ELEMENT CHECKING SYSTEM FOR USE IN FORWARD INFERENCE SYSTEM

An element checking system for use in forward inference system is disclosed. When checking elements, each element is read out as a token and transmitted through a checking network. The element checking system includes memory for storing an element checking network. The network has a plurality of inputs for receiving the tokens one at a time, and a plurality of nodes for checking features of the received token. The system also includes working memory for storing elements, each element carrying data identifying a particular node from which the checking procedure in the networks starts. An additional memory is included which stores a pattern table including a plurality of different patterns with a pattern number assigned to each pattern, and a linking table including a pattern number and a corresponding node number for designating a starting node number for an element having a corresponding one of the plurality of patterns. Through the use of the pattern and linking table, an efficient element checking system utilizing a minimum number of nodes can be achieved.