What is the Difference Between MICR and OCR?

The main difference between MICR and OCR lies in the method they use for character recognition. Here are the key differences between the two technologies:

1. Method of Character Recognition: OCR (Optical Character Recognition) uses optical effects to recognize characters, while MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) uses magnetic effects for character recognition.
2. Applications: OCR is used in various applications such as data entry work, automatic number plate recognition, and traffic sign recognition. MICR, on the other hand, is primarily used in the banking industry to process checks, as it offers a fast, accurate, and secure way to read and process check information.
3. Font Support: OCR supports a variety of fonts and can scan any type of printed text. MICR, however, is limited to predefined fonts like E-138 and CMC-7 and can only scan special information present in checks.
4. Ink Type: OCR uses all types of ink, while MICR uses a special type of magnetic ink created using iron oxide.
5. Reliability: MICR data is more reliable compared to OCR data, as it is less prone to errors and enhances security due to the use of magnetic ink, which makes it difficult to alter or counterfeit checks.
6. Handwritten Text Scanning: OCR has the ability to scan handwritten text, while MICR is not able to do so.

In summary, OCR is a more versatile technology that can be used for various applications and supports a wide range of fonts, while MICR is specifically designed for the banking industry and is limited to predefined fonts. MICR offers more reliable and secure data processing compared to OCR.

Comparative Table: MICR vs OCR

MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) are two different technologies used for reading and processing characters in documents. Here is a table highlighting the differences between MICR and OCR:

In summary, MICR is a more specialized technology used primarily for reading and processing characters in banking documents, while OCR is a broader technology used for extracting text from scanned documents and images in various applications. OCR can be less accurate than MICR in certain situations, such as when dealing with complex business documents or poor image quality.