OMR and OCR scanners

OMR Scanners – Optical Mark Reading/Recognition Scanners

• OMR READER is device that recognizes marks made on a sheet of paper with the help of LED (Light Emitting Diodes). This is not an image scanner. The light bounces on to it then the LED will help analyze and interpet for the machine to give out the results.
• OMR SOFTWARE SCANNER is software which needs a image scanner for it to work. The Scanner scans the form then the software reads it then it is able to interpret it on its own.
• The OMR READER is especially for its purpose while the OMR SOFTWARE/ SCANNER can be used for other things like basic scanning.
• It is commonly used for survey forms, tests on a sheet of paper, lottery and gaming.
• It was widely used way back in 1960s although it wasn’t until the 1990s that it was put into the magnifying glass.
• OMR Readers are different from OMR software/scanner although they have the same purpose.
• Other uses could be electronic voting; any kind of testing that involves multiple choices.

SOME PROS AND CONS FOR OMR SCANNERS

Pros:
• Forms are customizable and interchangeable when scanning.
• Image scanners can be used for more than just OMR scanning.
• OMR software forms do not need to be as exact in alignment as OMR reader forms.
• Can optionally read barcodes, handwritten information (ICR) and typed information (OCR).
• Allows you to keep a digitized copy of the form.
• Cheaper than OMR readers.
• Can optionally automatically de-skew. Forms can be automatically rotated to make the images straight.
• Can read blue pen and pencil easily.
• Can read any barcode type the OMR software supports.
• Better automation with automatic ID generation/reconciliation and form personalization.
Cons:
• Cheaper document scanners can only hold small amounts of paper (between 50-100 pages)
• Cheaper document scanners have low duty cycles (around 3000 pages per day)
• Cannot put bubbles as close together as OMR reader forms.
• Cannot physically sort unrecognized documents.
Best suited for:
• Everyone except the cases stated above.

LEADING BRANDS

PDI (Peripheral Dynamics Inc.) is the leading manufacturer of image scanners and the like. Recently, the company has bought VisionShape which was known for there high speed scanning and document processing. In short, the undisputed leading manufacturer is PDI with its 70 companies world wide.

OCR SCANNERS
• Stands for Optical Character Recognition.
• Used to scan images and turn them into text. In other words, it scans pictures and changes them into ASCII so that the computer will be able to understand it as a text.
• OCR is used to save time in typing something that has already been typed.
• OCR has the ability to directly input text into a word processor or spread sheet.
• The leading manufacturer of OCRs is SCAN CORPORATION. Founded in 1984 it is the leading manufacturer of Embedded touch screen PCs and Terminals, Bar code and OCR readers and systems.
• Unlike OMR (optical mark recognition) OCR can ready any image and turn it into text that the computer can understand. OMR can only detect the marks in bubbles of OMR forms.

Sources:
1) What is the Difference Between OMR Readers and OMR Software? Ronald Quast http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-the-Difference-Between-OMR-Readers-and-OMR-Software?&id=2553396 [Accessed August 4, 2009]
2) VisionShape Acquired By Peripheral Dynamics Inc; Document Imaging Capture and Software Toolkits Gain Wider Market BizWire
(09/09/2003 11:31 AM ET) [Accessed August 4, 2009]
3) http://www.scancorporation.com/aboutus.htm [Accessed August 4, 2009]
4) http://www.eeproductcenter.com/showPressRelease.jhtml?articleID=98108
5) http://www.nuance.com/ocr/ © 2002-2009 Nuance Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. [Accessed August 4, 2009]
6) http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roland_Quast