Performance optimization of neural networks in handwritten digit recognition using Intelligent Fuzzy C-Means clustering

In this paper, a new approach has been proposed in order to optimize performance of Multi Layer Perceptron Neural Networks in handwritten digit recognition. In the proposed approach, Fuzzy C-Means clustering with PSO optimizer has been used, and it has been applied in handwritten Farsi digits recognition. Obtained results show that with the help of this approach we can reduce the rate of misclassifications as compared to other common approaches found in the literature.