Abstract

Since first proposed by Minsky and Papert, the spiral problem is well known in neural networks. It receives much attention as a benchmark for various learning algorithms. Unlike previous work that emphasizes learning, we approach the problem from a different perspective. We point out that the spiral problem is intrinsically connected to the inside--outside problem proposed by Ullman. We propose a solution to both problems based on oscillatory correlation using a time-delay network. Our simulation results are qualitatively consistent with human performance, and we interpret human limitations in terms of synchrony and time delays. As a special case, our network without time delays can always distinguish these figures regardless of shape, position, size, and orientation. Index Terms---Desynchronization, geometric patterns, inside-- outside relations, LEGION, oscillatory correlation, spiral problem, synchronization, time delays, visual perception. I.

Citations