Time Scale Hierarchies in the Functional Organization of Complex Behaviors
Figure 3
Interactions among the functional architecture's components.
The functional dynamics F({ui},{ξj},{δi}) is fed back to the slow serial dynamics by means of inhibitory feedback, Finh({ui},ξj,{λj}), and is integrated by the feedback integrating variable vj. vj causes timely fast transitions to the ‘switching’ variable λj to which it is coupled via the sigmoidal function S(vj) and excitatory feedback Fexc(λK’). λs regulate the WTA competition of the {ξj} (via Lj({λj}) and Cj({λj})) that determine which functional mode will dominate the expressed phase flow F({ui},{ξj},{δi}) at each time moment. The instantaneous operational signal {δi({ui},{ξj})} also receives feedback from output {ui} and is also coupled to the {ξj}. Thus, the whole functional architecture becomes an autonomous system. (The index runs among the K′ modes that participate in a sequence J out of a repertoire of K modes, and also indicates the specific order of the sequence, i.e., the sequence starts with mode with j = 1 and terminates with j = K′. The index i runs among the dimensions of the state variables).