An extraction and classification method of broken line elements in mathematical graphs for automating translation of tactile graphics

Tactile graphics are useful for visually impaired students when they study mathematics and science. However, producing tactile graphics are not simple task. An intelligent computer-aided system for assisting the production of tactile graphics is needed. To develop such a system, research on mathematical graph recognition techniques is needed. This paper focuses on a method of mathematical graph recognition. When drawing a mathematical graph, we use not only solid lines, but also use broken lines. This paper describes a method for extracting and classifying broken line elements from mathematical graphs.

I. Introduction

The DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) consortium [1] is an international association that develops, maintains and promotes international DAISY standards. The consortium recommends SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) as a DAISY standard for the digital format of graphics. Therefore, a graph recognition technology to translate graphic elements in a bitmap image into SVG is needed.