A pattern classification method of mathematical figures with broken lines

A computer-aided system for transformation of mathematical figures into tactile graphics is useful for visually impaired students when they learn mathematics and science. To develop such a system, research on mathematical figure recognition techniques is needed. It is natural to assume that (1) a mathematical figure includes characters and formulas to explain lines or curves that are graphical expressions of functions or equations, and (2) graphs are sometimes drawn using broken lines. Under these assumptions, this paper discusses a method of (1) separating a mathematical figure into character components and graph components, and (2) a classification method of broken lines.