InternetNews.com - Webopedia: Online Dictionary for Computer and Internet Terms
 


   

Partner With Us
















Enter a keyword...
...or choose a category.

optical character recognition
Last modified: Thursday, December 19, 2002  

Often abbreviated OCR, optical character recognition refers to the branch of computer science that involves reading text from paper and translating the images into a form that the computer can manipulate (for example, into ASCII codes). An OCR system enables you to take a book or a magazine article, feed it directly into an electronic computer file, and then edit the file using a word processor.

All OCR systems include an optical scanner for reading text, and sophisticated software for analyzing images. Most OCR systems use a combination of hardware (specialized circuit boards) and software to recognize characters, although some inexpensive systems do it entirely through software. Advanced OCR systems can read text in large variety of fonts, but they still have difficulty with handwritten text.

The potential of OCR systems is enormous because they enable users to harness the power of computers to access printed documents. OCR is already being used widely in the legal profession, where searches that once required hours or days can now be accomplished in a few seconds.

Sponsored listings

Optical Character Recognition - Offers document imaging services for large and small companies employing scanned documents. Also provides Optical Character Recognition services.

Related Categories
  • Peripheral Devices
  • Scanners
  • Related Terms
  • ASCII
  • document management
  • font
  • form
  • MICR
  • optical scanner
  • printed circuit board
  • Shopping
    optical character recognition Products
    Compare Products,Prices and Stores

    Shop by Category:
    Cartridges and Toners
    1 Store Offers

    Office Supplies
    1 Store Offers

     
    Related Links

    Yahoo!'s OCR software page
    Yahoo!'s directory of OCR software.

    OCR as a digitization technology - article
    Provides an overview of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) as it pertains to library digitization activities. Contains an overview of imaging and OCR.

    Optical Character Recognition
    An explanation of OCR and how scanners register the characters from ComputerWorld. (2002)


    Add internetnews.com
    to your browser search box.

    IE 7 | Firefox 2.0 | Firefox 1.5.x

    Receive news
    via our XML/RSS:
    feed

    More InternetNews.com


    Hardware Software Mobility Web Content
    Search Government Developer Business
    Storage E-Commerce Networking Security



    internet.comearthweb.comDevx.commediabistro.comGraphics.com

    Search:

    Jupitermedia Corporation has two divisions: Jupiterimages and JupiterOnlineMedia

    Jupitermedia Corporate Info

    Legal Notices, Licensing, Reprints, Permissions, Privacy Policy.
    Advertise | Newsletters | Tech Jobs | Shopping | E-mail Offers