Simultaneous pattern classification and multidomain association using self-structuring kernel memory networks

In this paper, a novel exemplar-based constructive approach using kernels is proposed for simultaneous pattern classification and multidomain pattern association tasks. The kernel networks are constructed on a modular basis by a simple one-shot self-structuring algorithm motivated from the traditional Hebbian principle and then, they act as the flexible memory capable of generalization for the respective classes. In the self-structuring kernel memory (SSKM), any arduous and iterative network parameter tuning is not involved for establishing the weight connections during the construction, unlike conventional approaches, and thereby, it is considered that the networks do not inherently suffer from the associated numerical instability. Then, the approach is extended for multidomain pattern association, in which a particular domain input cannot only activate some kernel units (KUs) but also the kernels in other domain(s) via the cross-domain connection(s) in between. Thereby, the SSKM can be regarded as a simultaneous pattern classifier and associator. In the simulation study for pattern classification, it is justified that an SSKM consisting of distinct kernel networks can yield relatively compact-sized pattern classifiers, while preserving a reasonably high generalization capability, in comparison with the approach using support vector machines (SVMs).