I have glossed over some texts on artificial neural networks, under the advice of my friend, and I have come to a problem...how does something recognize a pattern? My family has had several shrinks/neuroscientists and I recollect that there are three signs to intelligent life: the "fight-or-flight" mechanism, the ability to recognize and store patterns, and the ability to readjust the parameters of those patterns (e.g. if a stairwell had uneven stairs, the ability to readjust the parameters for that particular stairwell).

Well, the fight-or-flight mechanism is understood. On the other hand, pattern recognition is not really as well known.

So, for my own pleasure (and some help to my friend), I need to know an algorithm for recognizing patterns. I'm lazy, so rather than invent one, I'm hoping someone else has; does anyone really know anything about any pattern recognition algorithm?