Apparatus and a method for solving problems

摘要

A processor arrangement is operable to provide an initial population of individuals each comprising a plurality of structural elements each comprising a plurality of functional components defining operations to be performed on at least one input to the functional component and then to

(i) activate each individual to cause the operations defined by the functional components of that individual to be performed to produce a result;

(ii) determine from each result a fitness of the corresponding individual for providing a mechanism or program for providing a solution to the problem;

(iii) produce a new generation of individuals by causing an evolutionary process to occur involving at least one structural element and at least one functional component; and then to repeat (i) to (iii) until either an individual of the current generation represents a suitable way, structure, mechanism or program for providing a solution to the problem or a predetermined number of generations have been evolved.