Neural networks

Abstract

Neural network technology has been paid attention to since 1986 as an architecture for new generation computers whose features are very different from conventional ones. These features include knowledge acquisition by learning and potential of massively parallel fault tolerant computation. The outline of this technology is described in this paper. Afterward, the trend of this technology and the current status of development in our company are described. We are developing a high-speed and high-performance optical character recognition system using this technology. Special VLSIs (very large scale integrated circuits) developed by our technical collaboration company in U.S.A. are used in our system. Neural networks for speech recognition and parallel processing hardware for high speed simulation are also being developed. Neural network technology is expected to be a principal technology for next generation products.