THE WORLD OF OCR

Year Published: 1960s

Creator: International Business Machines

Description: This film "The World of OCR" (1960s) presents key considerations for proper use of IBM Optical Character Reader (OCR) equipment. It introduces a young lady typing an optically readable document, emphasizing the need for problem-solving in OCR. The challenges of optical scanning machines and the necessity for executive action to implement optical systems are highlighted. The historical context of information handling devices and the transition to key punch operators is provided. The text stresses the need for faster input and the transformation of source documents into optically readable formats. Steps to create and produce forms with the required excellence for optical input are outlined, along with the importance of precision printing. IBM's document and print analysis laboratory ensures excellence by analyzing factors affecting optical input. Testing of ribbons and cash register tapes to meet OCR standards is described. The evaluation of credit plates, forms, and imprinting devices to assure excellence in OCR input is discussed. High standards required for OCR performance by both people and documents are emphasized. Examples of successful optical character recognition implementations and the benefits of direct optical entry are provided. The support offered by IBM salesmen and programming system support for transitioning to optical input is highlighted. The film concludes with confidence in the faster capture of source data at lower cost with IBM's OCR solutions. IBM introduced optical character recognition (OCR) in 1959. OCR is a technology that automatically converts images of text into a machine-readable format. IBM's research into OCR began in 1950 at IBM Poughkeepsie. They developed an experimental machine that used a cathode-ray-tube attached to an IBM 701 to analyze characters. In 1954, the machine and research moved to IBM Endicott. 00:00 - 0:19: Introduction with music. 0:19 - 0:37: The film discusses key input considerations for IBM OCR equipment. 0:37 - 1:00: Introduction of a young lady typing an optically readable document, highlighting the need for problem-solving in OCR. 1:00 - 1:28: Discussion on the challenges of optical scanning machines and the need for executive action to implement optical systems. 1:28 - 2:01: Historical context of information handling devices and the transition to key punch operators. 2:01 - 2:36: Emphasis on the need for faster input and the transformation of source documents into optically readable documents. 2:36 - 3:06: Steps to create and produce forms with the required excellence for optical input. 3:06 - 3:56: Importance of precision printing and the time required to develop good source documents. 3:56 - 4:40: IBM's document and print analysis laboratory ensures excellence by analyzing factors affecting optical input. 4:40 - 5:22: Testing of ribbons and cash register tapes to ensure they meet OCR standards. 5:22 - 6:10: Evaluation of credit plates, forms, and imprinting devices to assure excellence in OCR input. 6:10 - 6:43: Discussion on the high standards required for OCR performance by both people and documents. 6:43 - 7:22: Examples of successful optical character recognition implementations and the benefits of direct optical entry. 7:22 - 8:02: Highlighting the support provided by IBM salesmen and programming system support for transitioning to optical input. 8:02 - 9:03: Confidence in the faster capture of source data at lower cost with IBM's OCR solutions. 9:03 - End: Closing music and applause.

Complete Record: This film "The World of OCR" (1960s) presents key considerations for proper use of IBM Optical Character Reader (OCR) equipment. It introduces a young lady typing an optically readable document, emphasizing the need for problem-solving in OCR. The challenges of optical scanning machines and the necessity for executive action to implement optical systems are highlighted. The historical context of information handling devices and the transition to key punch operators is provided. The text stresses the need for faster input and the transformation of source documents into optically readable formats. Steps to create and produce forms with the required excellence for optical input are outlined, along with the importance of precision printing. IBM's document and print analysis laboratory ensures excellence by analyzing factors affecting optical input. Testing of ribbons and cash register tapes to meet OCR standards is described. The evaluation of credit plates, forms, and imprinting devices to assure excellence in OCR input is discussed. High standards required for OCR performance by both people and documents are emphasized. Examples of successful optical character recognition implementations and the benefits of direct optical entry are provided. The support offered by IBM salesmen and programming system support for transitioning to optical input is highlighted. The film concludes with confidence in the faster capture of source data at lower cost with IBM's OCR solutions. IBM introduced optical character recognition (OCR) in 1959. OCR is a technology that automatically converts images of text into a machine-readable format. IBM's research into OCR began in 1950 at IBM Poughkeepsie. They developed an experimental machine that used a cathode-ray-tube attached to an IBM 701 to analyze characters. In 1954, the machine and research moved to IBM Endicott. 00:00 - 0:19: Introduction with music. 0:19 - 0:37: The film discusses key input considerations for IBM OCR equipment. 0:37 - 1:00: Introduction of a young lady typing an optically readable document, highlighting the need for problem-solving in OCR. 1:00 - 1:28: Discussion on the challenges of optical scanning machines and the need for executive action to implement optical systems. 1:28 - 2:01: Historical context of information handling devices and the transition to key punch operators. 2:01 - 2:36: Emphasis on the need for faster input and the transformation of source documents into optically readable documents. 2:36 - 3:06: Steps to create and produce forms with the required excellence for optical input. 3:06 - 3:56: Importance of precision printing and the time required to develop good source documents. 3:56 - 4:40: IBM's document and print analysis laboratory ensures excellence by analyzing factors affecting optical input. 4:40 - 5:22: Testing of ribbons and cash register tapes to ensure they meet OCR standards. 5:22 - 6:10: Evaluation of credit plates, forms, and imprinting devices to assure excellence in OCR input. 6:10 - 6:43: Discussion on the high standards required for OCR performance by both people and documents. 6:43 - 7:22: Examples of successful optical character recognition implementations and the benefits of direct optical entry. 7:22 - 8:02: Highlighting the support provided by IBM salesmen and programming system support for transitioning to optical input. 8:02 - 9:03: Confidence in the faster capture of source data at lower cost with IBM's OCR solutions. 9:03 - End: Closing music and applause.

Transcription

[Music] this film discusses key input considerations for IBM OCR equipment [Music] she's a very attractive young lady but why in the world are we watching her because that young lady belongs in the film we're planning she successfully entered the world of optical character recognition what do you mean she was typing an optically readable document oh we can't waste time on pictures of pretty girls let's face it why not we got a problem solving situation here this is a meeting the little problem that has been thrown at us is well you and I know that Optical Scanning Machines can't read as well as humans but that famous growing mountain of paperwork is real and it takes machines to cope with it now machines can do a good job but they need help so our movie must show Executives that extra effort is required to implement an optical system not just that it has to stimulate these men who know far more about the hard facts of their business than we do to take action I mean Executives have to take action to make sure that documents printing devices and people meet the standards that OCR requires so we're trying to plan a small motion picture that will do that big job wish us luck look we've got to paint the backdrop first here comes a scene to start with this 19 Century information handling device great because if a character wasn't clear he could snap his armu guarders and think reason about what that character should be and generally come up with the answer but slow and then the key punch operator took over the job of translating good bad or indifferent characters but that is not good enough today today the executive needs action information computers are hungry he needs more input and he needs it faster Source document zap right into the computer well now wait Chris our audience doesn't need a history lesson and he doesn't have to be told that computers are hungry what he needs to know is how to make that Source document you've got zapping right into the computer system work and to be reminded that he has to give it extra attention if he wants the tremendous benefits I suggest suggest that we show him how an existing form is transformed into an optically readable document these scenes show some of the key steps to me they emphasize the point that extra care is required to create and produce forms with the built-in Excellence Optical input requires the customer's form is redesigned and he of course has some ideas about this that we respect [Music] registration marks are positioned with high [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] accuracy plate making is skill art and science combined what these scenes say to me is let a Precision printer produce your OCR forms that's what we've got to put across plus the idea that it takes time to develop good source [Music] documents an IBM's document and print analysis laboratory Excellence is assured by analysis of every fact factor that could affect Optical input if the background color is too dark the document will be rejected so we measure the background color and make sure it won't be rejected samples produced by the customer's own high-speed printer are analyzed in detail Dimensions character density handling characteristics and other factors are measured we find if and why a document is optically acceptable or unacceptable before Optical reading equipment is delivered overused ribbons produce fragmented characters and rejected [Music] documents so we test ribbons on a continuing basis for Optimum performance ribbons must be changed on a usage basis can this cash register tape be successfully used as input do the registers that prepared the tapes have standard OCR fonts or are they non-standard are the characters clear or smeared samples of customer tapes are examined and tested and the customer is informed of steps that must be taken to get ready for optical data [Music] [Applause] [Music] entry the three input ingredients of optical Credit Systems are credit plates forms and imprinting devices we test and evaluate all three to assure Excellence the purpose of all the work done here is to assure Excellence of OCR input we've got our story down pat we haven't got any problems that way look Chris let's take another approach and show some people who have successfully entered the world of optical character recognition this isn't a tomorrow world it's here today that's a good point herb I know [Music] [Applause] OCR requires a high standard of performance by people as well as documents we get it letting our people know when they've done a good job helps our meter readers prepare Optical input out on the job let's turn round Bill virtually eliminates input effort it's read back into the computer optically right here in my Onan shop I type out forms the government reads directly into a computer peacework accounting was always a problem until Optics made it simple for machines to read tickets directly direct computer entry of hand printed information requires motivation training and guidance for those who do the printing you are looking at my input section direct Optical entry allows us to take our workload to Housewives who enjoy working in the freedom of their homes well I'll admit the pretty girl belongs in the picture but I still think we should show that the businessman has a lot going for him our salesmen are ready to help him Implement his program he'll get programming system support to make the transition to Optical input straightforward and he'll get back up in depth for instance his machine operators will be taught fing tuning techniques back up in depth as a matter of effect wa successfully this meeting will go on for who knows how long you've seen and heard only a few of the reasons why at IBM we are confident that the faster capture of source data at lower cost is here right now [Music] a [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause]

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