What is the function of an Optical Character Reader (OCR)?

The function of an Optical Character Reader (OCR) is to scan documents and transfer characters to a computer. This technology analyzes the shapes and patterns of letters and numbers within a scanned image of text, enabling the conversion of printed or handwritten text into machine-readable data. This process is particularly valuable for digitizing printed documents, making them searchable and editable in software applications.

For instance, when a document is scanned, the OCR software identifies individual characters and translates them into corresponding digital text, allowing for the creation of editable documents from hard copies. This transformation facilitates tasks such as data entry, archiving, and information retrieval, significantly improving efficiency in various office systems.