OMR Scanning Using Image Processing

Introduction:
OMR is optical mark reading scanner. A method of combined
optical mark reading ("OMR") and image processing utilizes a
response sheet having a grid of response positions suitable for
marking and for processing by OMR and at least one response
area for a response of an alphanumeric or pictorial nature, the
response area encompassing at least one of the positions
suitable for processing by OMR.
The response sheet is scanned to detect the
presence of data signifying marks at positions in the grid and
the grid is sensed for marks capable of detection and reading
by OMR. In response to the sensing step, an image in the
response area of a response of an alphanumeric or pictorial
nature is selectively captured and stored simultaneously with
OMR.

Block diagram:

Working:
A method of combined optical mark reading ("OMR") and image
processing comprising providing a response sheet having
thereon a grid of response positions suitable for marking and
for processing by OMR and at least one response area for a
response of an alphanumeric or pictorial nature at a
predetermined position, said response area encompassing at
least one of said positions suitable for marking and for
processing by OMR, whereby a response in the response area
creates in at least one response position encompassed by said
response area a mark capable of detection and reading by
OMR.
Scanning the response sheet by OMR to detect by
OMR the presence of marks at response positions in the grid;
sensing in said response area by OMR for marks capable of
detection and reading by OMR; and in response to said sensing
step, selectively capturing and storing in electronic memory
concurrently with said OMR scanning step the image of a
response of an alphanumeric or pictorial nature in said
response area wherein the image is of finer resolution than the
resolution of the grid response positions.

Advantages:
OMR processing permits extremely accurate, extremely rapid
capture of information, especially when each response can be
entered with a single mark or response. All other methods of
data capture from paper documents require much more
extensive electronic or manual processing.

Applications:
It is mainly used for checking the answer paper of objective
tests like CET exams or MPSC/UPSC exams which uses OMR
sheets as answer sheets.