Abstract
This paper presents a modified search procedure for the Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART) neural networks that does not utilize the user-defined vigilance parameter. The original ART search is based on the iterative check of match criterion for the winning node against it. The winner is defined according to the winner-take-all activation as a node with the maximal value of the choice function. The search procedure usually requires several cycles until the satisfactory winning node is found. We propose to combine the choice function and the match criterion and choose a node that maximizes both; so only one search cycle is necessary. In this case, the search time can be reduced significantly and the network performs well enough without setting of vigilance.