Patent ID: 6621920
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A print pattern recognition apparatus comprising:a storage that stores a set of reference signal data extracted according toa predetermined condition for each of a plurality of reference signal waveforms corresponding to respective characters, each set of stored reference signal data being identified with its corresponding character; a detector that reads print patterns printed on a recording medium and outputs a set of read signal data for each read print pattern; a comparator that compares each read print pattern with at least one character by respectively calculating n squared difference values between (i) a respective one of the reference signal data associated with the at least one character and (ii) each of n read signal data from the set of read signal data associated with that read print pattern, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 3, determining, among the n squared difference values, a minimum squared difference value, and summing the minimum squared differences determined for that read print pattern with respect to the at least one character to calculate an assessment score indicative of how well that read print pattern compares with the at least one character; and a recognition unit that recognizes each of the read print patterns printed on the recording medium in accordance with a comparison result provided by the comparator.