Digital Ink Database Searching Using Handwriting Feature Synthesis

Abstract

A method of searching a digital ink database is disclosed. The digital ink database is associated with a specific author. The method starts by receiving a computer text query from an input device. The computer text query is then mapped to a set of feature vectors using a handwriting model of that specific author. As a result, the set of feature vectors approximates features that would have been extracted had that specific author written the computer query text by hand. Finally, the set of feature vectors is used to search the digital ink database.

1 . A method of searching a digital ink database, the digital ink database being associated with a predetermined author, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving a computer text query from an input device;   mapping by a processing system the computer text query to a set of feature vectors using a handwriting model of the predetermined author, the set of feature vectors approximating features that would have been extracted had the predetermined author written the computer query text by hand; and   using the set of feature vectors to search the digital ink database.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the input device is a computer. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the input device is a tablet for receiving hand written input, and the receiving step comprises the sub-step of converting the hand written input to computer text through handwriting recognition. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein the hand written input is received from an author other that the predetermined author, and the set of feature vectors extracted during the handwriting recognition is different from the set of feature vectors used when searching the digital ink database. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the input device receives a spoken voice input, and the receiving step comprises the sub-step of converting the spoken voice input to computer text through voice recognition. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for searching a digital ink database, the digital ink database being associated with a predetermined author, the apparatus comprising:
 an input device for receiving a computer text query;   a processing system for mapping by the computer text query to a set of feature vectors using a handwriting model of the predetermined author, the set of feature vectors approximating features that would have been extracted had the predetermined author written the computer query text by hand, and for using the set of feature vectors to search the digital ink database; and   an output device for outputting results of the search of the digital ink database.