Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR) is an advanced version of OCR that allows font and different styles of hand writing to be learnt during processing to improve accuracy in recognition levels. Most of the good ICR software have a self-learning kind of system referred to as a neural network, which automatically updates the recognition database for new hand writing patterns. It basically extends the usefullness of scanning devices for the purpose of document processing , from printed character recognition (a function of OCR) to hand-written matter recognition. Because this process is involved in recognising hand writing, accuracy levels may in some circumstances not be very good but can achieve 97%+ accuracy rates in reading handwriting in structured forms. Often to achieve these high recognition rates several read engines are used within the software and each is given elective voting rights to determine the true reading of characters. In numeric fields engines which are designed to read numbers take preference while in alpha fields engines designed to read hand written letters have higher elective rights. When used in conjunction with a bespoke interface hub, hand written data can be automatically populated into a back office system avoiding laborious manual keying and can be more accurate than traditional human data entry.

See also

• Optical Character Recognition

External links

• Official website of ABBYY Corporation ICR Software for semi-structured documents and zone area ICR

ICR