Character recognition system

A method of identifying a presented character comprising the steps of:

• generating weighted binary signals representing the information content of a geometric pattern corresponding to a presented character;
• storing the weighted binary signals in a plurality of data field arrays, each data field array defining a matrix of progressions, each progression overlapping the preceding progression whereby each progression is associated with every other progression, the data field arrays being in approximate conformity with the geometric pattern of the presented character;
• decoding predetermined combinations of the binary signals, each of the predetermined combinations representing one of the progressions, the combinations further representing overlapping neighborhood dependent areas, the combinations being decoded from different field arrays;
• and
• detecting predetermined combinations of the detected progressions from which detected progressions the presented character is recognized as a known type.

An apparatus for recognizing a presented character comprising:

• generating means for generating binary signals representing the information content of a geometric pattern corresponding to the presented character;
• storage means coupled to said generating means for storing said binary signals, said binary signals representing a data field array that is in approximate conformity with the geometric pattern of the presented character, said data field array defining a matrix of progressions, each progression overlapping the preceding progression whereby each progression is associated with every other progression;
• progression word detecting means for detecting the progressions by decoding predetermined combinations of said stored binary signals, each of said predetermined combinations representing a progression, said combinations representing overlapping neighborhood dependent areas from said field array;
• and
• progression detection means for detecting predetermined combinations of said detected progressions from which detected progressions said presented character is recognized as a known type.

An apparatus for recognizing a presented character comprising:

• generating means for generating weighted binary signals representing the information content of a geometric pattern corresponding to the presented character;
• storage means coupled to said generating means for storing said weighted binary signals, said weighted binary signals representing a plurality of data field arrays that are in approximate conformity with the geometric pattern of the presented character, each of said data field arrays defining a matrix of progressions, each progression overlapping the preceding progression whereby each progression is associated with every other progression;
• progression word detecting means for detecting the progressions by decoding predetermined combinations of said stored binary signals, each of said predetermined combinations representing a progression, said combinations representing overlapping neighborhood dependent areas from different field arrays;
• and
• progression detecting means for detecting predetermined combinations of said detected progressions from which detected progressions the presented character is recognized as a known type.