A system and method for identifying characters using a processor and a sparse distributed memory (SDM) module. The system and method are configured to receive image data relating to an object having a surface with physical markings thereon. The physical markings include characters-of-interest. The system and method are also configured to analyze the image data to convert at least one of the characters-of-interest in the image data into a corresponding feature vector. The system and method are also configured to identify the characters-of-interest using the feature vector and the SDM module. A suggested identity for the characters-of-interest is provided.