Moleskine notebook - Text search not working

[FredN 0]

Hello

I'm using the Moleskine Evernote notebook with an iPhone 5 running the latest iOS version and the latest Evernote version.

I'm taking notes by hand and photographing them using the Evernote camera, following the instruction on the web site.

My notes photographs get transferred to Evernote, into the categories I set for the stickers, but I have never been

able to do a successful text search. I'm writing clearly, even though I've seen example on the web of the text search working with very unclear handwriting.

Please tell me what the problem is. Why does the text search never work?

Thank you.

[ScottLougheed 1,316]

This is odd, I've never encountered this problem with either the moleskine smart notebook or any other image of text (wine bottles, any other piece of paper, recipes or receipts, etc.)

Are these files properly synced to Evernote's servers (if you can see them on more than one device, then us, they are).

How long have these files been synced? It can take at least a few minutes and even a few hours to be able to search images (takes time for servers to proves these things).

[GrumpyMonkey 4,319]

Hello

I'm using the Moleskine Evernote notebook with an iPhone 5 running the latest iOS version and the latest Evernote version.

I'm taking notes by hand and photographing them using the Evernote camera, following the instruction on the web site.

My notes photographs get transferred to Evernote, into the categories I set for the stickers, but I have never been

able to do a successful text search. I'm writing clearly, even though I've seen example on the web of the text search working with very unclear handwriting.

Please tell me what the problem is. Why does the text search never work?

Thank you.

Hi. Could you share one of these notes with us? I'll give it a try.

As for the handwriting, here is some advice, though it sounds like you are doing fine in this regard.

http://www.christopher-mayo.com/?p=876

[FredN 0]

Thanks for the replies.

I didn't know I had to wait a couple of hours before doing a search. I don't think that's mentioned in any of the instructions.

Here's a sample note that I'm trying to use the search feature with.

[ScottLougheed 1,316]

Thanks for the replies.

I didn't know I had to wait a couple of hours before doing a search. I don't think that's mentioned in any of the instructions.

Here's a sample note that I'm trying to use the search feature with.

To be fair, I haven't ever had to wait hours. Typically minutes. But there are finite OCR processing resources on Evernote's and so it is possible (though not likely) that you might have to wait. 

 

I've added that test image to my evernote to see

1) If I can search it

2) how long it takes to become searchable. 

 

I am a premium user so it may be ready sooner than a free user. 

[ScottLougheed 1,316]

Ok, within a few minutes of syncing the note information switched from "1 attachment not yet indexed" to "all attachments indexed".

 

Performing searches, I could not find many words. 
"Inherent" or any segment of the word can be found

the string:

"are not mere de" finds the "are note mere decoration" portion of your note BUT:

"are note mere decoration" does NOT find that string properly. 

 

 

When you open the note with one of these scanned pages, click on the i, does it indicate that there are attachments that require indexing?

[FredN 0]

Where is the "i"? I don't see it anywhere, on any notes?

As if these problems weren't enough, now every time I try to log in to this forum to post a reply, I get a message saying that my password is invalid and I need to reset it! I know I'm entering the same one I used last time.

It's looking like I should stick to paper and pen and give up on the electronic part of this whole thing.

[GrumpyMonkey 4,319]

Where is the "i"? I don't see it anywhere, on any notes?

As if these problems weren't enough, now every time I try to log in to this forum to post a reply, I get a message saying that my password is invalid and I need to reset it! I know I'm entering the same one I used last time.

It's looking like I should stick to paper and pen and give up on the electronic part of this whole thing.

 

1. I don't think there is an "i" on the iPhone interface.

2. The forum is a separate thing from Evernote (in some respects), and it can get a little odd if you have multiple accounts (for example), so if you log out and then log in again (it will log you in through the Evernote login page), it should work.

3. Don't give up! Make sure to read my post on handwriting recognition. In particular, I wonder if you are using Evernote to take the photos of your Moleskine notes. This is important, because you'll have much better success with recognition using it (as I mention in the post linked above).

[FredN 0]

1. I don't think there is an "i" on the iPhone interface.

 

OK.

 

2. The forum is a separate thing from Evernote (in some respects), and it can get a little odd if you have multiple accounts (for example), so if you log out and then log in again (it will log you in through the Evernote login page), it should work.

 

I don't have multiple accounts. I'm not sure what you mean about logging out since the whole problem is that I'm logged out.  Every time I want to log in I have to reset my password with a new one.  

 

3. Don't give up! Make sure to read my post on handwriting recognition. In particular, I wonder if you are using Evernote to take the photos of your Moleskine notes. This is important, because you'll have much better success with recognition using it (as I mention in the post linked above).

 

I already have given up!  Yes, as I mentioned in my original post, I'm using the camera in Evernote to take the pictures.  I read your post and you don't say what device you're using so maybe that's the problem.  I know that this doesn't work on an iPod Touch and maybe it doesn't work with the iPhone 5 either.  

 

Oh well, I paid twice as much for a notebook because I was promised certain benefits.  Caveat emptor!  

[FredN 0]

An update:

 

I tried using the Evernote application on my MacBook and when I searched for the word "to", it found "do not", "They" and "to".  

 

When I searched for "which" (a word that's in the text), it didn't find anything.  

 

Not much of a help, I'm afraid!  

[GrumpyMonkey 4,319]

An update:

 

I tried using the Evernote application on my MacBook and when I searched for the word "to", it found "do not", "They" and "to".  

 

When I searched for "which" (a word that's in the text), it didn't find anything.  

 

Not much of a help, I'm afraid!

Hi. Could you answer my question about how you captured the data? Did you use Evernote's "document camera" to do it?

[FredN 0]

Uh yes, but I've mentioned this twice, in my original post and also in my answer above, under item 3:

I'm using the camera in Evernote. Yes, I'm using the Evernote "document camera".

What device are you using? iPhone? iPad? Android? And which model?

[ScottLougheed 1,316]

My search results are from the Mac client, and as I pointed out, were also rather spotty. I scan a lot of my hand written notes but I haven't systematically investigated search results on them so i don't know how they compare. My hand writing is not amazing but I've never had difficulty finding words. 

 

One thing I suspect, and related to GrumpyMonkey's post, is that it could be that the grid paper is interfering with interpreting the words. I have only ever used lined, which may interfere less (but would interfere more than unlined). 

[GrumpyMonkey 4,319]

Uh yes, but I've mentioned this twice, in my original post and also in my answer above, under item 3:

I'm using the camera in Evernote. Yes, I'm using the Evernote "document camera".

What device are you using? iPhone? iPad? Android? And which model?

Thanks. I was just looking for a confirmation that you did not take a photograph, but used the document scanner, which produces better results, in my experience.

I have done some testing (as I mentioned in the link above) with the iPad 3 (I also discuss the writing implement, papers, etc.). Frankly, the iPad camera is an embarrassment, and I would think the iPhone 5 would do a much better job.

http://www.christopher-mayo.com/?p=876

My recommendation would be to try unlined paper (as I recommend there) and compare the results. Alternatively, the ScannerPro app allows for some modifications that may improve recognition.

[GrumpyMonkey 4,319]

I was able to find "which." You can give it a try if you would like.

https://www.evernote.com/shard/s74/sh/f8c4cf61-81f0-4746-b833-aa5394cf262c/c296a2b1c139ca53db88c2c55c5a2bf7

 

Here is the data I got from the recognition. For an explanation of what you are seeing, take a look at the Evernote tech blog. Is it possible that you have a multiple language setting?

https://blog.evernote.com/tech/2013/07/18/how-evernotes-image-recognition-works/

 

1. With Japanese + English settings (what I usually have), the note is gibberish, and I cannot find anything. I'll have to do more testing, because I didn't realize just how badly the two-language setting was performing!

 

<recoIndex docType="unknown" objType="image" objID="93c9906169d01972ed66933f89f313cb" engineVersion="6.5.17.7" recoType="service" lang="ja" objWidth="480" objHeight="640"><item x="68" y="44" w="342" h="26"><t w="52">il milium MaasしMahan mn wed Ewa</t><t w="52">il milium mansしMahan mn wed Ewa</t><t w="52">il milium MaasしMahan mn wedしWA</t><t w="52">il milium mansしMahan mn wedしWA</t><t w="52">il milium MaasしMahan mn wed CAA</t><t w="52">il milium mansしMahan mn wed CAA</t><t w="52">il milium Maas 。 Mahan mn wed Ewa</t><t w="52">il milium mans 。 Mahan mn wed Ewa</t><t w="52">il milium mannan an mn wed Ewa</t><t w="52">il milium mannan mM力wed Ewa</t></item><item x="410" y="51" w="21" h="17"><t w="45">か</t><t w="34">椿</t><t w="28">捧</t><t w="28">6</t></item><item x="113" y="90" w="73" h="19"><t w="40">んんしん</t><t w="40">一んしん</t><t w="39">んんしが0</t><t w="39">んんし〆 0</t><t w="39">んんし伽</t><t w="39">んん4ん</t><t w="38">んんは0</t><t w="38">んんしdU</t><t w="38">一んしが0</t><t w="38">work of ? which</t></item><item x="186" y="95" w="92" h="21"><t w="53">Amana</t><t w="51">Amanか</t><t w="49">Aman 0</t><t w="49">ama nU</t><t w="48">amaにか</t><t w="47">ammo</t><t w="46">amaぺか</t><t w="46">ama丸か</t><t w="46">amaに0</t><t w="46">奴Mana</t></item><item x="282" y="92" w="53" h="18"><t w="49">INHがト</t><t w="48">INH四ト</t><t w="48">INH比ト</t><t w="47">INHがド</t><t w="47">INHがも</t><t w="47">INHが卜</t><t w="47">INH MT</t><t w="47">INH四ド</t><t w="47">INH四も</t><t w="47">IN hmト</t></item><item x="341" y="93" w="39" h="28"><t w="51">PMN</t><t w="49">part is</t><t w="46">pun</t><t w="46">pan</t><t w="45">part d</t><t w="45">part n</t><t w="43">mn</t><t w="42">pin</t><t w="42">pm力</t><t w="41">pm 。</t></item><item x="349" y="120" w="79" h="22"><t w="49">MP NLS</t><t w="47">ひいNLS</t><t w="46">MPロpls</t><t w="46">ひNp NLS</t><t w="46">ひりNLS</t><t w="45">んNp NLS</t><t w="44">弘Np NLS</t><t w="44">ひいロpls</t><t w="44">MPいls</t><t w="44">ひ中NLS</t></item><item x="403" y="131" w="9" h="164"><t w="23">T－e：ee</t></item></recoIndex>

 

2. With English-only settings, it is a lot better.

 

<recoIndex docType="unknown" objType="image" objID="4417ce53a60f35aaa5e4dba344b86ea3" engineVersion="6.5.17.7" recoType="service" lang="en" objWidth="480" objHeight="640"><item x="68" y="47" w="48" h="21"><t w="55">details</t><t w="53">details i</t><t w="51">nations</t><t w="51">details s</t><t w="50">nostrils</t><t w="49">nations i</t><t w="49">details r</t><t w="49">nostrils i</t><t w="48">details o</t><t w="48">details a</t></item><item x="120" y="48" w="36" h="17"><t w="58">win</t><t w="57">when</t><t w="56">won</t><t w="55">WA</t><t w="53">via</t><t w="52">war</t><t w="52">WM</t><t w="52">ulna</t><t w="52">wu</t><t w="51">we</t></item><item x="158" y="50" w="22" h="20"><t w="60">than</t><t w="59">they</t><t w="58">thy</t><t w="57">hay</t><t w="56">him</t><t w="56">may</t><t w="55">then</t><t w="55">try</t><t w="54">man</t><t w="54">thi</t></item><item x="184" y="53" w="22" h="11"><t w="68">are</t><t w="68">an</t><t w="61">ore</t><t w="60">am</t><t w="58">air</t><t w="57">arc</t><t w="56">sin</t></item><item x="212" y="44" w="62" h="21"><t w="49">swedish</t><t w="48">successful</t><t w="44">sunfish</t><t w="38">smash h</t><t w="37">smash i</t><t w="35">needs h</t><t w="35">neat h</t><t w="34">needs i</t><t w="34">Nadu h</t><t w="34">sweetish</t></item><item x="280" y="55" w="20" h="12"><t w="68">an</t><t w="68">are</t><t w="57">we</t><t w="55">am</t><t w="54">AR</t><t w="53">arc</t><t w="53">ore</t></item><item x="304" y="50" w="22" h="17"><t w="68">not</t><t w="61">nD</t><t w="60">hot</t><t w="60">Rd</t><t w="60">net</t><t w="58">root</t><t w="58">rod</t><t w="57">MT</t><t w="57">road</t><t w="57">met</t></item><item x="330" y="55" w="31" h="12"><t w="62">men</t><t w="62">were</t><t w="59">iron</t><t w="57">mere</t><t w="57">more</t><t w="55">won</t><t w="55">mean</t><t w="54">poor</t><t w="54">ran</t><t w="54">risen</t></item><item x="367" y="45" w="64" h="24"><t w="56">duration</t><t w="56">Decaro</t><t w="52">Kara</t><t w="52">decoction</t><t w="52">Duma</t><t w="51">Duran</t><t w="49">decay</t><t w="48">Kahn</t><t w="48">decoration</t><t w="47">devotion</t></item><item x="69" y="71" w="28" h="19"><t w="65">they</t><t w="61">him</t><t w="59">that</t><t w="59">may</t><t w="58">thy</t><t w="57">why</t><t w="56">thin</t><t w="56">win</t><t w="56">try</t><t w="55">Tina</t></item><item x="101" y="69" w="37" h="18"><t w="59">bird</t><t w="56">bid</t><t w="56">bind</t><t w="54">bond</t><t w="48">do ? ?</t><t w="39">do NT</t><t w="39">do Rd</t><t w="39">do nD</t><t w="38">do MT</t><t w="38">do VD</t></item><item x="142" y="69" w="52" h="19"><t w="54">distinct</t><t w="52">distant</t><t w="52">district</t><t w="52">distract</t><t w="46">al ? ?</t><t w="45">distort</t><t w="43">abstract</t><t w="43">Ahmad</t><t w="42">distend</t><t w="39">dirtied</t></item><item x="196" y="79" w="10" h="9"><t w="60">or</t><t w="53">IR</t><t w="53">a</t><t w="39">ER</t><t w="38">RR</t><t w="37">n</t><t w="34">AR</t></item><item x="210" y="72" w="57" h="17"><t w="55">entertain</t><t w="52">uncertain</t><t w="49">entire</t><t w="48">Eritrean</t><t w="47">enter</t><t w="44">Ethan</t><t w="44">enters</t><t w="43">entry</t><t w="41">Erika</t></item><item x="273" y="71" w="35" h="28"><t w="61">try</t><t w="60">thy</t><t w="60">they</t><t w="56">buy</t><t w="56">Troy</t><t w="55">that</t><t w="55">toy</t><t w="55">TTY</t><t w="55">Thai</t><t w="54">Ty</t></item><item x="312" y="70" w="25" h="20"><t w="59">ten</t><t w="58">led</t><t w="57">Lui</t><t w="57">Len</t><t w="57">lev</t><t w="57">less</t><t w="57">leu</t><t w="55">lead</t><t w="54">Ku</t><t w="54">Lai</t></item><item x="341" y="74" w="12" h="17"><t w="68">to</t><t w="49">too</t><t w="49">two</t><t w="49">is</t><t w="44">h</t><t w="40">ts</t><t w="39">Lo</t></item><item x="357" y="80" w="18" h="10"><t w="68">an</t><t w="67">on</t><t w="59">AR</t><t w="57">AI</t><t w="57">Ari</t><t w="57">air</t><t w="56">our</t></item><item x="383" y="71" w="85" h="22"><t w="58">understand</t><t w="54">understanding</t><t w="52">understands</t><t w="51">industry</t><t w="51">undemanding</t><t w="51">undertow</t><t w="51">industries</t></item><item x="74" y="92" w="15" h="19"><t w="56">of</t><t w="56">de</t><t w="55">Dr</t><t w="53">at</t><t w="53">OT</t><t w="52">dc</t><t w="36">a</t></item><item x="89" y="92" w="19" h="19"><t w="57">she</t><t w="56">the</t><t w="55">son</t><t w="53">he</t><t w="53">Fu</t><t w="52">fra</t><t w="52">SW</t><t w="52">Fri</t><t w="51">fm</t><t w="43">k</t></item><item x="112" y="95" w="33" h="15"><t w="62">whole</t><t w="60">while</t><t w="56">where</t><t w="55">wide</t><t w="55">whir</t><t w="53">wine</t><t w="52">work</t></item><item x="168" y="95" w="31" h="14"><t w="59">mind</t><t w="58">wind</t><t w="57">which</t><t w="57">road</t><t w="57">read</t><t w="57">wild</t><t w="55">IDD</t><t w="55">lead</t><t w="55">mad</t><t w="55">via</t></item><item x="205" y="95" w="52" h="21"><t w="57">mean</t><t w="57">him</t><t w="57">hear</t><t w="56">my are</t><t w="56">them</t><t w="56">my an</t><t w="55">thy are</t><t w="55">thy an</t><t w="54">my we</t><t w="54">Mr are</t></item><item x="261" y="101" w="17" h="8"><t w="68">as</t><t w="65">an</t><t w="62">a</t><t w="61">CIO</t><t w="61">us</t><t w="60">no</t><t w="60">Cia</t><t w="59">was</t><t w="59">on</t><t w="58">asia</t></item><item x="282" y="92" w="53" h="18"><t w="51">invent</t><t w="51">intent</t><t w="45">inked</t><t w="44">mount</t><t w="43">indent</t><t w="43">input</t><t w="41">idiot</t><t w="40">interest</t><t w="40">inherent</t><t w="40">inbred</t></item><item x="341" y="93" w="39" h="28"><t w="60">part i</t><t w="60">part</t><t w="59">part a</t><t w="58">put i</t><t w="57">put</t><t w="57">put a</t><t w="56">past i</t><t w="55">past a</t><t w="55">past</t><t w="55">pa i</t></item><item x="349" y="120" w="79" h="22"><t w="52">Britons</t><t w="42">Brito ? ? b</t><t w="41">Brito ? ? is</t><t w="40">Brito NS</t><t w="40">who ? ? b</t><t w="40">war ? ? b</t><t w="39">bar ? ? b</t><t w="39">who ? ? is</t><t w="39">war ? ? is</t><t w="39">Brito TB</t></item></recoIndex>

[GrumpyMonkey 4,319]

Also, I forgot to ask, but did you upgrade to Premium? Image indexing only works for Premium subscribers. Most of that additional cost for the notebook pays for three months of Premium.

[FredN 0]

I tried using plain paper and got the same results.  Of course it wouldn't work without the green string next to it.

 

Yes, I have a Premium account.

 

The ScannerPro app works well, but doesn't seem to allow searches.  

[GrumpyMonkey 4,319]

I tried using plain paper and got the same results.  Of course it wouldn't work without the green string next to it.

 

Yes, I have a Premium account.

 

The ScannerPro app works well, but doesn't seem to allow searches.  

 

There is no need for the green string there. As you can see from the note link I posted, the search is working well with my account (I had no trouble finding "which"). Strangely, yours apparently isn't. If you could export the note with the image as an .enex file, put that .enex file into a shared note, and give us the link to it, we could compare the two image recognition results. We all use the same servers over there at Evernote to process images, so it seems very odd that we are getting different results.

 

As for the ScannerPro image, putting that into your account as a .jpg file (not .pdf) should get it indexed exactly the same way that Evernote deals with photos and so forth. 

[FredN 0]

Well, I did need to use the green string, as I said, because it wouldn't classify the image without it.

 

Sorry, but I don't know how to export notes into shared notes.

 

Thanks for the info on ScannerPro.  I didn't know I could save images as .jpg files.