Israelis develop real-time Arabic handwriting reader
Software common for Latin writing is wanting in the Middle East; handwriting seen as a preferred interface in developing countries
In an breakthrough certain to raise the eyebrows of spooks on the Middle East desk, a team of Israeli researchers have developed a software program capable of identifying Arabic handwriting in real time. Users write directly onto an electronic screen, while underlying calculative geometry analyzes the various strokes and dots to build hyopthetical reference points. “When computer use becomes an important element in giving service to citizens, there is an enormous advantage in using handwriting instead of typing, especially in developing countries,” said El-Sana. “Today there already exists a system for identifying Latin handwriting in high percentages, but there is no system to identify Arabic handwriting, which is used by around one-sixth of the world’s population.” The main problem, of course, is that Arabic handwriting is joined and fluid, and many letters contain dots above and below.
Investors take note: B.G. Negev Technologies, the university’s technology transfer company, is currently seeking investors for the project.
