| Optical Character Recognition was created to be able | | | | technological advancements in smart camera USB2 |
| to identify text in documents and produce not only a | | | | technology have sped up data processing and |
| replica of the page but an intelligent understanding of | | | | transfer. The most promising is the use of |
| the materials. Early devices where limited in their | | | | embedded DSP (digital signal processor) with USB 2.0 |
| capabilities to the identification of matching text and | | | | cameras. This innovative combination will most likely |
| key words. This was later developed and put to use | | | | lead to an expansion of OCR applications. |
| processing payments, coupons, and product | | | | Embedding a DSP makes it possible to combine all the |
| inspection. The innovation of the PC saw a dramatic | | | | benefits of PC into the camera itself. This allows for |
| rise in the application of OCR technology and the | | | | mobility of smart cameras which can be used in |
| inception of smart cameras has meant that OCR has | | | | handheld devices. |
| become cheaper, more accessible and put into wider | | | | Today, OCR is generally used to convert information |
| use. | | | | which is scanned into the computer and turned into |
| Smart Cameras surpass PC cameras because they | | | | accessible text including JPEG and PDF files. It has |
| are convenient user friendly interface, requiring no | | | | also become a standard application for barcodes and |
| formal training. Smart cameras possess built-in | | | | postal services. Due to the rapid expansion of |
| processors which yield high-quality images which are | | | | smart camera capabilities, it is safe to assume that |
| then analyzed within the camera. It can then produce | | | | there will be many new applications for OCR in the |
| immediate results without being connected to a larger | | | | near future including use in technology to prevent |
| operating system. Information from smart cameras | | | | identity theft, verify credit card payments, surveillance, |
| can then be sent to a PC for either data storage or | | | | translations, prescriptions, identifying signatures, quality |
| further analysis using USB2 technology. Recent | | | | control, and credit card verification. |