processing for calculating degree of membership is executed with regard to all retrieval conditions and with regard to all data corresponding to the retrieval conditions. The values of the degrees of membership thus obtained are subjected to a MEAN operation for obtaining the mean value of these values, a MIN operation for obtaining the minimum value of these values or a MAX operation for obtaining the maximum value of these values, and the result of the operation is outputted as degree of concurrence.
However, in a case where the MIN operation or MAX operation is used, a large discrepancy appears in the results of retrieval even with a small difference in the retrieval conditions or membership functions, and a problem that arises is that the user's intention in performing retrieval cannot be expressed accurately. In addition, when the MEAN operation is utilized, a problem encountered is that absolutely essential conditions or at least conditions that are required cannot be expressed accurately.
In other words, with the conventional fuzzy retrieval apparatus, it is difficult to set retrieval conditions in line with the user's intention in performing retrieval.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus and method in which it is possible to set retrieval conditions wherein the user's intention in performing retrieval is reflected satisfactorily, and in which fuzzy retrieval can be performed in accordance with the retrieval conditions thus set.
A fuzzy retrieval apparatus according to the present invention comprises a data base in which attribute signals of a plurality of types regarding items are registered in advance for each item, means for setting signals representing a retrieval condition which comprises a plurality of preconditions indicating desired conditions relating to at least some of the attribute signals of the plurality of types, and a connecting condition that connects these preconditions, membership operating means for producing signals representing degrees of membership that indicate the degrees to which an attribute signal conforms to a set precondition, MEAN operating means for producing and outputting a signal indicating a mean value of a plurality of applied degree-of-membership signals, MIN operating means for selecting and outputting a signal, which indicates a minimum value, from a plurality of applied degree-of-membership signals, MAX operating means for selecting and outputting a signal, which indicates a maximum value, from a plurality of applied degree-of-membership signals, and control means for applying the degree-of-membership signals obtained from the membership operating means to at least one of the MEAN operating means, MIN operating means and MAX operating means in accordance with a connecting condition that has been set, and outputting a signal representing degree of concurrence obtained from a final stage of the operating means.
The term "signal" as used herein is a concept that covers the data.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the means for setting retrieval conditions is input means for entering retrieval-condition signals. In another embodiment, the means for setting retrieval conditions comprises means for storing a plurality of retrieval-conditions signals in advance, and means for selecting some retrieval-condition signals from the retrieval-condition signals that have b
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Downs Robert W.
Hafiz Tariq R.
Omron Corporation
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