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ABBYY FlexiCapture
Dynamic Data Capture System
© 2011 ABBYY. All rights reserved.
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Machine–Readable Forms
To be able to read information on the forms, a form–processing application must do the following:
1. Determine the location of form elements.
2. Separate field contents from field borders, text marking, backgrounds, explanatory text, etc.
Machine–readable forms enable the program to carry out these tasks.
In order for the first task to be carried out successfully, the forms must correspond to the form pattern or template, i.e. the
location of all form elements must be identical on all forms of the same type.
In order for the second task to be carried out successfully, the forms must be designed with automated input in mind, i.e. so
that the program can easily distinguish between the data to be captured and such non–recognizable form elements as field borders,
text marking, backgrounds, or explanatory text.
Form Completion Methods
A form may be completed in one of the following ways:
● by hand
● using a dot–matrix printer
● using a typewriter
● at a printing shop (here belong also forms completed using inkjet or laser printers with a resolution of
no less than 300 dpi)
● using a combination of the above
Elements of Machine–Readable Forms
The following elements may be present on a form:
Text
Text is an element of a machine–readable form that contains descriptive text: form title, field names, explanations, etc.
Entry Field
An entry field is an element of a machine–readable form into which text is entered by the person who completes the form. To facili-
tate text entry, entry fields may contain special text marking. Entry fields are usually accompanied by text that describes or explains the
nature of the data to be entered.
Possible text marking types are listed in the table below.
Text over a Line
Text is entered over a line.
Letters in Frames
Letters are entered into conjoined frames.
Letters in Separate Frames
Letters are entered into isolated frames.
Letters on a Comb
Letters are entered over a comb.
Text in a Frame
Text is entered in a frame.
Text in a Frame with a Comb
Text is entered in a frame with a comb.