Computer Program that Replicates Handwriting!

UCL computer scientists have recently developed a computer program that can analyze a person's handwriting and accurately reproduce it. They named the program "My Text in Your Handwriting." This software could be useful because it allows you to write a note in your handwriting without even touching a pen and paper. Furthermore, it could be useful for stroke victims who may not be able to write legibly anymore, or for the replication of the handwriting of someone who is deceased.

The program works by scanning a paragraph or more of text in a user's handwriting and then converting it into a thin line. The computer works to break down this writing, looking for different letters and their positions. It also looks for other elements of writing like "splits" (where the line changes from a letter into ligatures, the extra parts that comprise joined handwriting) and "links" (two separate marks that are part of the same letter, like dotting an i). The computer constantly references previously scanned examples, but applies a degree of randomness in its replication of the writing so that the same letter shape combinations are not used every time. The computer also figures out the appropriate spacing to place between each letter and the size and position of the letters on the page. The computer mimics the pen line texture and color you were using by adding texturing.

The results of this software are pretty believable. The UCL scientists asked members of a group to decide which envelopes out of a pile of handwritten and software generated addresses were produced by a computer, and the group chose incorrectly 40% of the time.

While fonts and the ability to convert writing into text or text into writing have been developed previously, the ability to write in personalized handwriting is unprecedented. The only problem with this software is that it could be used for forgery for signatures or documents.

References:

Content:

http://phys.org/news/2016-08-programme-replicates.html

http://visual.cs.ucl.ac.uk/pubs/handwriting/

https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/12/a-computer-program-that-can-replicate-your-handwriting/

Images:

http://visual.cs.ucl.ac.uk/pubs/handwriting/img/results.jpg