Handwriting has continued to persist as a means of communication and recording information in day-to-day life even with the introduction of new technologies. Given its ubiquity in human transactions, machine recognition of handwriting has practical significance, as in reading handwritten notes in a PDA, in postal addresses on envelopes, in amounts in bank checks, in handwritten fields in forms, etc. This overview describes the nature of handwritten language, how it is transduced into electronic data, and the basic concepts behind written language recognition algorithms. Both the online case (which pertains to the availability of trajectory data during writing) and the off-line case (which pertains to scanned images) are considered. Algorithms for preprocessing, character and word recognition, and performance with practical systems are indicated. Other fields of application, like signature verification, writer authentification, handwriting learning tools are also considered.

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Online and off-line handwriting recognition: a comprehensive survey

A comprehensive survey of thinning methodologies is presented. A wide range of thinning algorithms, including iterative deletion of pixels and nonpixel-based methods, is covered. Skeletonization algorithms based on medial axis and other distance transforms are not considered. An overview of the iterative thinning process and the pixel-deletion criteria needed to preserve the connectivity of the image pattern is given first. Thinning algorithms are then considered in terms of these criteria and their modes of operation. Nonpixel-based methods that usually produce a center line of the pattern directly in one pass without examining all the individual pixels are discussed. The algorithms are considered in great detail and scope, and the relationships among them are explored. >

Thinning methodologies-a comprehensive survey

Feature extraction methods for character recognition--a survey

Automatic signature verification and writer identification — the state of the art

This survey describes the state of the art of online handwriting recognition during a period of renewed activity in the field. It is based on an extensive review of the literature, including journal articles, conference proceedings, and patents. Online versus offline recognition, digitizer technology, and handwriting properties and recognition problems are discussed. Shape recognition algorithms, preprocessing and postprocessing techniques, experimental systems, and commercial products are examined. >

http://www.csis.pace.edu/~ctappert/dps/pdf/pen-tappert.pdf

The state of the art in online handwriting recognition

Based on a study of the extensive literature in handprint recognition, this paper presents a survey in this challenging field. Recognition algorithms, data bases, character models, and handprint standards are examined. Achievements in the recognition of handprinted numerals, alphanumerics, Fortran, and Katakana characters are analyzed and compared. Data quality and constraints, as well as human and machine factors are also described. Characteristics, problems, and actual results on on-line recognition of handprinted characters for different applications are discussed. New emphases and directions are suggested.

S. Mori

Papers

Automatic recognition of handprinted characters—The state of the art

S. Mori

Papers

Automatic recognition of handprinted characters&#8212;The state of the art

Automatic recognition of handprinted characters—The state of the art