A shape-based algorithm for detecting ligatures in on-line handwriting

In this paper we approach the segmentation of on-line cursive script by an explicit modeling of the inter-character patterns called ligatures. The mod el is given in terms of both the spatial relations among the ligature and t he adjacent characters, and the ligature shape. The former allows for detec ting plausible regions of connection between successive characters within t he word, while the latter accounts for discriminating, among those regions, the ones that actually correspond to ligatures.