Abstract: An apparatus for correlating an unknown word with a plurality of dictionary ords includes a first memory area storing data corresponding to the unknown word and a plurality of second memory areas respectively storing data corresponding to the plurality of dictionary words. A control mechanism coupled to the first and second memory areas divides the unknown word into a plurality of unknown word fragments and divides each of the plurality of dictionary words stored in the second memory areas into a plurality of dictionary word fragments. An arithmetic logic unit compares the unknown word fragments to the dictionary word fragments and generates an output signal indicating a hit when an unknown word fragment corresponds to at least one of the dictionary word fragments. A hit counter counts the number of hits. The first memory area and the plurality of second memory areas may be implemented using circular shift registers.

Abstract: A method for automatically identifying and correcting errors in electronily stored character strings input from handwritten character strings is disclosed. The input character strings are compared to a predetermined list of correct character strings by dividing the input character string and each of the correct character strings into at least one character string fragment. Each character string fragment or set of character string fragments is formed by applying at least one different fragmentation submethod to the character string. The corresponding fragments from the input character string and the correct character strings are then compared in turn. The correct character string producing a unique lowest comparison value is determined to be the correct character string intended by the input character string. Accordingly, the determined correct character string is output in place of the input character string.

Abstract: A periodic scattering array is used to diffract electromagnetic radiation or massive particles of specific wavelength and energy. A detector sutiable to the radiation or particles is integrated into the surface or bulk of the array. The detector is configured so as to not perturb the diffraction resolution of the array.