A platform for evolving genetic automata for text segmentation (GNATS)
Michael D. Garris · 1992
Developers of large-scale document processing and image recognition systems are in need of a dynamically robust character segmentation component. Without this essential module, potential turn-key products will remain in the laboratory indefinitely. An experiment of evolving a biologically-based neural image processing system which has the ability to isolate characters within an unstructured text image is presented. In this study, organisms are simulated using a genetic algorithm with the goal of learning the intelligent behavior required for locating and consuming text image characters. Each artificial life-form is defined by a genotype containing a list of interdependent control parameters which contribute to specific functions of the organism. Control functions include vision, consumption, and movement. Using asexual reproduction in conjunction with random mutation, a domain independent solution for text segmentation is sought. For this experiment, an organism's vision system utilize...