GLOSSARYOptical Character Recognition
Optical character recognition (OCR), sometimes called text recognition, is the technology that allows the camera to read text on scanned documents or pictures taken, then display that text in a file to read, edit or search.
What is Optical Character Recognition?
Optical character recognition (OCR), sometimes called text recognition, is the technology that allows the camera to read text on scanned documents or pictures taken, then display that text in a file to read, edit or search. OCR software analyzes the image and determines the shape, size and other characteristics of the text and compares them to a set of predefined templates or patterns.
By utilizing machine learning, image processing and pattern recognition, it can be used for a variety of applications, such as document management, data entry and automated billing systems. It’s also a great tool for organizations that need to digitize large volumes of text, and then search or edit the text quickly, saving time for all parties involved.
OCR can also aid in addressing misinformation, especially within the digital landscape. By extracting text from images or PDF files that contain false or misleading information, it can then run the text through a fact-checking database or algorithm to verify its accuracy.
Additionally, OCR can be trained to recognize and surface false or misleading information in text-based content. These use cases are especially important as cybercrime continues to change alongside emerging technologies.
