Optical Input Devices
Optical Input Devices
Optical input devices enable systems to use light as an input resource. An example of an optical input device is a scanner. Other typical optical input devices include magnetic ink character readers (MICR), optical mark readers (OMR), optical character readers (OCR), and barcode readers etc.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
OCR is a technique for scanning the printed page, transcribing it, and then utilising OCR software to recognise that image as editable Plain text. For recognition, OCR employs an optical character reader.
The scanned picture is saved as a bitmap picture, composed of a grid of dots, using the optical character reader. As a result, you cannot change the scanned text. OCR software is required to alter the scanned text. The OCR software converts the dot array into characters that a computer will recognise as words and characters.
The OCR software matches the pattern found in the scanned picture with the patterns saved inside the computer to recognise the words and characters of text. OCR-generated text files can be saved in a variety of formats.
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
Banks use MICR to process massive amounts of checks. It recognises the magnetic encoding digits written at the bottom of a check. The characters on the bank check are accessible as they are written with ink containing iron particles. These figures are magnetic. For character recognition, MICR employs a magnetic ink character reader.
When a check is read by a Magnetic Ink Character Reader, the magnetic field causes the read head to recognise the check's characters or digits. Cheque readers are often used in banks to process checks. The bottom numbers of the check comprise the bank number, branch number, and check number. MICR has a quicker reading speed than OCR.
Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)
OMR is a technique for detecting markings on paper. The markings may be identified by their blackness. For reading the markings, an optical mark scanner is used. The OMR scanner scans the forms, recognises the mark that is appropriately positioned on the paper and deeper than the rest of the paper, and sends this data to a computer for processing through application software.
It captures the presence and absence of markings by using a beam of light that is reflected on the paper bearing the marks. By measuring the reflected light, the optical mark reader identifies the existence of a mark. The mark pattern is evaluated and saved on the computer.
OMR is extensively used to read objective-type exam responses, in which the student writes an answer by darkening a specific circle with a pencil. OMR is also used to read forms, surveys, order forms, and other documents.
Barcode Reader
Barcodes are machine-readable, contiguous vertical lines of varying width. Barcodes are used to identify products such as groceries and books. Barcode scanners use reflected light to read barcodes. This data is sent to the computer, which interprets the code based on the spacing and thickness of the bars.
Handheld barcode readers are commonly used in department stores to scan labels and in libraries to read book labels.
Barcode readers are quick and precise. They provide speedier customer assistance and are also used to determine the things being sold, the amount of each item sold, and the price of the item.
Conclusion
Optical input devices like scanners, magnetic ink character readers; optical mark readers, optical character readers (OCR), and barcode readers use light as input. OCR is a technique for scanning printed pages, transcribing them, and using OCR software to recognise the image as editable plain text. OCR software alters the scanned text into characters that a computer can recognise as words and characters.
MICR is utilised by banks for processing large checks, as it recognises magnetic encoding digits at the bottom of the check. It has a faster reading speed than OCR. OMR detects paper markings and identifies them by their blackness. An optical mark scanner scans forms, recognises them, and sends data to a computer for processing through application software. The optical mark reader captures the presence and absence of markings by measuring the reflected light on the paper.
Barcode readers are machine-readable vertical lines used to identify products like groceries and books. Barcode scanners use reflected light to read barcodes, which are interpreted by the computer based on the spacing and thickness of the bars. Handheld barcode readers are commonly used in department stores and libraries to scan labels and provide faster customer assistance.