A novel coding algorithm for binary images based on neighbourhood relations
is used for the problem of handwritten numerals recognition. Each pixel of
an image is transformed into a set of representative vectors by coding it
according to the number of neighbours in the four directions (north, east,
south, west). These neighbourhood vectors are transformed into a set of cod
es satisfying the boundary condition imposed by the size of the image in wh
ich the shape is embedded. A code reduction function is used for the purpos
e of information reduction and generalization of the shape images. Using th
e digits of the NIST handwritten segmented characters set, we show an appli
cation of the neighbourhood coding for pattern recognition. (C) 1999 Elsevi
er Science B.V. All rights reserved.