Fuzzy rule interpolation based on the ratio of fuzziness of interval type-2 fuzzy sets

In recent years, some fuzzy rule interpolation methods have been presented for sparse fuzzy rule-based systems based on interval type-2 fuzzy sets. However, the existing methods have the drawbacks that they cannot guarantee the convexity of the fuzzy interpolated result and may generate the same fuzzy interpolated results with respect to different observations. Moreover, they also cannot deal with fuzzy rule interpolation with bell-shaped interval type-2 fuzzy sets. In this paper, we present a new method for fuzzy rule interpolation for sparse fuzzy rule-based systems based on the ratio of fuzziness of interval type-2 fuzzy sets. The proposed method can overcome the drawbacks of the existing methods. First, it calculates the weights of the closest fuzzy rules with respect to the observation to obtain an intermediate consequence fuzzy set. Then, it uses the ratio of fuzziness of interval type-2 fuzzy sets to infer the fuzzy interpolated result based on the intermediate consequence fuzzy set. We also use some examples to compare the fuzzy interpolated results of the proposed method with the results by the existing methods. The experimental results show that the proposed fuzzy rule interpolation method gets more reasonable results than the existing methods.     

Fuzzy interpolative reasoning for sparse fuzzy rule-based systems based on the slopes of fuzzy sets

In this paper, we present a new fuzzy interpolative reasoning method for sparse fuzzy rule-based systems based on the slopes of fuzzy sets. The proposed method can deal with fuzzy rules interpolation involving complex polygonal fuzzy sets with the advantages of simplest calculation and get more reasonable fuzzy interpolative reasoning results. We also make some experiments to compare the fuzzy interpolative reasoning results of the proposed method with the ones of the existing methods. The experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the existing fuzzy interpolative reasoning methods for sparse fuzzy rule-based systems.     

Distinguishability of interval type-2 fuzzy sets data by analyzing upper and lower membership functions

In this paper, we deal with the problem of classification of interval type-2 fuzzy sets through evaluating their distinguishability. To this end, we exploit a general matching algorithm to compute their similarity measure. The algorithm is based on the aggregation of two core similarity measures applied independently on the upper and lower membership functions of the given pair of interval type-2 fuzzy sets that are to be compared. Based on the proposed matching procedure, we develop an experimental methodology for evaluating the distinguishability of collections of interval type-2 fuzzy sets. Experimental results on evaluating the proposed methodology are carried out in the context of classification by considering interval type-2 fuzzy sets as patterns of suitable classification problem instances. We show that considering only the upper and lower membership functions of interval type-2 fuzzy sets is sufficient to (i) accurately discriminate between them and (ii) judge and quantify their distinguishability.     

An interval number distance- and ranking-based method for remotely sensed image fuzzy clustering

ABSTRACT

Fuzzy c-means clustering is an important non-supervised classification method for remote-sensing images and is based on type-1 fuzzy set theory. Type-1 fuzzy sets use singleton values to express the membership grade; therefore, such sets cannot describe the uncertainty of the membership grade. Interval type-2 fuzzy c-means (IT2FCM) clustering and relevant methods are based on interval type-2 fuzzy sets. Real vectors are used to describe the clustering centres, and the average values of the upper and lower membership grades are used to determine the classification of each pixel. Thus, the width information for interval clustering centres and interval membership grades are ignored. The main contribution of this article is to propose an improved IT2FCM* algorithm by adopting interval number distance (IND) and ranking methods, which use the width information of interval clustering centres and interval membership grades, thus distinguishing this method from existing fuzzy clustering methods. Three different IND definitions are tested, and the distance definition proposed by Li shows the best performance. The second contribution of this work is that two fuzzy cluster validity indices, FS- and XB-, are improved using the IND. Three types of multi/hyperspectral remote-sensing data sets are used to test this algorithm, and the experimental results show that the IT2FCM* algorithm based on the IND proposed by Li performs better than the IT2FCM algorithm using four cluster validity indices, the confusion matrix, and the kappa coefficient (κ). Additionally, the improved FS- index has more indicative ability than the original FS- index.     

Modeling data uncertainty on electric load forecasting based on Type-2 fuzzy logic set theory

Real applications based on type-2 (T2) fuzzy sets are rare. The main reason is that the T2 fuzzy set theory requires massive computation and complex determination of secondary membership function. Thus most real-world applications are based on one simplified method, i.e. interval type-2 (IT2) fuzzy sets in which the secondary membership function is defined as interval sets. Consequently all computations in three-dimensional space are degenerated into calculations in two-dimensional plane, computing complexity is reduced greatly. However, ability on modeling information uncertainty is also reduced. In this paper, a novel methodology based on T2 fuzzy sets is proposed i.e. T2SDSA-FNN (Type-2 Self-Developing and Self-Adaptive Fuzzy Neural Networks). Our novelty is that (1) proposed system is based on T2 fuzzy sets, not IT2 ones; (2) it tackles one difficult problem in T2 fuzzy logic systems (FLS), i.e. massive computing time of inference so as not to be applicable to solve real world problem; and (3) membership grades on third dimensional space can be automatically determined from mining input data. The proposed method is validated in a real data set collected from Macao electric utility. Simulation and test results reveal that it has superior accuracy performance on electric forecasting problem than other techniques shown in existing literatures.     

Fuzzy interpolative reasoning for sparse fuzzy rule-based systems based on the ranking values of fuzzy sets

Fuzzy interpolative reasoning is an important research topic of sparse fuzzy rule-based systems. In recent years, some methods have been presented for dealing with fuzzy interpolative reasoning. However, the involving fuzzy sets appearing in the antecedents of fuzzy rules of the existing fuzzy interpolative reasoning methods must be normal and non-overlapping. Moreover, the reasoning conclusions of the existing fuzzy interpolative reasoning methods sometimes become abnormal fuzzy sets. In this paper, in order to overcome the drawbacks of the existing fuzzy interpolative reasoning methods, we present a new fuzzy interpolative reasoning method for sparse fuzzy rule-based systems based on the ranking values of fuzzy sets. The proposed fuzzy interpolative reasoning method can handle the situation of non-normal and overlapping fuzzy sets appearing in the antecedents of fuzzy rules. It can overcome the drawbacks of the existing fuzzy interpolative reasoning methods in sparse fuzzy rule-based systems.     

Fuzzy interpolative reasoning via scale and move transformations

Interpolative reasoning does not only help reduce the complexity of fuzzy models but also makes inference in sparse rule-based systems possible. This paper presents an interpolative reasoning method by means of scale and move transformations. It can be used to interpolate fuzzy rules involving complex polygon, Gaussian or other bell-shaped fuzzy membership functions. The method works by first constructing a new inference rule via manipulating two given adjacent rules, and then by using scale and move transformations to convert the intermediate inference results into the final derived conclusions. This method has three advantages thanks to the proposed transformations: 1) it can handle interpolation of multiple antecedent variables with simple computation; 2) it guarantees the uniqueness as well as normality and convexity of the resulting interpolated fuzzy sets; and 3) it suggests a variety of definitions for representative values, providing a degree of freedom to meet different requirements. Comparative experimental studies are provided to demonstrate the potential of this method.     

Fuzzy Interpolative Reasoning for Sparse Fuzzy Rule-Based Systems Based on ${bm alpha}$-Cuts and Transformations Techniques

In sparse fuzzy rule-based systems, the fuzzy rule bases are usually incomplete. In this situation, the system may not properly perform fuzzy reasoning to get reasonable consequences. In order to overcome the drawback of sparse fuzzy rule-based systems, there is an increasing demand to develop fuzzy interpolative reasoning techniques in sparse fuzzy rule-based systems. In this paper, we present a new fuzzy interpolative reasoning method via cutting and transformation techniques for sparse fuzzy rule-based systems. It can produce more reasonable results than the existing methods. The proposed method provides a useful way to deal with fuzzy interpolative reasoning in sparse fuzzy rule-based systems.      

Granular type-2 membership functions: A new approach to formation of footprint of uncertainty in type-2 fuzzy sets

In this study, a new approach for the formation of type-2 membership functions is introduced. The footprint of uncertainty is formed by using rectangular type-2 fuzzy granules and the resulting membership function is named as granular type-2 membership function. This new approach provides more degrees of freedom and design flexibility in type-2 fuzzy logic systems. Uncertainties on the grades of membership functions can be represented independently for any region in the universe of discourse and free of any functional form. So, the designer could produce nonlinear, discontinuous or hybrid membership functions in granular formation and therefore could model any desired discontinuity and nonlinearity. The effectiveness of the proposed granular type-2 membership functions is firstly demonstrated by simulations done on noise corrupted Mackey–Glass time series prediction. Secondly, flexible design feature of granular type-2 membership functions is illustrated by modeling a nonlinear system having dead zone with uncertain system parameters. The simulation results show that type-2 fuzzy logic systems formed by granular type-2 membership functions have more modeling capabilities than the systems using conventional type-2 membership functions and they are more robust to system parameter changes and noisy inputs.     

Fuzzy Interpolative Reasoning for Sparse Fuzzy-Rule-Based Systems Based on the Areas of Fuzzy Sets

Fuzzy interpolative reasoning is an inference technique for dealing with the sparse rules problem in sparse fuzzy-rule-based systems. In this paper, we present a new fuzzy interpolative reasoning method for sparse fuzzy-rule-based systems based on the areas of fuzzy sets. The proposed method uses the weighted average method to infer the fuzzy interpolative reasoning results and has the following advantages: 1) it holds the normality and the convexity of the fuzzy interpolative reasoning result, 2) it can deal with fuzzy interpolative reasoning with complicated membership functions, 3) it can deal with fuzzy interpolative reasoning when the fuzzy sets of the antecedents and the consequents of the fuzzy rules have different kinds of membership functions, 4) it can handle fuzzy interpolative reasoning with multiple antecedent variables, 5) it can handle fuzzy interpolative reasoning with multiple fuzzy rules, and 6) it can handle fuzzy interpolative reasoning with logically consistent properties with respect to the ratios of fuzziness. We use some examples to compare the fuzzy interpolative reasoning results of the proposed method with those of the existing fuzzy interpolative reasoning methods. In terms of the six evaluation indices, the experimental results show that the proposed method performs more reasonably than the existing methods. The proposed method provides us a useful way to deal with fuzzy interpolative reasoning in sparse fuzzy-rule-based systems.      

Fuzzy Interpolation and Extrapolation: A Practical Approach

Fuzzy interpolation does not only help to reduce the complexity of fuzzy models, but also makes inference in sparse rule-based systems possible. It has been successfully applied to systems control, but limited work exists for its applications to tasks like prediction and classification. Almost all fuzzy interpolation techniques in the literature make strong assumptions that there are two closest adjacent rules available to the observation, and that such rules must flank the observation for each attribute. Also, some interpolation approaches cannot handle fuzzy sets whose membership functions involve vertical slopes. To avoid such limitations and develop a more practical approach, this paper extends the work of Huang and Shen. The result enables both interpolation and extrapolation which involve multiple fuzzy rules, with each rule consisting of multiple antecedents. Two realistic applications, namely truck backer-upper control and computer activity prediction, are provided in this paper to demonstrate the utility of the extended approach. Experiment-based comparisons to the most commonly used Mamdani fuzzy reasoning mechanism, and to other existing fuzzy interpolation techniques are given to show the significance and potential of this research.     

Traffic Flow Data Forecasting Based on Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets Theory

This paper proposes a long-term forecasting scheme and implementation method based on the interval type-2 fuzzy sets theory for traffic flow data. The type-2 fuzzy sets have advantages in modeling uncertainties because their membership functions are fuzzy. The scheme includes traffic flow data preprocessing module, type-2 fuzzification operation module and long-term traffic flow data forecasting output module, in which the Interval Approach acts as the core algorithm. The central limit theorem is adopted to convert point data of mass traffic flow in some time range into interval data of the same time range (also called confidence interval data) which is being used as the input of interval approach. The confidence interval data retain the uncertainty and randomness of traffic flow, meanwhile reduce the influence of noise from the detection data. The proposed scheme gets not only the traffic flow forecasting result but also can show the possible range of traffic flow variation with high precision using upper and lower limit forecasting result. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is verified using the actual sample application.      

基于2型模糊描述逻辑的知识描述与推理及其在信任管理系统中的应用

描述逻辑由于其强大的描述能力与成熟的推理算法而被广泛应用。然而,经典描述逻辑局限于处理确定的概念和关系,从而导致描述逻辑很难处理类似语义网等大型本体系统中的模糊知识。虽然1型模糊集可以一定程度上减轻不确定性带来的影响,但是其采用确定的隶属度值来决定模糊度的方法是不够精准的。与之相比,基于2型模糊集的系统能够利用隶属度区间更加精确地描述模糊信息。本文给出描述逻辑ALC的2型模糊扩展形式,并且给出并分析了2型模糊ALC的描述和推理方法。最后使用2型模糊ALC建立了一个基于模糊本体的信任管理系统FOntoTM。     

顾及参考点点位误差的八方向模糊不均匀划分模型*

基于经典模糊集建立了模糊方向模型,在四方向模型中各方向是等角划分;在八方向模型中四个主要方向各占60°,四次要方向各占30°。提出建立模糊方向区间来描述目标地物与参考点之间的方向关系,用一对带有符号的隶属度来表示目标在原子方向的隶属关系,使方向关系的描述更精细。利用二型模糊集理论建立了顾及参考点点位误差的八方向模糊不均匀划分模型,讨论了方向主隶属度成员函数和隶属度的不确定性。由于参考点点位误差引起方向隶属度误差,增加了方向关系的不确定性。该模型充分考虑了参考点点位误差、认知习惯和目标对象在参考点各原子方向     

Interval type-2 neuro-fuzzy system with implication-based inference mechanism

Neuro-fuzzy systems have been proved to be an efficient tool for modelling real life systems. They are precise and have ability to generalise knowledge from presented data. Neuro-fuzzy systems use fuzzy sets – most commonly type-1 fuzzy sets. Type-2 fuzzy sets model uncertainties better than type-1 fuzzy sets because of their fuzzy membership function. Unfortunately computational complexity of type reduction in general type-2 systems is high enough to hinder their practical application. This burden can be alleviated by application of interval type-2 fuzzy sets. The paper presents an interval type-2 neuro-fuzzy system with interval type-2 fuzzy sets both in premises (Gaussian interval type-2 fuzzy sets with uncertain fuzziness) and consequences (trapezoid interval type-2 fuzzy set). The inference mechanism is based on the interval type-2 fuzzy Łukasiewicz, Reichenbach, Kleene-Dienes, or Brouwer–Gödel implications. The paper is accompanied by numerical examples. The system can elaborate models with lower error rate than type-1 neuro-fuzzy system with implication-based inference mechanism. The system outperforms some known type-2 neuro-fuzzy systems.     

Stability analysis of interval type-2 fuzzy-model-based control systems.

This paper presents the stability analysis of interval type-2 fuzzy-model-based (FMB) control systems. To investigate the system stability, an interval type-2 Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model, which can be regarded as a collection of a number of type-1 T-S fuzzy models, is proposed to represent the nonlinear plant subject to parameter uncertainties. With the lower and upper membership functions, the parameter uncertainties can be effectively captured. Based on the interval type-2 T-S fuzzy model, an interval type-2 fuzzy controller is proposed to close the feedback loop. To facilitate the stability analysis, the information of the footprint of uncertainty is used to develop some membership function conditions, which allow the introduction of slack matrices to handle the parameter uncertainties in the stability analysis. Stability conditions in terms of linear matrix inequalities are derived using a Lyapunov-based approach. Simulation examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed interval type-2 FMB control approach.     

Effect of rule weights in fuzzy rule-based classification systems

This paper examines the effect of rule weights in fuzzy rule-based classification systems. Each fuzzy IF-THEN rule in our classification system has antecedent linguistic values and a single consequent class. We use a fuzzy reasoning method based on a single winner rule in the classification phase. The winner rule for a new pattern is the fuzzy IF-THEN rule that has the maximum compatibility grade with the new pattern. When we use fuzzy IF-THEN rules with certainty grades, the winner is determined as the rule with the maximum product of the compatibility grade and the certainty grade. In this paper, the effect of rule weights is illustrated by drawing classification boundaries using fuzzy IF-THEN rules with/without certainty grades. It is also shown that certainty grades play an important role when a fuzzy rule-based classification system is a mixture of general rules and specific rules. Through computer simulations, we show that comprehensible fuzzy rule-based systems with high classification performance can be designed without modifying the membership functions of antecedent linguistic values when we use fuzzy IF-THEN rules with certainty grades     

关于二型模糊集合的一些基本问题

采用集合论的方法给出了单位模糊集合和二型模糊集合及其在一点的限制等定义,使得二型模糊集合更易于理解.通过定义嵌入单位模糊集合来描述一般二型模糊集合,并给出离散、半连通二型模糊集合的表达式.根据论域、主隶属度及隶属函数的特性将二型模糊集合分为四种类型:离散、半连通、连通及复合型,并根据连通的特点将连通二型模糊集合分为单连通及多连通两类.利用支集的闭包（Closure of support,CoS）划分法表述主隶属度及区间二型模糊集合.提出了CoS二、三次划分法分别来表述单、复连通二型模糊集合,并使每一个子区域的上下边界及次隶属函数在该子区域上的限制分别具有相同的解析表述式.最后,探讨了二型模糊集合在一点的限制、主隶属度、支集、嵌入单位模糊集合之间的关系.     

A new method for constructing membership functions and fuzzy rulesfrom training examples

To extract knowledge from a set of numerical data and build up a rule-based system is an important research topic in knowledge acquisition and expert systems. In recent years, many fuzzy systems that automatically generate fuzzy rules from numerical data have been proposed. In this paper, we propose a new fuzzy learning algorithm based on the alpha-cuts of equivalence relations and the alpha-cuts of fuzzy sets to construct the membership functions of the input variables and the output variables of fuzzy rules and to induce the fuzzy rules from the numerical training data set. Based on the proposed fuzzy learning algorithm, we also implemented a program on a Pentium PC using the MATLAB development tool to deal with the Iris data classification problem. The experimental results show that the proposed fuzzy learning algorithm has a higher average classification ratio and can generate fewer rules than the existing algorithm.     

Quantification of R-fuzzy sets

The main aim of this paper is to connect R-fuzzy sets and type-2 fuzzy sets, so as to provide a practical means to express complex uncertainty without the associated difficulty of a type-2 fuzzy set. The paper puts forward a significance measure, to provide a means for understanding the importance of the membership values contained within an R-fuzzy set. The pairing of an R-fuzzy set and the significance measure allows for an intermediary approach to that of a type-2 fuzzy set. By inspecting the returned significance degree of a particular membership value, one is able to ascertain its true significance in relation, relative to other encapsulated membership values. An R-fuzzy set coupled with the proposed significance measure allows for a type-2 fuzzy equivalence, an intermediary, all the while retaining the underlying sentiment of individual and general perspectives, and with the adage of a significantly reduced computational burden. Several human based perception examples are presented, wherein the significance degree is implemented, from which a higher level of detail can be garnered. The results demonstrate that the proposed research method combines the high capacity in uncertainty representation of type-2 fuzzy sets, together with the simplicity and objectiveness of type-1 fuzzy sets. This in turn provides a practical means for problem domains where a type-2 fuzzy set is preferred but difficult to construct due to the subjective type-2 fuzzy membership.