Robust baseline-independent algorithms for segmentation and reconstruction of Arabic handwritten cursive script

Khaled Mostafa; Ahmed M. Darwish

doi:10.1117/12.335805

7 January 1999 Robust baseline-independent algorithms for segmentation and reconstruction of Arabic handwritten cursive script

Khaled Mostafa, Ahmed M. Darwish

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3651, Document Recognition and Retrieval VI; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.335805
Event: Electronic Imaging '99, 1999, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

The problem of cursive script segmentation is an essential one for handwritten character recognition. This is specially true for Arabic text where cursive is the only mode even for typewritten font. In this paper, we present a generalized segmentation approach for handwritten Arabic cursive scripts. The proposed approach is based on the analysis of the upper and lower contours of the word. The algorithm searchers for local minima points along the upper contour and local maxima points along the lower contour of the word. These points are then marked as potential letter boundaries (PLB). A set of rules, based on the nature of Arabic cursive scripts, are then applied to both upper and lower PLB points to eliminate some of the improper ones. A matching process between upper and lower PLBs is then performed in order to obtain the minimum number of non-overlapping PLB for each word. The output of the proposed segmentation algorithm is a set of labeled primitives that represent the Arabic word. In order to reconstruct the original word from its corresponding primitives and diacritics, a novel binding and dot assignment algorithm is introduced. The algorithm achieved correct segmentation rate of 97.7% when tested on samples of loosely constrained handwritten cursive script words consisting of 7922 characters written by 14 different writers.

Citation Download Citation

Khaled Mostafa and Ahmed M. Darwish "Robust baseline-independent algorithms for segmentation and reconstruction of Arabic handwritten cursive script", Proc. SPIE 3651, Document Recognition and Retrieval VI, (7 January 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.335805

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available