Recognizing Mathematical Expressions Using Tree Transformation

We describe a robust and efficient system for recognizing typeset and handwritten mathematical notation. From a list of symbols with bounding boxes the system analyzes an expression in three successive passes. The Layout Pass constructs a Baseline Structure Tree (BST) describing the two-dimensional arrangement of input symbols. Reading order and operator dominance are used to allow efficient recognition of symbol layout even when symbols deviate greatly from their ideal positions. Next, the Lexical Pass produces a Lexed BST from the initial BST by grouping tokens comprised of multiple input symbols; these include decimal numbers, function names, and symbols comprised of nonoverlapping primitives such as "=". The Lexical Pass also labels vertical structures such as fractions and accents. The Lexed BST is translated into LATEX. Additional processing, necessary for producing output for symbolic algebra systems, is carried out in the Expression Analysis Pass. The Lexed BST is tra...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2002
• Where: PAMI
• Authors: Richard Zanibbi, Dorothea Blostein, James R. Cordy
• Keywords: Input Symbols, Lexed BST, Lexical Pass, PAMI 2002