A new method for segmenting unconstrained handwritten numeral string

A new segmentation method for segmenting an unconstrained handwritten numeral string with an unknown number of digits is proposed, which is mainly based on recognition-based segmentation, combined with the dissection and holistic methods. The authors proposed an approach that gives a simple, effective way of selecting candidate segmentation positions by finding the start points and end points of ligatures. The approach is mainly based on the variety of upper and lower contours, combined with the vertical projection value. They also provide a method of confirming the correct segmenting points and deciding which digit the connecting stroke belongs to by using dynamic programming. Aiming at decreasing the work time and complexity of segmentation, they provide a dissection method as well as the holistic method for segmenting some special sub-images. The experimental results are given.