Character recognition method

A character pattern recognition method comprising the steps of:

• opticallly reading an original image to produce an image signal;
• producing an individual input character pattern from said image signal;
• extracting a predetermined feature vector from said input character pattern, said extracting step including subdividing said input character pattern into a first plurality of sub-regions in accordance with a first subdivision scheme such that predetermined feature quantities are distributed among the sub-regions substantially equally, and converting said first plurality of sub-regions into a second plurality of mesh regions in accordance with a second subdivision scheme by combining at least some of said first plurality of sub-regions into one or more of said mesh regions;
• and
• comparing said feature vector of said input character pattern with each of the feature vectors of a plurality of known character patterns stored in a library, thereby selecting one of said plurality of known character patterns, which is closer to said input character pattern, thereby determining identification of said input character pattern.