Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is gaining renewed popularity as a way to quickly enter text and numbers directly into computer systems. In the past, OCR readers could only recognize special type faces, called OCR fonts. Modern OCR, however, can recognize a wide range of type faces and are incorporated in text scanners and fax software. OCR is also being implemented in the new generation of two-dimentional imagers which are being increasingly used to read bar code and 2D symbols. It is entirely possible that, in some applications, OCR will some day significantly replace bar code -- the technology that replaced OCR in the 70s.

OCR is being used to:

• read account numbers for payment processing,
• read file folder identification,
• enter selected fields of information from forms, and
• read and enter full pages of information.

OCR Advantages:

• is both human- and machine-readable,
• is very easy and inexpensive to produce (can be disposable),
• eliminates key entry of large amounts of text from faxes, books, other printed sources,
• automates, or improves, the speed and accuracy of entering account or file numbers, and
• is offered in hand-held and page reader devices, and computer software.

• line-of-sight required,
• limited data capacity (except software and page readers),
• can be damaged by common contaminants, and
• character substitution possibility (non-OCR fonts)

Intelligent Character Recognition

Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR) is the next level of software for recognizing printed characters. ICR is the engine behind hand-printing recognition in organizers and similar applications. Although not specifically labeled as ICR software, a range of software products are available for pen-based applications. Its application is currently limited to pen-based systems.

ICR Benefits:

• captures hand-printed data in a machine-readable form,
• requires no pre-printed forms or "marks."