The Use of Electronic Techniques in the Construction of Machines Which Can Learn

Abstract

Four different approaches to the design and
construction of electronic machines capable of displaying
Pavlovian conditioning by association have
been investigated theoretically and practically.
Conflicts in the basic requirements for such a machine
might be resolved by the introduction of Probability,
Inhibition and Forgetting. The methods adopted
should not make it impossible to’ introduce these
features as and when required later.

The methods of association information storage
considered have been :-
1. Use of recordings of sinusoidal signals resulting
from beats between sinusoidal input signels. This
@
introduced problems of linearity in the recording
process, and of selection of the input frequencies.
2. Use of rectangular waves of various frequencies.
While this method could eliminate linearity problems,
it introduced problems of addition of new information
to previously-recorded information.
36 Use of electrical pulse signals recirculating .
dynamically. While use of this method could eliminate
many of the earlier problems, the problem remained of
noise augmentation in a recirculating system. It is v
desirable to reduce this if possible.
4. Use of pulse signals recirculating non-dynamically This fourth. method proved to be the most
promising, and a machine was constructed using
this approach. The organisation of this machine
was based on the earlier work. Methods for further
simplification are suggested in the thesis.

Work on this fourth method involved the
following :-
1. Consideration of methods of avoidance of
Spurious response and of possible alternative
methods of storage of information.
2. Development of various forms of prime-number
counter. The method finally adopted used integrated
circuits.
3. Investigation of a number of circuits displaying
majority logic action.
4. Relationship to other work using multi-dimensional
theory, and the simplification of the visualisation
of associations.
5. Theoretical investigation of magnetic pulse |
recording waveshapes.
6. Development of methods of construction of the
machine.

Date of Award	1969
Original language	English