Data processing of both the associative storage and the pattern recognition equipped with a segmentation function is made possible without being affected by the deformation or the deviation in position, wherein feedback signal paths are provided to be opposed to ordinary feedforward signal paths between the lower hierarchy and the upper hierarchy in a neuron network model. When a response output is obtained in the upper hierarchy, a signal is permitted to flow into the feedback signal path opposed to the feedforward signal path that has participated in the response, and a promoting action is given to a feedforward signal path that contributed to the response output in the upper hierarchy while a damping action is given to a feedforward signal paths that made no such contribution under the control of the feedback signal.
HIERARCHICAL DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM.