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Optical reader

Device that turns visual into digital data

An optical reader is a device that observes visual information and translates it into digital information, 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.

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This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article Optical reader, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

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