Character recognition by linear traverse

Claim 1

A method of recognizing characters by linear traverse comprising the steps of: a. storing electrical signals identifying the shape of the character in a first matrix of storage cells, b. processing the electrical signals stored in the first matrix to complete gaps and irregularities not inherent in the shape of the character, c. transferring the electrical signals identifying the shape of the completed character to another matrix of storage cells, d. examining the electrical signals stored in said other matrix to thin the shape of the character, e. transferring the electrical signals identifying the ''''thinned'''' character to a further matrix of storage cells, f. examining cell-by-cell the further matrix of storage cells starting from a predetermined one of the cells and examining in a predetermined numbered order of angular directions the condition of all cells immediately adjacent said one cell, g. identifying only those cells storing electrical signals which identify a part of the character of predetermined length emanating from said one cell, h. identifying said one cell as a junction point if more than two parts of said predetermined length emanate therefrom, i. continuing the examination of the cells along the part of the character, or along one of the parts if more than one exists, to the end of the part or to another junction point, j. returning the examination directly to a junction point and continuing the examination of the cells along another part of the character emanating from the junction point, k. repeating steps (i) and (j) until the cells along all parts of the character emanating from all junction points have been examined, l. expressing the results of the examination as a combination of the numbered angular directions and junction points to identify the character.

Claim 2

A method of recognizing characters by linear traverse comprising the steps of: a. storing electrical signals identifying the shape of the character in a first matrix of storage cells, b. processing the electrical signals stored in the first matrix to complete gaps and irregularities not inherent in the shape of the character, c. transferring the electrical signals identifying the shape of the completed character to another matrix of storage cells, d. examining the electrical signals stored in said other matrix to thin the shape of the character, e. transferring the electrical signals identifying the ''''thinned'''' character to a further matrix of storage cells, f. examining cell-by-cell the further matrix of storage cells starting from a predetermined one of the cells and examining in a predetermined numbered order of angular directions the condition of all cells immediately adjacent said one cell, g. identifying only those cells storing electrical signals which identify a part of the character of predetermined length emanating from said one cell, h. identifying said one cell as a junction point if more than two parts of said predetermined length emanate therefrom, i. continuing the examination of the cells along the part of the character, or along one of the parts if more than one exists, to the end of the part or to another junction point, j. returning the examination directly to a junction point and continuing the examination of the cells along another part of the character emanating from the junction point, k. repeating steps (i) and (j) until the cells along all parts of the character emanating from all junction points have been examined, l. expressing the results of the examination as a combination of the numbered angular directions and junction points to identify the character.