The development and mechanics of optical character recognition

Abstract

One of the primary advancements in the world of Artificial Intelligence has been the development and progression of Optical Character Recognition (OCR). OCR is a technology which transforms handwritten and printed text into a digitized format, allowing the text to be storable, editable, and searchable. In a world where easy access to information has become standard, OCR is an essential driver of the transference of physical documents to the digital sphere where they become imminently accessible. To properly understand OCR, one must have an appreciation for its history, delve into its technical mechanics, and survey the needs, benefits and future developments of the technology.