METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYMBOL RECOGNITION USING MULTIDIMENSIONAL PREPROCESSING AT MULTIPLE RESOLUTIONS

Data samples describing a plurality of micro-segments that compose a symbol to be recognized are received from a device such as an electronic pad. Preprocessors map the micro-segments into cells of a plurality of feature arrays with different resolutions. Preprocessors assign values to the cells based on the length of a micro-segment associated with the cell, and how well the features of the associated micro-segment correspond to the feature label of the cell. The cell values are used as inputs to comparators that compare the feature arrays with reference arrays. The results of comparisons involving lower resolution feature arrays and reference arrays, are used to limit the number of comparisons involving higher resolution feature arrays and reference arrays. The highest resolution comparison selects the reference array that identifies the symbol to be recognized.