Handwriting Recognition
Frequently Asked Questions

What is handwriting recognition (HWR)?
In order for a computer to understand handwriting, it must be converted into digital text. Special software is used to convert handwriting into digital text.

Why would you use HWR?
Handwritten data is usually entered by people using keyboards. This is costly and time consuming. HWR removes the need for most of the manual labor and it is the fast and reliable link for entering handwritten information and into computer systems.

Are there many types of HWR software?
There are a number of companies that make this type of software. Some are used on smartphones and PDAs; others are used on graphics tablets. PenData Solutions has licensed MyScript® from Vision Objects®. This is the best HWR software made today.

What is the accuracy of the HWR?
The average accuracy for generic HWR without a customized profile is 80%.

How can I improve the HWR accuracy?
PenData Solutons supplies a handwriting profile exercise with every pen. Once a customized profile is established for the user of the pen, HWR accuracy averages 95%.

How does MyScript differ from scanner technology?
Scanners convert text with offline data using OCR (optical character recognition) software.  OCR creates pixel images (pictures) originating from the scanner. Digital ink, as used by MyScript, is a sequence of points in two dimensions ordered by time. MyScript is not OCR technology; it works only on online data input from digital pens. Since digital ink contains more information about the handwriting (time and sequence information), HWR software using digital ink usually achieves higher recognition accuracy than OCR software.

What is Offline Data Input?
Offline data input is the method used in OCR applications; it is the result of handwritten or printed text that has been scanned or photographed. It is only a visual representation of text and does not include any dynamic information, such as how a character was written and in which order.
PenData Solutions, using the MyScript Handwriting Recognition Engine technology does not rely on offline data.

What is Online data?
Online data is the result of capturing the motion of strokes written by a digital pen. MyScript captures the online input from the digital pen.

What advantages does online data present as opposed to offline data?
Offline data (in OCR) only represents the final result of the handwriting: an image. The dynamic information is lost in the data capture process. Online data is richer in information than offline data, leading to higher recognition accuracy than that of offline data. One of the major inconveniences with OCR is that it is usually difficult to separate the handwritten information from whatever else is printed on the paper (lines, boxes, combs, machine printed text, etc), which leads to confusion and errors. Savings in time and cost are usually higher for IT solutions using online data. Online data also improves workflow, because the information is immediately available.