Shape recognition based on neural networks trained by differential evolution algorithm

In this paper a new method for recognition of 2D occluded shapes based on neural networks using generalized differential evolution training algorithm is proposed. Firstly, a generalization strategy of differential evolution algorithm is introduced. And this global optimization algorithm is applied to train the multilayer perceptron neural networks. The proposed algorithms are evaluated through a plant species identification task involving 25 plant species. For this practical problem, a multiscale Fourier descriptors (MFDs) method is applied to the plant images to extract shape features. Finally, the experimental results show that our proposed GDE training method is feasible and efficient for large-scale shape recognition problem. Moreover, the experimental results illustrated that the GDE training algorithm combined with gradient-based training algorithms will achieve better convergence performance. r 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.