>>>>>>>>>>Is there a product which enables Fox to scan in from a form, and which will allow Fox to read the coordinates of the scanned images? Do you remember those battery tests we used to take in school? The kind where you needed a #2 pencil to fill in the bubbles? I have a client who has the forms and the equipment, but I don't know how to procede to integrate it into their VFP v.5 app. Espia doesn't do it. I've been in contact with their sales department, and it will read in a scanned image, but nothing will allow Fox to get the coordinates of those colored-in bubbles. Any suggestions?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>JR
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>the form reader should be able to write the info from the entries into a text or delimited format.
>>>>>>>>Dave,
>>>>>>>> Scantron sells software to actually build BDFstyle files from there scantron machines too!! Plus there is a place that does the same.. A little cheaper software too, worked with it back at my prior job.. One problem was having to define how to scan the form in. Was a Dos based product, but hey it worked.. I can send along more info if needed...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Thanx!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Tony Miller
>>>>>>>>Vancouver, Wa
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>As a matter of fact, Tony, more input would be greatly appreciated. Please advise if you have any more info on Scranton. Thank you very much,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>JR
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>There is a copy of Wang's scanner/imaging software built into every copy of Win95 and NT4. You can hook into the OCX's (?) very easily. I built a Fax reader from them and it did not cost anyone a penny for the Libs. They work pretty well with only one or two minor quirks which I overcame fairly easily.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>HTH,
>>>>>>Tom
>>>>>
>>>>>But would there be a way to check the coordinates of the filled-in bubbles? That's my biggest concern.
>>>>>
>>>>>JR
>>>>
>>>>There is no way for Fox or any other software to know what or where a bubble is. It is the scanner that must make that determination. Those rascals ain't cheap because they take reflected light and process it. Basically the way they at least used to work was by detection of the pencil led (refelectivity). Once scanned all input is all the same.
>>>>
>>>>Tom
>>>
>>>Sounds messy (and somewhat depressing). I'm looking into Omnipage OCR software now, suggested by Gary Cox. It looks promising, in that it can recognize characters, but I don't know if it will output coordinates. (I could have them put an X over the bubble, for instance, instead of coloring it in, if it means the OCR software will pick it up easier. However, I have a question into their web page re whether it will give me the coordinates of those x's--it's got to be pretty accurate--I'm talking about Mental Health data.
>>>JR
>>
>>
>>The biggest problem with OCR is even at 99% accuracy it still has a high error rate. I looked at OCR a few years back, spent bucks and abandoned the idea. The affordable systems at that time required proof reading. You might as well get a fast typest at those rates.
>>
>>I had suggested mechanical solutions because it was much simpler (I don't know these days). It was a light and a detector. If the detector did not receive light it scored a hit. So much simpler then software. Oh well, good luck.
>>
>>Tom
>
>Joy,
> Sorry to carry around so much baggage (The entire thread..) I can forward on the name of the person from Scantron I delt with from my old office, and a contact at my old office, if you like who has delt with a 3rd party firm and Scantron like software..
>
>You will most likely want to look into either buying some decent Scantron hardware (not cheap) or possibly finding a place to scan in your documents and have them pass you back the data files.
>
>The machine we bought, was I believe around 10,000 (that was a few years ago, was a top of the line model) we used it like once or twice a year (Office manager wanted to send out surveys on it, people told him what they REALLY wanted surveys do be done using Computerized forms, versus a Scantron form...Oh well, life as a gov't employee, Glad I am away from that...)
>
>Thanx,
>
>Tony Miller
>Vancouver, Wa

Expensive is my middle name. . .

Really, since they're using this monthly, cost isn't an issue. However, I've found some good software/hardware combo's for less than 5 grand. However, I haven't gotten prices yet from Scantron, and I will check it out thoroughly.

Besides, the client is quasi-governmental. . . And the wheel keeps on going around and around. . .

JR