1. A method of transmitting at least one signal through an element of a classification system comprising the steps of: receiving one or more input signals at the element; extracting one or more functional components from the one or more input signals; extracting one or more membership components from the one or more input signals; and generating an output signal from the element comprising a functional component and a membership component that correspond to one or more of the functional components and membership components from the one or more input signals.