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What is Handwriting Recognition?

Brendan McGuigan
Brendan McGuigan

Handwriting recognition is used most often to describe the ability of a computer to translate human writing into text. This may take place in one of two ways, either by scanning of written text or by writing directly on to a peripheral input device.

The first of these handwriting recognition techniques, known as optical character recognition (OCR), is the most successful in the mainstream. Most scanning suites offer some form of OCR, allowing users to scan in handwritten documents and have them translated into basic text documents. OCR is also used by some archivists as a method of converting massive quantities of handwritten historical documents into searchable, easily-accessible digital forms.

Handwritten recognition usually refers to a computer's ability to transcribe handwritten work into text.
Handwritten recognition usually refers to a computer's ability to transcribe handwritten work into text.

The second group of handwriting recognition techniques, often referred to as on-line recognition, has experienced an ebb and flow in popularity. In the 1990s, Apple Computers released a handheld device called the Newton which made use of the first widely available handwriting recognition interface. By using a small stylus, the user was able to write directly on the Newton's screen and (in theory) have their letters recognized and converted to text. In practice, the software the Newton used to attempt to learn user handwriting patterns was less than ideal, and as a result its popularity was never great.

One consideration when purchasing a tablet computer is how easily the device can work with a stylus for handwriting recognition.
One consideration when purchasing a tablet computer is how easily the device can work with a stylus for handwriting recognition.

Later, the Palm company tried a new handwriting recognition system, which they called Graffiti. Rather than relying on an intuitive use of the traditional Roman alphabet, the Graffiti system defined its own system of much simpler line-strokes as stand-ins for each letter. This allowed it a higher success rate in identifying letters and learning a user's variations, but made for a steep learning curve which kept most mainstream users at bay.

Microsoft Corporation's Tablet PCs also make use of a handwriting recognition system. Rather than attempt to learn a user's nuances, however, the Tablet PCs draw on an extensive database of character variation. This system appears to have a higher success rate for most users than do adaptive systems, but also seems to have a threshold to its reliability.

Research on handwriting recognition software has begun picking up speed again, with the mainstreaming of PDAs and cellular phones with stylus inputs. What was once the realm of fringe technologists is rapidly becoming a multi-billion dollar market, prompting many companies to restart their investigations into handwriting recognition.

While the problems impeding the creation of a strong, reliable handwriting recognition system are great, recent breakthroughs indicate that it is only a matter of time before near-perfect recognition becomes a reality for the mainstream.

Discussion Comments

anon87942

A software company that produces a lot of this stuff is CVision.

anon75697

Does anyone know who produces the handwriting recognition apps? I need to talk with them about an app. with significant market potential.

anon62772

A question: I was waiting (impatiently) for the launch of iPod in the hope that it might have handwriting recognition. It doesn't!

I am looking for some tablet like device that I can use for contracts. The contract is loaded, as per any other document, the client can sign the contract from the screen - no paper. Can you help?

anon49028

couldn't agree more! And what a disaster that MS has omitted the transcriber from their new mobile OS for smartphone - so that HTC Touch Diamond 2 just won't do. I shall have to stick with my current Touch Dual.

anon34909

I am amazed that so few people are aware of how good the handwriting recognition is on the HTC Touch Pro smartphone. In fact I've been told (on forums like this) that the functionality wasn't even available! Much like the HP iPAQ (which was actually a little better), you don't have to do anything special when you "write" with the stylus. It's not perfect (so you do have to make a few corrections most of the time), but it sure does save a ton of time, plus it's way easier on the hands!

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    • Handwritten recognition usually refers to a computer's ability to transcribe handwritten work into text.
      By: scis65
      Handwritten recognition usually refers to a computer's ability to transcribe handwritten work into text.
    • One consideration when purchasing a tablet computer is how easily the device can work with a stylus for handwriting recognition.
      By: Alexey Laputin
      One consideration when purchasing a tablet computer is how easily the device can work with a stylus for handwriting recognition.