It has become extremely difficult to find out the difference between an original document and its copy, as sophisticated color printers and copiers have become extremely abundant. The risk of fraud has hence increased by high quality copies of various documents such as tickets, vouchers and checks which are often mistaken for originals. Optical character recognition (OCR) and magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) technologies are used by travel industry, banks, utility companies, shops and many other business organizations to prevent fraud. These two technologies are used to prevent fraud in various application for validation purpose such as check validation machines and sorters, GIRO and voucher eaders, stock control, utility bill validation, ticket number readers, airline check in and passport and travel document readers.
Optical character recognition (OCR) is a process by which an image of text like scanned check and utility bill are converted into computer editable text. The text in an image cannot be edited as the letters are made up of pixels or tiny dots which combine together to form a picture of a text. The software analyzes an image and thereby converts the character pictures into text that is editable based on the pattern the pixels follow in the image. After OCR the converted text can be exported and used with a variety of page layout, word processing and spread sheet applications.
The OCR readers form one of the most versatile data entry tools available in the modern day world. Payment processing delays can be avoided by the use of OCR readers. OCR readers form a low cost alternative to the traditional keyboard data entry. Data entry errors are also minimized by the use of OCR readers. The design challenges include the fact that requirements of companies considering OCR reader such as field upgrades, font capability, networking capabilities, power consumption and data storage must be evaluated carefully. The company should decide whether the system is intended to be networked or should work as stand alone. Low power requirements are essential in a stand alone environment. The customers should also decide whether the reader should be directly operated or should be operated by a host.