![]() This will make quality control more reliable. The following colours (generally in the red end of the spectrum) have been chosen for OCR forms because they are produced by a simple mix of two basic ink colours. Survey areas should consider advising the DCU if they have several similar surveys in the field at the same time so different colours can be considered to avoid confusing respondents. The Despatch and Collection Unit (DCU) decide the actual colour used for forms based on operational considerations, for example, to assist with the "streaming" process, where incoming forms are sorted for processing. Hence, there are fewer standard form colours for use with OCR forms. Several colours that are widely used for paper forms with manually entered data do not scan well because, despite instruction to the contrary, data providers use blue pens to complete blue or bluish forms. the second page) of a form free of any data entry boxes. To avoid barcode recognition problems, keep the top one third of the first inside page (i.e. As a general guide the barcode will require a blank area of dimensions: minimum 12.5 cm wide x 2 cm.įor booklets the barcode must be on the front page and cannot be at the very top or bottom of the front page because the printer does not have sufficient tension to successfully print a barcode in either extremity of the form.ĭuring scanning, the barcode, as well as other information printed on the form, tends to show through to the other side of the page. The size of the barcode is determined by the number of digits used in the survey identifier. The barcode will always be printed horizontally across the page, usually below the address box. The IFP barcode is based on the reference period (6 characters), form identifier and the unit identifier.Ī significant horizontal space on the front of the form is required to contain the barcode. Three months (elapsed) is a reasonable amount of time to allow for converting forms.Īll forms despatched from the DCU are barcoded, before the form is despatched, to facilitate mark-in and unit identification on receipt/scanning. ![]() The DCU requires six weeks, after receipt of metadata and printed forms, in order to create and test the IFP definitions. The DCU test the form for scanning and paint the recognition screens, and sufficient time must be allowed for these processes. It is important to involve the DCU early in the process. In addition, system changes may be required to support modified mark-in, load or edit changes. These factors may moderately increase printing and postage costs, but generally, any increases will be more than offset by savings in other aspects of processing. Black is the standard text colour for OCR and non-OCR forms. OCR also requires colour printing (not black and white) to allow some form details to drop out (be invisible to OCR). This means that forms can appear to be longer, and may require more pages to accommodate the same number of data entry fields. In general, OCR forms require somewhat more space on a page than non-OCR forms. The InDesign work required to change instruction and data box formats, adjust spacing around data entry boxes, and accommodate the requirements of bar-coding and drop-out colours all take time and often result in page and question spacing having to be modified. Non-numeric characters written in numeric data entry boxesĬonverting 'conventional' forms to OCR formsĬonverting a form to OCR format can take longer than may, at first, be estimated.Section 6: Special completion instructions ('Please Read First').Avoid data entry boxes on reverse of front page barcode position.Master pages used for OCR forms design in InDesign.'Label' and contact details changes and the Sample and Frame Maintenance Procedures (SFMP).Converting 'conventional' forms to OCR forms. ![]() ABS staff should refer to the Corporate Manuals database for the most recent version of these documents, as some details (names, phone numbers etc.) have been removed from the online version. As such, some information contained in these standards will not be applicable to an external audience. While aspects of these standards will be of interest to those outside the ABS, they were developed for internal use. OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION (OCR) FORMS Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Forms
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |