Applications for text recognition span across almost all sectors. The application areas can be generally divided in two tasks areas:
- Comparison of the result of text recognition with the content of the adjacent machine-readable identification - e.g. Data Matrix Code (DMC)
- The text recognition result is used to record and check a plain text identification
Applications for different sectors are listed below. The list is incomplete and only serves to illustrate the wide range of possible applications.
Application areas of OCR include the pharmaceuticals industry (serialization/expiry date on packaging), the automobile/electronics industry (e.g. production number on PCBs), the solar industry (serial numbers on thin-layer modules), or food and beverages (e.g. best-before date on packaging).
Automobile industry, aerospace industry
- Detection and checking of plain text identifiers for type identification of components
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Comparison of DMC and plain text
- Acquisition of a unique ID of a product - serialization
- Acquisition and checking the expiry date
Medical equipment
- Laser markings on implants (DPM)
- Laser markings on medical devices (DPM).
Electronics
- Detection of a unique plain text identifier for identification of devices, e.g. electricity meters
- Detection and checking of plain text identifiers for type identification of PCBs
- Solar industry
- Acquisition of a unique plain text identifier on thin-layer modules - serialization
"Text-Genius" can be used anywhere where environmental conditions permit the use of MV440 code readers - for details, see SIMATIC MV440. Standard ring lights and lenses are designed to achieve IP67 degree of protection by means of the protective barrel, and for glass-free use in the food and beverages industry. If light sources or lenses are used outside the protective barrel, they must be used in compliance with their specification.
The text recognition function can be implemented in applications without the need to consider the type of font used for marking (Polyfont) or the marking method. In the "Function" chapter, the fonts which enable a maximum read rate to be achieved are listed. Similarly, no marking methods are excluded. The read rate improves when the font varies only minimally and there is a good contrast between the background and marking.