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Implementation of OCR Software

OCR software can be used in a wide range of areas. Many fields may require the use of text recognition in documents and images. This is one reason why OCR now forms the basis of such a wide range of software.

Conversion of text and images found within files

OCR software is mainly used so that data found in images and texts can be converted into a digital file which can then be edited using a computer. The source data for this can include documents which have been scanned into the computer - either handwritten or printed. Many scanners today come complete with OCR software.

Recognising attributes

OCR software can also be employed to pick out certain characteristics within a text – for example, postcodes contained within letters. This allows post to be automatically sorted at the post office. This method is also useful for pre-sorting contract and invoice numbers.

Searching through databases

Document management systems and databases can also be searched using OCR. The software can read through large quantities of data and search for specific criteria. Many libraries work with this software to search through their catalogues.

Linked search

Linked searches are another possibility with OCR software. As well as recognising attributes (see above), it is also able to compare these with data in the database. The software decides through comparison whether the two attributes agree with each other. One example of this is the comparison of car registration plates.

Layout recognition

Layouts in documents with images can also be transferred to the computer with the help of OCR software. This also means that the integrated layouts are not lost and can be used as a document template on paper. This replicates the original collocation of the images, text and tables as closely to the original as possible. Assistance for the blindAnother interesting use is that as an aid for the blind. Text recognition can be used to scan in documents and then reproduce this audibly on the computer or on a Braille display. Texts are converted into the Braille font, or can be read out through the computer.

OCR on the iPhone

It is now possible to build OCR into apps ever since ABBYY developed OCR developer kits for the Android operating system and the iPhone in May 2009. Developers now have the possibility to include either Optical Character Recognition or Business Card Recognition in their apps. OCR software allows images of text to be converted into text. Business cards can be photographed and then imported directly into the address book with the BCR function. Developers can use C, C++ or C# as the program language for applications which support OCR or BCR. Most of these applications are able to translate texts into various different languages. According to ABBYY Mobile, this list includes up to 52 languages. An iPhone 3GS with an OS version of above 3.1 are required for these apps.

Just four steps to get text

Four steps are generally needed for text conversion: Firstly, a photo needs to be taken of the text to be converted. This photo must also be of a good enough quality. Next the user needs to select the area of text they would like to work with. This area is then converted into a text file, and last of all this text can then be copied and pasted into an e-mail.

BCR Apps

Apps based on BCR can prove to be very useful. The Cardreader app takes the 3D contact information from the card. These files can then be treated just like normal files, avoiding the time-consuming task of typing in this information.

App name: Card Scan
Release date: 28th September 2009
Manufacturer: www.senstic.com
Price: 0.79€ (around 70p) (Price as of Nov 2009)

App name: World Card Mobile
Release date: 20th November 2009
Manufacturer: Penpower Technology Ltd.
Price: 2,99€ / 15,99€ (around £2.70 / £14.50) (Price as of Nov 2009)

App name: Business Card Reader
Release date: 25th November 2009
Manufacturer: www.shapeservices.com
Price: 4.99€ (around £4.50) (Price as of Nov 2009)

App name: Cardreader
Release date: 14th October 2009
Manufacturer: x-root.de/apps
Price: 5.99€ (around £5.40) (Price as of Nov 2009)

OCR Apps

OCR apps work on the same principle as BCR apps. A photo (with an adequate resolution) is taken of page from a book or a newspaper, and then the area to be converted is marked. The OCR software on the iPhone then takes care of the rest, converting the photographed text into a text file, which can then be pasted into an e-mail if needed.

App name: Scan Cam
Release date: 3rd September 2009
Manufacturer: www.senstic.com
Price: 0.79€ (around 70p) (Price as of Nov 2009)

App name: ocrTOOL
Release date: 13th November 2009
Manufacturer: mkanda
Price: 3.99€ (around £3.60) (Price as of Nov 2009)

App name: OCR NOW! Lite
Release date: 7th May 2009
Manufacturer: Wordcraft International Ltd.
Price: free (Price as of Nov 2009)

App name: OCR NOW!
Release date: 7th May 2009
Manufacturer: Wordcraft International Ltd.
Price: 10.99€ (around £9.50) (Price as of Nov 2009)

Other OCR apps for the iPhone

There are other versions available for the iPhone based on ABBYY Mobile Software. These allow users to translate the photographed text using Babelshot, look for text in photos in the internet using Image Search, or even to tackle sudoku puzzles using Sudoku Grab Lite. The suduko app uses the technology to convert photographed puzzles so that they can be solved on the iPhone.


App name: Babelshot – Photo Translator
Release date: 17th November 2009
Manufacturer: Codium Labs LLC
Price: 2.39€ (around £2.10) (Price as of Nov 2009)

App name: Image Search
Release date: 16th November 2009
Manufacturer: Firefies and Comets Entertainment
Price: free (Price as of Nov 2009)

App name: Sudoku Grab Lite
Release date: 22nd September 2009
Manufacturer: CMG Research
Price: free (Price as of Nov 2009)