Tifinagh Character Recognition: A Survey

Abstract

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is considered as one of the important tools that contributes to the communication man-machine. It is the conversion process of printed or handwritten text images into machine-encoded text. Intensive research has been done and a large number of works have been published on this topic during the last few decades especially for Roman, Chinese and Arabic scripts. As for Amazigh scripts (Tifinagh), due to its recent integration into information systems, the number of works done on Tifinagh Character Recognition is not sufficient. A state-of-the-art survey about the works available in the area of OCR for Amazigh scripts would be of a great aid to the researchers. Hence, a sincere attempt is made in this article to discuss the advancements reported recently in the literature. This survey is organized into six major sections covering a general overview (an introduction) about OCR systems and their techniques, methodologies of feature-based OCR, properties and background of Amazigh scripts, research work in Tifinagh character recognition (printed and handwritten), scope and conclusions.