A Comprehensive Approach for Tamil Handwritten Character Recognition with Feature Selection and Ensemble Learning

• Manoj K,
• Iyapparaja M,

Vol. 18, No. 6, June 30, 2024
10.3837/tiis.2024.06.007, Download Paper (Free):

• Classification Performance
• Ensemble learning
• Feature selection
• Recognition Accuracy
• Tamil Handwritten Character Recognition (THCR).

Abstract

This research proposes a novel approach for Tamil Handwritten Character Recognition (THCR) that combines feature selection and ensemble learning techniques. The Tamil script is complex and highly variable, requiring a robust and accurate recognition system. Feature selection is used to reduce dimensionality while preserving discriminative features, improving classification performance and reducing computational complexity. Several feature selection methods are compared, and individual classifiers (support vector machines, neural networks, and decision trees) are evaluated through extensive experiments. Ensemble learning techniques such as bagging, and boosting are employed to leverage the strengths of multiple classifiers and enhance recognition accuracy. The proposed approach is evaluated on the HP Labs Dataset, achieving an impressive 95.56% accuracy using an ensemble learning framework based on support vector machines. The dataset consists of 82,928 samples with 247 distinct classes, contributed by 500 participants from Tamil Nadu. It includes 40,000 characters with 500 user variations. The results surpass or rival existing methods, demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach. The research also offers insights for developing advanced recognition systems for other complex scripts. Future investigations could explore the integration of deep learning techniques and the extension of the proposed approach to other Indic scripts and languages, advancing the field of handwritten character recognition.

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