How general OCR software works
In general, OCR software works by comparing text on the page of a scanned image file to characters that are stored in its memory, and the software uses this technique to identify letters, numbers, and symbols. By relying on the optical properties on individual characters, OCR makes it possible for a computer to recognize text even when that text is not originally part of a computer-generated text document, but rather part of an image.
Unique aspects of batch OCR software
The feature that is unique to OCR software with batch processing is its ability to OCR large groups of files in a single step. This is an important time-saving tool for people who work with large numbers of documents, or who need to OCR lengthy texts. Batch OCR makes it possible to process large sets of identical forms, or to OCR entire books in order to create digital libraries. While not all users require OCR software with batch processing capabilities, it is absolutely essential in some contexts.
How batch OCR compares to other OCR
While the OCR algorithms in different tools operate under the same basic concepts, there are some important differences between batch OCR and regular OCR tools. Batch OCR is much faster than ordinary OCR tools, and can handle large volumes of text in only a fraction of the time that another program would take to perform the same task. Additionally, batch OCR requires less supervision from the user, so that he or she can select an entire folder of the necessary files in a single step, instead of going through them one-by-one. For professional-level use, batch OCR tends to be much more efficient.
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