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Deep Learning - Sign Language Classification

Completed 2024 Multi-Solution Deep Learning Project with Custom CNN, VGG16 Transfer Learning, and Neural Network Framework

This project explores deep learning techniques for image classification and neural network modeling. The main focus is on developing a sign language alphabet recognition system using Sign Language MNIST dataset, where the goal is to classify static hand signs representing letters A-Z (excluding J and Z which require dynamic movements). The project also includes a framework for neural network regression/classification on the Heart Disease UCI dataset. The project demonstrates multiple approaches: custom CNN architectures built from scratch, transfer learning with pre-trained models (VGG16), data augmentation techniques (RandomFlip, RandomRotation, RandomZoom, RandomTranslation, RandomCrop), and hyperparameter optimization using GridSearchCV.

Data Science Machine Learning Python Development Deep Learning Computer Vision Image Classification Transfer Learning

Overview

This project explores deep learning techniques for image classification and neural network modeling. The main focus is on developing a sign language alphabet recognition system using Sign Language MNIST dataset, where the goal is to classify static hand signs representing letters A-Z (excluding J and Z which require dynamic movements). The project also includes a framework for neural network regression/classification on the Heart Disease UCI dataset. The project demonstrates multiple approaches: custom CNN architectures built from scratch, transfer learning with pre-trained models (VGG16), data augmentation techniques (RandomFlip, RandomRotation, RandomZoom, RandomTranslation, RandomCrop), and hyperparameter optimization using GridSearchCV.

Key Features

Custom CNN architectures built from scratch for sign language classification

VGG16 transfer learning with pre-trained ImageNet weights

Data augmentation with 7+ techniques (flip, rotation, zoom, translation, crop)

Hyperparameter tuning with GridSearchCV

Model checkpointing and early stopping

24-class classification (letters A-Z excluding J, Z)

Neural network framework for tabular data (Heart Disease UCI)

Multiple solution approaches (3 different implementations)

Model persistence and class mapping preservation

Comprehensive evaluation metrics (accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score)

pages.portfolio.projects.deep_learning_sign_language.features.10

pages.portfolio.projects.deep_learning_sign_language.features.11

Technical Highlights

Developed custom CNN architectures for sign language recognition

Implemented VGG16 transfer learning with custom classification head

Applied comprehensive data augmentation techniques

Performed hyperparameter optimization with GridSearchCV

Created neural network framework for tabular data analysis

Achieved robust model performance with checkpointing and early stopping

Challenges and Solutions

Image Classification Complexity

Addressed sign language recognition requiring understanding of hand shapes and positions using CNN architectures

Limited Training Data

Implemented data augmentation techniques to artificially increase dataset size and improve generalization

Overfitting

Used dropout layers, early stopping, and data augmentation to prevent model memorization

Hyperparameter Selection

Applied GridSearchCV for systematic hyperparameter search and cross-validation

Transfer Learning Adaptation

Adapted pre-trained VGG16 model to sign language domain with custom classification head and fine-tuning

Computational Resources

Optimized architectures with efficient designs, model checkpointing, and early stopping for resource management

Technologies

Deep Learning

TensorFlow Keras CNN VGG16 Transfer Learning

Neural Networks

Conv2D MaxPooling2D Dropout Dense Sequential

Data Augmentation

RandomFlip RandomRotation RandomZoom RandomTranslation RandomCrop Resizing Rescaling

Data Processing

Pandas NumPy Scikit-learn

Visualization

Matplotlib Seaborn Plotly

Optimization

GridSearchCV EarlyStopping ModelCheckpoint

Environment

Python Jupyter Notebook

Project Information

Status
Completed
Year
2024
Architecture
Multi-Solution Deep Learning Project with Custom CNN, VGG16 Transfer Learning, and Neural Network Framework
Category
Data Science