MathBox: interactive pen-based interface for inputting mathematical expressions

ABSTRACT

Inputting mathematical expressions with a mouse and a keyboard is a troublesome task. Thus, a number of mathematical expression recognition systems capable of recognizing handwritten mathematical expressions to input them into computers have been proposed. Even with these systems, however, structure recognition of mathematical expressions is still difficult. This paper presents MathBox, a new pen-based interface for inputting mathematical expressions into computers. MathBox interactively shows "boxes" in which the user can write one symbol. The boxes are shown along with the user's writing. For example, when the user writes 'x,' the boxes for a power and an index of 'x' and for the next symbol are shown. When the user inputs a fraction line, boxes for the numerator, denominator, and the next symbol are shown. MathBox skips recognizing the structures of expressions, which enables users to write mathematical expressions with practical accuracy.

REFERENCES

• 1: Chan K. F. and Yeung D. Y. Mathematical expression recognition: A survey, Int. J. on Document Analysis and Recognition, Vol.3, Issue.1 (Aug. 2000), pp. 3--15.
• 2: Chan K. F. and Yeung D. Y. Error detection, error correction and performance evaluation in on-line mathematical expression recognition, J. on Pattern Recognition, Vol. 34, No.8 (Mar.2001), pp. 1671--1684.
• 3: Garain, U. and Chaudhuri, B. B. Recognition of Online Handwritten Mathematical Expressions, IEEE Trans. on System, Man, and Cybernetics -Part B, Vol. 34, No. 6 (Dec.2004), pp. 2366--2376.
• 4: Joseph J. LaViola, Jr. , Robert C. Zeleznik, MathPad²: a system for the creation and exploration of mathematical sketches, ACM Transactions on Graphics (TOG), v.23 n.3, August 2004
• 5: Erik G. Miller , Paul A. Viola, Ambiguity and constraint in mathematical expression recognition, Proceedings of the fifteenth national/tenth conference on Artificial intelligence/Innovative applications of artificial intelligence, p.784-791, July 1998, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
• 6: Ray, G. John A.F. and Tahar K. A Purely Online Approach to Mathematical Expression Recognition, Proc. of the 10th IWFHR (Oct. 2006).
• 7: A New System for the Real-Time Recognition of Handwritten Mathematical Formulas, Proceedings of the International Conference on Pattern Recognition, p.4515, September 03-08, 2000

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Input devices and strategies (e.g., mouse, touchscreen)

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors

Keywords:
DP matching, mathematical expression recognition