Explainer: What is OCR, and how does it work?

Explainer: What is OCR, and how does it work? | Biometric Update

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) has emerged as a critical tool for managing the vast influx of digitized information from physical media. By converting static images of text into machine-readable data, businesses can seamlessly integrate scanned documents into digital workflows, significantly reducing manual intervention and enhancing operational efficiency. The technology functions by analyzing scanned images to distinguish between background and character areas, utilizing algorithms like pattern matching or feature extraction to identify specific letters and numbers. This process allows for the automated conversion of diverse document types, including identity cards with biometric data, into usable digital formats that can trigger automated form completions and data analytics. This capability is highly relevant to open data initiatives, as it bridges the gap between analog records and digital accessibility. Enabling the extraction of structured data from public documents facilitates greater transparency, supports automated verification processes, and allows for the broader analysis of societal information, ultimately making historical and administrative records more accessible for public scrutiny and innovation.

Source: biometricupdate.com
Published on 2023-12-22

Related news

« Food prices up 5.8% in July year-on-year

EXPLAINED: What changes with Austria's new Freedom of Information law? »