Handprint recognition test deck

Abstract

A system and method for creating a test deck to qualify and test forms processing systems, including preparing a handprint snippet data base containing labeled handprint image snippets representing a unique hand, preparing a form description file and a data content file, selecting handprint snippets from the handprint snippet data base to formulate a form using the data content file, creating a form image using the selected snippets according to the form description file and printing the form image.

1 . A method for creating a test deck to qualify and test handprint recognition systems, the method comprising: 
 (a) preparing a handprint snippet database containing labeled handprint image snippets;    (b) preparing a form description file and page description file to describe a form;    (c) preparing a variable data database that describes the desired content of the simulated respondent entries using the handprint character snippets;    (d) populating the form using the variable data database in conjunction with the form description file, the page description file, and the handprint snippet database; and    (e) printing the completed form.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising where the handprint character snippets are grouped representing a unique Hand.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising incorporated noise into the handprint snippet database.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising changing the placement of the handprint character snippet in reference to a boundary by one or more of the handprint character snippet's position, angle, or size.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising incorporating handprint character snippets from more than one source.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising creating variable handprint character snippets on fringe of acceptable limits so that the snippet touches the boundary or another character in at least one point.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the handprint snippets are cast into a vector representation.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising software to help define the placement of handprint character snippets on the form.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising creating the handprint character snippet database by: 
 (a) collecting multiple handprint character snippets sampled from each contribution; and    (b) mixing the samples.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the samples are computer generated.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein multiple contributions are used.  
   
   
       12 . A system of creating a test deck from handprint character snippets to qualify and test handprint recognition systems (OCR) comprising: 
 (a) a database of handprint character snippets for use in creating a variable handprint character snippet or field snippet;    (b) data relating to the test deck, including a form description file a page description, and a variable data database;    (c) variable data printing software receiving the data from a) and b); and    (d) printing software for printing one or more variable characters snippets using the variable data database to create a digital test deck.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising computing software for controlling the image raster processor while rastering the variable characters or field snippets.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising rastering the handprint character snippets to incorporate changes in angle, size, or position.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising the variable data database coupled to multiple sources of handprint character snippets.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising variable character snippets, including various variable character snippets positioned in relation to four boundaries of a rectangle.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising including the variable character data database and handprint character snippets that have been rastered four times resulting in one version not touching a boundary and the other four touching each of four different boundaries.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising printing the digital test deck comprising a plurality of forms for use in qualifying and testing an OCR system.