An adaptive deep Q-learning strategy for handwritten digit recognition. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qiao, Junfei; Wang, Gongming; Li, Wenjing; Chen, Min
• Is Part Of: Neural networks. Volume 107(2018)
• Page Start: 61
• Page End: 71
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Handwritten digits recognition -- Deep learning -- Reinforcement learning -- Adaptive Q-learning deep belief network -- Adaptive deep auto-encoder; Neural computers -- Periodicals; Neural networks (Computer science) -- Periodicals; Neural networks (Neurobiology) -- Periodicals; Nervous System -- Periodicals; Ordinateurs neuronaux -- Périodiques; Réseaux neuronaux (Informatique) -- Périodiques; Réseaux neuronaux (Neurobiologie) -- Périodiques; Neural computers; Neural networks (Computer science); Neural networks (Neurobiology); Periodicals; 006.32
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neunet.2018.02.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0893-6080

Abstract

Abstract: Handwritten digits recognition is a challenging problem in recent years. Although many deep learning-based classification algorithms are studied for handwritten digits recognition, the recognition accuracy and running time still need to be further improved. In this paper, an adaptive deep Q-learning strategy is proposed to improve accuracy and shorten running time for handwritten digit recognition. The adaptive deep Q-learning strategy combines the feature-extracting capability of deep learning and the decision-making of reinforcement learning to form an adaptive Q-learning deep belief network (Q-ADBN). First, Q-ADBN extracts the features of original images using an adaptive deep auto-encoder (ADAE), and the extracted features are considered as the current states of Q-learning algorithm. Second, Q-ADBN receives Q-function (reward signal) during recognition of the current states, and the final handwritten digits recognition is implemented by maximizing the Q-function using Q-learning algorithm. Finally, experimental results from the well-known MNIST dataset show that the proposed Q-ADBN has a superiority to other similar methods in terms of accuracy and running time.