Classification techniques are disclosed that take into account the “cost” of each type of classification error for minimizing total cost of errors. In one example embodiment, a pre-trained cost-sensitive auto-encoder can be used in combination with a training (fine-tuning) stage for cost-sensitive deep learning. Thus, cost information is effectively combined with deep learning by modifying the objective function in the pre-training phase. By minimizing the modified objective function, the auto-encoder not only tries to capture underlying pattern, it further “learns” the cost information and “stores” it in the structure. By later fine-tuning at the training stage, the classification system yields improved performance (lower cost) than a typical classification system that does not take cost information into account during pre-training.
Please help me write a proper abstract based on the patent claims. CLAIM: 1. A processor-implemented method for provisioning a neural network classification system, the method comprising: executing, by a processor, a cost-sensitive auto-encoder to initialize parameters of the classification system based on minimizing an objective function that represents a combination of classification error and classification error cost; and performing, by the processor, fine tuning of the parameters of the classification system. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the classification system is based on a model that includes an input layer of neural nodes, a hidden layer of neural nodes, a reconstruction layer of neural nodes, and a network of weighted interconnections between nodes of adjacent layers, wherein the parameters include the values of the weights. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising mapping, by the cost-sensitive auto-encoder, input data to a hidden representation associated with the hidden nodes, and mapping the hidden representation back to a reconstruction of the input data and a reconstruction of the cost. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: stacking a plurality of the cost-sensitive auto-encoders, with respective reconstruction layers removed, to form a deep neural network; and initializing the deep neural network parameters by the cost-sensitive auto-encoder. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating the objective function by combining an L2 norm of the classification error and a scaled L2 norm of the classification error cost, the scaling based on a scale factor selected to provide a relative weighting between the classification error and the classification error cost. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising setting the deep neural network parameters to random values prior to initialization by the cost-sensitive auto-encoder. 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the fine-tuning further comprises refining the deep neural network parameters through back-propagation such that the parameters converge to improved local or global optima. 8. The method of claim 2, wherein the weighted interconnections are further characterized by an offset value and a non-linear activation function. 9. A neural network classification system, comprising: a pre-training module including a cost-sensitive auto-encoder to initialize parameters of the classification system based on minimizing an objective function that represents a combination of classification error and classification error cost; and a fine-tuning module to fine tune the parameters of the classification system. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the classification system is based on a model that includes an input layer of neural nodes, a hidden layer of neural nodes, a reconstruction layer of neural nodes, and a network of weighted interconnections between nodes of adjacent layers, wherein the parameters include the values of the weights. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the cost-sensitive auto-encoder is to map input data to a hidden representation associated with the hidden nodes, and further to map the hidden representation back to a reconstruction of the input data and a reconstruction of the cost. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein a plurality of the cost-sensitive auto-encoders are stacked, with respective reconstruction layers removed, to form a deep neural network, and wherein the deep neural network parameters are initialized by a cost-sensitive pre-training procedure carried out by the pre-training module. 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the objective function combines an L2 norm of the classification error and a scaled L2 norm of the classification error cost, the scaling based on a scale factor selected to provide a relative weighting between the classification error and the classification error cost. 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the deep neural network parameters are set to random values prior to initialization by the pre-training module. 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the fine-tuning module is to refine the deep neural network parameters through back-propagation such that the parameters converge to improved local or global optima. 16. The system of claim 10, wherein the weighted interconnections are further characterized by an offset value and a non-linear activation function. 17. At least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions encoded thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, result in the following operations for provisioning a neural network classification system, the operations comprising: executing a cost-sensitive auto-encoder to initialize parameters of the classification system based on minimizing an objective function that represents a combination of classification error and classification error cost; and performing fine tuning of the parameters of the classification system. 18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the classification system is based on a model that includes an input layer of neural nodes, a hidden layer of neural nodes, a reconstruction layer of neural nodes, and a network of weighted interconnections between nodes of adjacent layers, wherein the parameters include the values of the weights. 19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18, further comprising mapping, by the cost-sensitive auto-encoder, input data to a hidden representation associated with the hidden nodes, and mapping the hidden representation back to a reconstruction of the input data and a reconstruction of the cost. 20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18, further comprising: stacking a plurality of the cost-sensitive auto-encoders, with respective reconstruction layers removed, to form a deep neural network; and initializing the deep neural network parameters by the cost-sensitive auto-encoder. 21. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, further comprising calculating the objective function by combining an L2 norm of the classification error and a scaled L2 norm of the classification error cost, the scaling based on a scale factor selected to provide a relative weighting between the classification error and the classification error cost. 22. The computer readable storage medium of claim 20, further comprising setting the deep neural network parameters to random values prior to initialization by the cost-sensitive auto-encoder. 23. The computer readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the fine-tuning further comprises refining the deep neural network parameters through back-propagation such that the parameters converge to improved local or global optima. 24. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the weighted interconnections are further characterized by an offset value and a non-linear activation function.