Knowledge incorporation into neural networks from fuzzy rules

The incorporation of prior knowledge into neural networks can improve neural network learning in several respects, for example, a faster learning speed and better generalization ability. However, neural network learning is data driven and there is no general way to exploit knowledge which is not in the form of data input-output pairs. In this paper, we propose two approaches for incorporating knowledge into neural networks from fuzzy rules. These fuzzy rules are generated based on expert knowledge or intuition. In the first approach, information from the derivative of the fuzzy system is used to regularize the neural network learning, whereas in the second approach the fuzzy rules are used as a catalyst. Simulation studies show that both approaches increase the learning speed significantly.