What is OCR in computer
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is an application to convert image to text. It is a technology used in computers to recognize and convert different types of documents, such as scanned paper documents, PDFs, or images captured by a digital camera, into editable and searchable data. Let us understand how it works and its common applications.
How OCR software works
The OCR software or algorithms embedded in OCR scanners or OCR pens used to convert images into readable text. MATLAB programs which can be run in the computers are also available to perform image to text conversion.
Following steps describe working of OCR software.
➨Image Preprocessing: The image or document is preprocessed to
improve the quality and make the text more recognizable. This might include noise reduction,
binarization, and deskewing (correcting the alignment).
➨Text Recognition: The OCR software analyzes the structure of the document image.
It divides the page into elements such as blocks of text, tables
and images. It then breaks down these blocks further into lines, words
and characters.
➨Matching : The software compares these elements against a set of patterns or through
feature extraction to recognize the characters.
➨Post-Processing: After the text has been recognized, post-processing steps are taken to
correct any errors that might have occurred during recognition.
This might involve checking against dictionaries, grammar rules and context to improve accuracy.
Benefits of OCR application to convert Image to Text
Following are the benefits of OCR software.
• It significantly reduces time required to convert images to text.
• It streamlines workflows and lowers costs associated with manual data entry and document
management.
• Latest OCR systesm offer higher accuracy in output and reduces risk of errors.
• After conversion, digital texts can easily be searched which helps to
find specific information within large volumes of documents.
• Physical storage space can be minimized which is beneficial for
companies dealing with extensive paper work.
• Digitizing documents can contribute to environmental sustainability by lowering
the demand for paper and decreasing waste.
OCR applications
The most common applications of OCR are as follows.
1. Digitizing Printed Documents: OCR converts printed books, articles, and
reports into digital text, enhancing searchability and enabling easier storage and distribution.
2. Data Entry Automation: OCR extracts data from forms, invoices, and receipts,
reducing manual entry errors and speeding up processing times.
3. Text Recognition in Images: OCR identifies and converts text from photographs, screenshots,
and scanned images into editable and searchable digital text.
4. Archiving Historical Documents: OCR digitizes historical texts and manuscripts,
preserving them and making them accessible for research and public access.
5. License Plate Recognition: OCR automatically recognizes and records vehicle license plates,
aiding in traffic management, toll collection, and law enforcement.
6. Business Card Scanning: OCR extracts contact information from business cards,
organizing it into digital address books or CRM systems for easy access and management.
Conclusion : Overall, OCR software plays a pivotal role in the digital transformation of various industries. It enhances efficiency, accuracy and accessibility which provides significant benefits across various industries and applications. As OCR technology continues to advance, its impact on document management, data entry and information accessibility will only grow, driving further digital transformation and innovation.
OCR Applications, Advantages and disadvantages
➨Refer benefits and limitations of OCR software used in computer
for image to text conversion.
➨Applications of OCR tool
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