shaun@isr.recruit.co.jp (Shaun Lawson) (01/14/91)
The other day, I notices an interesting article in a Japanese newspaper regarding a 'magnetic' neurocomputer. As I have not seen anything about it in the net, I decided to forward a summarized translation. =============================================================================== (The following is a summarized translation of an article found in the 12/28/90 edition of the Nikkei Sangyou Newspaper prepared by Shaun Lawson of the Institute for Supercomputing Research [shaun@isr.recruit.co.jp]. Please include this notice when forwarding.) A Japanese venture business called Wakomu has developed, in conjunction with Tokushima University, a prototype neurocomputer that connects neuron units using magnetic signals, said to be the first of its kind in the world. It is claimed that this method allows for the efficient connection of units, overcoming the problems of response speed reduction, experienced by neurocomputers developed to date, when increases in the number of units are made. It uses the magnetic signal that flows between a coil and a resonance circuit made up of coil(s), condenser(s), and resistor(s). This allows units to select other units for transmission of information, while all units share a common transmission path. Utilizing this principle, the company has built a 9-0-9 prototype, and is using it for handwritten character recognition experiments. The next step is to miniaturize the device and consider plans for conversion to LSI. [The prototype is shown in a photograph, and a rough estimate of its size is 50cm x 50cm x 10cm.] This is thought to be appropriate for robot control, speech recognition, or other tasks requiring high response rates. =============================================================================== If there is sufficient interest, I will contact the company for details. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shaun Lawson Tel : (03)536-7770 Institute for Supercomputing Research Fax : (03)536-7769 1-13-1 Kachidoki, Chuo-ku Internet : shaun@isr.recruit.co.jp Tokyo, Japan 104