A three-dimensional neural network model for unconstrained handwritten numeral recognition: A new approach

The paper describes a three-dimensional (3-D) neural network recognition system for conflict resolution in recognition of unconstrained handwritten numerals. This neural network classifier is a combination of modified self-organizing map (MSOM) and learning vector quantization (LVQ). The 3-D neural network recognition system has many layers of such neural network classifiers and the number of layers forms the third dimension. The Experiments are conducted employing SOM, MSOM, SOM and LVQ, and MSOM and LVQ networks. These experiments on a database of unconstrained handwritten samples show that the combination of MSOM and LVQ performs better than other networks in terms of classification, recognition and training time. The 3-D neural network eliminates the substitution error. (C) 1998 Pattern Recognition Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.