Abstract: A character and fortune telling apparatus for hobby use comprises an input unit for generating a two-dimensional image based on a person's face, a feature extraction unit for extracting the coordinates and distances expressing the shapes and positions of the features of the face, from the two-dimensional image, and an output unit for producing personal information about a person from the extracted features, and for outputting the information on an appropriate output device.

Abstract: Hidden Markov models (HMMs) are used in a system for recognizing on-line English characters. Input data from a tablet is represented as chain codes and HMMs are trained in character units for recognition. During HMM training, imaginary strokes are inserted into actual character strokes of input data and distances between adjacent points of the strokes are normalized. The input data is converted into chain codes, HMM-trained and then constructed into circular HMMs. Characters to be recognized are inserted with imaginary strokes, normalized, converted into chain codes, and then fed into the constructed circular HMMs, thereby enabling recognition.

Abstract: A photographing device includes a camera mounting unit on which a camera is detachably mounted, a light source unit arranged at a predetermined distance from the camera mounting unit, and a table which is arranged between the light source unit and the camera mounting unit, and on which an object is placed. The object placed on the table is illuminated by the light source unit, and can be photographed by the camera.