Method to Generate Self-Organizing Processes in Autonomous Mechanisms and Organisms
Elapse Time Quantizing
Autoadaption-Theorem
Algorithm of Life
The Neuronal Code The
Meaning of the Tetragrammaton JHWH
A Step To A New Universal Theory?
A
method to generate recognition, auto-adaptation and self-organization in
autonomous mechanisms and organisms.
A number of sensing elements generate analog signals whose amplitudes
are classified into different classes of perception intensity. The
currently occurring elapse times between phase transitions are recorded
and compared with prior recorded elapse times in order to find covariant
time sequences and patterns. A motion actuating system can be coupled to
the assembly,
which is controlled by pulse sequences that have been modulated in
accordance with the covariant time sequences. In this way the mechanism
or organism in motion is prompted to emulate the found covariant time
sequences, while being able to recognize its own motion course and
adapting itself to changes of environment.
Background
This invention
describes a method for generating processes that facilitate the
self-organization of
autonomous systems. It can be applied to mechanistic fields as well as to
molecular/biological
systems. By means of the invention described herein, it is possible for a system
in motion to recognize external events in a subjective way through
self-observation; to identify the surrounding physical conditions in real time;
to reproduce and to optimize the system's own motions; and to enable a
redundancy-poor process that leads to self-organization.
Robot systems of the usual static type are mainly based on deterministic path
dependent regulating processes. The digital outputs and values that control the
robot's position are stored in the memory of a central computer. Many degrees of
freedom can be created by a suitable arrangement of coordinating devices.
Position detectors can be devices such as tachogenerators, encoders, or barcode
rulers scanned by optical sensors that provide path dependent increment pulses.
The activation mostly takes place by means of stepper motors.
It is also well-known that additional adaptive regulating processes based on
discrete time data are used in path dependent program control units. These data
are produced by means of the SHANNON-quantization method, utilizing
analog-to-digital converters to sample the amplitudes of sensors and
transducers. They serve to identify the system's actual value (i.e. its current
state). Continued comparison of reference values and actual values are necessary
for correction and adjustment of the regulating process. Newly calculated
parameters are then stored in the memory. This kind of adaptive regulation is
necessary, for example, in order to eliminate a handling robot's deviations from
a pre-programmed course that are caused by variable load conditions.
If a vehicle that is robot-controlled in this way were to be placed into an
autonomous state, it would generally be impossible to determine its exact
position reference (i.e. coordinates) by means of tachogenerators or encoders.
For this reason controlling values (or commands) cannot be issued by a computer
- or preprogrammed into a computer - in an accurate manner. This is true not
only for robot-controlled automobiles, gliding vehicles, hovercraft or aircraft,
but also for rail-borne vehicles for which the distance dependent incremental
pulses are often inaccurate and therefore not reproducible. This is usually
caused by an uneven surface or worn or slipping wheels. Explorer robots, which
are used to locate objects or to rescue human beings from highly inaccessible or
dangerous locations, must therefore be controlled manually, or with computer
supported remote control units. A video communication system is necessary for
such cases in order to be able to monitor the motion of the robot. However, in
many applications of robotics, this is inadequate. A robot-controlled
automobile, for example, should be capable of avoiding dangerous situations in
real time, as well as being capable of adapting its speed to suit the
environment, without any human intervention. In such cases, it is necessary for
the on-board computer to recognize the situation at hand, then calculate
automatically the next steps to be carried out.
In this way the robot-controlled vehicle ought to have a certain capability for
self-organization. This is also true for other robot-controlled systems.
With regards to autonomous robot systems, techniques already exist to scan the
surroundings by means of sensors and to analyze the digital sensor data that
were acquired using the above-mentioned discrete time quantization method (see
Fig. 1); and there already exist statistical calculation methods and algorithms
that generate suitable regulating parameters. Statistical methods for handling
such regulating systems were described in 1949 by Norbert WIENER. According to
the SHANNON theorem, the scanning of the external environment must be done with
at least double the frequency of the signal amplitude bandwidth. In this way the
information content remains adequate. In order to be able to identify the
robot's own motions, very high sampling rates are necessary. This amplitude
quantization method currently in widespread use requires the correlation of
particular measurement data to particular points in time (Ts) that are
predetermined using the program counter. For this reason this should be
understood as a deterministic method. However, practical experience has shown
that even ultrahigh-speed processors and the highest sampling rates cannot
provide sufficient efficiency. The number of redundant data and the amount of
computing operations increase drastically when a moving sensor-controlled
vehicle meets new obstacles or enters new surroundings at variable speed.
Indeed, C. SHANNON's quantization method does not allow recognition of an
analogue signal amplitude in real time, especially if there are changing
physical conditions or variable motions for which the acquisition of additional
information regarding the instantaneous velocity is necessary. This is also true
if laser detectors or supersonic sensors are used, for which mainly distance
data are acquired and processed.
Therefore, although this quantization method is suitable for analyzing the trace
of a motion and for representing this motion on a monitor (see
Pat. AT 397 869),
it is hardly adequate for recognizing the robot's own motion, or for reproducing
it in a self-adaptive way.Some autonomous mobile robot systems operate with CCD
sensors and OCR software (i.e. utilising image processing). These deduce
contours or objects from color contrast and brightness differentials, which are
interpreted by the computer as artificial horizons or orientation marks.
Examples of this technology are computer-supported guidance systems and steering
systems that allow vehicles to be guided automatically by centre lines, side
planks, street edges and so on. CCD sensors - when one observes how they operate
- are analog storage devices that function like well-known bucket brigade
devices. Tightly packed capacitors placed on a MOS silicon semiconductor chip
are charged by the photoelectric effect to a certain electrical potential. Each
charge packet represents an individual picture element, termed "pixel"; and the
charge of each pixel is a record of how bright that part of the image is. By
supplying a pulse frequency, the charges are shifted from pixel to pixel across
the CCD, where they appear at the edge output as serial analog video signals. In
order to process them in a computer, they must be converted into digital
quantities. This requires a large number of redundant data and calculations;
this is why digital recording of longer image sequences necessitates an
extremely large high speed memory. Recognizing isomorphous sequences in
repetitive motions is only possible with large memory and time expenditure,
which is why robotic systems based on CCD sensors cannot adequately reproduce
their own motion course in a self-adaptive way. With each repetition of the same
motion along the same route, all regulating parameters must be calculated by
means of picture analysis anew. If environment conditions change through fog,
darkness or snowfall, such systems are overburdened. Pat. AT 400 028
describes a system for the adaptive regulation of a motor driven vehicle, in
which certain landmarks or signal sources are provided along the vehicle's route
in order to serve as bearing markers that allow the robot to keep to a schedule.
Positions determined by GPS data can also serve this purpose. When the system
passes these sources, the sensor coupled on board computer acquires the elapsed
times for all covered route segments by means described in
Pat. U.S. 4,245.334,
which details the manner of time quantization by first and second sensor
signals. The data acquired in this way serve as a reference base for the
computation of regulating parameters that control the drive cycles and brake
cycles of the vehicle when a motion repetition happens. The system works with
low data redundancy, corrects itself in a self-adaptive manner, and is capable
of reproducing an electronic route schedule precisely. It is suitable, for
example, for ensuring railway networks keep to schedule. However, in the system
detailed in the above-mentioned patent, it is not possible to identify external
objects and surroundings.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an extensive method for the
creation of autonomous self-organizing robot systems or organisms, which enables
them to identify external signals, objects, events, physical conditions or
surroundings in real time by observing from their own subjective view. They will
be able to recognize their own motion patterns and to reproduce and optimize
their behavior in a self-adaptive way. Another object of this invention is the
preparation of an autonomous training robot for use in sports, that is capable
of identifying, reproducing and optimizing a motion process (e.g. that has been
trialed beforehand by an athlet) as well as: determining the ideal track and
speed courses automatically; keeping to route schedules; representing its own
motion, speeds, lap times, intermediate times and start to finish times on a
monitor; and which is capable of acoustic or optical output of the acquired
data.
Summary Of The Invention
The
requirements outlined in the previous paragraph are solved generically by
attaching analog sensors or receptors onto the moving system (for example, a
robot system) which scan surrounding signal sources whose amplitudes are
subdivided by defining a number of threshold values. This creates perception
zones. The elapsed times of all phase transitions in all zones are measured by
means of analog or digital STQ quantization, and the frequency of the time
pulses is modulated automatically, depending on the relative instantaneous speed
which is determined by the phase displacement of equi-valent sensors.Therefore
the counted time pulses correlate approximately with the length-values d(nnn).
With this method, the scanning of signal amplitudes is not a deterministic
process: it is not carried out at predetermined times with predetermined time
pulses. The recording, processing and analysis of the elapsed times takes place
according to probabilistic principles. As a result, a physically significant
phenomenon arises: the parameters describing the external surroundings are not
objectively measured by the system, but are subjectively sensed as temporal
sequences. The system itself functions as observer of the process. In the
technical literature - in the context of deterministic timing - elapse times are
also
called "signal running times" or "time intervals ". According to the present
invention, the so-called
STQ elapse times in a signal-recognition process are quantized with every
transition of a phase amplitude through a threshold value (which is effected by
starting and stopping a number of timers). This produces a stream of time data.
Every time elapsed between phase transitions in the "equal zone", as well as the
time elapsed between transitions through a low threshold value then a higher
threshold value (and vice versa), can be recorded.
The present invented method differentiates between three principles of STQ
quantization (or,
respectively, elapse time measurements):
STQ(v) = sensitivity/ time quantum of velocity = Tv1,2,3...
This is the elapsed time determined by the signal amplitude that occurs when a
first sensor (or receptor). S2 and an equivalent second sensor (or receptor) S1
moves along a corresponding external signal source Q, measured from the rising
signal edge at the phase transition iTv1.1 of the first sensor signal to the
rising signal edge at the phase transition iTw1.1 of the second sensor signal;
and likewise from iTv2.1 to iTw2.1, from iTv3.1 to iTw3.1. (These transitions
correspond to equivalent threshold values P1,2,3...) STQ(v) times can also be
measured from falling signal edges. They serve as parameters for the immediate
relative velocity (vm) of the system in motion.
STQ(i) = sensitivity/time quantum of interarrival = Tw1,2,3...
This is the elapsed time determined by the signal amplitude of a sensor (or
receptor) S in the field of a corresponding external signal source Q; and/or
determined by the signal amplitude of a sensor (or receptor) S that is moving
along several equivalent external signal sources Q1,2,3... This elapsed time is
measured from the rising signal edge at the phase transition iTw1.1 to the
falling signal edge at the phase transition iTw1.2, likewise from the rising
edge at iTw2.1 to the falling edge at iTw2.2, and from the rising edge at iTw3.1
to the falling edge at iTw3.2 etc.; or, equivalently, from the falling signal
edge at the phase transition iTw1.2 to the rising signal edge at the phase
transition iTw1.3; and from the falling edge at iTw2.2 to the rising edge at
iTw2.3, from the falling edge at iTw3.2 to the rising edge at iTw3.3, and so on
(These transitions correspond to the equivalent threshold values P1,2,3..). If
the time counting frequency for the STQ(i)-quantized elapse times Tw(1,2,3...n)
is modulated in proportion to the immediate relative speed vm (which is detected
by means of STQ(v) parameters), then the counted time pulses correlate to the
relative distances through which the sensor coupled system is moving. Therefore,
of course, the adapted elapse times are not identical to real physical measured
times that would have been acquired from those relative lengths by usual timers.
However, with absolute physical invariance between the system in motion and the
surroundings (i.e. synchronism), no STQ parameter can be acquired.
STQ(d) = sensitivity/time quantum of differentiation = Td1,2,3...
This is the elapsed time determined by the signal amplitude of a sensor (or
receptor) S within range of a corresponding external signal source (Q1,2,3..),
measured from the rising signal edge at the phase transition iTw1 of a rising
amplitude trace to the rising signal edge at the next higher phase transition
iTw2, and from the rising edge at iTw2 to the rising edge at iTw3, from the
rising edge at iTw3 to the rising edge at iTw4, and so on; or, equivalently,
from successive falling edges when amplitude traces are falling. (These
transitions correspond to the equivalent threshold values P1,2,3,4..) STQ(d)
elapse times are differentiation parameters for the slope of signal amplitudes
(and consequently for their frequency); furthermore they serve as a plausibility
check and verification of other corresponding STQ data. With this measurement,
the relative motion between sensor and signal source is not taken into account.
In the case of no relative motion between sensors and sources, changes in the
source field are detectable and recognizable by recording STQ(i) and/or STQ(d)
data. If the source field is invariant, a recognition is only possible if STQ(i)
or STQ(v)- data are derived from variable threshold values (focusing). If there
is absolute physical invariance, no STQ-quantum can be acquired, and recognition
is impossible. STQ(v)-data are recorded in order to recognize the spatial
surroundings under relative motion, and/or to identify
relative motion processes so as to be able to recognize the self-motion (or
components of this motion); as well as to reproduce any motion in a
self-adaptive manner.
If the method presently being described is applied in a mechanistic area, the
above-mentioned
perception area zones may normally be set by a number of electronic threshold
value detectors with pre-definable threshold levels, and the STQ(i) and STQ(d)
elapse time data are acquired by programmable digital timers. The elapse timing
process is actuated at an iT phase transition as well as halted at an iT phase
transition. Then the time data are stored in memory.
Moreover, these STQ(v) elapse times are recorded by means of electronic
integrators, in which the charge times of the capacitors determine those
potentials that are applied as analog STQ(v) data to voltage/frequency
converters, in order to modulate the digital time pulse frequencies for the
adaptive measurement of STQ(i) and STQ(d) data, in a manner which is a function
of the relative speed vm.
In non-mechanistic implementations of the method presently being described, it
is intended that the so-called perception area zones, as well as the threshold
value detectors and the previously described STQ-quantization processes, are not
formed in the same manner as in electronic analog/digital circuits, but in a
manner akin to molecular/biological structures.
In other general implementations, it is intended that those time stream patterns
that consist of currently recorded STQ data be continuously compared with prior
recorded time stream patterns by means of real time analysis, in order to
identify external events or changes in physical surroundings with a minimum of
redundancy, as well as to recognize these in real time.
In yet another possible general implementation, it is intended that autonomously
moving systems,
that are equipped with sensors and facilities capable of the kind of time stream
pattern recognition mentioned above, have propulsion, steering and brake
mechanisms that are regulated in such a manner, that the autonomously moving
system (in particular, a mobile robot system) is capable of reproducing prior
recorded STQ time stream patterns in a self-adaptive way. When repeating this
movement, a processor deletes unstable or insufficiently co-ordinated time
stream data from memory, while assigning only those time stream data as
instruction, which allows reproduction of the motion along the same routes in an
optimal co-ordinated manner.
In addition, it is intended that the time base frequency for the above mentioned
STQ elapse timing is increased or decreased in order to scale the time sequences
proportionally, whereby the velocity of all movements is proportionally scaled
too.
Finally, it is intended to focus the perception zones defined by threshold
values, in order to facilitate recognition of invariant source fields and/or to
ensure that motion courses are repeated uniformly, if convergence cannot be
achieve sufficiently often. (This is object of an additional patent
application).
Short Description Of The Figures
Fig. 1
shows a diagram of SHANNON's deterministic method of discrete time quantization
of signal amplitude traces.
Figs. 2a-c are graphic diagrams of the quantization of signal amplitude
traces by means of acquisition of STQ(v), STQ(i) and STQ(d) elapse times,
according to the herein described non-deterministic method.
Figs. 3a-c illustrate this non-deterministic quantization method in
connection with serial transfer of acquired STQ(d)- elapse times, as well as
time pulse frequency modulation of simultaneously acquired parameters of the
immediate relative speed (vm).
Figs. 3d-g illustrate, in accordance with the presently described
invention, a method to compare the currently acquired STQ time data sequences
with prior recorded STQ time data sequences, in order to detect isomorphism of
certain time stream patterns.
Fig. 4a
shows an action potential AP
Fig. 4b shows vm dependent action potentials which propagate from a
sensory neuron (receptor) along a neural membrane to the synapse where the
covariance of STQ sequences is analysed.
Fig. 4c shows a number of vm dependent action potentials, which propagate
from a group of suitable receptors along collateral neural membranes to
synapses, at which the "temporal and spatial facilitation" of AP's is analysed
together with the covariances of these STQ sequences in order to recognize a
complex perception.
Fig. 4d shows a postsynaptic neuron that produces potentials with
inhibitory effects.
Fig. 4e and Fig. 4f show the general function of the synaptic
transfer of molecular/biologically recorded STQ information to other neurons or
neuronal branches.
Fig. 5 shows a configuration where the described invented method has been
applied to generate an autonomous self-organizing mechanism, and where the STQ
time data are acquired by means of electronics.
Fig. 6a shows a configuration of a concrete embodiment of the present
method, where (as in Figs. 2a - 2c) the acquired STQ(v), STQ(i) and STQ(d) time
data are applied to the recognition of certain spatial profiles, structures or
objects when the system is in motion at arbitrary speed.
Figs. 6b-e illustrate several diagrams and schedules in accordance with
the particular embodiment in Fig. 6a, in which the sensory scanning and
recognition of certain profiles can occur under invariable or variable speed
course conditions.
Figs. 7a-d show several configurations of sensors and sensor structures
for the recording of STQ(v) elapse times, which serve as parameters of the
immediate relative velocity vm.
Figs. 8a-f illustrate a configuration, as well as the principles under
which another embodiment of the invention functions, in which the acquisition of
STQ time data (see Figs. 2a - 2c) is used to create an autonomous self-adaptive
and self-organizing training robot for use in sport. This embodiment is capable
of reproducing and optimizing motion processes that have been pre-exercised by
the user. It is also capable of determining the ideal track and speed courses
automatically; of keeping distances and times; of recognizing and warning in
advance of dangerous impending situations; and of representing on a monitor the
self-motion, in particular the speed, lap times, intermediate times, start to
finish times and other relevant data. In additional, this embodiment is capable
of displaying these acquired data in an optical or acoustic manner.
Fig. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the automatic focusing of certain
perception zones or threshold values, through which it is intended to improve
and optimize the recognition capability and the auto-covariant behaviour of the
system in motion. (This point is object of an additional patent application).
Fig. 10 illustrates in a general schematic view the production of time
data streams by amplitude
transitions at certain sensory perception areas or sensitivity zones (or
threshold values, respectively) in autonomous self-adaptive and self-organizing
structures, organisms or mechanistic robot systems, where a multiplicity of
types of sensors or receptors can exist.
Detailed Description Of The Invention
Fig. 1
shows a diagram of SHANNON's deterministic method of discrete time quantization
of signal amplitude traces, which are digitized by analog/digital converters. In
the usual technical language this method is called "sampling". This
deterministic quantization method is characterized by quantized data (a1,a2,a3
...an) which correlate to certain points in time (T1,T2,T3, ...Tn) that are
predetermined from the program counter of a processor. In present day robotics
practice, this currently used deterministic method requires very fast
processors, high sampling rates and highly redundant calculations for the
processing and evaluation of data. If one wants to acquire sensor data from
signal amplitudes of external sources for the purpose of getting information
about the spatial surroundings of a system in which a sensor coupled processor
is installed, SHANNON's method is incapable of generating suitable data for the
immediate relative speed and temporal allocation, data which are necessary to
optimize the coordination of the relative self-motion. A recognition of its own
motion in real time therefore is not possible. For this reason, this currently
used deterministic method is inadequate for the generation of highly effective
autonomous robot systems.
Figs. 2a - c
show
three different graphs of direct "sensory quantization" of signal amplitude
traces by means of the herein described invented method. In contrast to the
quantization method shown in Fig. 1, in this method no vertical segments of
amplitude traces are scanned; there are only elapse time measurements carried
out in three different complementary ways. As is easy seen, it is necessary to
predefine certain numbers of threshold values 1 (P1, P2, ...Pn) in order
to provide different sensory perception zones. Each residence time within a zone
and time interval between zones is recorded, as well as the elapse time between
the transition from a lower to a higher threshold value and vice versa.
Fig. 2a
shows the first of these three types of sensory time quantization. It is
designated STQ(v) elapse time (i.e. sensitivity/time quantum of velocity), and
produces a parameter for the relative moment speed vm. It can also be understood
as the time duration between the phase transitions of two parallel signal traces
at the same threshold value potential. That is similar to the standard term
"phase shift". In the graph, the measured STQ(v) elapse times are designated
with Tv(n). The phase transitions at the amplitude trace V, which is produced
when the sensor (or receptor) 2 passes along a corresponding external
signal source 4, are designated iTv(n.n); the phase transitions at the
amplitude trace W, which are produced when the sensor (or receptor) 3
passes along the same signal source, are designated with iTw(n,n). In the ideal
case, the sensors 3, 4 are close together compared to the distance c
between external signal source and sensors, c remains approximately constant,
and both sensors (or receptors) display identical properties and provide an
analogue signal; then two amplitude traces V and W are produced at the outputs
of the mentioned sensors (the sensor amplifiers or receptors, respectively)
which are approximately congruent. (Deviations from ideal conditions are
compensated by an autonomous adaptation of the sensory system in a continuously
improved way, which is described later). When sensor 2, in the designated
direction, moves along the signal source 4, then the signal amplitude V
passes through the predefined threshold potential P1 at phase transition
iTv(1.1). The rising signal edge actuates a first timer that records the first
STQ(v) elapse time Tv(1). The continually rising signal amplitude V passes
through the threshold potentials P2, P3 and P4; the phase transition of each of
these activates further timers used for recording of further elapse times Tv(2),
Tv(3) and Tv(4). Meanwhile, sensor 3 has approached signal source 4
and produces the signal amplitude trace W. When W passes through the threshold
potential P1 at the phase transition iTw(1.1), the rising signal edge stops the
timer, and the first STQ(v) elapse time is recorded and stored. The same
procedure is repeated for the elapse times Tv(2), Tv(3) and Tv(4), when the
signal amplitude passes through the next higher threshold values P2, P3 and P4.
If V begins to fall, it first passes through the threshold value P4 on the
falling shoulder of the amplitude trace. Now, the falling signal edge activates
a timer that records the next elapse time Tv(5). At the further phase
transitions iTv(3.2) and iTv(2.2), where the threshold values P3 and P2 are
passed downwards, there are also timers which are actuated when the signal edges
fall, in order to measure the elapse times Tv(6), Tv(7). If the signal amplitude
V rises again, the STQ(v) parameters are recorded by the rising signal edges
again. The same procedure is applied to stopping the timers at the phase
transitions of the signal amplitude W. This produces the time displacement.
Fig. 2b
shows another type of sensory STQ quantization. It is called STQ(i) elapse time
(i.e. sensitivity/time quantum of interarrival). Simply, it is the time Tw a
mobile system needs for a relative length. It can also be understood as the time
duration between phase transitions of a signal trace at same threshold
potentials. If the time counting frequencies corresponding to the relative speed
parameters Tv, (i.e., the STQ(v) elapse times) are proportionally accelerated or
decelerated, the recorded modulated time pulses correlate with the relative
lengths. With absolute physical invariance between the sensor and the signal
sources (i.e., synchronism), no STQ(v) parameter can be acquired, but if an
equivalent signal intensity is changing, STQ(v) data are even obtainable
when there is
no relative motion. Therefore, during motion, these data are necessary not only
for recording variable signals, but also for scanning spatial surroundings. In
this figure, measured STQ(i) elapse times are designated with Tw(n). The phase
transitions, which are produced by the amplitude trace W when the sensor (or
receptor) 5 is moving along the corresponding adjacent signal sources 6
and 7, are designated with iTw(n.n). As soon as the sensor (or receptor) 5
passes in the marked direction along the signal source 6, the signal amplitude W
goes through the pre-defined threshold potential P1 at phase transition
iTw(1.1). The rising signal edge activates a first timer for the recording of
the first STQ(i) elapse time Tw(1). Thereafter, the continually rising signal
amplitude W passes through the pre-defined threshold potentials P2, P3 and P4,
and when these show a phase transition, further timers are activated in order to
record further elapse times Tw(2), Tw(3) and Tw(4). Meanwhile, sensor 5
begins to move away from the vicinity of the signal source 6. The falling
amplitude trace passes through the threshold potential P4, and upon the phase
transition iTw(4.2) the falling signal edge stops the timer that was recording
the STQ(i) elapse time Tw(4). Simultaneously, the same falling signal edge
activates another timer which measures the elapsed time Tw(5) up to the arrival
of the next rising signal edge. But this signal edge rises when sensor 5
passes along the equivalent signal source 7. However, previously, the
signal amplitude falls under the threshold values P3 and P2, and when these show
the phase transitions iTw(3.2) and iTw(2.2), the timers recording the STQ(i)
elapse times Tw(3) and Tw(2) are stopped. Simultaneously, additional timers
recording the elapse times Tw(6) and Tw(7) are activated. They stop again at the
phase transitions iT(2.3), iTw(3.3), iTw(4.3) and iTw(5.1), when the signal
amplitude goes upwards again (but not before the sensor motion along signal
source 7 starts). After those phase transitions, new timers start
recording the next elapse times Tw(8), Tw(9), Tw(10), Tw(11), and so on
Fig. 2c
shows a third type of sensory STQ quantization that is completely different to
those of Figs. 2a and 2b. It is termed STQ(d) elapse time (i.e.,
sensitivity/time quantity of differentiation); and it can be understood as the
time duration Td, measured between a first phase transition at a first
predefined threshold potential up to the next phase transition at the next
threshold potential, which can be either higher or lower than the first one.
STQ(d) elapse times are parameters for the slope of signal amplitude traces, and
consequently they are parameters for their frequency. By fast comparison of
STQ(d) elapse times, signal courses can be recognized in real time; therefore,
for the creation of intelligent behavior, STQ(d) quanta are just as imperative
as STQ(v) quanta and STQ(i) quanta. The quantization of STQ(d)-elapse times is
possible under all variable physical states and arbitrary relative motion
between sensor and external sources, in which STQ(v) and STQ(i) elapse times are
also quantizable. If the STQ(d) elapse times are acquired cumulatively and
serially, then they can be used in the verification and plausibility examination
of STQ(i) elapse times (which are likewise acquired). In the graph, the measured
STQ(d) elapse times are designated with Td(n). The phase transitions which are
produced by the amplitude trace W when the sensor (or receptor) 8 is in
the field of a corresponding signal source 9, are designated with iTw(n.n). When
sensor 8 moves along the corresponding signal-source 9 in the
direction shown, at first the signal amplitude W passes through the pre-defined
threshold value P1 at the phase-transition iTw(1.1). Of course, this also
happens when the field of this signal source is active and/or variable, although
the sensor and the corresponding signal source are in an invariant opposite
position. The rising signal edge activates a first timer that records the first
STQ(d) elapse time Td(1). When the rising amplitude trace W passes through the
next higher threshold value P2 at the phase transition iTw(2.1), this timer is
stopped and the measured STQ(d) elapse time Td(1) is stored. Simultaneously, the
next timer is activated, and records the elapse time up to the next phase
transition at iTw(3.1), upon which it is stopped; then the next timer is
activated up to the next transition iTw(4.1), upon which it is stopped again,
and so on. (All the measured elapse times are stored in memory). At the phase
transition iTw(4.1) the next timer is activated by threshold potential P4.
However, since the amplitude trace does not reach the next higher threshold
value before falling to P4 again, no STQ(d) can be acquired with the last timer.
Thus in this position only the quantization of STQ(i) elapse times, as described
in Fig. 2b, can take place. The next STQ(d) elapse time Td(4) can only be
acquired when the signal amplitude falls below the threshold value P4 at the
transition iTw(4.2), upon which the next timer is activated, and stopped when
the phase transition at the next lower threshold value P3 occurs.
Simultaneously, the next timer is activated, and so on.
In mechanistic applications, where the analysis of signal amplitudes requires
the quantization of STQ(d) elapse times, STQ(d) data are often acquired in
combination with STQ(i) data. If it is intended to use this quantization method
to enable a robot to recognize its own motion from a subjective view (by
detecting and scanning the spatial surroundings when one moves along external
signal sources), then STQ(v) and STQ(i) data are predominantly acquired.
However, if the main intention is to recognize external, non-static optical or
acoustic sources such as objects, pictures, music or conversations etc., then
the proportion of STQ(d) parameters increases, while the proportion of STQ(v)
parameters decreases. In the case of physical invariance (i.e. when there is no
relative motion) no speed parameters can be derived from any sensor signals, and
only STQ(d) and STQ(i) elapse times are quantized.
Figs. 3 a - c
illustrate an important aspect of the performance of the present method, in
connection with serial transfer of acquired STQ(d) elapse times, as well as in
connection with time pulse frequency modulation in relation to simultaneously
acquired STQ(v) parameters which represent the instantaneous relative speed
(vm). However, this instantiation of the method is only suitable where mainly
STQ(d) elapse times are measured, together with those STQ(i) elapse times (see
also Fig. 2c) which are produced at the phase transitions when maximal threshold
value near the maximum of the amplitude are reached, or when the minimal
threshold value near the minimum of the amplitude is reached. In this case, all
measured elapse times can be represented as serial data sequences. But if each
phase transition at each threshold potential generates STQ(d) elapse times as
well as STQ(i) elapse times (see also the notes for Fig. 5), then these data are
produced in parallel, and therefore they have to be processed in parallel.
Fig. 3a shows how a
simple serial pulse sequence can be sufficient for data transport of acquired
STQ(d) elapse times, if the threshold potentials P1, P2, P3... that define the
phase transitions 1.1, 2.1, 3.1... from which the STQ elapse times are derived,
are "marked" either by codes or by
certain
characteristic frequencies. In this figure, these "markers" are pulses with
period t(P1), t(P2), t(P3)... and frequencies f(P1), f(P2), f(P3).... These are
modulated according to the respective threshold potentials. These identification
pulses (IP) serve to identify the pre-defined threshold values P1, P2, P3....,
(or the perception zones 1, 2, 3..., respectively). Only these identification
pulses, in cooperation with invariable time counting pulses (ITCP) with the
period tscan, or in cooperation with variable (vm modulated) time counting
pulses (VTCP) with the period t.vscan (see also Figs. 3b, 3c), enable the actual
acquisition of the STQ(d) elapse times Td(1), Td(2), Td(3), Td(4),... (or,
respectively, the STQ(i) elapse times Tw(1), Tw(2), Tw(3), Tw(4),.... that are
produced at amplitude maxima or minima), as we have already described. Variable
VTCP pulses with the period t.vscan, which are automatically modulated relative
to the acquired STQ(v) parameters (i.e., the instantaneous moment speed vm), are
used to scan the signal amplitudes that are derived from external
sources, in a manner proportional to speed. This reduces the redundancy of the
calculation processes considerably (see also Fig. 3c). The STQ(d) elapse times
that are acquired in such a vm-adapted manner by VTCP pulses are designated with
Tδ;
the STQ(i) elapse times, acquired in the same manner, are designated with Tω
1,2,3...).
Fig. 3b
shows the measurement of STQ(d) elapse times with invariant ITCP pulses with
period tscan and
constant frequency fscan. This takes place as long as no STQ(v) parameter is
acquired, e.g.
when no relative motion is present between sensor and signal sources, and
therefore when
can be measured.
Fig. 3c shows the measurement of STQ elapse times with modulated VTCP
pulses. These counting pulses
depend on the instantaneous relative speed vm (or on the acquired STQ(v)
parameter,
respectively) as well as their period t.vscan and frequency scan in a manner
that is proportion to
vm. If vm is very small or tends to zero, then the counting frequency scan is
likewise
reduced to the minimum frequency fscan (as seen in Fig. 3b). As shown in Fig.
2a, each STQ(v)
parameter is acquired by means of a second adequate "front" sensor (or
receptor). Vm is thus already
recorded even before the actual STQ(d) and/or STQ(i) elapse time measurement.
Therefore it is
possible automatically to modulate scan for the measurement of Tδ
data according
to the acquired STQ(v) parameters, in order to reduce the number of t.vcalculations as
well as to minimize memory requirements. Thus, a largely redundancy-free analysis
results.
Although the time impulses counted with this method are approximately covariant
with the covered lengths
(d), it can be proved that they nevertheless represent modified time data, and
not distance data.
As with the origin of those data, the further processing and analysis of such
modified STQ
elapse times Tδ(n) is dependent on probabilistic principles. The time data Tδ(n) are effectively
"subjectively sensed".
In mechanistic systems the modulation of time counting frequencies in a manner
proportional to distance
traveled is done chiefly by means of programmable oscillators and timers, as
illustrated in Fig. 5.
However, in complex structured biological/chemical organisms, this self-adaptive
process (a part
of the so-called "autonomous adaptation") is generated mainly by proportional
>alteration of
the propagation speed of timing pulses in neural fibers, as shown in Figs. 4a
-d. However,
autonomous adaptation and self-adaptive time base-altering processes of the type
described can
also be formed differently. They can exist on molecular, atomic or subatomic
length scales.
The author names this principle "temporal auto-adaptation".
Figs. 3d - g show the conceptual basis for the comparison of currently
acquired STQ time data sequences with
prior recorded STQ time data sequences, as well as their statistics-basedanalysis. The
vm-modulated time data Tδ(n),
shown in Fig. 3d having the sequence 32 30 22 23 20 (cs = cycles), are compared
datum by datum with prior recorded time data Tδ'(n),
having the sequence 30 29 22 24 19, which were likewise recorded in a
vm-modulated manner. The comparison process is actually a covariance analysis.
When the regression curves of both time data
patterns converge, covariance exists. For these purposes, in mechanistic
systems, coincidence
measurement devices, comparator circuits, software for statistical analysis
methods or "fuzzy
logic" can be used.
The probability density parameters are added up, and as soon as the total value
within a certain period exceeds
a pre-defined threshold 10, then a signal 11 is produced that
indicates that the sequence was
"recognized". This signal predominantly serves to regulate adaptively the
actuators in mechanistic
systems (or motor behavior in organisms, respectively). Moreover, the signal
shows that
"autonomous adaptation" has taken place prior to these time data patterns being
recorded. In
respect of the motoric behavior of any mechanistic or biological organism, it is
true that
recognition of signal sequences goes hand in hand with automatic adaptation (or
"autonomous
adaptation", respectively). This principle is hereby termed "motoric
auto-adaptation" or
"auto-emulation".
Fig. 3g shows this auto-adaptation process in a schematic and easily
comprehensible manner. A currently
acquired T time data sequence is continually compared with prior recorded Ttime
data
sequences, and if approximate covariance appears, then the sequences fit like a
key into a lock. As described in
the following sections, this process produces a type of "bootstrapping" or
"motoric
emulation, which constitutes a basic characteristic of redundancy-free
autonomous self- organizing
systems and organisms. Admittedly, the covariance analysis of two time data
patterns in mechanistic/
electronic systems is relatively complicated (see also Fig.5). But this is not
so in molecular/biological organisms and other systems. In such systems, this
"bootstrapping" appears as a
so-called "synergetic effect", which is approximately comparable with rolling a
number of
billiard balls into holes arranged in some pattern. (The name "synergetic" was
first used by H.
HAKEN in the year 1970.) Successful potting is determined by speed and
direction. If the speed
and direction are altered, no potting will takeplace. An attempt can also fail
if the positions of
the holes was somehow changed whilst the initial positions of the balls were
kept constant, even
if their speed and direction were covariant with the original speed and
direction (and when the
covariance does not adequately take into account the changing pattern).
In a similar way, a current STQ time data sequence, acquired by an autonomous
self-organizing
system,produces
a characteristic fingerprint pattern, and whenever a previously recorded
reference
pattern is detected that is isomorphic to the currently recorded pattern, then
auto-
adaptation and
auto-emulation results. This phenomenon is inherent in all life forms, organisms
and elementary
structures as a teleological principle. If no covariant reference pattern is
found,
the
auto-adaptive regulating collapses and the system behaves chaotically. This
motion changes
from chaotic
back to ordered as soon as currently recorded STQ time patterns begin to
converge
to prior
recorded STQ time patterns that the analyzer finds to be covariant.
Figs. 4a - d illustrate a
model for the acquisition and processing of STQ(d) and STQ(v) elapse
times (see also Figs. 3a-g) and
for temporal and motoric auto-adaptation in a molecular/biological context.
The basic elements of the model
have already been described in the neurophysiology literature by KATZ,GRAY,
KELLY, REDMAN, J. ECCLES and others. The present
invention is of special originality because temporal and motoric auto-adaptation
is effected here by means
of STQ quanta, which are described for the first time here. Such systems consist mainly of
numerous neurons (nerve cells). The neurons are interconnected with receptors
(sensory neurons), which
enables the recording and recognition of the neurons' physical surroundings. In
addition, the
neurons cooperate with effectors (e.g.muscles) which serve as command executors
for the
motoric activity. The expression "receptor" or "sensory neuron" corresponds to
the mechanistic
term "sensor". An "effector" is the same as an "actuator", which is a known term
in the
cybernetics literature. Each neuron consists of a cell membrane that encloses
the cell contents
and the cell nucleus. Varying numbers of branches from the neurons (axons,
dendrites etc.)
process information off to effectors or other neurons. The junction of a
dendritic or axional ending
with another cell is called a synapse. The neurons themselves can be understood
as complex
biomolecular sensors and time pulse generators; the synapses are time data
analyzers which
continually compare the currently recorded elapse time sequences with prior
recorded elapse time patterns that were produced by the sensory neurons and
were propagated along nerve fibers towards the synapses. In turn, a type of
"covariance analysis" is carried out there, and adequate probability
density signals are generated that propagate to other neighboring neural systems
or to effectors.
Fig. 4a
shows a so-called "action potential" AP that is produced at the cell membrane by
an
abrupt alteration of the distribution of sodium and potassium ions in the intra
and extra-cellular
solution, which works like a capacitor. These ionic concentrations keep a
certain balance as long
as no stimulus is produced by the receptor cell. In this equilibrium state, a
constant negative
potential 12, termed the "rest potential", exists at the cell membrane.
As soon as a receptor
perceives a stimulus from an externalsignal source, Na+ ions flow into the
neutral cell, which
causes the distribution of positive and negative ions to be suddenly inverted,
and the cell
membrane " depolarizes". Depending on the intensity of the receptor stimulus,
several effects are produced:
(a) If
the threshold P1 is not exceeded, then a so-called "electrotonic
potential" EP is produced which propagates passively along the cell
membrane (or axon fiber), and which decreases exponentially with respect
to time and distance traveled. The production of EP is akin to igniting
an empty fuse cord. The flame will stretch itself along the fuse,
becoming weaker as it goes along, before finally going out. EP's
originate with each stimulation of a neuron.
(b)
If the threshold P1 is exceeded, then an "action potential" AP (as in
Fig. 4a) is produced whichpropagates actively along the cell membrane
(or axon fiber) with a constant amplitude in a self-regenerating manner.
The production of AP is akin to a spark incident at a blasting fuse: the
fiercely burning powder heats neighboring parts of the fuse, causing the
powder there to burn, and so on, thus propagating the flame along the
fuse.
AP's
are used in the quantization of STQ(d) and STQ(v) elapse times. They are
practically equivalent to identification pulses IP with periods t(P1),
t(P2), t(Pn)..., which are shown in Fig. 3a. AP's signal the occurrence
of the phase transitions from which STQ(d) and STQ(v) elapse times
derive. In addition,theAP'
indirectly activate the molecular/biological "timers" that are used for
recording these elapse times. But AP's do not represent deterministic
sampling rates for amplitude scanning; and they do not correspond to
electronic voltage/frequency converters. Moreover, their amplitude is
independent of the stimulation intensity at the receptor, and they do
not represent the time counting pulses used in the measurement of elapse
times. Rather, the recording of STQ elapse times is effected and
modulated by the velocity with which the action potentials propagate
along the nerve fibers (axons) and membrane regions.
The
time measuring properties of AP's are described in detail in the
following section:
If an EP, in answer to a receptor stimulus, exceeds a certain threshold
value (P1) 13, then an AP is triggered. The amplitude trace of an
AP begins with the upstroke 14 and ends with the repolarisation
15, or with the so-called "refractory period", respectively. At
the end of this process, the membrane potential decreases again to the
resting potential P0, and the ionic distribution returns to equilibrium.
Not each receptor stimulus generates sufficient electric conductivity to
produce an AP. As long as it remains under a minimal threshold value P1,
it generates only the electrotonic potential EP (introduced above). (For
abetter
understanding of elapse time measurements in biological/chemical
structures, see Fig. 2c and Fig. 3a). The first AP, which is triggered
after a receptor is stimulated, generates initially (indirectly) the
impulse that activates the first timer that records the first STQ(d)
elapse time, when the signal amplitude W passes through the threshold
value of the potential P1 at phase transition iTw(1.1). This signal
represents simultaneously an identification pulse IP. The first AP
corresponds to the first IP in a sequence of IP's that represents the
respective threshold value status or perception zone in which the
stimulation amplitudes were just found. As long as the stimulus at the
receptor persists, an AP 16a,
16b... is triggered in temporal intervals whose duration depends on
the respective thresholds in which the stimulus intensities have just
been found.
These temporal intervals correspond to those IP periods t(P1), t(P2),... that
are required for serial
allocation and processing of STQ elapse times (see Fig. 3a). The AP
frequency is stabilised through the
so-called "relative refractory period" (i.e. downtime) after each AP,
during which no new depolarisation is possible. Because the relative
refractory period shortens itself adaptively in proportion to the
increase in stimulation intensity at the receptor (e.g. if the EP
reaches a higher threshold value P2 (or perception zone) 13a),
there is a similarity here with "programmable bi-stable multivibrators"
found in the usual mechanistic electronics. The downtime (refractory
period) after an AP is shown as the divided line 19.
Fig. 4a illustrates an "absolute refractory period" t(tot) following a
repolarisation. No new AP can be created during this time, irrespective of the
stimulation intensity at the receptor rises. The maximum magnitude of a
recognizable receptor stimulus is programmed in this way. Of importance is the
fact that both the duration of the relative refractory period as well as character of
the absolute refractory period are subordinate to auto-adaptive
regularities, and are therefore continually adapting to newly appearing
conditions in the organism. Consequently, the threshold values P0, P1,
P2.... from which STQ quanta are derived are themselves not absolute
values, but are subject to adaptive alteration like all other
parameters; including, in particular, the physical "time".
We shall now elaborate upon what happens after the first STQ(d) elapse
time at P1 is recorded via the first AP: If the stimulation intensity
(with a theoretical amplitude W) increases from the lower threshold P1
to the next higher threshold P2, then the following AP triggers
indirectly the recording of the second STQ(d) elapse time as soon as a
phase transition occurs through the next higher threshold P2. The same
process is repeated in turn for the threshold values P3, P4, ... and so
on. In each case, the AP functions simultaneously as an identification
pulse IP, as described in Fig. 3a. It therefore recurs in
threshold-dependent periods as long as a perception acts upon the
receptor (i.e. for as long as the receptor is perceiving something).
As an
example, consider also Fig. 3a: As long as the stimulation intensity
remains in the zone P2, the AP 17, 17a, 17b.... recurs in short
temporal periods. These periods (or intervals) are similar to thoseperiods
of IP identification pulses (with period t(P2)) that are required for
serial recording of the STQelapse
times Td(2) and Tw(2). When the increasing stimulation intensity reaches
the threshold value P3
(or perception zone 3) 13b, the AP's recur in even shorter time
periods 18a, 18b, 18c... This
corresponds to the IP identification pulses with the period t(P3), shown
in the figure, which are indirectly required for serial timing of the
STQ elapse times Td(3) and Tw(3). An even larger stimulation intensity,for
example in P4 (perception zone 4), would generate an even shorter period
for the AP's. This would
correspond approximately to t(P4) in Fig. 3a. The maximum possible AP
pulse frequency is determined by t(tot). Shorter refractory periods,
after the depolarization of APs, also produce smaller AP-amplitudes.
This property simplifies the allocation of AP's in addition. In the
following, the generation of the actual time counting pulses for STQ
quantization is detailed. These pulses are either invariable ITCP or
vm-proportional VTCP, as illustrated in Fig. 3a. The time counting
pulses for the quantization of elapse times are dependent on the
velocity with which the AP propagate along an axon. This velocity is in
turn dependent on the "rest potential" and on the concentration of Na+
flowing into the intracellular space at the start of the depolarization
process, as soon as perception at the receptor cell causes an electric
current to influence the extra/intra-cellular ionic equilibrium.
With the commencement of stimulation of a receptor (at the outset of a
perception), only capacitivecurrent
flows from the extra-cellular space into the intracellular fluid. This
generates an "electrotonic
potential" EP, which propagates passively. If this EP exceeds the
threshold P1, then an AP, which
propagates in a self-regenerating manner along the membrane districts,
is produced. The greater the capacitive current still available after
depolarisation (or "charge reversal") of the membrane capacitor, the
greater the Na+ ion flow into the intracellular space, and the greater
the available EP current that canflow
into still undepolarized areas. The rate of further depolarization
processes in the neuronal fibres,and
consequently the propagation speeds of further AP's, are thus increased
proportionally. The charge reversal time of the membrane capacitor is
therefore the parameter that determines the value 12 of the
resting potential P0. When a stimulus ("excitation") starts from the
lowest resting potential 12,then
the Na+ influx is the largest, the EP-rise is steepest and the
electrotonic flux is maximum. If an APis
triggered, then its propagation speed is in this case also maximum. But
when a receptor stimulus startsfrom a
higher potential 12a, 12b, 12c...., then the Na+ influx is
partially inactivated, and the steepnessof the
EP-rise as well as its electrotonic flux velocity is decreased.
Therefore, the propagation speed of an AP decreases too.These specific
properties are used in molecular/biologic organisms to produceeither
invariant time counting impulses ITCP, with periods tscan, or variable
time counting impulses VTCPwith
periods t.vscan. In the latter case, the VTCP's are modulated in
accordance with the relative speedsvm (via
the STQ(v) parameters), and therefore have shorter intervals (see Figs.
3b, 3c). The STQ(v)-quantum is determined by the deviation of the
respective starting-potential from the lowest resting-potential P0, which serves as a reference value, and is measured by the
duration of the capacitive
charging of a cell membrane when a stimulus occurs at the receptor.
The
duration of the charging is inversely proportional to the velocity of
the Na+ influx through the
membrane channels into the intracellular space. A cell membrane can be
understood as an electric
capacitor, in which two conducting media, the intracellular and the
extracellular solution, are separated from one another by the
non-conducting layer, the membrane. The two media contain different
distributions of Na/K/Cl ions. The greater the "stimulation dynamics"
(see below) that first influencesthe
outer molecular media - corresponding to sensor 2 in Fig. 2a - and,
subsequently, the inner molecular media - which corresponds to sensor 1
in Fig. 2a - the faster is the Na+ influx and theshorter
the charging time (which determines the parameter for the relative speed
vm), and the faster is the AP propagation velocity v(ap) in the
neighbouring membrane districts. The signals at the inner andouter
sides, respectively, of the membrane, correspond to the signal
amplitudes V and W. The velocityv(ap),
therefore, indirectly generates the invariant time counting pulses ITCP
or the variable vm-proportional time counting pulses VTCP.
These variable VTCP pulses are self-adaptive modulated time pulses that
are correlated to the relative length. As explained in the following
(contrary to the traditional physical sense), no "invariant time" exists
-- only "perceived time" exists. Of essential importance also is the
difference between "stimulation
intensity " whose measurement is determined by the AP frequency and
therefore by the refractory period, and the "stimulation dynamics",
whose measurement is defined by the charge duration of the cell membrane
and therefore also by the speed of the Na+ influx. "Stimulation
dynamics" is not the same as "increase of the stimulation intensity". It
is a measure of the temporal/spatial variation of the position ofthe
receptor relative to the position of the stimulus source, and therefore
of the relative speed vm. The
stimulation intensity corresponds to signal amplitudes, from which
vm-adaptive STQ(d) elapse times
Tδ(1,2,3...) are derived, while the stimulation dynamics is defined by the
acquired STQ(v) parameters. `
Fig. 4b and Fig. 4c show the analysis of STQ elapse times
in a molecular/biological model in an easily comprehensible manner. The
results of the analysis are used to generate redundancy-free
auto-adaptive pattern recognition as well as autonomous regulating and
self-organization processes. The organism in the particular example
shown here is forced to distinguish certain types of foreign bodies that
press on its "skin". It must reply with a fast muscle reflex when it
recognizes a pinprick. But it should ignore the stimulus when it
recognizes a blunt object. A continuous vm-adaptive recording of STQ(d)
elapse times by means of VTCP pulses is necessary to do this. The
frequency of these time counting impulses is modulated in accordance
with the STQ(v) parameters of the stimulus dynamics (vm). These STQ(v)
parameters are required for the recording of the STQ(d) elapse times Tδ(1,2,3...) from the signal
amplitude at the current stimulus intensity. The difference between
"stimulation intensity" and "stimulation dynamics" is easily seen in
this example. A stimulus can even show a different intensity if
no temporal-spatial change takes place between signal source and
receptor. A needle in the skin can cause a different sensory pattern
even when its position is not changing if, for example, it is heated.
This sensory pattern is determined by the signal amplitude, and
consequently by the AP frequency and by the STQ(d) quanta. As long as
the needle persists in an invariant position, the AP propagation
velocity is constant, because the membrane charging time is constant
too. During the prick into the skin, there is a "dynamic stimulation",
and the STQ(d) quantization of the signal amplitude is carried out in a
manner that depends on the pricking speed vm. It should be noted that
two temporally displaced signal amplitudes (at the inner and outer
membrane surface) always exist during this dynamic process. The STQ(v)
parameters are derived from this. The AP propagation velocities and the
acquired STQ(d) time patterns are adapted accordingly ("temporal
auto-adaptation").
The
STQ(d) time patterns Tδ(1,2,3,4,.....),
measured adaptively according to the vm, are constantly compared to and
analysed together with the previously measured and stored STQ(d) time
patterns Tδ'(1,2,3...).
This time comparation process occurs continuously in the so-called
synapses, which are the junctions to axional endings of other neurons.
The probability density values that are produced at the synapses, and
which are used to represent the convergence of both regression curves,
are communicated for further processing to peripheral neural systems, or
to muscle fibres in order to trigger motoric reflex.
Fig. 4b
shows the vm-dependent propagation of an AP from a sensory neuron
(receptor) 20 along anaxon to
a synapsis, where a comparison of acquired time sequences takes place
through molecular" covariance analysis". This receptor functions like a
"pressure sensor". If a needle 21 with a certain dynamics
impinges on the outer side of the cell membrane, then this stimulation
causes triggering of AP's 23 as described in Fig. 4a. The AP's
propagate in the axon 22 with a STQ(v)-dependent speed vap. The
sequence (a'.....v') represents the signal amplitude values that are
produced by the pinprick. The sequence begins with the phase transition
at the first threshold value P1, continues over P2, P3, P4 (at which
point the stimulus maximum is attained), and finally to the phase
transitions through P3 and P2. The intensity zones for stimulus
perception are designated with Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4. The periods t(P1),
t(P2), t(P3), t(P4)......, and the magnitudes of the AP's serve to
identify the particular threshold in which the stimulation intensity is
currently to be found. Their temporal sequence is therefore a type of
"code". AP's are not time counting pulses. Besides their coding
function, they also serve as (indirect) activatingand
deactivating pulses for the recording of STQ(d) elapse times. The actual
vm-dependentmeasurement of the STQ elapse times Td(1), Td(2), Td(3), Tw(4) and
Td(4)... (see Fig. 2c), as well as the comparison of these with
previously recorded elapse times, takes place in the synapse 24.
At the presynaptic terminal of the axons, the AP's 23 arrive with
variable velocities vm(n...), according to the dynamics of the needle
prick as well as the measured STQ(v) parameters. This variable arrival
velocity at the synapses is the key to producing the adaptive time
counting impulses VTCP (see Fig. 3c) with vm-modulated frequency scan.
The synapse is separated from the postsynaptic membrane by the "synaptic
cleft", and the postsynaptic membrane, for its part, is interconnected
with other neurons; for instance, to a "motorneuron" 25. This
neuron generates a so-called "excitatory postsynaptic potential" (ESPS)
27 that is approximately proportional to the convergence
probability g. If this EPSP (or, equivalently, the probability density
g) exceeds a certain threshold value, then, in turn, an action potential
AP 28 is triggered. This AP is communicated via motoaxon 26
to the "neuromuscular junction", at which a muscle reflex is triggered.
The incoming AP sequences 23 generate the release of particular
amounts of molecular transmitter substance from their repositories -
tiny spherical structuresin the synapse, termed "vesicles". In principle, a synapse is a complex
programmable timedata processor and analyzer that empties the contents
of a vesicle into the presynaptic cleft when the recurrence of any prior
recorded synaptic structure is confirmed within a newly recorded key
sequence. The synaptic structures and vesicle motions are generated by
the dynamics (vap) of the AP ionic flux, as well as by its frequency. AP
influx velocities v(ap) correspond to the STQ(v) elapse times, and AP
frequencies correspond to the STQ(d) elapse times. The transmitter
substance is reabsorbed by the synapse, and reused later, whereby the
cycle continues uninterrupted.
We now
present a detailed description of Fig. 4b (referring also to Figs. 4e
and 4f). The ionic influx of the initial incoming AP 23 (a') activates
the spherical structures (vesicles) containing the ACh transmitter
molecules. These molecules are released in the form of a "packet". The
duration of this ACh packaging depends on the dynamics (represented by
the velocity v(ap)) of the AP ionic influx at the presynaptic terminal,
and therefore on the stimulus dynamics (represented by vm) at the
receptor 20. Each subsequent incoming AP, namely b', c'..., in
turn causes neurotransmitter substances in the vesicle to be released
toward the synaptic cleft. Each of the following are elapse time
counting and covariance analyzing characteristics:: the duration of
accumulation of neurotransmitter substance T(t); the velocities v(t)
with which the neurotransmitter substances move in the direction of the
synaptic cleft; the effects induced by the neurotransmitter substances
at the synaptic lattice at the synaptic cleft; the duration ofpore
opening; and so on. By means of AP's acting on synaptic structures, not
only are the actual time counting frequencies scan generated (to be
used in vm-dependent measurement of STQ(d) elapse times as described in
Fig. 2c), but also time patterns are stored and analysed.
If the pattern of a current temporal sequence is recognised by the
synapse as matching an existing stored pattern, a pore opens at the
synaptic lattice, and all of the neurotransmitter content of a vesicle
is released into the subsynaptic cleft. The released transmitter
molecules (mostly ACh) combine at the other side of the cleft with
specific receptor molecules of the sub-synaptic membrane of the coupled
neuron. Thus, a postsynaptic potential (EPSP) is generated, which then
propagates to other synapses, dendrites, or to a "neuromuscular
junction". If the EPSP exceeds a certain amplitude, then it triggers an
action potential (AP) of the described type, which then triggers, for
example, a muscle reflex. If the potential does not reach this
threshold, then the EPSP propagates in the same manner as an EP (i.e. in
an electrotonic manner); an AP is not produced in this case.
Of special significance is the summing property of the subsynaptic
membrane. This characteristic,
termed "temporal facility", results in the summation of amplitudes of
the generated EPSP's, if they arrive in short sequences within certain
time intervals. Each release of neurotransmitter molecules into the
synaptic cleft designates an increased probability density occurring
during the comparison of instantaneous vm-proportionally acquired STQ
time patterns to prior vm-proportionally recorded STQ-time patterns.
Increased probability density causes a higher frequency of transmitter
substance release and therefore a higher summation rate of the EPSP's,
which in turn produces, at a significantly increased rate, postsynaptic
action potentials (AP). Therefore, a postsynaptic AP is effectively a
confirmation signal that flags the fact that isomorphism between a
previously and currently recorded time data pattern has been recognized.
On the basis of this time pattern comparison, the object that caused the
perception at the receptor cell is thereby identified as "needle"; and
the command to "trigger a muscle reflex" is
conveyed to the corresponding muscle fibres.
Parallel and more exact recognition processes are executed by the
central nervous system CNS (i.e. thebrain).
From the sensitive skin-receptor neuron 20, a further axonal
branching 29 is connected via a synapse 30 to a "CNS
neuron". In contrast to the "motorneuron" which actuates the motoric
activity ofthe
organism directly, a CNS neuron serves for the conscious recognition of
a receptoric stimulation sequence. An AP 31, produced at the
postsynaptic cell membrane 30, can spread out along dendrites in the
axon 30a, as well as to several other CNS neurons; or,
alternatively, indirectly via CNS neurons to a motorneuron, then on to a
neuromuscular junction.
The parameters controlling the recording of STQ time quanta in the
synapses 25 and 30 can differ with different synaptic
structures. (Indeed, the synaptic structures themselves are generated by
continuous "learning" processes). This explains how it is possible for a
needle prick to be registered by the brain, while eliciting no muscular
response; or how a fast muscle reflex can be produced while a cause is
hardly perceived by the brain. The first case shows a conscious reflex,
the other case an instinctive reflex. The former occurs when the CNS
synapse 30 cannot find enough isomorphic structures (in
contrast to the synapse 25), transmitter molecules are not
released with sufficient frequency, and subsequently no postsynaptic AP
31 and no conscious recognition of the perceived stimulus can
take place. Numerous functions of the central nervous system can be
explained in such a monistic way; as well as phenomena such as
"consciousness" and "subconscious". Generally, auto-adaptive processes
aredeeply
interlaced in organisms, and are therefore extremely complex. In order
to be capable of distinguishing a needle prick from the pressure of a
blunt eraser, essentially more time patterns are necessary; in addition,
more receptors and synapses must be involved in the recognition process. Fig. 4c illustrates the process by which moderate pressure from a
blunt object (e.g. a conical eraser on a pin) is recognized, resulting
in no muscle reflex. The blunt object 32 presses down with a
certain relative velocity vm onto a series of receptors in neural skin
cells 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37. Several sequences of AP's
39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 are produced after the individual
adjacent receptors (see also Fig. 4b) are stimulated. These action
potentials propagate along the collateral axons 38 with variable
periods t(P1,2,3..) and velocities vap(1..5), which result on the one
hand from the prevailing stimulation intensity, and on the other hand
from the respective stimulation dynamics. Since each receptor stimulus
generates a different pattern of STQ(v) and STQ(d) quanta, various AP
sequences a'.....m' emerge from each axon. All sequences taken together
represent the pattern of STQ elapse times which characterises the
pressure of the eraser on the skin. These variable AP ionic fluxes reach
the synapses 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48, which are
interconnected via the synaptic cleft with the motoneuron 49. As
soon as the currently acquired STQ time data pattern shows a similarity
to a prior recorded STQ time data pattern, each
individual synapse releases the contents of a vesicle into the
subsynaptic cleft. Simultaneously, this produces an EPSP at the
subsynaptic membrane of the neuron. These EPSP potentials are mostly
below the threshold. The required threshold value for the release of an
AP is reached only when a number of EPSP's are summed. This happens only
when a so-called "temporal facilitation" of such potentials occurs, as
described in the previous paragraph.
In the model shown, the individual EPSP's 50, 51, 52, 53 and
54 effect this summing property of the subsynaptic membrane. These
potentials correspond to receptor-specific probability density
parameters g1, g2, g3, g4 and g5, that represent the degree of
isomorphity of time patterns. Simultaneous neurotransmitter release in
several synapses, for example in 45 and 47, causes
particular EPSP's to be summed to a total potential 56, which
represents the sum of the particular probability densities G = g1+g3.
This property of the neurons (i.e. the summing of spatially separated
subliminal EPSP's when release of neurotransmitter substance appears
simultaneously at a number of parallel synapses on the same subsynaptic
membrane) is termed "spatial facilitation".
In the described model case, the summed EPSP 56 does not,
however, reach the marked threshold (gt), and therefore no AP is
produced. Instead, the EPSP propagates in the sub-synaptic membrane
region 49 of the neuron, or in the following motoaxon 55,
respectively, as a passive electrotonic potential (EP). Such
an EP attenuates (in contrast to a self-generating active AP) a few
millimetres along the axon, and therefore has no activating influence on
the neuromuscular junction, and consequently no activating influence on
the muscle. The stimulation of the skin by pressing with the eraser is
therefore not sufficient to evoke a muscle reflex.
It would be a different occurance if the eraser would break off and the
empty pin meet the skin receptors with full force. In this case,
neurotransmitter substances would be released simultaneously in all five
synapses 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54, because the acquired STQ
time patterns Tδ(1,2,3..),
with very high probability, would be similar to those STQ time patterns
Tδ'(1,2,3...
) already stored in the synaptic structures that pertain to the event
"needle prick". The EPSP's would be summed, because of their temporal
and spatial "facilitation", to a supraliminal EPSP 56, and a
postsynaptic AP would be produced that propagates along the motoaxon
55 in a self-regenerating manner (without temporal and spatial
attenuation) up to the muscle, producing a muscle reflex.
As in Fig. 4b, in the present example a recognition process takes place
in the central nervous system (CNS) that proceeds in parallel. From the
skin receptor cells 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37, collateral
axonal branches extend to CNS synapses that are connected to other
neurons 58. Such branches are termed "divergences". The
subdivision of axons into collateral branches in different neural CNS
districts, and the temporal and spatial combination of many postsynaptic
EPSP's, allows conscious recognition of complex perceptions in the brain
(for example, the fact of an eraser pressing onto the skin). Since this
recognition has to take place independent of the production of a muscle
reflex, the sum of individual EPSP's must be supraliminal in the CNS.
Otherwise, no postsynaptic AP - i.e. no signal of confirmation - can be
produced. As an essential prerequisite for this, it is necessary that
auto-adaptive processes have already occurredwhich
have formed certain pre-synaptic and sub-synaptic STQ time structures in
the parallel synapses58. These structures hold information (time sequences; i.e.
patterns) pertaining to similar sensoryexperiences (e.g. "objects impinging on the skin" - amongst these, a
conical eraser). Obviously the threshold for causing an AP in the
postsynaptic membrane structure of the ZNS Neurons 58 (and
therefore also in the brain) has to be lower than in the motoneuron
membrane 49 described previously. Therefore also the sum of these
EPSP's must be larger than the sum of the EPSP's g1, g2, g3, g4 and g5.
Isomorphisms of STQ time patterns in the CNS synapses of the brain have
to be more precisely marked out than those in the synapses of
motoneurons, which are only responsible for muscle reflexes.
The
structure of the CNS synapses must be able to discern finer information,
so it must be more subtle. The production of a sub-synaptic AP
represents a confirmation of the fact that a currently acquired Tδ(1,2,3...)
time pattern is virtually isomorphic to a prior recorded reference time
pattern Tδ'(1,2,3...),
which, for example, arose from a former sensory experience with an
eraser impinging at a certain location on the skin. If such a former
experience has not taken place, the consciousness has no physical basis
for the recognition, since the basis for time pattern comparison is
missing. In such a case, therefore, a learning process would first have
to occur. Most of the time, however, sensory experiences of a visual,
acoustic or other type, arising from a variety of receptor stimulation
events, are co-ordinated with the pressure sensing experience.
This explains why CNS structures are extremely intensively interlaced.
CNS neurons, as well as moto-neurons, have up to 5000 coupled synapses,
which are interconnected in a multifarious manner with
receptor neurons and axonal branches. There are complex time data
patterns for lower and higher task sites, which are structured in a
hierarchical manner. We have already described simple Tδ(1,2,3....)
and Tδ'(1,2,3...)
analysis operations. Blood circulation, respiration, co-ordination of
muscle systems, growth, seeing, hearing, speaking, smelling, and so on,
necessitate an extremely large number of synaptic recorded "landscapes"
of the organism's STQ time patterns, produced by a variety of receptors;
and which continually have to be analysed for isomorphism with time
patterns currently being recorded. Accordingly, temporal and motoric
auto-adaptation occurs in deeper and higher hierarchies and at various
levels.
Fig. 4d
illustrate the counterpart to the EPSP (Excitatory Postsynaptic
Potential): the "Inhibitory
Postsynaptic Potential " , or IPSP. As seen in the figure, the IPSP
potentials 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 at the subsynaptic
membrane 60 are negative compared to the corresponding EPSP's.
IPSP's are produced by a considerable proportion of the synapses to
effect pre-synaptic inhibition instead of activation. The example here
shows an IPSP packet 67 propagating from the motoaxon 66
to a neuromuscular junction (or muscle fibre, respectively) which
prevents this muscle from being activated - even if a supraliminal EPSP
were to reach the same muscle fibre at the same time via a parallel
motoaxon.
Positive EPSP's ion fluxes and negative IPSP's ion fluxes counterbalance
each other. The main function of the IPSP's is to enable co-ordinated
and homogeneous changes of state in the organism, e.g. to enable exact
timing of motion sequences. In order to ensure, for example, a constant
arm swing, it is necessary to activate the bicep muscles, which then
flex the elbow with the aid of EPSP's; but to inhibit the antagonistic
tricep muscles (which extend the elbow) with the aid of IPSP's.
Antagonist muscles must be inhibited via so-called "antagonistic
motoneurons", while the other muscle is activated via "homonym
motoneurons". The complex synergism of excitatory (EPSP) synapses and
inhibitory (IPSP) synapses act like a feedback system (servoloop) and
enables optimal timing and efficiency in the organism. One can compare
this process with a servo-drive, or with power-steering, which ensures
correct co-ordination and execution of current motion through
data-supported operations and controls. If data are missing, the
servoloop collapses. Disturbances in a molecular biological servoloop
that is supported by STQ time data structures lead to tetanic twitches,
arbitrary contractions, chaotic cramps and so on.
From the point of view of cybernetics, each excitatory synapse generates
a "motoric impulse" (EPSP), while each inhibitory synapse generates a
"brake impulse" (IPSP). The continued tuning of the complicated
servoloops, and the balance which results from continuous comparison of
prior sensory experiences (the stored reference time patterns) with
current sensory experiences (the time patterns currently being
recorded), creates "perfect timing" in the organism.
Fig. 4e shows the basic construction of a synapse. Axon 68
ends at the pre-synaptic terminal 69, which is also termed
"bouton". The serial incoming AP's cause the vesicles to be filled with
neurotransmitter molecules. When the filling process is finished, the
vesicles begin to move in the direction of the pre-synaptic lattice
71. If a currently acquired time pattern is approximately isomorphic
to an existing time pattern (see also Fig. 4b), then a small canal opens
at an attachment site on the lattice, which releases the
entire contents of the vesicle into the narrow synaptic cleft 72.
This process is termed "exocytosis". The
sub-synaptic neural membrane 73 supports specific molecular
receptors 73a, to which the released transmitter molecules bind
themselves. For a certain period, a pore opens, through which the
transmitter substance diffuses. The conductivity of the postsynaptic
membrane increases and the EPSP (following postsynaptic depolarisation)
is triggered. The duration of opening of the pores and the recognition
of complementary receptors by the molecules are likewise determined by
auto-adaptive processes and evaluation of STQ time pattern structures.
However, these molecular processes represent deeper sub-phenomena in
comparison to synaptic processes. Structures for temporal and motoric
auto-adaptation, which depend on quantization of STQ-elapse times, also
exist at the molecular and atomic levels.
Fig. 4f shows the filling of a vesicle 70 with
neurotransmitting substances, and its subsequent motion towards a
pre-synaptic dense projection at the lattice 71. The start of the
filling process 74 can be seen as the activation of a stopwatch.
The rate v(t) of the filling is proportional to the dynamics of the AP
ionic flux into the synapse. The periods T(t...) of the filling follow
the periods t(P1,P2,...) of the arriving AP's; these times, therefore,
represent vm-adaptive quantized STQ(d) elapse times Tδ(1,2,3...).
The direction of filling is shown at 75. The direction of motion
of a vesicle is shown at 76. If the current velocity v(t), the
duration of the vesicle packaging T(t), the quantity of transmitter
molecules, the current vesicle motion and other currently significant
STQ parameters have characteristics which correlate to an existing
synaptic STQ structure, then a filled vesicle binds itself onto an
"attachment site" 77 at the lattice. Ca++ ions flow into the
synapse, a pore at the para-crystalline vesicle lattice opens, and the
entire molecular neurotransmitter content is released into the synaptic
cleft 72. At the postsynaptic membrane
of the target neuron, these molecules are fused with specific receptor
molecules. Such receptors have verification tasks. They prevent foreign
transmitter substances (that originate from other synapses) from
producing wrong ESPS's at this neuron.
To complete the discussion of Fig. 4, we relate the descriptions of
Figs. 4a, 4b, 4e and 4f to the STQ-configurations of Figs. 3a - g. For
argument's sake, we assume once again that a pinprick impinges onto a
receptor cell (see also Fig. 4b).
The IP sequences shown in Fig. 3a correspond to the AP's 23 which
are produced by stimulating a receptor cell 20 with a needle
21. Their periods t(P1), t(P2),... serve to classify the respective
zones of stimulation intensity (P1, P2...) or perception intensity (Z1,
Z2... ). Each AP 23, arriving into a synapse 69, activates the
adaptive quantization of STQ(d) elapse times, depending on the velocity
vap of the propagation of the AP along the axon. Elapse timing with
modulated time base is triggered as soon as a vesicle begins to fill.
Finished filling (packaging) signifies "elapse timing stop, STQ(d)-
quantum recorded". The elapse times Td(1),
Td(2),
Td(3),
Td(4)....
thus recorded generate the significant synaptic structures. Invariant
time counting pulses ITCP (see Fig. 3b) with frequency fscan correspond
to constant axonal AP propagation with velocity vap, if no dynamic
stimulus appears at the skin receptor cell (for example, if a needle
remains in a fixed position and generates a constant stimulation
intensity). In this case, the receptor membrane senses no relative speed
vm; the AP's propagate with constant velocity vap along the axon 22; and
the synapse quantizes the STQ(d) elapse times with invariant time
counting frequency fscan.
Time counting pulses VTCP (see Fig. 3c) with variable frequency scan
are then applied, if dynamic stimulation affects the receptor. The AP's
propagate along the axon with STQ(v)-dependent velocities vap(n...),
modulated by the variable dynamics vm(n...) which are measured as an
STQ(v) parameter by the membrane. Adaptive alteration of all of the
following processes occurs in a similar manner: the variation of time
counting periods t(P1... .n) corresponding to the points 2.1, 3.1, 4.1
in Fig. 3c; the velocities v(t....) of AP ionic flux into the synapse;
the vesicle filling times T(t...); the amounts of transmitter molecules
contained in the vesicles; the motion of these molecules in the
direction of the vesicle lattice; the structure of this lattice; and
many other parameters of the presynaptic and subsynaptic structures.
A synapse has features that enable the conversion of the AP influx
dynamics into vap-proportional molecular changes of states. This is like
the variable VTCP time counting pulses seen in Fig. 3c. The process can
be compared with variable water pressure driving a turbine, through
which a generator produces variable frequencies depending on pressure
and water speed: higher water pressure is akin to higher stimulation
dynamics vm at the receptor, higher AP propagation velocity vap along
the axon, and higher VTCP time pulse frequency scan in the synapse
(which in turn affects not only the rate v(t) with which vesicles are
filled, but also many other synaptic parameters). According to these
processes, the STQ(d) time sequence Td(1,
2, 3, 4...) is recorded in the synapse with vm-modulated time counting
frequencies scan(1,2,3...); as a consequence, the physical structure of
the synapse is determined by this time sequence.
Fig. 3d shows a currently acquired time data sequence 32 30 22 23 20
that is equivalent to the recorded time pattern Tδ(1,2,3..),
and which leaves a specific molecular biological track in the synapse
24. The prior acquired time data sequence 30 29 22 24 19 in Fig. 3e
corresponds to the synaptic structure that has been "engraved" through
frequent repetition of particular stimulation events and time patterns Tδ'(1,2,3...).The
manifested synaptic Td' structure can be considered also as a bootstrap
sequence that was generatedby
continuous learning processes and perception experiences, and which, for
example, serves as a
reference pattern for the event "pinprick". If a newly acquired Td
bootstrap sequence which is given bythe
current properties of the vesicle filling, as well as other significant
time dependent parameters - approximately keeps step with this existing
Tδ'
(bootstrap sequence (or with a part of it), then
"covariance" is acknowledged in the synaptic structure. This opens a
vesicle attachment site at the
synaptic lattice and results in the release of all transmitter molecules
that are contained in a vesicle,
whereupon an EPSP is generated at the sub-synaptic membrane 25.
The potential of an EPSP
corresponds to the probability density parameters shown in Fig. 3f,
which are significant for the
currently evaluated covariance. If such "probability density parameters"
sum within a certain time
interval to a certain threshold potential 27, an AP 26 is
produced. This AP serves as confirmation of the event "pin recognized",
and produces a muscle reflex.
The comparison of the current elapse time pattern with prior recorded
elapse time patterns, as shown in Fig. 3c, takes place continuously in
the synapses. Each recognized covariance of a new time sequence, that is
recorded by "temporal auto-adaptation", sets a type of "servoloop
mechanism" in motion. It initiates a process that we term "motoric
auto-adaptation", and which can be understood as the actual "motor" in
biological chemical organisms, or life forms, respectively. Structures
of temporal and motoric auto-adaptation, which are based on STQ
quantization, exist also at the lowest molecular level.
Without
elapse time-supported servoloops, co-ordinated change in biological
systems would be
impossible. This applies especially to the motion of proteins; to the
recognition and replication of the genetic code; and to other basic life
processes. The creation of higher biological/chemical order and complex
systems such as synapses or neurons presupposes the existence of an STQ
quantization molecular sub-structure, from which simple acknowledgement
and self-organization processes at a lower level derive. Indeed, there
are innumerable hierarchies of auto-adaptive phenomena on various
levels. Simple phenomena on a molecular level also include: fusion of
receptor molecules; the formation of pores, ion canals and sub-axonal
transportation structures (microtubules); and the formation of new
synapses and axonal branchings.
By this token, recognition of stimulation signal sequences by synaptic
time pattern comparison (as an involuntary reflex or as a conscious
perception), as discussed in the description of Figs.
4a - c, is an
STQ-epiphenomenon. Each such auto-adaptive STQ-epiphenomenon, for its
part, is superimposed from STQ-epiphenomena of higher rankings; for
example, the analysis of complex "time landscapes" in order to find
isomorphism. STQ-epiphenoma such as regulation of blood circulation,
body temperature, respiration, the metabolism, seeing, hearing,
speaking, smell, the co-ordination of motion, and so on, are for their
parts superimposed from STQ-scenarios of higher complexity, including
consciousness, thought, free will, conscious action, as well as an
organism's sensation of time. In all these cases, the central nervous
system looks after convergent time patterns that are placed like pieces
of a jigsaw puzzle into an integrated total sensory scenario.
If, in any hierarchy, within a certain "latency time" (i.e. time limit)
and despite intensive "searching", no time subpattern covariant with the
STQ time pattern can be found, then the organism displays chaotic
behaviour. This behaviour restricts itself to that synaptic part in
which the non-convergence has appeared. As soon as a covariant time
pattern is found, the co-ordinated process of temporal and motoric
auto-adaptation (and auto-emulation) resumes. (This can be likened to
servo-steering that has collapsed for a short time.) However, the
"chaotic behaviour" is itself quantized as an STQ time pattern, and is
recorded by the affected synapses in such a manner that no
neurotransmitter substance release occurs despite arriving AP's. Via
subaxonal transportation structures (i.e. the microtubules) such
information streams back borne on transmitter molecules which travel in
the inverse direction along the axon.
Microtubules are used to generate new synapses and synaptic connections
at the neurons and neural
networks in which a collapse of an auto-adaptation process has occurred.
The production of new
synapses proceeds to the generation of dendrites; i.e., axonal branches
that carry processing informationfrom
neurons. In this way the auto-adaptive neural feedback mechanism
regenerates itself, and the STQtime
pattern that was acquired during the short termed "chaotic behaviour"
becomes a new reference basis for the recognition of future events.
Thus, the CNS learns to record new events and experiences;and
learns to evaluate time patterns which were unknown previously.
Fig. 5
shows a configuration in which the described invented method is applied to
generate an autonomous self-organizing mechanism, in particular a robot, in
which the STQ quanta are acquired by means of mechanistic sensor technology and
electronic circuits. In contrast to Figs. 4a - f, in the particular case shown
here, nearly exclusive STQ(i) elapse times together with STQ(v) elapse times
(which are required for the measurement of the relative instantaneous speed vm)
are quantized. The time data streams, designated as Tω,
are obtained from these vm-adaptive STQ(i) elapse time measurements. It would
nevertheless be advantageous to acquire also STQ(d) quanta, which can serve to
verify the recorded time data stream Tω.
In
contrast to molecular/biological organisms, in mechanistic systems it is
not possible to place a comparably large number of sensors adjacent to
one other on narrow sites. It is therefore necessary to acquire as many
STQ elapse times as possible from the available mechanistic sensor
technology, in order
to attain a sufficiently large reference base for the subsequent
statistical analysis. It is also worth reiterating that, as described in
Fig. 3a, in multiple STQ(i) quantization, parallel and simultaneous time
data are produced, so that this data must also be processed in a
parallel manner.
This
figure shows a block diagram for a mobile autonomous robot that has the
ability to reproduce motion sequences in an auto-adaptive manner, and to
optimize the timing of its own motion sequencesby
continuous scanning and recognition of the physical surroundings. The
robotic system is equipped with equivalent adjacent sensors 79
and 80, which produce analog output signals, and that are
inter-connected with threshold detectors 81a,b,c,d,e... and
87a,b,c,d,e... . When sensor 79 (the "V-sensor")moves
along the corresponding external signal source 78a in the
designated direction, its signal amplitude
first breaks through the lowest potential P1, which is determined by the
threshold detector 81a (see description of Fig. 2b). The
Flip-flop IC 82a (output set to = H ) is thereby triggered. (A
Schmitt-trigger IC and a monoflop IC should be preadded in order to
generate short pulses at each phase
transition.) The subsequent resettable precision integrator IC (1)
83a provides a continually ascending
analog output signal which modulates the output frequency of the
programmable oscillator IC (VCO)
The frequency is communicated to the input of a digital TICM (a
multiple time counting andstoring
IC 86 (C1)) and whereby the current vm-adaptive time counting
frequency scan(1) (see also Figs. 3b,c) is produced. The integrator IC
(1) 83a therefore carries out the STQ(v) quantization. It
acquires the elapse time Tv(1) in the form of a potential increase,
which is then converted by theVCO(1)
84a into a time counting frequency scan(1), and which is inversely
proportional to the relative
velocities vm(n...) with which the robotic system is moving relative to
the spatial surroundings.
After the neighbouring sensor 80 (the "W-sensor") extends to the
perception field of the signal source 78a, its signal amplitude
first breaks through the lowest potential P1, which is determined by the
threshold detector 81a (see description of Fig. 2b). As a result, the
rising edge of the subsequent Schmitt-Trigger IC 88a produces an
impulse in the subsequent IC 89a, whereby the STQ(i) quantization
ofthe
vm-modulated elapse time Tw(1)
is commenced in the TICM 86(C1). Because a reset pulse
simultaneously goes to the Flip Flop 82a, causing the analog
level of the analog output of the
integrator(1) 83a to be held fixed, the pulse frequency (1)
persists as a momentary vm-dependent time counting base scan (1) at the
output of TICM 86(C1), and remains unchanged until the next
STQ(v)-parameter is quantized. This quantization happens whenever the
signal amplitude of the sensor 79 dropsbelow the potential P1,
which is determined by the threshold detector 81a (whence the
flip flop IC 82ais
triggered by the falling signal edge), or when the sensor 79 expands
into the perception field of another signal source 78b,c,d,e...
Simultaneously an impulse is again produced by IC's 87a, 88a and
89a, which stops the measurement ofthe
elapse time Tw(1)
in the TICM 86(C1), and stores the counted vm-modulated time
pulses into the time
data memory (C1). In the memory area C1 are stored the Tw
time data that refer to the lowest<
potential P1; e.g. Tw(1),
Tw(8),
Tw(15)
etc. Quantization of all STQ elapse times that refer to the higher
potentials P2, P3, P4, P5 etc. is handled in the same manner as for P1.
When the signal amplitude from sensor 79 passes through the
threshold potentials P2, P3, P4, P5.... (determined by detectors IC's<81b, c,
d e...),
the outputs of flip flops 82b,c,d,e... are sequentially triggered
to = H and therefore the
subsequent integrator IC's 83b,c,d,e... generate continuously
rising analog output levels, which serve to
steadily decrease the frequencies scan (produced by the VCO's
84b,c,d,e ..) until the signal amplitudesfrom
sensor 80 goes through the higher threshold potentials P2, P3,
P4, P5..(determined by detector IC's 87b,c,d,e...), when sensor
80 expands to the perception area of the signal source 78a.
As a result, the Schmitt trigger IC's 88b,c,d,e... are affected,
and the mono flop IC's 89b,c,d,e... produce
impulses that start the acquisition of vm-adaptive elapse time data Tw(1,
2, 3, 4...n) in the TICM 86
(C2,C2,C3, ...Cn). The recording of these data is carried out while the
momentary vm-adaptive time
counting frequencies scan(1,2,3,4,. ..n) are valid, because
simultaneously transmitted reset impulses to the flip flop IC's
82b,c,d,e... hold the output levels at the integrator IC's
83b,c,d,e... fixed, whereby thecurrent
output frequencies (1,2,3,4 ...n) are programmed at the VCO's
84b,c,d,e... In the same mannerthe
consecutive quantization of further elapse times T( takes place when the
sensors 79, 80 move along
subsequent signal sources 78b,c,d,e... All quantized STQ(i) time
date are filed in the TICM 86(C....n).
In the memory area C2 (see the corresponding Fig. 2b) are filed the
elapse times Tw(2),
Tw(7),
Tw(14)..
that refer to the perception area (potential) P2; in the memory area C3
are filed the elapse times Tw(3),Tw(6),
Tw(13)...
that refer to the next higher potential P3; in the memory area C4 are
filed the elapsetimes Tw(4),
Tw(5),
Tw(12)...
that refer to the next higher potential P4...; and so on. The Tw-sequences
currently streaming into the TICM are generated by the current motion of
the sensor-coupled
autonomous mechanism (e.g. "robot vehicle") along some track. In the
case shown, the positions of the sensors are temporally deviating
according to the positions of the external signal sources (physical
surroundings).
In the case of absolute physical invariance between the mobile robot
system and the surroundings (so-called synchronism), no STQ parameter
and no Tw-sequence
can be acquired. If such physical invariance is not occurring, then it
is possible for the autonomous vehicle to recognize its own motion along
the track by continuous comparison of currently acquired STQ elapse time
patterns Tw(1,2,3,4...n)with
prior recorded STQ elapse time patterns Tw'(nnnnn);
and it is also possible for it to perfect the recognized motions
continually in an auto-adaptive manner. A prerequisite for this is that
the vehicle is
equipped with a drive and brake system controlled by data which are
calculated on the basis of continuous statistical time data analyses.
(Compare also Figs. 3d and 3e): As soon as the regression curve of a
currently recorded time data sequence Tw(1,2,3...)
in the TICM 86 converges to the regression curve of a previously
recorded timedata
sequence Tw'(nnnn)
that was acquired through a prior similar motion on the same track, the
drivesystem
98 (as well as the brake system 99) is actuated by
impulses 96, 97, which induce the autonomousvehicle
to perform its motion courses along the external signal sources
78a,b,c,d,e... in a manner suchthat
the current motion course is temporally and spatially approximately
isomorphic to that former motion course from which the referential time
data sequence Tw'(nnnn..)
is derived. For this purpose,the
TICM 86, in which the current time data are recorded, and the
memory 92, in which the prior
recorded time data Tw'(nnnn..)
are stored, are interconnected with a covariance analyser 90 and
discriminator logic 91, which verifies the elapse time data and
tests them for plausibility. Invalid time
data are deleted and/or interpolated, whereby no breakdown of a
data-supported servoloop can occur. Analyzer 90 and discriminator
91 continuously scan the memory 92 with very high frequency
to find
approximately covariant time data patterns. Significant data sequences
are transferred to the interpreter>
that decides the respective probability density and the value of
covariance. If significant covariance exists,
then the processor 94 calculates the appropriate actuating data
for keeping an isomorphic course of
motion. These data reach the control module 95, where they are
transformed into impulses 96, 97 for the drive and brake system
98, 99.
It is advantageous to extend this arrangement by incorporating energetic
impulses for a steering and contra-steering system 100,101, 102, 103
that are based on the same functional principles as above, and that
are required to keep to the spatial motion course determined by the same
Tw
time patterns as above.
A prerequisite for perfect functioning of such an arrangement is the
utilisation of extremely fast processors for the operation of the
subsystems 90, 91, 93, 94, and 95. The current motion
course of the
autonomous vehicle can be made approximately isomorphic to the
referential motion course only if the
recognition of the significant Tw
'(nnnn)
sequences (i.e. the reference data), the recording and analysis of
the current Tw
sequences (actual data), the computation of the control parameters and
the application of
the energy impulses 96, 97 all occur nearly in real time. The
vehicle would then display behaviour similar to a "power servoloop" of
the known type. This similarity can be confirmed simply by increasingor
decreasing the base frequency fn of the clock 85, whereby the
entire temporal course in all motionphases
is accelerated or decelerated, in an absolutely synchronous manner.
Each external intervention that tries to alter or disturb the motion
course is counteracted automaticallyby the
drive mechanism of the autonomous vehicle. Therefore, an autonomous
mechanism working along these principles is comparable with a "live
organism". Since in the system components 90, 91, 93,94
and 95 a tendency is programmed that continuously optimizes the
analysis and interpretation of
acquired time parameters (for example, to allow only "authentic data";
i.e. those Tw'(nnnn)
time datathat
pertain to the shortest and most efficient path to follow). In such a
mechanism, there would thenexist
the tendency not only for temporal and motoric auto-adaptation, but also
for optimization. (This is inherent in molecular/ biological structures
of organisms (see description to Figs. 4a - f).) The system isalso
capable of determining priorities, as well as of deciding in favour of Tw
time data sequences that correspond to some other regression curve, if
an irregular track deviation that cannot be stabilized by thecontrol
module 95 is recognized; whereupon, for example, the vehicle
emulates a new motion courseand a
new speed time curve (timing). The memory of the TICM 86 can
store any alternative motion
scenario in the form of Tw
time data patterns, which are accessed if a certain course deviation
makes it necessary to do so. In this way, crash situations are
recognized as soon as the danger becomes apparent,and can
be avoided, since the vehicle is ready to react in an autonomous manner.
The system goes out of control ("chaotic condition") only when no
segmental regression curve derivedfrom
prior recorded Tw-sequences
can been found that converges to a segmental regression curve derived
from currently recorded Tw-sequences.
The author terms this process "motoric auto-adaptation", or
"auto-emulation". In order to be able to identify temporal-spatial
deviations of the physical surroundings from the subjective view of the
autonomous system, it doesn't suffice in most cases just to scan
external structures, land marks and light conditions by means of optical
or photoelectric sensors passively. It is usually necessary to sense
also height deviations by means of inclination sensors; uneven surfaces
by means of pressure detectors or acceleration sensors; stationary
acoustic sources by means of microphones; gradients by means of magnet
field sensors; and positions by means of GPS; in order to acquire
sufficient STQ parameters for a reference base.
All recorded Tw'(nnnn..)
time data streams are stored in the memory of the TICM. One can conclude
from this that the adaptability and self-organisation capability of an
organism (or autonomous auto-adaptable mechanism) increases in
proportion to the quantity of all available sensors, or, respectively,
to the number of STQ parameters that are available for the
auto-adaptation process. Another important point is that in an
autonomous system, there can be no timing without an accompanying time
recording (=STQ quantization). Auto-adaptive processes and mechanisms of
the described type will be indispensable for many future tasks in the
high technology sector; for example, in the development of autonomous
robot systems.
An example of such a task is the following. An automobile that must find
its way through traffic autonomously, safely and efficiently, must be
capable of holding lateral and frontal distance margins, as well as
speed courses, fixed. This automobile, moreover, would have to be able
to execute autonomous overtaking procedures, and to recognize dangerous
situations in advance and avoid them. This is only possible if the
onboard computer of the vehicle is interconnected with a multiplicity of
different sensors that record a diverse variety of signal sources; and
if the vehicle is equipped with extremely fast and efficient hardware
and software that can process the STQ time data required for
auto-adaptation, approximately in real time. Future types of
microprocessors could be enhanced with hardware structures that perform
the functions described above.
Fig. 6a
shows a configuration of a simple embodiment of an aspect of the
invention, in which the
STQ(v), STQ(i), and STQ(d) quantization methods introduced in Figs. 2a -
c are applied to the
recognition of spatial profiles or structures. In the application shown
here, a robot arm, on which two
adjacent metal sensors 104, 105 are installed at a distance b
apart, must be capable of distinguishing theprofile
of the metal rail 106 while moving at various speeds along any of
the rails 106, 107, 108.
If the
sensor head is moving at height h in the designated direction, then the
v sensor 104 (S2),and
thenthe
W-sensor 105 (S1) in turn, approach the low sensitivity area
designated here as perception intensityzone 1.
The lowest threshold value P1 is passed through by the signal amplitude,
and the acquisitionlogic
109 - mainly consisting of elements 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86,
87, 88, and 89 (shown in Fig. 5) - begins to acquire v-
modulated STQ(i), STQ(d) time sequences Tw(1,2,3...n)
and Td(1,2,3
...n), whichare
stored in the TICM memory (A) 110. The same time data acquisition
process recurs when sensors 104, 105 meet the next higher
perception area zones 2 and 3, and when the signal amplitudes break
through the potentials P2 and P3, which are preset in the threshold
value detectors.
Within
the analyzer 112, in order to identify the metal rails 106
unequivocally (which would thereby show the characteristic profile), Tw
and Td
time data streams flowing into the memory 110 must be continually
compared with the particular significant Tw',
Td'
time data pattern (B) 111 that has been preprogrammed as a
"reference" pattern. Invalid or irregular time data are recognized, then
deleted or corrected by the discriminator unit 113. This unit is
programmed with the capability of improving the allocation and
processing of data automatically (e. g. verifying and checking the time
data in an auto-adaptive manner) as was already described with reference
to Fig. 5. If a profile has been "recognized", then the analyzer 112
transmits a confirmation signal to an actuator unit of the robot, which
sets a mechanism in motion that lifts the identified metal rail up from
the ground, puts it on a conveyor belt, and so on.
Figs. 6b - e show various diagrams and charts pertaining to Fig.
6a.
Fig. 6b shows a sensometric diagram of the scanned rail profile
106. The measurement of its dimensions
d1...d7 is effected exclusively utilizing STQ quanta, i.e. within the
time domain. Three sensitivity zones P1, P2 and P3 are preset (in the
threshold detectors as well) for profile identification. At the phase
transitions (iT)A, (iT)B, (iT)C, (iT)D, (iT)E, (iT)F, (iT)G and (iT)H,
digital precision timers are activated or stopped. Since the variable
time counting frequency scan with which these timers are counting is
automatically adapted (modulated) by the current scanning velocity vm
(see also Figs. 3a - g and Fig. 5), the actual dimensions d1...d7
correlate significantly with the Tw,
Td
elapse times that are already stored in the memory 110. As seen from the
diagram, the distances AB-(d1)
and BC-(d2)
are obtained from STQ(d) elapse times; and the distances CD-(d3),
DE-(d4), EF-(d5), as well as BG-(d6) and AH-(d7), are obtained from
STQ(i) elapse times. It is to be emphasized once again that
all of
the (iT)n... are volatile phase transitions, and never "time points" in
the classic physical understanding.
Fig. 6c shows vm diagrams of two motion courses of the sensors S1
and S2 along the metal profile being scanned. In the first case, the
robot arm on which the two sensors are installed moves with an invariant
speed of 1000mm/s over the profile (dash dot graph 114). In the
other case, the arm decelerates from a speed of 1000mm/s at the first
phase transition A to 690mm/s at the last phase transition H. The
deceleration is not linear, and is shown in the graph 115.
Fig. 6d
shows a fictitious frequency and time data table for Fig. 6c, with a
constant vm relative speed of 1000m/s at all phase passageways (iT)
A...H. Consequently, the vm-modulated time counting frequency
scan is 10 kHz during the entire scanning process. Because, in the case
shown here, the recording ofSTQ(v)
elapse time takes place with a fixed clock timing base of 200cs/b, the
scanning process leads to vm-adapted STQ(d) sequences of 273cs, 738cs,
620cs and 262cs for distances AB, BC, CD, DE and EF
and to vm-adapted STQ(i) sequences of 1876cs and 2200cs for the
distances BGand AH.
The current Tw
-Td
sequence, consisting of vm-adapted STQ(d) and STQ(i) elapse times, is
compared in the analyzer 112 with the referential stored
Tw`
-Td`
sequence 270, 270, 740, 620, 260, 1880, 2200, which serves as the
significant time pattern, for this metal profile, that is already stored
in the memory 111. If the analyzer decides that "covariance" is
occurring, then a confirmation signal is transmitted to an actuator
unit. The analyzer consists of comparators and/or "fuzzy logic"-IC's
which ignore scattering in the boundary values (for example, decimal
places are rounded up). Apart from these correction measures,
tolerances, plausibility criteria and allocation criteria can also be
programmed by software.
Fig. 6e shows the same frequency and time data chart as Fig. 6d,
but with variable scan speed course (vm). The relative velocity of
1000mm/s at phase transition (iT)A decreases to 690mm/s at the last
phase transition (iT)H. The vm deceleration is not linear. In accordance
with the graph 115, at the phase transitions (iT)
A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H, the momentary speeds (vm1,2,3...) are measured to be
1000, 985, 970, 930, 820, 750, 720 and 690mm/s. The vm-adaptive
modulation of the time counting frequency scan(1,2,3...), described
above, produces phase transition values of 10, 9.85, 9.70, 9.30, 8.20,
7.50, 7.20 and 6.90kHz, which are then used to quantize the STQ(i)- and
STQ(d) elapse times. Since the STQ(v) quantizations also take place with
the clock time base 200cs/b, the same Tw-Td
elapse time
sequence for the distances AB, BC, CD, DE, EF, BG and AH results, as
seen in the chart of Fig. 6d. It isobvious
from this chart that the recognition of the metal profile is guaranteed,
whether the vm speed course is linear or not.
Figs.
7a - d
show various configurations of sensors used in the quantization of
STQ(v) elapse times, or for the recording of the relative speed
parameters (vm), respectively. The first three configurations show
sensor constellations for 2-dimensional records of external events.
Fig.7d shows a special configuration
applicable for random 3-dimensional records of the physical
surroundings.
Fig. 7a shows a sensor constellation in which a bearing, carrying
the sensors S1 and S2 on the same axis at a distance b apart, moves
itself in the designated direction along an arbitrary track; or rotates
itselfabout a
point in space that is equidistant from both S1 (V-sensor) and S2
(W-sensor). This sensor system
has only one degree of freedom.
Fig. 7b shows a sensor constellation in which a supporting
surface, carrying on the same axis two V-sensors S2 and one W-sensor S1
equidistant from each other as shown, moves itself arbitrarily in either
of the two opposite directions shown along some arbitrary track; or
rotates itself about a point in space that is equidistant from the
v-sensors S2. The sensor constellations shown in Figs. 7a and 7b are
sufficient for most robotic applications in traffic technology.
Fig. 7c shows a configuration with a number of equivalent
v-sensors S2 arranged as segments around a central w-sensor S1 on a
circular supporting surface having radius b. In this constellation, the
supporting surface can move itself in any direction in the plane on an
arbitrary track; or can rotate itself about a point in space that is at
any distance from the sensors. This sensor configuration therefore has 2
degrees of freedom.
Fig. 7d shows a sensor configuration with a number of v-sensors
S2 arranged as segments on spherical supporting surface, with radius b,
around a central w-sensor S1. The sensor constellation can move itself
to any arbitrary position in 3-dimensional space, or can rotate in each
direction around a solid spatial point A at arbitrary distance from the
sensors. This configuration has 3 degrees of freedom.The sensor
constellations shown in Figs. 7c and 7d come into consideration
primarily for autonomous reconnaissance robots or flight objects,
wherein energetic impulses could be applied in an arbitrary direction
(e.g. by means of auxiliary rockets).
Figs. 8a - f illustrate the configuration and functioning
principles of a further embodiment of theinvention presented herein, in
which the STQ quantization methods described in Figs. 2a, b ,c are used
to create an autonomous auto-adaptive self-organising training robot for
use in sports; a so-called "electronic hare". This system has autonomous
brake, drive and steering mechanisms, and an analyzer that continuously
compares the currently recorded vm-adaptive STQ(i)- and STQ(d) time data
patterns Tw
and Td(1,2,3...)
with previously recorded vm-adaptive STQ(i)- and STQ(d) time data
patterns Tw'
and Td'(1,2,3....),
respectively, which serve as reference patterns. It is thereby capable
of reproducing and optimizing a motion course that has been pre-trained
by the user; of automatically finding ideal routes and speeds; of
keeping distances and times; of recognizing and warning of dangerous
situations; and
of
representing its own motion, as well as information about speed, lap
times, intermediate times, start to finish times, and so on, on a
monitor. It is, moreover, capable of outputting these data in an optical
or acoustic manner.
Fig. 8a
shows a training robot 116 in front of a long distance skier
117. The robot vehicle envisaged for this application would be
fitted with a ski undercarriage, allowing it to move with ease along
snow-covered ground. It must be reasonably manoeuvrable in order to be
able to match a human skier travelling in a long loop. The robot must be
also able to create a new track on the same route where the former one
has been covered by snow, and is therefore no longer visible. The
training robot is especially suitable as an aid for blind skiers. The
autonomous vehicle recognizes skiing circumstances for the blind skier,
speaking out aloud hints, reports, warnings and so on by means of speech
synthesis, which frees the skier and allows them more enjoyment. The
robot vehicle 116 has a large number of sensors andelectronic components, in the manner introduced in Fig. 5. It performs
the same motion emulation, auto-adaptation and auto-optimization, often
carrying out several practical tasks simultaneously. It acquires
vm-adapted STQ(i)- and STQ(d) elapse time patterns from a multiplicity
of sensors, compares these patterns with corresponding reference time
patterns, selects the significant time data, and analyses and calculates
parameters for the discrete energy impulses that manipulate the drive,
brake and steering mechanisms. In the following, the essential
components of the system, comprised of any of three specific types of
sensors (optical, magnet field or GPS-positioning sensors) are
described.
Figs.
8b-d
illustrate the recording of STQ(v), STQ(i) and STQ(d) elapse times
(pertaining to Fig. 8a) with use of optical or acoustic sensors. The
fundamental principles of its function have already been detailed in the
description of Figs. 2a - c and Fig. 5. In the present figures, the
training robot (the "electronic hare") 116 is moving with
variable speed in front of a long-distance skier 117 in the loipe
118. Optical or acoustic signal sources 119, 120, 121, 122,
123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128 and 129 have been placed along
the track in some arbitrary configuration, which are perceived by the
corresponding sensors 130a, b,...n. At each phase transition
through the threshold zones P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 etc., the designated
STQ(v)- , STQ(i)- and STQ(d) elapse times are recorded. They generate
the current vm-adaptive Tw'-Td'(1,2,...n)
time data pattern, which is stored in the TICM. It is not crucial that
the signal
sources be fixed (e.g. they may be spotlights that illuminate the track
for evening events). Signal sources can also be produced through
differences in light intensity, contrast or colour, occurring beside
trees, masts, buildings, slopes or significant land marks in daylight.
Headlights could even be installed on the training robot itself, whereby
the optosensoric recording of the reflected light and the evaluation of
the light structures of the spatial surroundings may be used for
recognizing its own motion. The same set-up may be used also with
ultrasound sensors. On the other hand, acoustic signal sources could
equally well be of natural origin; for example, the sounds of a brook
running beside the loipe, or a waterfall.
Generally, any volatile combination of light and shadow, or any noise
source, can be decisive in the recognition of a certain object . The
particular identity of the object may be determined by comparison of
vm-adaptively recorded STQ(i)- and STQ(d) elapse time patterns with the
Tw'-Td'(1,2,3...n)
patterns, which are stored in the TICM and which represent each
individual external object. In order to simplify the present description
and demonstration, it is assumed that the signal sources 119 ...129
in Fig. 8b are lamps installed along the robot's route, making it
possible for the robot to use the loipe at twilight or in darkness.
According to the primary domain of application of such a robot, the
training robot 116 skis with precision behind the skier 117
along the skier's track, with all STQ time data vm-adaptively recorded
and stored in the TICM working memory (see also Fig. 5). The distance
between robot and
user is precisely controlled by a distance sensor. However, in order to
be able to invoke the robot vehicle's drive, brake and steering
mechanism, STQ time data that could serve as reference data must already
have been loaded into the TICM prior to the journey. Therefore, as a
first step, the acquired time data are stored in the TICM reference
memory; i.e., Tw-Td(1,2,3...)
are mapped to Tw'-Td'(1,2,3...)
initially. Subsequently, the emulation of the skier is repeated several
times, with increasing processing speed as the robot learns more about
the skier, and with variable speed and track courses; whereupon more and
more covariant Tw'-Td'
time data patterns are contained in the reference data memory, which the
robot's discriminator and analyser can access (see also Fig. 5).
The interpretation and optimization program is put into action, which
filters through only "authentic" Tw'-Td'
time data that are deemed to pertain to the best and most efficient
trajectory of motion, and which eliminates at the same time those data
recognized as "irrelevant". This resembles a "learning process" that the
robot vehicle has to undertake until it can finally ski "autonomously";
i.e. relatively freely, and in accordance with self-appropriated
patterns and self-decided criterions, without any remote control or
regulation by a pre-programmed algorithm. Upon reaching this stage, the
training robot functions as a "trainer" or "pilot" who has the task of
helping the user find ideal speeds, the best track and optimal timing.
This optimal information that is communicated to the user is only that
which has been
learned by the robot itself.
The training robot continues to improve itself also during this
"practical work" (i.e. while helping the user), in continually
optimising and supplementing the STQ reference data stored in the TICM.
The ability to identify and recognize trajectories of motion or external
signal courses and objects is always upgradeable. It depends on the
quantity and variety of sensors used, as well as on the memory capacity
of the TICM. Thus it is possible to induce the robot vehicle to
recognize dangerous situations and to warn the user acoustically or
optically; and to keep distances and times more exactly. In the present
application, the vehicle performs automatic tracking and motion
emulation along a loipe, even if the original track has been covered by
snow and is no longer visible. Additionally, the robot vehicle has a
monitor on which its own motion relative to its spatial surroundings can
be visualised; as well as
electronic measures to output speeds, lap times, intermediate times,
total times or other relevant data in an optical or acoustic manner. An
essential property of the robot vehicle shown here is that a simple
adjustment (increase or decrease) of the central clock frequency can
synchronously accelerate or decelerate the entire temporal course of all
motion components (see also Fig. 5). For instance, this property is
necessary in order to adapt the speed of the training robot in all
sections according to the physical fitness of the user. This can happen
manually by a remote control device, or automatically; for example, by a
frequency or blood pressure data transponder.
Fig. 8e
shows the recording of STQ(v) and STQ(d) elapse times for the robot in
Fig. 8a in the casewhen
magnetic field sensors are installed. The signal source here is assumed
to be the earth's magnetic field. In the example shown here, where the
track forms a closed loop, the quantization of STQ(i) elapse times is
inefficient, and therefore not undertaken. In the illustrated picture,
the training robot ("hare") 116 is moving autonomously with
variable speed in front of the long distance skier 117 along the
loipe 118. Various vehicle position readings are produced along
the track, with variable gradients to the earth's magnetic field 132.
The magnitude of these gradients are acquired by the magnet field sensor
131. In this particular example, the magnitude follows a
sinusoidal course. At each phase transition to the threshold zones P1,
P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, and so on, the STQ(v) and STQ(d) elapse times are
vm-adaptively recorded, which provides the current T( time data pattern
that is stored in the TICM. The additional quantization of STQ elapse
times from magnetic field gradients helps to locate covariant Tw'-Td'
time patterns that are stored in the reference data memory.
Consequently, the auto-adaptation and recognition capability of the
robot vehicle is improved. The more sensors involved in the
auto-adaptation
process, the more "autonomous" is the described mechanism (see also Fig.
5). A self-organizing,
autonomous organism based on biological or chemical structures, as
discussed in Figs. 4a -f , can be
produced in this manner.
Fig. 8f
shows the acquisition of circular position fields by means of GPS
sensors. These measurements (in addition to those shown in Figs. 8b - e)
are used to improve temporal and motoric auto-adaptation and make
auto-covariance behaviour and motion emulation more precise. A
prerequisite for successful function is a GPS ("global positioning
system") of high quality, which operates with extremely low errors.
Since a square wave signal is received in this case (therefore no
subdivision into distinctive sensitivity zones is possible) only STQ(v)-
and STQ(i) elapse times, but no STQ(d) elapse times can be quantized -
which, as we have seen, are measured between phase transitions from
lower to higher potentials, and, respectively, vice versa. In Fig. 8f
the training robot ("hare") 116 moves itself with variable speed
in front of the long distance skier 117 along the loipe 118,
while circular GPS position
fields
are produced along the track 134a,b,...,n, which are perceived by
the GPS sensor 133 with high precision in a reproducible manner.
The radii of the position fields, as well as the resolution between
adjacent fields, is adjustable. With each detection of a new position
field, a trigger signal is transmitted to the STQ acquisition unit,
which records the STQ(v) and STQ(i) elapse times, and which then stores
these currently vm-adaptive recorded time data sequences Tw(1,2,3....)
into the TICM. The ability of the robot to otimize auto-adaptation can
be aided by counting and comparing the number of detected position
fields, or by assigning a specific data code to time data within each
crossed position field.
Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing how time data streams are
produced. Each transition of the
amplitude through sensitivity zones or threshold potentials in
redundancy-poor autonomous self-organized systems (such as mechanistic
robot systems or organisms) leads to the quantization of elapse times,
if these systems are equipped with sensors (or receptors) that are
adequate for the perception ofthe
external physical surroundings. It is asserted that the core technology
shown in the diagram has
universal validity and applicability. The diagram shows a highly
simplified scheme for the technology, which can be understood plainly by
a non-expert.
The principles of this invention, as represented schematically in this diagram,
are summarized below:
1) The
"primary act" of every autonomous organism (including autonomous
self-organizing
robots) is to "explore" their surroundings in order to ascertain
whether temporal-spatial
variationexists between its own physical state and that of its
surroundings. In order to do
this, amultiplicity of sensors or receptors 135a, b...,n are
necessary.
2) Only when deviation exists, are the current STQ elapse times Tw(1,2...n) or Td(1,2...n) 137a,b,...,n derived. The time counting frequency of their measurement depends on
currentlyacquired STQ(v)- quanta Tv(1,2,3....n) 136a,b,c,.....n, which represent para-
meters for thetemporal-spatial variations vm(1,2 ...n) between sensors 135a,b,....n and
external signalsources. These deviations are identical to the "relative speeds" vm(1,2,...n).
Note: vm(1,2,...,n) are always acquired by means of an invariant time counting frequency
f, respectively, at anabsolute time base.
3) The current STQ elapse times Tw(1,2..n) or Td(1,2..n) flow into so-called "information pots"
138(or time data memories) and form STQ time data patterns Tw'(1,2....n) or Td'(1,2...n),
which serveas reference patterns. If the organism finds sub-sequences of these Tw' or Td'
patterns which insome combination are covariant with a currently recorded Tw or Td
-
pattern, then the organisminterprets these combinations of sub-sequences as an "iso-
morphous pattern" significant fordefining the "actually perceived event-pattern" (i.e. what
actually is). In this way, the presentevent (represented by temporal or spatial deviations
between sensors and external signalsources) is "recognized".
4) An organism is equipped with "actuators" that influence a self-referential change - that is
concurrently being recognized - in an organism's temporal-spatial condition (e.g. its own
motion)in such a manner, that the change is highly covariant with a prior recorded
pattern of changeof a temporal-spatial condition (it emulates the prior pattern). Because
the shortest and mostefficient time patterns have a tendency to be of high priority while
new Tw or Td sequences arebeing recorded in the memory, organisms continuously try to
optimize changes in temporal-spatial conditions. Both processes result exclusively from
comparison of quantized STQ elapsetimes and from recognition of isomorphous time data
patterns (see also Fig. 5), and are termed "auto-emulation" and "auto-optimization"; or,
equivalently, "autocovariance behaviour".
5) An essential consequence of these considerations is that a teleological tendency inheres in
generates the ability for self-organisation. As seen from Fig. 10, both "time" and "velocity"
unequivocally depend on the existence of sensors for their perception. Actually, all time
data and information flow from the "present" (the origin of the recording) into the "past" (the
verifiable existence). Indeed, time and velocity are not "sensed" as a continuum, but in the
formof quanta. In order to feel both physical quantities as a continuum, an enormous
capability forauto-adaptation and auto-emulation is required of an organism. It can be said
that the abovefundamental principles are valid not only for robotics and biological units,
but also for molecular atomic and subatomic structures. Also, these have to be "time
sensing organisms" otherwisethey can have no basis for existence. Consequently: time,
space - every physical quantity only sensorial together with distinct sensitivity zones;
and these form the basis for localsubjective time sensing together with a general universal
tendency for auto-adaptation, auto-optimisation, and auto-emulation. This is a fundamental
teleological principle.
FINAL SUMMERY
1) The herein described invented method is universally applicable and describes the ultimate
achievable mechanisms and organisms.
2) Discrete time quantization methods, according to which the received signal is scanned and
digitized at predetermined points in time, prove themselves to be inadequate in the generation
of highly efficient autonomous self-organisation processes.
3) In redundancy-free autonomous self-organizing systems, there are no "points in time" and
thereis no determinism. In these systems, STQ elapse times are quantized which are
derived fromthe temporal/spatial changes in physical conditions between sensors and
external sources.
4) Each such system has its own time counting pulses and produces its own time. The time
counting frequency for the quantization of elapse times is continuously adapted in an auto-
adaptive manner according to the relative velocity vm with which changes in condition occur.
Thetime recording has in each case a quantum nature; i.e. it has the properties of a
"discretecounting", no matter whether the recording is analogue or digital. Moreover, the
time recording issubjective and passive; i.e. the time quanta are "sensed" and not
"objectively measured" as inthe conventional physical understanding.
5) In order to be able to quantize elapse times in autonomous self-organising systems, the
individual receptors or sensors must have distinctive grades of perception zones (or threshold
values).
6) In order to explain precisely the difference between "synchronism" (in the conventional
understanding) and "auto-adaptation", we define the following:
a) parallel synchronism (i.e. "synchronism"): this occurs when temporal changes of physical
conditions of different systems are covariant at the same time.
b) autonomous adaptation (i.e. "auto-adaptation"): this occurs when temporal changes of the
physical state of a particular system are covariant at different times.
7) In all redundancy-free autonomous systems the capability for self-organisation increases with
the quantity of elapse time parameters available for autonomous adaptation and for optimi-
zationprocess, as well as with the number and variety of sensors or receptors.
8) With synchronism (definition 6a above), the number of quantized elapse time parameters
vanishes; in 3b this number is a maximum (and point 7 above is valid! ). Therefore one can
conclude that there is an inherent tendency in all autonomous systems of the type discussed
herein, towards continuous auto-adaptation, auto-optimization and auto-emulation. This is
similar to the biological term "vitality".
9) In autonomous self-organizing systems, there is no "timing" (i.e. temporal motion coordina-
tion)without the comparison of currently acquired elapse time patterns with previously
recordedelapse time patterns. Briefly stated, there is no "timing" without accompanying
"time keeping".
10) Auto-adaptation theorem of Erich Bieramperl :
Every current non-chaotic change (A) in condition of an autonomous system (X) with the
variable dynamic trajectory vm(1,2,3....n) underlies a currently acquired sequence of elapse
times TW(1,2,3 ...n) as well as a covariant sequence of elapse times TW'(1,2,3 ...n) from a
temporal displaced condition change (A') or from a combination of distinct temporal displaced
condition changes (A1 ') (A2 ')...( An'), whereupon (A) with (A') or (A) with (A1') (A2') ....(An')
areapproximately isomorphous.
Hence: TW = vm adaptively acquired current STQ(i) or STQ(d) elapse times Tw or Td
TW' = vm adaptively acquired covariant STQ(i) or STQ(d) elapse times Tw' or Td'
Other consequences in the scientific domain are the following:
11) Each preselection of a certain time for an intended action, a so-called "act of free will" by an
autonomous organism, results from continued autonomous adaptation of the described type,
and is therefore not realizable in a deterministic manner.
12) From the ability of an autonomous system to find previously acquired elapse time patterns
matching with currently acquired elapse time patterns, and from trying to emulate these, not
only is auto-adaptation, auto-optimization, self-organisation and recognition of physical
surroundings and self-motion made possible, but ultimately also motion co-ordination
(timing),intelligent behaviour and conscious action are produced.
13) Auto-adaptive, auto-optimizing and self-organizing processes of the described type have
universal validity not only in autonomous mechanistic systems, robots, automatic machines
biological organisms, but also in molecular and atomic structures. All autonomous self-
organizing systems contain information in form of time data.
The following results from the property that in such systems, "time" is "subjectively sensed" and not
"objectively measured ":
14) In the universe, all time dependent physical values are "subjectively sensed". If there is no
adequate sensorium for time and velocity, then "time" cannot exist objectively. Example: in
"black holes", no "time" exists because there is no sensorium for it.
In this case, the atomic and subatomic sensorium is quasi "dead". Each change of physical
condition, which does not underly an auto-adaptive process, continues increasingly
chaotically;whereupon it follows that the described tendency for auto-adaptation in the
universe counteractsthe tendency towards entropy and chaos.
15) If vm is too high and STQ(v) is too short to be measured (or "sensed"), then neither an auto-
adaptation nor any self-organization process results (because no elapse times are derivable).
Therefore, for example, the velocity c of propagation of light is an "ultimate value", because
itimplies the shortest STQ(v) quantum that can be "perceived" by atomic structures.
16) If there is absolute physical invariance between the sensorium of autonomous systems and
their surroundings, then also no STQ quanta are derivable. This is the reason why, for
example,absolute zero ( 273,15°C) is an ultimate physical quantity. In this case, the
atomic andsubatomic sensorium is not capable of recognizing a lower temperature
because of lack ofSTQ quanta, and no auto- adaptation process can take place.
17) As mentioned before, atomic and subatomic structures also display sensory and time
quantization properties. Their description from the view of quantum theory is inadequate. If
there is no measurement or observation of an event, then exists also neither "time" nor
velocity" (S.13). Quantum phenomena appearing in the known two slit experiment or in the
SCULLY experiment (quantum indeterminism) are explicable in this way.
18) The electromagnetic force, gravitation, the strong and weak interaction (nuclear force), so-
called "autocatalysis" (KAUFFMAN), "synergetic effects" (HAKEN), or other phenomena are
produced by the existence of time quantization sensorium, auto-adaptation and auto-
emulation.
These features can be regarded as the inherent teleological principle of the
universe (S. 8).
19) The ability to perceive time and velocity as a continuum, and not as an endless series of
sensed elapse times, is likewise produced from continued auto-adaptation and self-
organization processes. The higher the "intelligence" of an autonomous system as a result
ofsuch processes, the more distinctive its subjective time perception and its ability to
anticipate.
Consequences for metamathematics, propositional calculus, epistemology and philosophy are:
1) Because there are no deterministic point of times, the status of a system can neither be
ascertained to be at a certain "point in time", nor "points in time" can be determined for a
futurestatus. There is nowhere any type of determinism. Since the classical physics as
well as thequantum theory are based on the postulate that a system is in a certain status
at a certain"point in time" (in the first case as points of phase space, and in the other
case as probabilitydistributions in phase space), neither theory can be completely
consistent (see also THOMASBREUER / 1997).
2) Regarding WIGNER (1961), an absolutely universally valid theory would have to be capable
ofdescribing the origin of human consciousness. The auto-adaptation theory described
hereincould be capable of this; the quantum theory cannot. (Wigner postulated that
complex quantum mechanics delivers a usable description of the physical reality only
when there is no "subjective
sensing". The author holds the view that subjective sensing
also exists in atomic andsubatomic structures).
3) Sequences of elapse times like TW and TW' are definable as strings of an axiomatic formal
system; albeit this system is a "time domain system" and not an arithmetic systems in the
usual sense of the classic number theory. Indeed, said formal system shows at least one
axiom and derives from it continuous strings of numbers through the application of a certain
algorithm. Regarding TURING, an axiomatic number theoretical system can be produced
alsoby a mechanical procedure, which produces "formulas and algorithms".For this reason,
theknown logic theorems of GOEDEL, TARSKI or HENKIN are absolutely applicable on
such amodel. GOEDEL`s incompleteness theorem shows that each extensive number
theoreticalmodel includes consistent formulations which cannot be proven with the rules
of the model, andwhich therefore are undecidable. This is valid also to metatheoretical
modelsand to meta-metatheoretical models etc.
For example, a self-referential metatheoretical sentence like the type of the Goedel formu-
lation<I am provable> is neither provable nor disprovable. A decision procedure for this
propositionleads to an infinite regress. TARSKI showed that a decision procedure for
number theoretical"truth" is also impossible, and leads to an infinite regress. Thus, a self-
referential sentence ofthe type <I am provable> is admittedly "true", but not "provable". It
follows, that "provability" is aweaker notion than "truth". HENKIN showed that there are
sentences, that assert their ownprovability and "producibility" in a specific number theore-
tical model and which are invariable"true". A self-referential sentence based on Henkin`s
theorem would be: <It exists a numbertheoretical model in which I am provable>. Strings
of quantized elapse times like TW and TW'approach the domain of validity of HENKIN`s
theorem. Applying Henkins logic, these stringsassert: <I will be produced to proved>. TW
and TW's are therefore strings or sentences that areproduced in a specific formal model,
which induces its own decision procedure on truth,consistence, completeness and
provability through continued self-generation (see alsodescription to Fig.10).
In contrast to self-referential strings or sentences of the Gödel or Henkin type, strings of
elapsetimes are never asserted to be "true", "consistent", "complete" or "provable" to a
certain "pointin time", because within the "number theoretical model" in which they are
produced, no "pointsof time" exist. This model also prohibits superior semantics or
metatheories or meta-metatheories. It is plainly obvious that each formal system, each
metatheory, each meta-metatheory and each semantics, in which axioms, strings or
sentences of any type areformulated, is the result of continued autonomous adaptation
(which is based on the quantization of elapse times) and therefore a derivation of the
model described in this work.
4) The cognition, that a specific formal system exists asserting absolute universal validity, from
which everything has been produced and to whom all other systems have to be subordinated,
isnot new. Already in early antiquity, many years before PLATO and ARISTOTLE, the
HebrewScriptures (2. Moses 3: 14) let this <source of all logic> say from itself: "JHWH"
(spoken:Jahwe or Jehovah), that is about: "I shall be proved". This sentence asserts its own
decisionprocedure on provability, truth, completeness and consistence; through a specific