Hierarchical Category Classification Scheme Using Multiple Sets of Fully-Connected Networks With A CNN Based Integrated Circuit As Feature Extractor

CNN based integrated circuit is configured with a set of pre-trained filter coefficients or weights as a feature extractor of an input data. Multiple fully-connected networks (FCNs) are trained for use in a hierarchical category classification scheme. Each FCN is capable of classifying the input data via the extracted features in a specific level of the hierarchical category classification scheme. First, a root level FCN is used for classifying the input data among a set of top level categories. Then, a relevant next level FCN is used in conjunction with the same extracted features for further classifying the input data among a set of subcategories to the most probable category identified using the previous level FCN. Hierarchical category classification scheme continues for further detailed subcategories if desired.