Handwritten Character Recognition via HOG and NLP Error Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for recognizing handwritten characters in documents are inefficient, particularly for cursive handwriting, and struggle with text segmentation and error correction, leading to inaccuracies and exposure of confidential information.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that includes an image input module, segmentation module, feature extraction module, character recognition module, and language processing module to efficiently recognize handwritten characters, segment text, and correct errors using Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for feature extraction, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) for error detection and correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual typing is used to digitize handwritten documents, then information can be stored in databases, but productivity varies and confidential information is exposed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedigitization speedVSAvoidtyping accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables documents to be digitized automatically without human intervention. The OCR engine processes handwritten documents autonomously, extracting text and storing it in databases, eliminating the need for manual typing while maintaining confidentiality through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual typing with an automated optical recognition system. The system uses image processing and pattern recognition algorithms to convert handwritten text into digital format, substituting human manual labor with computational processes that improve both speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional character recognition systems are used, then printed documents can be recognized, but cursive handwriting cannot be accurately recognized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandwriting style coverageVSAvoidcharacter recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to different handwriting styles including cursive scripts. The OCR engine adjusts its recognition parameters and patterns based on the detected handwriting style, enabling accurate recognition across multiple writing formats rather than being fixed to a single style.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the recognition parameters and feature extraction methods based on the input document type. For cursive handwriting, the system modifies segmentation thresholds, feature dimensions, and pattern matching criteria to accommodate the flowing, connected nature of cursive scripts, thereby improving recognition accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional segmentation methods are used, then text can be divided into characters, but overlapping characters in cursive handwriting cannot be identified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetext segmentation capabilityVSAvoidcharacter boundary detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies multi-level segmentation strategies to handle overlapping characters. It first segments the document into lines, then into character regions, and finally into individual characters. For overlapping cursive characters, the system uses adaptive segmentation that detects connection points and separates merged character regions based on structural analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces additional dimensional analysis for character segmentation. Beyond simple horizontal and vertical scanning, the system uses diagonal projection profiles and multi-angle analysis to detect character boundaries in overlapping regions, effectively adding dimensional perspectives to resolve ambiguous overlapping structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If conventional error correction is used, then simple typos can be corrected, but context-specific errors cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror correction capabilityVSAvoiderror detection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback loops where recognized text is analyzed in context, and correction suggestions are fed back for validation. The NLP module continuously refines error corrections by comparing against contextual expectations and document-specific patterns, improving reliability while managing complexity through iterative learning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary error detection and correction before final output generation. The system pre-processes recognized text through multiple validation stages, including contextual analysis, format verification, and domain-specific rule checking, correcting errors in advance rather than requiring post-processing intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9659213B2System and method for efficient recognition of handwritten characters in documents
Publication Date: 2017.05.23 COGNIZANT TECH SOLUTIONS INDIA PVT LTD
  • US9659213B2 patent drawing
  • US9659213B2 patent drawing
  • US9659213B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and computer-implemented method for efficient recognition of one or more handwritten characters in one or more documents is provided. The system comprises an image input module configured to receive the one or more documents as one or more images. The system further comprises a snippet extraction module to extract one or more fields of information from the one or more received images. Furthermore, the system comprises a segmentation module to segment the one or more extracted fields of information into one or more segments. Also, the system comprises a feature extraction module configured to extract one or more handwritten characters from each of the one or more segments. In addition, the system comprises a character recognition module configured to recognize the one or more extracted handwritten characters. The system further comprises a language processing module configured to detect and correct errors in the one or more recognized characters.