In handwriting recognition (HWR) the device interprets the user’s handwritten characters or words into a format that the computer understands (e.g., Unicode text). The input device typically comprises a stylus and a touch-sensitive screen. There are many levels of HWR, starting from the recognition of simplified individual characters to the recognition of whole words and sentences of cursive handwriting (Chap. 6).
Offline handwriting recognition, often referred to as optical character recognition, is performed after the writing is completed by converting the handwritten document into digital form. The advantage of offline recognition is that it can be done at any time after the document has been written, even years later. The disadvantage is that it is not done in real time as a person writes and therefore not appropriate for immediate text input.