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24
Mar 09

OCR TIFF Instructions

PDF File Format
The PDF format, created by Adobe System, is a portable document format. It works by making unchangeable files that can be easily viewed. PDF represents all its documents in two-dimensional format. This format works by maintaining the internal structure of all authored documents and retaining them across viewing applications. One can create PDF documents by scanning paper documents and creating image files that are basically pictures of the text contained within that document. One can use OCR technology to retrieve the text from that image and make the PDF document editable and searchable.

How does OCR help this process?
Optical character recognition is a versatile technology that creates text documents in a digitized format from paper documents containing the same text. The process works by scanning the document, and then converting the resultant output into an image file. This image file is then scanned by the software and compared with strings of language scripts. When matches are found, those are identified as text strings and recorded as such. OCR allows large volumes of paper documents to be quickly and easily scanned into digital formats and searched or edited electronically as desired. This helps immensely in storing and transmitting paper documents digitally.

OCR overview
The entire process of data extraction from an original document, image or PDF takes less than a minute with help of OCR. The extracted document looks just like the original document. This OCR software is the keyword for a hassle free extraction of documents into machine-readable format. OCR software is very user-friendly and does not require high level of skill.

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23
Mar 09

PDF OCR batch

The PDF is a file format that captures a printed document as an electronic image. These files are useful for documents such as articles, brochures and flyers where one can preserve the original graphic appearance online.

PDF batch software compresses entire folders and drives of data stored in PDF format. Batch compression of PDF helps to store files, subfolders and folders in a compressed form while maintaining their original structure. This makes it easy to retrieve data upon decompression. Further, you can set up watched folders, so that the software automatically compresses newly added PDF files. Some packages can compress folders into one tenth the original size.

PDF batch can come in handy in creating and uploading data to the Web. The important concern in batch PDF is to compress files without loss of key data or reduction of quality. Compression achieved without any change to the original bitmap is lossless compression. For this, the software should be able to distinguish between noise and signal in the file.

OCR is a technology used to copy and convert printed material into editable word processing file formats like .doc or .txt. OCR batch is software that enables conversion of large amounts of data simultaneously and in the same order as the original documents are stored. Using OCR batch, one can run OCR on huge folders or even drives of files. OCR batch works in the background on its own and the user can go ahead with other work without interruption. Good OCR batch software comes packed with features like ability to keep track of specified folders, and looking out for arrival of new files.
What is imperative is that to begin the conversion through PDF OCR batch one needs the conversion software to detect the patterns of the text in the document. The conversion sequence for the execution of the command can be user defined by modifying the settings. A few parameters that one should take into account while using the PDF OCR batch are the compression ratio, the quality and accuracy and the fonts supported by the conversion software.

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23
Mar 09

OCR Technology

OCR, or Optical Character Recognition, is a technology used to copy and convert printed material into editable word processing file formats like .doc or .txt. The material thus converted could be paper documents, PDF files or digital images. However, text in a PDF document is in the image format and cannot be edited. In order to make these documents editable OCR technology is used.

OCR technology is designed in such a way that they can read typed information usually known as machine printed characters. An OCR enabled computer recognizes printed and sometimes written characters. The first step is to photo-scan the text, followed by analysis of the image and conversion into character codes. OCR involves the use of both software and hardware. However OCR technology isn’t effective in recognizing handwriting and fonts that resemble handwriting. But research is on in this area, due to demand from industries like banking that would benefit from using OCR to recognize handwritten checks.

Two methods are used by the OCR technology to recognize and read characters: Matrix Matching method and Feature Extraction method.
In the Matrix Matching method the scanner matches the character it reads with its inbuilt library of templates and characters. If an image matches the one that is present in its library then it is labeled by the computer with the character it corresponds to.

The Feature Extraction method is a more versatile method and is also called ICR or Intelligent Character Recognition technology. The character recognition pattern in this technology is based on the optical scanner looking for certain features in letters such as intersections in lines, lines that are diagonal, shapes in the character that are closed, shapes that are open. The scanned letters in the Feature Extraction OCR technology recognizes these characters by condensing the character that they ‘read’ to their basic feature. Once this is done the characters that are read are compared to the list of features that are available in the software’s programming code. This method is more versatile because it works with many types of fonts and characters, some of which are not easily predictable.

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23
Mar 09

Pros and Cons of of OCR and Hard Copies

Optical Character Registration (OCR) Document
Physical Documents: An office works with thousands of documents in hard copy form every day. These documents are in various forms, such as e.g. handwritten notes, report printouts, typed letter, photocopies, faxes, images, etc.

Electronic Documents: Similarly, someone on the other hand in the office is creating a new document in his computer using a word processor, email or excel spreadsheet. All these documents, physical or electronic, are to be filed, arranged, retrieved reproduced and analyzed, by various people at different times. These documents become the life of an organization, and the companies that manage its data have an edge over its competitors.

Document management with OCR
Data, documents and information is of use only if it is available on time and properly organized. Whether at large, small or medium organizations, the destiny of documents depends upon their ability to manage information around them.

With the help of OCR document processing, you can distinguish your data using a document imager. The scanner will create an image of the original document and store it. Also, individuals can print, fax or email the image.

Cost savings with OCR
OCR data entry offers high quality, cost-effective services suited to high volume data entry applications such as database and forms processors. This saves you time and money, and also helps utilize your office staff by not engaging them in mindless data entry requests. Use their time to your best advantage by letting the data entry responsibility fall on the OCR software.

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22
Mar 09

What is OCR Accounts Payable Database

OCR applied to accounts payable is an effective tool which helps in eliminating data entry of accounts payable invoices by scanning reading, classifying and distilling data off of an invoice. It is estimated that a large amount of time is spent on processing and paying just one invoice. An analysis of this says that much of an organization’s time is spent manually entering invoices, routing invoices approvals, filing paper work. At times like this, our OCR Accounts Payable Database proves to be a great time managing tool.
Advantages of OCR Accounts Payable Database:
OCR Accounts Payable Database eliminates manual paper handling and drives down invoice processing costs by as much as 80%. It ensures optimum utilization of time by reducing labor. Improves accuracy of data and helps prevent duplicate payments.
The OCR database enables you to avoid late payment penalties and earn prompt payment discounts. ORC Accounts Payable also processes a variety of document types, which includes multi-lingual documents, within a single batch. The use of the ORC accounts system also reduces the loss and misrepresentation of invoices.

Effect of OCR Accounts Payable Database on your business:
Since the OCR Accounts Payable Database has a unique approach of converting paper work into error free data, it can be directly entered into any accounting arrangement. This guarantees proper rules and policies in the organization. There is a systematic approach towards each invoice and also helps people manage records. Using our OCR Accounts Payable Database in your organization also improves client and employee satisfaction. Clients are satisfied with timely payments and employees benefit from the systematic approach towards work. With the use of OCR Accounts Payable Database you will see an improved Accounts Payable Department.

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21
Mar 09

Tools offered by OCR

What kind of images do OCR tools work with?

Optical character recognition converts the images into black and white before processing. OCR software is also compatible with processing color, grayscale and black and white images. However usually an OCR tool does not need extended Picture Box functionalities and it is generally provided for convenience sake. Open source codes for OCR tools are also quite easily available on the net. OCR .Net component is compiled in 1.1 and 2.0 Framework. Sample sources that are generally available for download are built on VB.Net and CSharp languages. Images of at least 300 DPI are best suited for OCR tools.

More about OCR tools.

OCR tools are more or less accurate for image conversion purposes. Factors that affect accuracy are skewed images, fragmented images, or dark images with merged character.
The output files can be in the form of a large list of available options ranging from Word files to PDF files. Thus, the OCR tool saves you a considerable amount of time by enabling you to convert your documents into computer readable language without actually having to retype it.
Where are OCR tools available
OCR tools are available at several websites that offer these tools for free or sell them. You can download them if you visit any of these websites.

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20
Mar 09

Scanned files searchable OCR

OCR is a technology used to copy and convert printed material into editable word processing formats like .doc or .txt. The material thus converted could be paper documents, PDF files or digital images.

When there is large volume of data containing important information one can use OCR to search scanned files so that it reduces time taken in information search and finding data. Using OCR to search scanned files can confer substantial benefits in any setting where rapid access to data is crucial.
To make scanned files searchable, the files have to be indexed. Since there are a huge variety of file types such as documents, text files, spread sheets, images files, etc, each file type is indexed based on the content and properties. An OCR application receives the raw input via a scanner or a digital camera. The images and text contained in the document are both scanned. The orientation of the text in the input is determined, whereupon the character recognition algorithms convert the data into text. Current OCR technology can claim a 99% accuracy rate in recognizing printed text in Latin script.

Techniques to accurately recognize text in other scripts, handwritten text and even spoken text are also being developed. This text is then stored along with the scanned images – several OCR applications can even retain the formatting of the original document while doing this. The machine-readable text produced by the OCR application can be saved in a variety of convenient formats, the most common being the PDF. The text in such a document can be made completely searchable. A user simply enters search terms into the document interface and receives all relevant results.
OCR applications that convert documents into searchable audio files are also beginning to appear; these are of particular use to the visually impaired. This entire process is a considerable advance over the cumbersome, time-consuming process of manually sorting through large amounts of physical documentation for specific facts and figures. Where the timeliness of information is everything, using OCR for searchable files can add considerable value to the way businesses, libraries and educational institutions function.

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20
Mar 09

OCR PDF documents for search

OCR is a technology used to copy and convert printed material into editable word processing file formats like .doc or .txt. This involves reading text from a document and translating the images into an electronic file which is edited with word processor. In this procedure an optical scanner is used for reading text, an advanced software for analyzing images in the page as a bitmap. Advanced OCR technique can read text in large variety of fonts, but they cannot comprehend handwritten text. After scanning the text, the software can be taught the implication of those characters. In this way, the program is able to ascertain the shape of each of the letters even from unusual fonts. Many OCR software also refer to a lexicon while converting. The advantage of OCR is that it allows saving files in a large variety of text and image formats, including PDFs to create a searchable database of scanned documents.

PDF is a file format that captures a printed document as an electronic image and looks like the original document. A PDF file for search contains text data that can be searched by using the search function. A searchable PDF contains the original scanned image and a separate text layer from an OCR process and comes in handy when one has to deal in large volumes of data. By converting them using OCR into editable and searchable files, one can find any information with an easy search.

A searchable PDF file can be of two types: Exact and Compact. With the Exact method the file size is large but as the name suggests it is very accurate. The page appears exactly as it did when it was scanned, only now it is searchable. With the Compact method the file size is smaller than the Exact method and the general look and feel of the original image is retained while it becomes searchable but the quality is not as good as the Exact method. A searchable PDF file enables users to look for image data from full text and can be stored in the document management system.

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17
Mar 09

Companies offering OCR trials

Many companies offer trials for its optical character recognition software, so that you can compare different products before making a decision. This convenience is appreciated because the software, as well as systems combining hardware and software, can be expensive.
OCR is a convenient and timesaving method of searching pages, folders and even PDFs or other image files stored on your computer. You can easily search and edit from the text from image files that were previously inaccessible.

Why should you try it?
Even though you always have the alternative of reading hard copies of files to find the information you want, it’s more practical to try one of the numerous OCR software trials available for free or at little cost. OCR software enables you to convert all image-based documents in PDF, TIFF and other similar formats, into searchable and editable text. This allows you to incorporate fresh changes with almost no hassle. It also allows more organization with your files, instead of having them cluttered throughout your PC.

Other options
Some sophisticated OCR systems enhance the performance of your PC, as text can be copied into a digitally recognizable format from inaccessible locations like dialog-boxes and protected Web pages. Some trial programs can even copy graphics and display statistics, such as word count and font style, in highlighted text.
Basically, OCR can convert everything on your screen – whether it is an image, scanned text, PDF or web page – into searchable and editable text with astonishing accuracy levels. OCR software is so easy that it can be used by anyone, whether you are a seasoned computer pro or a beginner.

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15
Mar 09

OCR TIFF Files

What is TIFF

Tagged Image File Format, commonly known as TIFF, is a format that lets you store images, such as text, photographs and line sketches. It was originally created by Aldus for desktop publishing, but is now copyrighted under the Adobe system, which acquired Aldus. There have been only minor modifications to this format since 1992.

Characteristics of TIFF

TIFF is very flexible in nature, it is compatible with a wide range of software applications, including image-manipulation and publishing software. TIFFs can be scanned, faxed or edited through optical character registration software, also known as OCR. A TIFF is able to handle images and data within a single file, by including the header tags that define the image’s geometry. For instance, a TIFF file can hold compressed JPEG and RLE (run-length encoding) images, or include a vector-based clipping path (outlines, croppings, image frames). As TIFF uses a lossless format to store image data, it becomes a very useful image archive; unlike standard JPEG files, a TIFF file, using lossless compression, can be edited and saved without compromising image quality. Other available options are layers and pages.

So what is OCR TIFF?
TIFF files that have been read by an OCR system are prevalent in law offices. A common practice has been to take electronic files and save them as image-based electronic files. TIFFs are images of the electronic document, and no text or metadata is retained as part of the file. Therefore, in order to make these image files searchable, they need to be processed by OCR software. Once converted, it takes just minutes to find important data that would have taken hours, if not days.

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