digit_reader

A machine-learning experiment using ConvNetJS.

Preparation

• You need NodeJS V4.2 or better brew install nvm then nvm install 4.2, or just brew install node should do it.
• Install redis brew install redis
• npm install

Training images

Put 128 x 128 pixel colour with optional transparancy PNG formatted images in the /images/training folder, named as follows:

blah_x.png

where blah is any arbitrary string, and x is a digit from 0 to 9, representing the digit drawn in the image.

run

npm start

The system will initialise a brand new 6 layer neural network and start training using the images supplied. Once it's done it will make a set of predictions about those images, trying to guess the digits drawn within. Because the training imaages are named with the correct digit, the system will know if its prediction is accurate or not. It will keep training until it predicts all of the digits correctly.

After each training round it will save the updated neural network into a Redis store. (You must have Redis installed).

Once the run is complete you can export the neural network to a plain JSON formatted text file:

run

npm run export

You can then safely wipe the Redis store if you wish and play with the various settings.

documentation to come

You can re-import the saved neural network from its text file

run

npm run import

Predicting images (Not Implemeted yet)

Put 128 x 128 pixel colour with optional transparancy PNG formatted images in the /images/predicting folder, named however you like (but the name must end in .png).

npm start

It will train against the provided images and then output its predictions.

To Do

• Wrap this in a web interface that allows anyone to upload image files for training.
• Implement the general prediction code
• make the error handling of the import and export more robust
• more unit tests