Handwritten Character Recognition

Abstract

This chapter discusses isolating and recognizing individual characters. It moves closer to capturing the true problems that need to be overcome in designing high-performance character recognizers for handwritten word recognition applications. In broad terms, character recognition refers to a computer reading some part of some type of document. An easy character recognition problem is that of designing computer systems to scan and read stylized characters on the bottom of bank checks. Mail-order forms instruct us to write our characters using a certain style so that a machine can read them. Many banks and credit card firms are seeking to implement automated systems for reading amounts from checks and credit card receipts. Finally, on-line systems are becoming feasible commercial products. In an on-line system, a specialized pen and pad is used to allow the computer to measure the velocity and pressure information used in creating the characters. This added information makes handwritten character recognition more tractable.