Weighted ensemble model for image classification

Abstract

The Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN) classification models are being tremendously used across many research fields including medical science for image classification. The accuracy of the model and reliability on the results of the model are the key attributes which determine whether a particular model should be used for a specific application or not. A highly accurate model is always desirable for all applications of machine learning as well as deep learning. This paper presents a DCNN based heterogeneous ensemble approach where all DCNN models can be trained on a single dataset and each model can contribute of towards the final output of the ensemble model. The contribution of each model is weighted according to its individual accuracy on the given dataset. Models with higher accuracy has higher contribution in the final output of ensemble model, whereas the models with lower accuracy has lower contribution. This approach, when tested on two different X-ray images datasets of Covid-19, has confirmed the significant increase in 3-class accuracy as compared to the models in literature.