NSF Award
9801069
9801069 Garst This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will develop a prototype handwriting based input system for mathematical notation which demonstrates the ease of use, recognition accuracy and editing power required to make computer input of mathematical equations easier than writing them on a pad of paper. This will solve the persistent problem of tedious and difficult input methods for text formatters, technical assistants and other systems which require input of mathematical notation. The proposed work includes collection of handwritten mathematical data, investigation of a usable interface and editing system, and research into a fast and accurate recognizer for handwritten notation. The market for natural and efficient input of mathematical notation is potentially very large, spread across a range of innovative products for students and professionals in many technical, business and educational fields. Potential applications include easy electronic communication of mathematical notation; far more productive word processors for technical notation; handheld calculators which accept symbolic problems as easily as numeric ones; and others. CIC is in a strong position to pursue commercialization. Its licensees include IBM, NEC, Nortel and many others.
