Abstract: An inscribed character is recognized with a device including a memory for storing signals representing the shapes of plural inscribed characters, a sensor for the shapes of inscribed characters, a comparator for the stored signals and signals from the sensor, and a display. The comparator compares a signal representing the sensed shape of the inscribed character and the stored signals representing the shapes of plural characters likely to be inscribed to derive signals representing plural selected candidate characters similar in shape to the inscribed character. In response to the signals representing plural selected candidate characters similar in shape to the inscribed character the plural candidate characters are displayed on a first region of the display abutting a second region where there is a representation of the inscribed character.

Abstract: A method of determining which search target vector from a plurality of search target vectors is closest to an input vector. A device to perform the method is also disclosed. Rather then perform a distance calculation for each and every search target vector, the disclosed method narrows the field of the search through a simple process. The input vector is compared to each search target vector, and a mask is used to evaluate the result of the comparison. Then, the actual distance is calculated for those search target vectors within a search range of the input vector.