OCR, or optical character recognition, is a system allowing the automated recognition of printed texts so that they can be transcribed into electronic files. By scanning a document, the machine is able to read its content.
OCR systems can recognize:
- different types of font;
- different typewriter characters;
- different computer characters;
- handwritten writings;
- logos (brands);
- signatures;
- whole words (rather than characters)…
Concretely, the OCR SDK system uses the latest technologies to collect information from a scanned document (photograph, text, etc.). It then converts it into a text file.
To do this, OCR studies the white and black colors of a document to determine all the alphanumeric codes. Then, the system will recognize each character to convert it into ASCII text.
Subsequently, you will be able to edit, copy and search the text as in your usual word processing software.
OCR works by following various steps:
1. L’acquisition d’image
The scanner reads the document and converts it into binary data. It analyzes the scanned image and classifies light and dark areas (background and text).
2. Pre-treatment
The software “cleans” the image and eliminates errors via several techniques:
- tilting and misalignment of the document;
- smoothing of image edges;
- removal of spots on the image;
- cleaning boxes and lines in the image;
- handwriting recognition…
3. Text recognition
OCR mainly uses two algorithms to carry out this step:
- pattern matching;
- feature extraction.
4. Post-processing
Once the analysis is complete, the system can convert the extracted “text” data into a file.
Uses of OCR
OCR software can be used in various industries, here are some examples.
- Banking: in the banking sector, OCR allows you to process and verify deposit checks, loan documents and any other transaction. This additional verification system helps prevent fraud and strengthen the security of banking transactions.
- Health: OCR allows patient files to be processed (treatments, tests, insurance payments, etc.). It is particularly valuable in hospitals because it helps keep records up to date while streamlining staff workflow.
- Logistics: logistics companies use OCR to ensure efficient tracking of package labels, invoices, receipts, etc. Stopping manual entry of this type of document has made it possible to considerably limit errors.
Practical and fast, OCR software is an essential tool if you have to process all types of documents on a daily basis.
