Handwriting Recognition
What is Handwriting Recognition?
Why would you use handwriting recognition?
What is Offline data?
What is Online data?
What advantages does online data present as opposed to offline data?
How does MyScript® differ from OCR technology?
How does the MyScript® Handwriting Recognition (HWR) engine work?
What are the main uses for MyScript® handwriting recognition technology?
What is Handwriting Recognition?
People generally prefer writing with pen and paper, over typing on a keyboard. But computer systems do not understand handwriting! In order for a computer system to understand handwriting, it needs to be converted into digital text. You can convert handwriting into digital text using handwriting recognition.
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Why would you use handwriting recognition?
Frequently, handwritten data is entered into IT solutions by human operators using keyboards. You can think of the processing of forms, questionnaires, notes, etc. This is costly and time consuming. Today, Handwriting Recognition converts reliably handwritten data into formats that can be used in computing. Handwriting Recognition is the link between handwritten information and the IT world.
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What is Offline data?
Offline data input is the method used in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and ICR (Intelligent Character Recognition) applications: it is the result of handwritten or printed text that has been scanned or photographed. It is purely a visual representation of text and does not refer to any dynamic information, such as how the character was written and in which order.
MyScript Handwriting Recognition Engine technology does not rely on offline data.
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What is Online data?
Online data is the result of capturing the trajectory of strokes written by a pen or a pointing device. A digital pen or pointing device is an input peripheral that is able to capture digital ink, i.e. the user's handwriting, drawings, scribbles, etc. There is a variety of pen and pointing devices on the market, such as the Anoto Digital Pen, PDAs, the Smartphone, the TabletPC, interactive whiteboards, graphic tablets, etc. MyScript is compatible with any type of pointing device that can capture an online input sample at a reasonable sampling rate.
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What advantages does online data present as opposed to offline data?
Offline data (in OCR) only represents the final result of the handwriting: an image. The dynamic information is lost in the data capture process. Online data is richer in information than offline data, leading to higher recognition accuracy than the use of offline data.
One of the major inconveniences with OCR is that it is usually difficult to separate the handwritten information from whatever else is printed on the paper (lines, boxes, combs, machine printed text, etc), which leads to confusion and errors.
Savings in time and cost are usually higher for IT solutions using online data. Online data also improves workflow, because the information is immediately available.
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How does MyScript® differ from OCR technology?
OCR (optical character recognition) applications use pixel images originating from cameras or scanners; digital ink as used by MyScript is a sequence of points in 2D ordered by time. MyScript is not OCR technology; it works exclusively on online data input from digital pen and paper or touch-sensitive devices. In other words, our technology only works with electronic ink, and is not intended to work with pixel images.
Since digital ink contains more information about the handwriting signal (time order information), handwriting recognition software using digital ink usually achieves higher recognition accuracy than OCR software.
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How does the MyScript® Handwriting Recognition (HWR) engine work?
Please go to the technology section of our website to learn more about MyScript Handwriting Recognition Technology.
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What are the main uses for MyScript® handwriting recognition technology?
Form Processing: MyScript is used to convert forms filled in by hand into digital text, which saves costs and time. Form processing based on MyScript technology provides higher accuracy levels than when using offline technology.
Note Taking: MyScript technology bridges the gap between paper and PC by uploading data and enabling PC actions from handwritten commands on paper (we cater for shortcuts to actions through support of circled characters).
MyScript adds the capability to search within handwritten data and extract knowledge from your handwritten notes.
Mobile Messaging: MyScript enables sending paper-based messages and form data through mobile phones. It offers high level recognition capabilities on devices with reduced memory and CPU. With MyScript you can send SMS messages directly from paper, without even touching the mobile phone.
Edutainment: MyScript opens a wide potential in edutainment and gaming, for example you can develop solutions that help children in acquiring writing skills, back them up in language learning, and other educational games.
This list is of course non-exhaustive and we are constantly adapting to new technology as it arises.
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Handwriting Recognition
