Abstract: A system for automatically recognizing a handwriting image and converting such image to text data including a sequence of validated words, has an image input device, a number of handwriting recognition engines, and control unit. A first handwriting recognition engine is responsive to the image input device, for analyzing the data file and providing one or more possible text words for each successive word in the data file. The first handwriting recognition engine further provides a resemblance indication for each possible text word indicating a level of resemblance between its appearance and the appearance of the handwritten word in the data file. In the event that there is not a high level of confidence in the selection of the first handwriting recognition engine, a selection of a validated word is based on the selections of one or more of the other handwriting recognition engines.

Abstract: A sheet of writing material bears a plurality of position indicating markings. The markings on the sheet constitute parts of a plurality of characters which are printed on the sheet, directly abutting each other. The characters make up a font in which each character is defined within a substantially rectangular area having a predetermined width and height. The predetermined area is divided into four virtual grids with each grid containing a marking, and each marking being located in one of four positions within its associated virtual grid. The four positions are displaced from the center of the virtual grid in four directions.