A framework for fuzzy recognition technology

Presents a scheme for object recognition by classificatory problem solving in the framework of fuzzy sets and possibility theory. The scheme has a particular focus on handling the imperfection problems that are common in application domains where the objects to be recognized (detected and identified) represent undesirable situations, referred to as crises. Crises develop over time, and observations typically increase in number and precision as the crisis develops. Early detection and precise recognition of crises is desired, since it increases the possibility of an effective treatment. The crisis recognition problem is central in several areas of decision support, such as medical diagnosis, financial decision making and early warning systems. The problem is characterized by vague knowledge and observations suffering from several kinds of imperfections, such as missing information, imprecision, uncertainty, unreliability of the source, and mutual (possibly conflicting or reinforcing) observations of the same phenomena. The problem of handling possibly imperfect observations from multiple sources includes the problems of information fusion and multiple-sensor data fusion. The different kinds of imperfection are handled in the framework of fuzzy sets and possibility theory