Automatic Data Input Methods

OCR, OMR and Bar code recognition are automatic data input technologies involving scanning
printed characters and marks to interpret them as data. While OCR involves actual scanning of
printed data, OMR and Bar code readers recognize certain marks and record the data
corresponding to them.

OCR:
OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. As implied by the name, an OCR device
converts printed or typewritten characters to computer data by different means. Early OCR
devices appeared around 1930s; these devices were mechanical and made use of photo detectors.
Around late 1950s, the first computerized OCR devices appeared. These devices make use of
specialized software that performs pattern recognition algorithms over scanned images to trace
out text characters from those images. This kind of OCR functionality is also available in popular
computer software such as Microsoft OneNote, Office Document Imaging and Adobe Acrobat.
Specialized OCR software is also available. OCR-A and OCR-B are two fonts, which were
certified by the European standards agency for use, with the text that was meant to scan with
OCR technology. The most widespread use of this technology is the digitization of documents,
old books, journals etc. With computer storage becoming more reliable, OCR is increasingly
being used to convert printed documental records, typewritten books and other such stuff to
computer files, which are then stored on secondary storage devices. With advancements in
technology, OCR software has also come to recognize handwriting.

When Text documents are

scanned, they are photographed
and stored as pictures in the
computer. OCR software converts
the pictures into actual text
characters, which considerably
take up less room on disk.

OMR:
OMR stands for Optical Mark Recognition. OMR is simpler than OCR by comparison because it
does not involve recognizing complex patterns. Different OMR devices use different techniques
to detect simple strokes and marks and interpret them as data according to a standard scheme.
Some devices detect marked areas by shining light onto the paper and measuring the degree of

A special university form

to be scanned with an
OMR device. Black areas
will shine and reflect
more light.

reflection from every point. Black marked areas are shiny and hence
are detected as they reflect more light. This technique most commonly used in OMR devices
used to mark multiple-choice tests (like those in O-levels and A-levels) and public surveys.

An OMR device…

Other techniques include printing the marks with special magnetic ink. This approach is used by
OMRs that scan bank cheques, which are printed by special codes that are scanned to check their
validity.

BAR code Scanner:

Bar code readers are special forms of OMRs. Bar codes are sequences of bars of different widths
laid out horizontally. The width and the spacing of the bars forms a special code that has some

A Bar code…

meaning in the context the code is used. Bar codes are most widely used
automatic data entry method. They are used in supermarket checkout counters, international mail
processing, warehouse management and the list grows on. Since they are mostly used to identify
objects, they are also known as Auto ID codes. There are several widely used standard-coding
schemes that facilitate different parties to exchange information in bar code form. Examples of
the codes are UPC (worldwide retail), Code 25 (libraries and wholesale markets), ISBN (books)
and EAN (magazines).

Some Bar code scanners…

Summary:
OCR, OMR and Bar code recognition are automatic data input technologies involving scanning
printed characters and marks to interpret them as data. OCR stands for Optical Character
Recognition. An OCR device converts printed or type-written characters to data by different
means. Early OCR devices were mechanical latest devices use software-based OCR and this
feature is also available in many software packages. OCR is mostly used for digitization of
documents, old books, journals etc. OMR stands for Optical Mark Recognition. OMR devices
detect marked areas on paper measuring reflection from shine or by sensing magnetic inks. Used
for marking MCQ-style exams and surveys and on bank cheques. Bar codes are sequences of
bars of different widths laid out horizontally. Bar codes are mostly used to identify different
types of objects in supermarkets to cargo to libraries. Different standard coding schemes are
available for making bar codes.