Image recognition technology is revolutionizing digital transactions. These digital solutions are making it easier, faster and more accurate to process documents.
Two technologies that are changing document verification are: Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR). Both technologies allow document processors to “read”, recognize and digitize text characters used in documents.
However, OCR and ICR have some key differences and use cases; keep reading for a deep dive into these cutting-edge tech tools
What Is OCR?
OCR is character recognition software that deals with printed or typewritten text. It helps convert documents like scanned paper documents, PDFs, or digitally captured images into editable and searchable data.
This software analyzes patterns, shapes, and strokes in the scanned image to recognize characters and convert them into machine-readable text.
What Is ICR?
ICR is character recognition software, and it can read printed text, as well. However, ICR is often used to recognize handwritten characters and help convert these characters into digital text. Therefore, ICR is necessary for handwritten forms or notes, and is the solution you need to process and interpret handwritten inputs.
Unlike OCR, which deals in printed or typewritten text, ICR can handle both handwritten forms and printed materials.
Key Differences: ICR vs OCR
Here’s a quick look at the biggest differences between these two technologies:
Types of Characters
- · OCR recognizes printed or typewritten characters and is apt for identifying printed text from scanned images or documents.
- · ICR recognizes handwritten characters (in addition to printed materials) making it apt for converting handwritten text into digital format.
Uses/Application
- OCR is useful for extracting machine-generated or printed text, such as scanning printed invoices, forms, or documents.
- ICR is helpful for converting handwritten text on documents, checks, or forms into editable and searchable digital text.
Recognition Complexity
- OCR is useful in recognizing printed characters. It is relatively straightforward owing to the standardized nature of printed text.
- ICR helps recognize handwritten characters and is complex because of the difference in handwriting styles. This makes this software more sophisticated in its recognition algorithms.
Accuracy
- With OCR systems, you get high accuracy for printed text recognition as printed characters are well-defined and consistent.
- Achieving high accuracy in ICR is difficult because of the diverse handwriting styles. With advanced ICR systems, you can use machine learning algorithms to improve accuracy by learning from large datasets of handwritten samples.
Practical Applications of OCR and ICR
These technologies are being used more and more in digital transactions. Here are some of the most common use cases:
OCR
Document Digitization: OCR converts printed documents, books, and papers into digital format. It helps preserve valuable information and facilitates easy storage and retrieval.
Automating Data Entry: OCR helps automate data entry work by extracting text from forms, receipts, and invoices. It reduces manual input efforts and chances of errors.
Text Search and Indexing: OCR makes scanned documents searchable so that users can find specific information within large volumes of text.
PDF Conversion: We apply OCR to scanned PDFs to make the text selectable, editable, and searchable.
Automatic Translation: OCR software converts printed text into a format that translation software can read and process. This makes it easier to translate text between different languages.
ICR
Handwritten Check Processing: ICR is of great importance in banking for reading handwritten information on checks ensuring accurate processing of financial transactions.
Digitizing Healthcare Records: The healthcare industry uses ICR software to convert handwritten medical records, prescriptions, and forms into digital format. This helps in improving the accuracy and accessibility of patient information.
Form and Survey Processing: ICR automates the process of extracting handwritten information from forms and surveys. It helps streamline administrative processes and data collection efforts.
Postal Services: Postal industry uses ICR to read handwritten addresses in mail. Further it helps improve efficiency of mail sorting and delivery.
Customer Feedback Analysis: ICR helps analyze handwritten customer feedback forms and provides valuable insights to businesses. These insights help in improving customer satisfaction and product offerings.
Do You Need OCR or ICR Software?
When deciding between OCR and ICR software, consider these factors to make an informed decision:
Type of Text
- OCR: Choose OCR to convert printed or typewritten text from scanned documents, books, or forms into digital format.
- ICR: Choose ICR if the documents contain handwritten text like forms, checks, or medical records. It is useful when dealing with handwritten input.
Accuracy
- OCR: OCR software is highly accurate due to the standardized nature of printed characters.
- ICR: ICR accuracy can vary based on handwriting styles. If you need high accuracy for recognizing diverse and complex handwritten text, look for an option with high accuracy rates that’s been trained on a large dataset.
Document Complexity
- OCR: Suitable for documents with consistent fonts, styles, and layouts, like standard printed documents and invoices.
- ICR: Suitable for documents with varying handwriting styles, fields, and formats like handwritten forms or medical prescriptions.
Use
- OCR: OCR is useful to extract and process printed text such as data entry, document indexing, and text search.
- ICR: ICR is suitable for recognizing handwritten inputs like banking (processing checks), healthcare (digitizing medical records), and administrative tasks (converting forms).
Data Volume and Throughput
- OCR: The OCR software processes lots of printed text quickly because it standardizes printed characters.
- ICR: This may require more processing time, especially for documents with extensive handwritten content. Consider processing speed if dealing with high throughput requirements.
Cost
- OCR: OCR solutions are cost-effective for processing printed text, as this technology is well-established and widely used.
- ICR: ICR solutions can handle complex handwriting which may be a bit expensive because they need advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques.
Integration & Customization Needs
- OCR: Many OCR solutions offer easy integration with existing systems and applications. Consider OCR if seamless integration and customization options are essential.
- ICR: ICR solutions may require more customization and integration, especially for specific handwriting styles or unique document formats. Evaluate the flexibility and customization capabilities of the ICR system.
By considering these factors, users can choose between both these software based on their specific requirements. This may include document types, accuracy requirements, application needs, processing volumes, budget constraints, and integration preferences.
Conclusion
OCR excels in situations that involve printed and typewritten text, enabling efficient digitization, data extraction, and text search capabilities. On the other hand, ICR is suitable for handling handwritten text. It is valuable in applications where accurate recognition of diverse handwriting styles is essential, like finance, healthcare, and administrative tasks. Therefore, choose one that best fits your specific requirements.
