Optical reader

An optical reader is a device that observes visual information and translates it into digital information,^[1] as found within most image and barcode and matrix-code scanners.

An example of optical readers are marksense systems for elections where voters mark their choice by filling a rectangle, circle, or oval, or by completing an arrow. After the voting a tabulating device reads the votes using "dark mark logic", whereby the computer selects the darkest mark within a given set as the intended choice or vote.

See also

• Digital paper
• Optical character recognition
• Optical scan voting system
• Optical mark recognition

References

1. Weik, Martin H. (2000). "Optical Reader". Computer Science and Communications Dictionary. Boston: Springer. p. 1183. doi:10.1007/1-4020-0613-6_13126. ISBN 978-1-4020-0613-5. Retrieved 10 February 2023.