This book comprises a selection of papers on theoretical advances and applications of fuzzy logic and soft computing from the IFSA 2007 World Congress, held in Cancun, Mexico, June 2007. These papers constitute an important contribution to the theory and applications of fuzzy logic and soft computing methodologies.

Fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic are powerful mathematical tools for modeling and controlling uncertain systems in industry, humanity, and nature; they are facilitators for approximate reasoning in decision making in the absence of complete and precise information. Their role is significant when applied to complex phenomena not easily described by traditional mathematics.The unique feature of the book is twofold: 1) It is the first introductory course (with examples and exercises) which brings in a systematic way fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic into the educational university and college system. 2) It is designed to serve as a basic text for introducing engineers and scientists from various fields to the theory of fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic, thus enabling them to initiate projects and make applications.

This book consists of selected papers written by the founder of fuzzy set theory, Lotfi A Zadeh. Since Zadeh is not only the founder of this field, but has also been the principal contributor to its development over the last 30 years, the papers contain virtually all the major ideas in fuzzy set theory, fuzzy logic, and fuzzy systems in their historical context. Many of the ideas presented in the papers are still open to further development. The book is thus an important resource for anyone interested in the areas of fuzzy set theory, fuzzy logic, and fuzzy systems, as well as their applications. Moreover, the book is also intended to play a useful role in higher education, as a rich source of supplementary reading in relevant courses and seminars.The book contains a bibliography of all papers published by Zadeh in the period 1949-1995. It also contains an introduction that traces the development of Zadeh's ideas pertaining to fuzzy sets, fuzzy logic, and fuzzy systems via his papers. The ideas range from his 1965 seminal idea of the concept of a fuzzy set to ideas reflecting his current interest in computing with words — a computing in which linguistic expressions are used in place of numbers.Places in the papers, where each idea is presented can easily be found by the reader via the Subject Index.

Fuzzy logic, which is based on the concept of fuzzy set, has enabled scientists to create models under conditions of imprecision, vagueness, or both at once. As a result, it has now found many important applications in almost all sectors of human activity, becoming a complementary feature and supporter of probability theory, which is suitable for modelling situations of uncertainty derived from randomness. Fuzzy mathematics has also significantly developed at the theoretical level, providing important insights into branches of traditional mathematics like algebra, analysis, geometry, topology, and more. With such widespread applications, fuzzy sets and logic are an important area of focus in mathematics. The Handbook of Research on Advances and Applications of Fuzzy Sets and Logic studies recent theoretical advances of fuzzy sets and numbers, fuzzy systems, fuzzy logic and their generalizations, extensions, and more. This book also explores the applications of fuzzy sets and logic applied to science, technology, and everyday life to further provide research on the subject. This book is ideal for mathematicians, physicists, computer specialists, engineers, practitioners, researchers, academicians, and students who are looking to learn more about fuzzy sets, fuzzy logic, and their applications.

This book is an excellent starting point for any curriculum in fuzzy systems fields such as computer science, mathematics, business/economics and engineering. It covers the basics leading to: fuzzy clustering, fuzzy pattern recognition, fuzzy database, fuzzy image processing, soft computing, fuzzy applications in operations research, fuzzy decision making, fuzzy rule based systems, fuzzy systems modeling, fuzzy mathematics. It is not a book designed for researchers - it is where you really learn the "basics" needed for any of the above-mentioned applications. It includes many figures and problem sets at the end of sections.

This book introduces a dynamic, on-line fuzzy inference system. In this system membership functions and control rules are not determined until the system is applied and each output of its lookup table is calculated based on current inputs. The book describes the real-world uses of new fuzzy techniques to simplify readers’ tuning processes and enhance the performance of their control systems. It further contains application examples.

This book provides a timely and comprehensive overview of current theories and methods in fuzzy logic, as well as relevant applications in a variety of fields of science and technology. Dedicated to Lotfi A. Zadeh on his one year death anniversary, the book goes beyond a pure commemorative text. Yet, it offers a fresh perspective on a number of relevant topics, such as computing with words, theory of perceptions, possibility theory, and decision-making in a fuzzy environment. Written by Zadeh’s closest colleagues and friends, the different chapters are intended both as a timely reference guide and a source of inspiration for scientists, developers and researchers who have been dealing with fuzzy sets or would like to learn more about their potential for their future research.