A character recognition system and method implement a classification system according
to which each character of a set of characters is identifiable at least partially
on the basis of a set of character feature types indicative of the identity of
the character, the set of character feature types including (i) bars; (ii) lakes
and (iii) bays. A character image is algorithmically scanned in each direction
of a predetermined set of scan directions in order to extract data relating to
bars, lakes and/or bays. A feature vector is assembled based on the algorithmically
extracted data and rendered accessible to character recognition apparatus. The
character recognition apparatus is adapted to recognize a character corresponding
to an assembled feature vector at least partially on the basis of the quantity
of each of (i) bars; (ii) lakes and (iii) bays indicated in the feature vector
and to provide an output identifying the recognized character.