Multi-layer projections for the classification of similar Chinese characters

An algorithm is presented of extracting features from Chinese characters. These features consist of the Fourier spectrum of projections obtained from multiple-layers of annular partitions. This method takes into consideration the square shape of Chinese characters to that the extracted features contain the significant information of the different parts of the character, and are insensitive to rotation and linear displacement. For the experiments, 97 similar Chinese characters were selected from the most frequently used characters. These characters were divided into 34 groups according to similarity in shape. Three different fonts of Chinese characters (Song, Kai and Bold face) were used. Four additional symbols were also included to study the effects of character symmetry on the proposed algorithm. Experimental results indicate that for any displacement and for rotations in the range of (-180°, +180°), this method can separate without exception all similar Chinese characters including the complex ones