Retrieval of Rashi Semi-cursive Handwriting via Fuzzy Logic

Text recognition and retrieval is a well known problem. Automated optical character recognition (OCR) tools do not supply a complete solution and in most cases human inspection is required. In this paper the authors suggest a novel text recognition algorithm based on usage of fuzzy logic rules relying on statistical data of the analyzed font. The new approach combines letter statistics and correlation coefficients in a set of fuzzy based rules, enabling the recognition of distorted letters that may not be retrieved otherwise. The authors focused on Rashi fonts associated with commentaries of the Bible that are actually handwritten calligraphy.