ROBUST PROTOTYPE ESTABLISHMENT IN AN ON-LINE HANDWRITING RECOGNITION SYSTEM

For use in a handwriting recognition system a method, and apparatus for accomplishing same, that includes the steps of (a) inputting a plurality of strokes each of which is a constituent stroke of a symbol or symbols to be recognized by the system; (b) forming from the inputted strokes a first set (CHR) comprised of one or more symbols; and (c) averaging at least one characteristic of similarly formed symbols that are members of the first set to form a second set (AVG) comprised of prototype symbols to which, during the use of the system, assemblages of input strokes are compared. The method further includes the steps of (d) identifying a symbol or symbols of the second set that corresponds to only a single symbol of the first set; and (e) deleting the identified symbol or symbols from the second set. The method further includes the steps of (f) decomposing into constituent strokes the prototype symbols of the second set; and (g) forming a third set (STK) comprised of the constituent strokes of the second set to which, during the use of the system, input strokes are compared.