Automated recognition of handwritten characters

Abstract

Graphics, image processing and Artificial Intelligence can be abstracted as the areas of Computer Science that were preferred by the undersigned for the choice of a thesis. As a result, the search for a project title was clearly conditioned by the prospect in mind of an achievement in this scenario. Development of an application to automatically recognise handwritten characters very well suited this specification. Moreover, the implementation of a system to avoid the hassle of manual data input with all its related problems, mainly the issues of time consumption and human error, is definitely a good example of keeping in line with technology's attempt to ease people's work. Apart from currently being one of the most demanding problems in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Pattern Recognition, handwritten character recognition intuitively requires adequate use of graphics as well as the design and development of various image processing techniques. Initial research in this respect proved that the algorithms involved in the process were quite appealing and at the same time challenging. Though a good numbers of difficulties could be perceived due to the dynamic nature of the problem, the magnitude of the task was judged such that it could be dealt with reasonably well with a good effort in the time span allocated for completion of the thesis. Without doubt, a principal motivation behind the choice of this thesis is also its adaptability to a wide range of applications. A case in point is the processing and input into a computer of hand-filled forms, which is in fact the domain of the problem tackled in the course ofthis thesis. The use of forms is widespread. They are used every day and by all. Their need is inevitable. How else can one apply for a job or seek social security benefits? And how will law and order be maintained if shopkeepers, hunters, automobile dealers and others fail to fill in required permit forms to hold a valid licence allowing them to operate, or to import what not? How can one advertise in newspapers and other media? One can compile an endless list of services necessitating application forms - ranging from banking needs to water and electricity installation. Religious, social and sporting events too warrant the use of such forms. It is indeed safe to state that there are perhaps too many in circulation! Until yesterday, each and every organization was invariably compelled to make use of the perennial hand-filled form in order to pursue any type of procedure. And this notwithstanding whether it happened to be a governmental or a private enterprise; and no matter whether the cause behind it was political or emerging through a civic commitment. Indeed, this was essential to organize resources and to establish a database over which to evolve the relative mission statement. Likewise, the same means applied to all other imaginable activities and initiatives emanating from educational, cultural, social and sporting undertakings.