Abstract: A data processing apparatus for inputting data by writing characters on a touch sensitive display screen. The data processing apparatus comprises a character recognition processor operable to generate an estimate of a character hand written by a user on the touch sensitive screen. The data processing apparatus includes a processing unit operable to receive the estimated character, and a graphics display device operable to receive the estimated character from the processing unit. The graphics display device is operable to display the estimated characters within a text input window of the display screen. The processing unit is operable in combination with the graphics display driver to display the estimated character on the display screen, substantially at a position proximate to a location to where the user has written the character.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for obtaining ink annotations from paper comprises a comparator that compares an initial electronic version of a document with an electronic image of an annotated version of the document to identify a handwritten annotation. The system also includes an annotation lifter that extracts the handwritten annotation from the electronic image and converts the handwritten annotation into a computer-usable form. Methods for using the system are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system of line extraction in a digital ink sequence of handwritten text data points, the method including the steps of: obtaining are provided in which a stroke sequence comprised of a sequence of are strokes is obtained, the strokes are segmented into a sequence of substrokes by applying a stroke segmentation algorithm angular differences are calculated between neighboring groups of substrokes, in the sequence of substrokes, and the positions of the extrema of the angular differences are determined, thereby indentifying the substrokes at line breaks and enabling line extraction.

Abstract: A system and process for determining the location of a captured image from a larger image is described. Using a list of determined locations, the system is able to determine the best or most likely path of a pen tip.

Abstract: An object extraction method comprising the steps of comparing each portion of first image data obtained by capturing an extraction object with another portion of the first image data or second image data, thereby generating shape data as an image representing a provisional region of the extraction object in the first image data, and matching a contour of the shape data to a contour of the extraction object by using the first image data and the provisionally generated shape data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recognition method integrating vocal input and handwriting input. After receiving a vocal input of an object alphanumeric symbol, the system will recognize the input vocal signal and generate a alphanumeric symbol array having a plurality of candidate alphanumeric symbols corresponding to the object alphanumeric symbol, then receiving an input handwriting signal describing the feature of the object alphanumeric symbol and extracting the most coincidental candidate alphanumeric symbol from the alphanumeric symbol array on according to the feature. The object of the present invention is integrating the vocal input and handwriting input effectively, and promoting the recognition rate.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a paper document that integrates notes written by a user and different types of captured or recorded information. A user can take written notes during an information communication event. While taking the notes, the user can identify, from information captured during the information communication event, information that is of interest to the user and that the user would like to integrate with or incorporate into the user's notes. A paper document is generated by printing a visual representation of the notes written by the user and the visual representations of portions of information that a user would like to integrate with the user's notes.

Abstract: A method of filling in a form comprising using a digital pen to enter data into data entry areas of the form (64), and providing error feedback to the user (69) contemporaneously with filling in the form, said error feedback being indicative of the user entering a non-allowable entry in said data entry area.

Abstract: Electronic ink layout analysis systems and methods provide flexibility and efficiency in organizing, analyzing, and processing digital ink. These layout analysis systems and methods allow users substantial freedom in entering electronic ink into a pen-based computer system. Using these systems and methods, a user's input digital ink is not constrained by requirements that a user write in a specific screen orientation, that a user write in one specific orientation on all portions of a page, or that a user write using a specific minimum or maximum sized stroke. Rather, the systems and methods freely allow the user to write anywhere on a given page, in any orientation or size, while still enabling effective and efficient handwriting recognition and other processing of the input digital ink.

Abstract: A technique that provides for real-time segmentation of hand written traces during data entry into a computer. In one example embodiment, this is achieved by computing a current trace bounding contour as a function of a drawn current trace. A current selection bounding contour is then computed as a function of the drawn current trace and the current trace bounding contour. The current selection bounding contour includes one or more previously drawn traces. The computed current trace bounding contour is then compared with the computed current selection bounding contour. The hand written traces including the current trace and the one or more previously drawn traces are then dynamically segmented as a function of the comparison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to the recognition of free-form data input is disclosed. The method involves ordering writing strokes based upon spatial relationships between the strokes, and partitioning the strokes into segments. The segments are then ordered based upon spatial relationships between the segments, and the segments are analyzed to associate characters with the segments. The apparatus includes a capture interface, an ordering module, and a recognition module. The capture interface records the strokes, and the ordering module orders segments of the strokes based upon spatial relationships of the segments. The recognition module analyzes the segments and associates characters with the segments.

Abstract: The present invention generally describes a method for classifying a line segment of a handwritten line into a reference feature set, wherein said handwritten line comprises one or several curves representing a plurality of symbols. First, sample data representing said handwritten line is received. Next, a sample line segment in said received sample data is identified by detecting a sample line segment start point (SLSSP) and a sample line segment end point (SLSEP). Then, a sample feature set of said identified sample line segment is determined. Finally, the determined sample feature set is matched to a reference feature set among a plurality of reference feature sets.

Abstract: A labeling process unit groups a continuous black pixel area as one group in the binary image data read by an image input device, and extracts the group bounding rectangle information about the group. A row extracting process unit extracts row rectangle information from the position information about the extracted group bounding rectangle. An overlap integrating process unit determines the overlap between the group bounding rectangles contained in the extracted row rectangle, and performs an overlap integrating process of integrating overlapping groups into one group. The ratio of the number of group bounding rectangles contained in the row rectangle before performing the overlap integrating process to the number of the group bounding rectangles contained in the row rectangle after performing the overlap integrating process is obtained, and the language of the characters written in the original is determined based on the difference in ratio.

Abstract: A raster image path architecture having the capacity for supporting the rendering and output of a device-independent grayscale raster image, while also offering the capacity for supporting the rendering and output of a device-dependent binary raster image, thus offering the advantages of outputting a device-independent grayscale raster image while preserving the performance and image quality advantages of a conventional binary raster image path architecture.

Abstract: A mobile device, system, method, and software for communicating with the internet utilizing a written universal resource locator (URL). A camera unit is used to receive a raw visual light image containing a written URL, the raw visual light image is converted to an electronic image, and the device locates glyphs of at least one particular standardized set of URL characters in the electronic image, for example glyphs corresponding to www. Then the URL characters are extracted from the electronic image, the URL is sent in a request signal to a web server, and in response an internet site is presented. The mobile device includes initiation means for sending an instruction to obtain a raw visual light image that includes glyphs of at least one particular set of characters, such as www, and further includes a camera, a display, and an internet interface. The mobile device processes an electronic image signal provided by the camera, in order to obtain the web site signal from the internet interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to the recognition of free-form data input is disclosed. The method involves ordering writing strokes based upon spatial relationships between the strokes, and partitioning the strokes into segments. The segments are then ordered based upon spatial relationships between the segments, and the segments are analyzed to associate characters with the segments. The apparatus includes a capture interface, an ordering module, and a recognition module. The capture interface records the strokes, and the ordering module orders segments of the strokes based upon spatial relationships of the segments. The recognition module analyzes the segments and associates characters with the segments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical character recognition device (OCR) for reading a form provided with character frames in reading fields, into which a user fills each character. Characteristic vectors are extracted from the character images of each frame. A number of characters decision unit 16, into which the characteristic vectors are input, decides the number of characters filled in one of the character frames. A character separation unit 18 separates each of characters from the character image based on the number of characters decided by the decision unit 16. The character recognition unit 20 then recognizes each of the character. The OCR according o the present invention is able to read the form correctly, in which a plurality of characters are filled in one of the frames.

Abstract: A process and system for modeling, learning and synthesizing cursive handwriting in a user's personal handwriting style. The handwriting synthesis system and process described herein addresses the problem of learning the personal handwriting style of a user based on limited handwriting samples and producing novel scripts of the same style. The handwriting synthesis process includes segmenting handwriting samples into individual characters using a two-level writer-independent segmentation process, aligning samples of the same character into a common coordinate frame, and learning and modeling the individual character. Synthesis of handwriting is performed by generating individual letters from the models and concatenating the letters using a conditional sampling algorithm. The result is a smooth and fluid connection between letters that successfully mimics the personal handwriting style of a user.

Abstract: A character overlapping with a line of an entry box is extracted utilizing a dot box. At document input step S2, a document to be recognized is read and converted into electronic data to produce character box data. At electronic data storing step S3, the character box data read at the photoelectric transducing S2 is stored. At character detecting step S5, the character box data is contracted, small points are removed, and the remaining pattern is reversely expanded to produce character data. At entry box detecting step S4, entry box position data is generated from the character box data and character data. At relating step S6, a character pattern entered in each entry box is detected from the character data and the entry box position data. At character recognizing step S7, a character is recognized for the extracted character pattern and the results are stored at step S8.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of segmenting handwritten touching numeral strings having a non-vertical segmentation line.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of categorizing an image as handwritten, machine-printed, and unknown. First, the image is received. Next, connected components are identified. Next, a bounding box encloses each connected component. Next, a height and width is computed for each bounding box. Next, a sum and maximum horizontal run for each connected component are computed. Next, connected components that are suspected of being characters are identified. If the number of suspected characters is less than or equal to a first user-definable number then the image is categorized as unknown. If the number of suspected characters is greater than the first user-definable number then determine if matches exist amongst the suspected characters. Next, compute a score based on the suspected characters and the number of matches and categorize the image as either handwritten, machine-printed, or unknown.

Abstract: A method for determining a region of interest on an object includes the step of producing an image of the object. The method also includes the step of identifying regions of adjacent pixels on the image. The method also includes the step of identifying which of the regions of adjacent pixels are positioned within a predetermined distance of each other on the image. The method also includes the step of grouping in a cluster regions determined as being positioned within a predetermined distance of each other. The method further includes the step of identifying the cluster as a region of interest on the object.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for remote addressing of an item of mail that include obtaining remotely produced address information. The address information includes a digitally represented graph of a handwritten address and sending the graph to a device adapted to apply the graph to the item of mail.

Abstract: The capacity of a character feature dictionary is reduced, and stored as a feature dictionary. The capacity is reduced by clustering feature vectors in units of columns or rows for character features, by making m column vectors represent the column or row features, and by assigning 1 to m identification numbers. The capacity of the dictionary can be further reduced by representing a column or row feature with an addition sum of other column or row features, or differential features after clustering is performed, or by performing dimension compression for character features. Word recognition is performed by synthesizing a word feature for a comparison based on a word list to be recognized, and by making a comparison between a feature extracted from an input word and the synthesized feature. Or, a comparison between input word and input word features whose numbers of dimensions are different may be made with nonlinear elastic matching.

Abstract: This invention provides an object extraction method for performing processing for extracting and cutting out a specific object from a sensed image at high speed, and an image sensing apparatus using the method. In this invention, in a method of extracting an object by comparing a sensed image and a standard image, a focusing signal, focal length data, visual axis direction data, and illumination conditions are detected, and the initial size, initial position, or initial color of the standard image is changed on the basis of the detection results, and extraction is started under optimal conditions. In a method of extracting a specific object from the background image, the background image is converted into an image having the same conditions as those of the object image. From a plurality of images obtained under different image sensing conditions, the contour of the object is accurately obtained at high speed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a character recognition method and recording medium for recognizing characters entered in a document or the like including preprint information. An object of the invention is to recognize characters in contact with or superposed on the preprint information without using any knowledge of the preprint information or a difference in gray level. An image in an area where the characters to be recognized are present is divided into line segments individually, wherein the image is obtained by reading the preprint information and the entry characters. A recognition image is created by changing a combination of the plurality of line segments divided. A recognition result with the reliability is memorized by making the character recognition for the created recognition image. And the recognition result having a greatest reliability is output by executing the character recognition for all the combinations while changing the combination of line segments successively.

Abstract: Images of handwritten cursive records are extracted, and an automated search on the images of the cursive records is performed based on an ASCII query for a record. A cursive equivalent of the ASCII query is matched to the images of the cursive records, and a similarity value is generated to indicate the extent of match between features of the cursive equivalent of the ASCII query and features of each cursive record. The records are sorted based upon their similarity value determined in the matching process. This provides a candidate list of cursive record images to be manually examined by a user for the purpose of making a final determination as to whether any of the cursive records on the candidate list satisfy the query.

Abstract: A method of document segmentation. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a method of document segmentation that performs a plurality of projection profiles of pixel intensities on a document containing a plurality of text lines over a range of angles. A plurality of slope values for a plurality of discrete distances perpendicular to said range of angles is calculated for the plurality of projection profiles. A set of maximum absolute slope values is sorted out from the plurality of slope values. Text lines of first and second type are identified by setting a threshold slope value. Absolute slope values greater than the threshold slope value indicate the plurality of text lines of said first type. Absolute slope values less than the threshold slope value indicate the plurality of text lines of a second type.

Abstract: A character recognition method carries out a character recognition using a cross section sequence graph which describes features of a character image. The character recognition method includes the steps of (a) extracting the cross section sequence graph from a character string image, (b) analyzing a singular region of the cross section sequence graph and generating a virtual boundary point sequence in the singular region based on an analyzed result, (c) generating character candidates by combining structural elements of the cross section sequence graph and recognizing one character by supplying the virtual boundary point sequence with respect to the generated character candidates if necessary, and (d) recognizing a character string based on an adjacency relationship of the character candidates which are recognized as one character in the step (c).

Abstract: A method of line extraction in a digital ink sequence of handwritten text data points, the method including the steps of: obtaining a stroke sequence comprised of a sequence of strokes; segmenting the strokes into a sequence of substrokes by applying a stroke segmentation algorithm; calculating angular differences between neighbouring groups of substrokes, in the sequence of substrokes; and, determining the positions of the extrema of the angular differences, thereby identifying the substrokes at line breaks and enabling line extraction. A system for line extraction also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving strokes of electronic ink in more than one language is provided. An input device is used to enter at least one stroke of electronic ink into a processing device. The processing device stores a language indication associated with the electronic ink, such that the language indication provides a way to associate a handwriting recognizer with the ink. The user may change the language or recognizer associated with the ink by flipping over a pen and using another tip of the pen or may use another pen or other input device. Aspects of the described system and method accommodate various optional interfaces to associate a pen tip or click of a button to one or more languages. Other aspects of the system and method include language switching of a displayed software keyboard when a pen input device is within a predetermined distance from a display.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of segmenting handwritten touching numeral strings having a non-vertical segmentation line.

Abstract: A document contains zones in which to write at least one character per zone, and directions as to the information that is required in the zones. The directions are printed in the zones such that the written characters constituting the required information overlap the printed directions.

Abstract: Methods and systems index and retrieve pixel data. Pixel data is received, and connected pixel components are identified. The connected pixel components are associated with segments. Spatial invariant features are extracted for each of the segments, and keys are acquired for each segment. The features and keys are associated with one another in a data store. In one embodiment, a scan of a portion of printed media is received as pixel data and associated with segments having spatial invariant features and keys. The invariant features and keys are searched in a data store for a match, and a pointer to an electronic image of the entire printed media is returned along with links to additional electronic data associated with the electronic image.

Abstract: A character pattern is extracted from image data read from a document, listing, etc., and discriminated between a hand-written character and a typed character by a hand-written/typed character discrimination unit. The hand-written/typed character discrimination unit obtains, from the character pattern, N feature vectors containing a feature indicating at least the complexity and the linearity of the character pattern; and discriminating the character pattern between a hand-written character and a typed character using the feature vectors. A character recognition unit performs a character recognizing process based on the result of discriminating whether the character data is a hand-written character or a typed character. As a feature of the above described character pattern, the variance of line widths, the variance of character positions, etc. can also be used.

Abstract: A keyword assignment system is provided to assign keywords when a digitized image of a document is created. The keyword assignment system includes a digitizer to generate the digitized image from the input document. A keyword entry system determines a keyword to be associated with the digitized image. A linker generates linking information that associates the keyword with the digitized image. A database is provided to store the digitized image and linking information.

Abstract: Computer-aided techniques for analyzing biological sequences like nucleic acids are provided. The computer system may analyze hybridization intensities indicating hybridization affinity between nucleic acid probes and a sample nucleic acid sequence in order to call bases in the sample sequence. Multiple base calls may be combined to form a single base call. Additionally, the computer system may analyze hybridization intensities in order to monitor gene expression or the change in gene expression as compared to a baseline.

Abstract: A system for spacing, storing and recognizing electronic representations of handwriting and printing comprises a central processing unit that couples with a display device, an input device, and a memory. The memory includes means for spacing ink stroke representations, means for recognizing outline elements, means for performing deferred recognition, means for highlighting drawing areas and means for storing and displaying ink stroke representations. These means operate together to provide a pen-based or graphics oriented computer system with improved performance and added functionality for manipulating the space between ink stroke representations.

Abstract: A handwriting recognition system and method whereby various character sequences (which are typically “slurred” together when handwritten) are each modelled as a single character (“compound character model”) so as to provide increased decoding accuracy for slurred handwritten character sequences. In one aspect of the present invention, a method for generating a handwriting recognition system having compound character models comprises the steps of: providing an initial handwriting recognition system having individual character models; collecting and labelling a set of handwriting data; aligning the labelled set of handwriting data; generating compound character data using the aligned handwriting data; and retraining the initial recognition system with the compound character data to generate a new recognition system having compound character models.

Abstract: When a pattern of an address to be recognized is input, contact characters are separated after determining the contact position of the contact characters. A key character is extracted by recognizing characters for each of the separated characters. After extracting the key character, patterns delimited by the key character are collectively retrieved. A place-name word is recognized by comparing a feature vector of the entire pattern delimited by the key character with a feature vector of the place-name word.

Abstract: Images of handwritten cursive records are extracted, and an automated search on the images of the cursive records is performed based on an ASCII query for a record. A cursive equivalent of the ASCII query is matched to the images of the cursive records, and a similarity value is generated to indicate the extent of match between features of the cursive equivalent of the ASCII query and features of each cursive record. The records are sorted based upon their similarity value determined in the matching process. This provides a candidate list of cursive record images to be manually examined by a user for the purpose of making a final determination as to whether any of the cursive records on the candidate list satisfy the query.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer software products are provided for analyzing gene expression data using pixel intensities.

Abstract: A graphical handwriting recognition user interface includes a display, one or more areas designated on said display for enabling entry of handwritten information using a stylus, and an image of a character being displayed within the one or more areas designated for entering the handwritten information, the image depicting a form of the handwritten information to be entered. The image of the character is displayed for a predetermined period of time. The image of the character is displayed on the display using a low contrast ratio, and is displayed on the display in a manner depicting the character being entered, thereby rendering animation to the image of the character being displayed.

Abstract: A condition, such as an electrical property, of a chamber of a heart is surveyed with a catheter having a condition sensor at its distal tip. A method for surveying the chamber includes the steps of acquiring a first image of the chamber containing topographical information, advancing the distal tip of the catheter into the chamber, acquiring a second image including a representation of the catheter distal tip in the chamber, displaying a superposition of the topographical information extracted from the first image with the second image to generate a displayed superimposed image, acquiring condition information at a point on the chamber displayed on the superimposed image on or near the topographical information, and acquiring condition information at one or more additional points sufficient in number and spacing to permit the generation of a survey map of the condition in the chamber.

Abstract: Human and machine readability of pre-printed forms that have been completed with user data is impeded where the user data overlaps zone descriptions, constraint boxes or other markings of the pre-printed form. A “form fracturing” methodology is described that includes processing the composite-image data so as to attach one or more shared pixels to a non-diagonally adjacent data pixel. The remaining form pixels can be removed, resulting in at least a useful approximation and often a complete recovery of the user data. Where blank-form data is not available, a “virtual dropout” technique allows for recovering user data from a pre-printed form using limited speckle size and configurations, constraining gray-scale value, or a combination of the two. The disclosed methodologies are conveniently implemented in software on any digital processor.

Abstract: A character segmentation system for segmentation out a character from a string of characters which are in touch with each other, which is capable of being executed on a small size hardware resource without influence of variation of touching condition due to difference of character font, comprises an image storing unit 110 for storing an electronic image of character string obtained by such means as optical scanning, a partial pattern dictionary 122 for storing partial pattern shapes used as features for specifying fonts of character, a partial pattern detecting unit 121 for extracting areas of the image of character string, which coincide with a partial pattern, a character font determining unit 123 for determining the font of character on the basis of positions of the areas of the image of character string, which coincide with the partial pattern, and the number of the areas, a feature extraction inhibited area dictionary 132 for storing areas in which feature extraction processing for respective fonts of ch

Abstract: An address reader method and apparatus for recognizing a receiver address on a surface of mail. In the invention an image of the surface of the mail is input and segmented into at least one character string candidate. At least one address area candidate is extracted from the image based upon the segmented character string candidate. One of the address area candidates extracted from the image is selected as a receiver address of the mail by analyzing each of the address area candidates based on predetermined position information indicating a usual position of a receiver address area, character direction information indicating a character direction of a character string appropriate for the predetermined position information, and key character string information indicating a character string most likely to exist in a receiver address. Characters in character strings of the selected address area candidate are recognized as a receiver address which is used to sort the mail.

Abstract: A method for entering data into a computer generated form including field areas of preselected height and width includes the steps of converting handwritten characters of arbitrary height which may be greater than the preselected height formed on the screen to computer generated characters and displaying the computer generated characters within a field area. Additionally, handwritten characters to be entered into several field areas are grouped, converted, and displayed in selected field areas.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacturing employing lexicon reduction using key characters and a neural network, for recognizing a line of cursive text. Unambiguous parts of a cursive image, referred to as “key characters,” are identified. If the level of confidence that a segment of a line of cursive text is a particular character is higher than a threshold, and is also sufficiently higher than the level of confidence of neighboring segments, then the character is designated as a key character candidate. Key character candidates are then screened using geometric information. The key character candidates that pass the screening are designated key characters. Two-stages of lexicon reduction are employed. The first stage of lexicon reduction uses a neural network to estimate a lower bound and an upper bound of the number of characters in a line of cursive text. Lexicon entries having a total number of characters outside of the bounds are eliminated.

Abstract: A hand-written character recognition apparatus includes a CIS, and image data of each character of addressing information hand-written on a transmission original, which is read by the CIS, is stored in a bit-mapped line buffer. A histogram of one direction, e.g. an X direction (main scanning direction) is produced on the basis of the image data, and the histogram is stored in the histogram buffer. A rough position of each of the characters is evaluated on the basis of the histogram, and a character width of each of the characters, preferably an average character width is evaluated with referring to the line buffer. Then, a blank portion having a size of 1.5 times or less the average character width is detected as a space between characters.