Showing papers on "Character (mathematics) published in 1996"

A survey of methods and strategies in character segmentation

Abstract: Character segmentation has long been a critical area of the OCR process. The higher recognition rates for isolated characters vs. those obtained for words and connected character strings well illustrate this fact. A good part of recent progress in reading unconstrained printed and written text may be ascribed to more insightful handling of segmentation. This paper provides a review of these advances. The aim is to provide an appreciation for the range of techniques that have been developed, rather than to simply list sources. Segmentation methods are listed under four main headings. What may be termed the "classical" approach consists of methods that partition the input image into subimages, which are then classified. The operation of attempting to decompose the image into classifiable units is called "dissection." The second class of methods avoids dissection, and segments the image either explicitly, by classification of prespecified windows, or implicitly by classification of subsets of spatial features collected from the image as a whole. The third strategy is a hybrid of the first two, employing dissection together with recombination rules to define potential segments, but using classification to select from the range of admissible segmentation possibilities offered by these subimages. Finally, holistic approaches that avoid segmentation by recognizing entire character strings as units are described.

Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education

Abstract: In recent years “character education” has emerged in the United States as a leading term for school efforts to implement programmes in moral values, ethics and citizenship education. This paper sets out 11 principles to guide schools as they plan their character education initiative. These include: issues such as core ethical values and their justification, a definition of character, a comprehensive and intentional approach to developing good character, developing the school as a caring community, the relationship between character education and the academic curriculum and evaluation.

The Soul's Code: In Search of Character and Calling

Abstract: In this extraordinary bestseller, James Hillman presents a brilliant new vision of our selves not defined by family relationships or the mentality of victimization. Drawing on the biographies of such disparate people as Ella Fitzgerald and Mohandas K. Gandhi, James HIllman argues that character "is" fate and shows how the soul, if given the opportunity, can assert itself even at an early age. The result is a reasoned and powerful road map to understanding our true nature and discovering an eye-opening array of choices - from the way we raise our children to our career paths to our social and personal commitments to achieving excellence in our time.

OCR error correction methods and apparatus utilizing contextual comparison

Abstract: The present invention includes methods of correcting optical character recognition errors occurring during recognition of alphanumeric character strings contained within one or more predetermined types of alphanumeric character fields. The methods may be practiced with a document processing system having (1) a optical character recognition device for scanning documents and outputting bit-map image data; (2) a recognition engine for converting the bit-map image data into possibly correct alphanumeric characters with associated confidence values; and (3) at least one lexicon of character strings consisting of a list of at least a portion of all of the possible character string values for each of the fields being processed. The present invention corrects OCR errors by performing a contextual comparison analysis between the alphanumeric characters outputted from the recognition engine and the lexicon of character strings. A number of preferred embodiments, and several examples of the type of information which can be processed by those embodiments, are disclosed.

Apparatus and method for retrieving dictionary based on lattice as a key

Abstract: A dictionary retrieval apparatus and method for retrieving a TRIE (Tree Retrieval) dictionary based on a lattice as a key, in which each candidate character of a recognition result is handled as a data node, and the character lattice is structured by connecting each of candidate characters with the control nodes. Based on control node connection information, character strings corresponding to each of the paths are retrieved by traversing the data nodes of a character lattice from a head to a tail. According to this method, a higher retrieval efficiency is achieved in comparison with the processing in which matching with the dictionary is implemented after all retrieval keys contained in the character lattice are generated.

A new methodology for gray-scale character segmentation and recognition

Abstract: Generally speaking, through the binarization of gray-scale images, useful information for the segmentation of touched or overlapped characters may be lost in many cases. If we analyze gray-scale images, however, specific topographic features and the variation of intensities can be observed in the character boundaries. In this paper, we propose a new methodology for character segmentation and recognition which makes the best use of the characteristics of gray-scale images. In the proposed methodology, the character segmentation regions are determined by using projection profiles and topographic features extracted from the gray-scale images. Then a nonlinear character segmentation path in each character segmentation region is found by using multi-stage graph search algorithm. Finally, in order to confirm the nonlinear character segmentation paths and recognition results, a recognition-based segmentation method is adopted. Through the experiments with various kinds of printed documents, it is convinced that the proposed methodology is very effective for the segmentation and recognition of touched and overlapped characters.

Continuously variable control of animated on-screen characters

Abstract: A compact convenient hand-held, accelerometer-based computer control device is utilized to control on-screen animated characters presented by a comer-driven display in which the movement, persona, style, and voice of the character is controlled. The control device detects accelerations which are used to provide the on-screen character a particular persona, style or voice quality determined by the user. Character motion is determined by acceleration patterns based upon a learned language. The system requires only a series of easily learned hand movement patterns for corresponding character control. The style or emotional content of the movement is specified directly from gross accelerometer outputs without pattern matching. The outputs can also be used in connection with speech synthesis to provide voice quality attributes to audible information. The system has particular relevance to control of on-screen characters in interactive theater and virtual reality systems.

Character string correction system and method using error pattern

Abstract: A character string correction system corrects a spelling error in a character string input through the keyboard, OCT, etc. An error pattern representing frequent occurrences of errors is preliminarily set and stored in the memory, etc. A processor reads an input character string character by character, and compares the read character with the error pattern. If the input character string matches an error pattern, it is assumed that an error exists. The input character is replaced with one of the alternative characters. Using the input character string or the character string corrected with an alternative character, a dictionary (TRIE table) is searched. If a corresponding word is detected in the dictionary, the word is output as one of the recognition results.

Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials and character formula for the Lie superalgebragI(m/n)

Abstract: We find the character formula for irreducible finite-dimensionalgl(m/n)-modules. Also multiplicities of the composition factors in a Kac module are calculated.

System and method for unconstrained on-line alpha-numerical handwriting recognition

Abstract: A character recognition system includes a character input device, such as a stylus and tablet or optical scanner, for receiving inputted characters, and a processor. The processor determines which of a number of model characters best matches the inputted character. To that end, the processor compares each inputted character to each of a plurality of classes into which the model characters are organized. Specifically, the processor extracts a feature value vector from the inputted character, and compares it to the mean feature value vector of each class. The processor recognizes the inputted character as the model character corresponding to the mean feature value vector which is closest to the feature value vector of the inputted character. The processor also constructs the database from multiple specimens of each model character. The processor organizes the specimens of each model character into multiple classes. The processor then determines the mean feature value vector of each class.

Urban tissue and the character of towns

Abstract: This paper is concerned with the question of identifying and describing the general and historical character of human settlements Beginning with a brief overview of the subject, the paper examines some basic issues concerning the perception of character and its historical dimension, highlighting a number of fundamental principles The central argument of the paper is that the concept of urban tissue offers an effective framework for identifying and describing the physical characteristics that contribute to the general and historical character of towns Specific, detailed procedures for identifying tissues are outlined, and an example is given Applications in planning and urban design are also discussed: in particular, application to character assessment and conservation area definition Further, the necessity of seeing character as only the outward aspect of a process involving humans and their environment is noted This underlines the need to put any account of physical characteristics within the conte

Character pattern generation

Abstract: A character processing apparatus for recognizing coordinate information expressing a character, an exterior outline, an interior outline, a horizontal line and a vertical line; classifying the coordinate information expressing a character, the exterior outline, the interior outline, the horizontal line and the vertical line, and then determining a pair of the horizontal line and the vertical line; and setting a skipping order at the time of low pixel so as to be converted into character data for a bit map development composed of a control point coordinate for expressing the outline of the subject character, band information and coordinate value information about the control point which is not included in the band information.

Method and system for selecting an emotional appearance and prosody for a graphical character

Abstract: A user interface element enables the user to select an appearance for a character that corresponds with an emotion and an emotional intensity. The user interface may more generally be utilized to select values for a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom. The user interface element may take the form of a symmetrical closed curve, such as a circle. The user interface element is logically partitioned into sub-regions. Each sub-region may additionally be partitioned into one or more sub-areas. Each sub-region is associated with a given value for a first degree of freedom, and each sub-area is associated with a value for the second degree of freedom. When the user interface element is utilized to select emotions and emotional intensity for a character, the user interface element may include a character preview area that displays a preview of a character's appearance given a current position of the position indicator within the user interface element.

An Explicit Genetic Model for Ecological Character Displacement

Abstract: Realistic models for ecological character displacement should incorporate population genetics. In Slatkin's pioneering model (Slatkin 1980), the genetics of the quan- titative character determining the competitive interactions are modeled by assuming that the character is normally distributed in each generation. Only the mean and the variance of the character distributions change over time. With symmetric ecological assumptions for the two competing species, and with normally distributed resources that are equally used by both species, this model did not yield significant displacement. This has led to the belief that ecological asymmetries or constraints on resource use, e.g., by constraining the phenotypic variances, are necessary for character displacement. I argue that the reason for the negative result in Slatkin's original model is that the genetics are modeled too rigidly. With a more flexible genetic model, obtained by explicitly modeling many loci with additive effects, character displacement occurs as a rule even for symmetric ecological assumptions and without constraints on the phenotype distributions. The model can also be used in other contexts than competition for resources. For example, character displacement in a host- parasite system can lead to parasite specialization. The results suggest that more detailed genetic models yield a finer resolution of the interaction between population genetics and ecological dynamics. Explicit genetics lead to more insights than the usual quantitative genetic assumption of normal character distribution.

Effective Training of a Neural Network Character Classifier for Word Recognition

Abstract: We have combined an artificial neural network (ANN) character classifier with context-driven search over character segmentation, word segmentation, and word recognition hypotheses to provide robust recognition of hand-printed English text in new models of Apple Computer's Newton Message Pad. We present some innovations in the training and use of ANNs as character classifiers for word recognition, including normalized output error, frequency balancing, error emphasis, negative training, and stroke warping. A recurring theme of reducing a priori biases emerges and is discussed.

Chinese word segmentation based on maximum matching and word binding force

Abstract: A Chinese word segmentation algorithm based on forward maximum matching and word binding force is proposed in this paper. This algorithm plays a key role in post-processing the output of a character or speech recognizer in determining the proper word sequence corresponding to an input line of character images or a speech waveform. To support this algorithm, a text corpus of over 63 millions characters is employed to enrich an 80,000-words lexicon in terms of its word entries and word binding forces. As it stands now, given an input line of text, the word segmentor can process on the average 210,000 characters per second when running on an IBM RISC System/6000 3BT workstation with a correct word identification rate of 99.74%.

Character recognizing and translating system and voice recognizing and translating system

Abstract: A study system of a character recognizing and translating system is provided with a character data base for storing character data representing characters contained in a sensed image; a character shape analysis unit for analyzing the shape of a character to extract the features of character constituting elements constituting the character; and, a mask learning unit for generating sample mask data of the character constituting elements on the basis of the analysis result of the character shape analysis unit. A recognition system of the character recognizing and translating system is provided with a collating unit for collating the character data of a character to be recognized with the sample mask data so as to recognize the character. Further, a study system of a voice recognizing and translating system is provided with a sound data base for storing data from which noise is removed; a sound analysis unit for extracting the features of the voice corresponding to the voice data stored in the sound data base; and a model learning unit for creating an acoustic model on the basis of the analysis result of the sound analysis unit. A recognition system of the voice recognizing and translating system is provided with: an acoustic model storing unit for storing acoustic models; a second sound analysis unit for extracting the feature of the voice corresponding to the data concerned on the basis of the data obtained by removing the data representing noise from the voice data of a newly input voice, and a voice collating unit for collating the voice data obtained by the second sound analysis unit with the data of the acoustic models so as to recognize the voice.

Character input terminal device and recording apparatus

Abstract: Texts including required message are entered with a small number of keys such as those of a cellular telephone. In this case, a conversion table is unnecessary and the number of key operations is reduced. The number of input characters or input character strings composed by sequentially selecting one from a plurality of alphabets distributed to sequentially entered keys is relevant to the number of operation keys (N) raised to the number of distributed character (M) power (=NM) including meaningless characters or character strings and, with respect to these, character conversion is executed by referring to a dictionary means, through the operation of the conversion next candidate key. The dictionary means stores numeric strings and words of meaningful characters or character strings among the said characters and character strings.

The Chern character of a transversally elliptic symbol and the equivariant index

Abstract: Let G be a compact Lie group acting on a compact manifold M. In this article, we associate to a G-transversally elliptic symbol on M a G- invariant generalized function on G, constructed in terms of equivariant closed dierential forms on the cotangent bundle TM.

Method of reading characters and method of reading postal addresses

Abstract: A character reading method has enhanced character segmentation accuracy and character string recognition accuracy for reading correctly hand-written addresses on postal matters. The method extracts provisional character patterns from image information of the address character string (step 206), creates a table 219 of tentative character patterns and implements the character classification for the tentative character patterns (step 207), extracts, specifically for characters of the street number portion of the address character string, periphery information (vertical and horizontal lengths, vertical/horizontal length ratio, pattern spacings, etc.) of tentative character patterns (step 212), and segments the character string into characters accurately based on the information (step 215).

Rural by design: maintaining small town character

Abstract: A section for the review of books is a regular feature of Landscape Journal. The opinions and ideas expressed in the reviews are those of the reviewers and do not necessarily depict the views of the Journal’s editors or the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture. Suggestions for books to bo reviewed are always welcome, as are comments regarding the reviews published. All correspondence should be sent to the Book Review editor:

Videogame system and methods for enhanced processing and display of graphical character elements

Abstract: Videogame systems and methods are provided to enhance the capability of the videogame system controller and data storage to provide graphic character element storage and processing. A display list technology utilizes an intentionally generated, location-specific vertical interrupt to implement a routine to modify or to alter existing graphical character elements. A second technique involves the definition of a small portion of the graphics map which is displayed differently than the balance of the graphics map because the stored priority bit is expressed in the defined area, but suppressed and replaced in all other areas. The third technique employs a virtual character element library to map the character elements appearing on the display, and recognizes available space within the video random access memory character element storage to provide a dynamic memory space.

Pixel hashing image recognition system

Abstract: A character recognition system employs a "hashing" technique of imaged pixels wherein a digital image constituting an array of pixels is divided into a series of sub-arrays. The sub-array digital signal patterns themselves correspond directly to addresses in associated system memories. Each memory address indicates a predetermined set of the possible characters. There is an apparatus for combining the list of possible characters so that signals corresponding to only one character are output.