Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
All banks use MICR for processing cheques. Along the bottom of a cheque the bank’s sort code, customer account number and cheque number are encoded in special characters in magnetic ink. The amount of the cheque is encoded in magnetic ink when it is handed in at a bank. The cheque can be processed extremely fast by high-speed MICR devices that read, sort and store the data on disk. MICR has several advantages for processing cheque :
• It is hard to forge the characters
• The characters can be read even if the cheque is crumpled, dirty or smudged
• The characters are readable by humans, unlike bar codes.
Optical-Character Recognition ( OCR )
Optical- character recognition (OCR) is a tool for converting pages of text into computer-readable form. It automates the tedious of key entry, one of the lest rewarding ways of interacting with computers.
• Optical character recognition (OCR) uses a scanner and special software.
• OCR allows individual characters (letters of the alphabet, numbers, punctuation marks, etc.) to be recognized.
• It is an idea method for getting lots of text into a word-processing or desktop publishing package without the need for re-typing.
• It is sometimes used for recognizing account numbers on bills.
Optical-mark recognition ( OMR )
An optical mark reader can detect marks made in preset positions on a form. It is widely used for marking multiple-choice exams and market research questionnaires.
• The hardware device used is called an optical mark reader.
• An optical mark reader can only read marks on specially designed documents.
• OMR is ideal for reading the data from questionnaires, answers to multiple-choice examination question, menu choices in hospitals, football pools and lottery tickets.
Dot-matrix printer
A dot matrix printer is an impact printer, producing its image by striking the paper through a ribbon. Its print head consists of a number of small pins, varying between 9 and 24 depending on the manufacturer. A 24pin print head will produce a better quality of print than a 9 pin print head because the dots are closer together. As the print head moves across the page, one or more pins strike the ribbon and make a dot on the paper.
Plotter
A plotter is an output device used to produce high quality line drawings such as building plans or electronic circuits. They are generally classified as pen ( vector plotters) or penless ( raster plotters). The former use pens to draw images using point-to-point data, moving the pen over the paper. Pen plotters are low in price and hold a large share of the plotter market. Penless plotters include electrostatic potters, thermal plotters and laser plotters. They are generally used where drawings of high densities are required.
Photo Printer
a photo printer is optimized to create high-quality photo prints, typically on special photo print paper. Most consumer photo printer use inkjet technology. However, photo printer are notoriously slow ( 5 minutes or more to make a single print) and drink ink like its Gatorade on a hot summer day. When you add up the cost of ink cartridge and the special photo paper you have to use, you will find that a single print will cost you ten cents or so, an average.
Portable Printer
Portable printers are small, lightweight printers that can be used on the go, such as with a notebook computer, handheld PC, or smart phone. Some portable need to be physically connected to the computer, others can receive documents to be printed via a wireless connection. Portable printers that can print on regular-sized (8.5 by 11 inch) paper are used by business people while travelling; portable receipt and barcode printers are used in some service professions.
Fax machine
A fax machine is an essential piece of equipment in many health care facilities. This machine transmits data or information electronically over the telephone lines. For the system to work the sending and receiving facilities must each have a fax machine and a telephone line designated for the fax machine.
Multi-functional device
Multi-Function Device is Hardware that combines several functions in one unit. An MFP (Multi Function Product/ Printer/ Peripheral), multifunctional, all-in-one (AIO), or Multifunction Device (MFD), is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting (the SOHO market segment), or to provide centralized document management/distribution/production in a large-office setting.
Internet Telephones
Internet telephony converts your voice into data packets, similar to what the traditional phone company does when sending voice over fiber cables for long distances. At the far end , the dara packets are converted back into sound signals and the voice you hear.
Internet telephony = VoIP = digital phone conversations = less dependence on the traditional phone companies = savings and more features.
