Scanning Technology Overview

ScanTools software supports several different Scantron scanner models. These scanners are all similar in that they capture data from specialized formsA sheet of paper that is suitable for scanning. It contains form ID marks and timing marks and complies with dimensional restrictions imposed by the scanner.. They differ in a variety of ways however including read technology, light source, formA sheet of paper that is suitable for scanning. It contains form ID marks and timing marks and complies with dimensional restrictions imposed by the scanner. size handling, select stacker availability, and so forth. Some of these differences must be accounted for in your ScanToolsapplicationsA set of rules that governs how your PC collects data from your scanner, and how it stores this information on your disk. It contains one or more document definitions and their associated output formats. and profiles; where appropriate, the online Help system provides warnings and information about scanner-specific considerations. Some information is quite specific while some is more general in nature and may require you to determine the requirements of the particular scanner models you plan to use.

Scanner Models

ScanTools software supports five Scantron scanner model families:

• iNSIGHT 70/150 and 5000i
• iNSIGHT 20 and iNSIGHT 30
• iNSIGHT 2/4
• OpScan
• EZData

iNSIGHT 70/150 and 5000i Scanners

Features

• Equipped with camera image read technology.
• Equipped with both Infrared (pencil read) and Red (ink read) read head light sources.
• Dual-side read.
• Capable of image clipping and/or archivingArchiving is the process of saving images of scanned forms to a file for future use and/or reference. ScanTools software can archive images of an entire form and/or of parts (grids, grayboxes, and bar codes) of a form. The archiving can be performed at scan-time or as a post-scan process. In addition to the image files, ScanTools generates an index file that will be used by the archiving system to store and access the image files. For image scanners only..
• Select stacker is standard.
• Hardware bar code reader is optional. Compatible with software bar codeA symbol, consisting of a series of parallel bars and spaces of varying widths, that can be decoded into alphanumeric data. Bar codes can be printed directly on a form or printed on a label that is later affixed to a form. ScanTools Plus software handles both hardware and software bar code read techniques. Hardware bar codes require the scanner to be equipped with an optional bar code reader. Software bar codes require use of an image technology scanner. Applications designed for image scanners equipped with hardware bar code readers can make use of both hardware and software bar code read techniques. When decoded, a bar code represents a string of alphanumeric characters. All misreads, misalignments, or no labels return an asterisk..
• Transport printerA device on some scanners that enables data to be printed on a form while it is being scanned. is optional.

Read Technology

iNSIGHT 70/150 and 5000i scanners capture information from forms by means of two cameras that record the image of the form at up to 240 DPI as it passes through the read head.

For OMR processing:

• The iNSIGHT 70/150 and 5000i scanners always perform OMR From Image processing. The sheetA single piece of paper (same as form). Documents can be composed of more than one sheet. image is transmitted to the host computer, converted to OMR mark data, and then processed by ScanTools.
• The spacing of the mark positions on the forms is .166 (standard), .166 (48 cell), .200, or .300 line read.
• The format of the mark positions on the forms is "bubble" (standard), check box, or tick mark.

For Image processing:

• The iNSIGHT 70/150 and 5000i scanners have images available that can be used for editing, archiving, and other processing.

Light Source Control

iNSIGHT 70/150 and 5000i scanners are equipped with both an Infrared light source (pencil read) AND a Red light source (ink read). The light source selection is controlled by ScanTools software. Form colors and marking instruments used are therefore dictated by what is selected in the ScanToolsapplicationA set of rules that governs how your PC collects data from your scanner, and how it stores this information on your disk. It contains one or more document definitions and their associated output formats. definition. Since light source is defined at the ScanTools application level, all forms defined in and processed by a particular ScanTools application use the same light source. It cannot be changed from form to form or sheet to sheet within an application.

See Application Settings dialog for more information.

ScanFlex Compatible

iNSIGHT 70/150 and 5000i scanners are ScanFlex compatible. However, the .300 line read spacing is not supported by ScanFlexAn optional ScanTools Plus module that, with an iNSIGHT 70/150, 5000i, iNSIGHT 20, iNSIGHT 30, or iNSIGHT 2/4 (with Imaging) scanner, enables you to scan OMR forms manufactured using a wide variety of printing technologies, and printed on plain paper..

iNSIGHT 20 and iNSIGHT 30 Scanners

Features

• Equipped with camera image read technology.
• Equipped for both pencil read and ink read.
• Dual-side read.
• Capable of image clipping and/or archiving.
• Bottom feed. Sheets are placed in the input tray with the top side down and timing marks are on the right side when you are facing the input tray.
• Ultrasonic multi-feed detection.
• TWAIN driver.
• Select stacker is not available.
• Hardware bar code reader is not available. Compatible with software bar code.
• Transport printer is not available.

Read Technology

iNSIGHT 20 and iNSIGHT 30 scanners capture information from forms by means of two cameras that record the image of the form at 200 DPI as it passes through the read head.

For OMR processing:

• The iNSIGHT 20 and iNSIGHT 30 scanners always perform OMR From Image processing. The sheet image is transmitted to the host computer, converted to OMR mark data, and then processed by ScanTools.
• The spacing of the mark positions on the forms is .166 (standard), .166 (48 cell), .200, or .300 line read.
• The format of the mark positions on the forms is "bubble" (standard), check box, or tick mark.

For Image processing:

• The iNSIGHT 20 and iNSIGHT 30 scanners have images available that can be used for editing, archiving, and other processing.

Light Source Control

iNSIGHT 20 and iNSIGHT 30 scanners are equipped for both pencil read AND ink read. The light source selection is controlled by ScanTools software. Form colors and marking instruments used are therefore dictated by what is selected in the ScanTools application definition. Since light source is defined at the ScanTools application level, all forms defined in and processed by a particular ScanTools application use the same light source. It cannot be changed from form to form or sheet to sheet within an application.

See Application Settings dialog for more information.

ScanFlex Compatible

iNSIGHT 20 and iNSIGHT 30 scanners are ScanFlex compatible. However, the .300 line read spacing is not supported by ScanFlex.

iNSIGHT 2/4 Scanners

Features

• Equipped with contact array image read technology.
• Equipped with both Infrared (pencil read) and Red (ink read) read head light sources.
• Single- or Dual-side read.
• Image clipping and/or archiving capability is optional, depending on what cartridge used.
• Select stacker is optional.
• Hardware bar code reader is optional. Imaging scanner versions are compatible with software bar code. OMR scanner versions are not compatible with software bar code.
• Transport printer is optional.

Read Technology

iNSIGHT 2/4 scanners capture information from forms by means of a Contact Image Sensor (CIS) Array read head that contains light sources and sensors capable of capturing a 200 DPI image of the form.

For OMR processing: Depending on the scanner cartridge installed and/or ScanTools software selections, the iNSIGHT 2/4 uses one of two available methods to resolve OMR: OMR From Scanner or OMR From Image:

• OMR From Scanner - The sheet image is converted to OMR mark data by the scanner. The mark data, in ASCII format, is then transmitted to the host computer for ScanTools application processing.
• The spacing of the mark positions on the forms is .166 (standard), .200, or .300 line read, depending on what cartridge is installed in the iNSIGHT 2/4 scanner.
• The format of the mark positions on the forms is "bubble" (standard), check box, or tick mark. Some OMR formats may not be available with some cartridges.
• OMR From Image - The sheet image is transmitted to the host computer, converted to OMR mark data, and then processed by ScanTools.
• The spacing of the mark positions on the forms is .166 (standard), 166 (48 cell), .200, or .300 line read, depending on what cartridge is installed in the iNSIGHT 2/4 scanner.
• The format of the mark positions on the forms is "bubble" (standard), check box, or tick mark. Some OMR formats may not be available with some cartridges.

For Image processing: The user can enable or disable image clipping as required for editing, archiving and other processing. See Application Settings dialog for more information.

Light Source Control

iNSIGHT 2/4 scanners are equipped with both an Infrared light source (pencil read) AND a Red light source (ink read). Light source selection control depends on variables for each scanner that include…

• What cartridge is installed in the scanner? (Infrared or Red)
• What version of ScanTools software is being used? (ScanTools Plus, ScanTools II, Image ScanTools, etc.)
• What light source (if any) is defined in the ScanTools application? (Infrared or Red)

Following are general descriptions of how these variables affect light source control. We recommend you become familiar with the specific circumstances of your scanning operation.

• ScanTools Software Controlled Light Source - Scanner light source selection can be defined in some versions of ScanTools software.

ScanTools Software Version	Light Source Control Available
ScanTools Plus	Yes
Image ScanTools v5.2 and later	Yes
Image ScanTools before v5.2	No
ScanTools II	No
ScanTools (16-bit, Windows environment)	No

Light source is defined at the ScanTools application level so all forms defined in and processed by a particular ScanTools application use the same light source. It cannot be changed from form to form or sheet to sheet within an application.

If available, this light source definition overrides the cartridge light source on an application by application basis.

• Cartridge Controlled Light Source - The light source selection is controlled by a cartridge that is plugged into the scanner. Both Infrared and Red cartridge types are provided. The cartridges are clearly labeled as to light source for user convenience.

NOTE: Light source selection always defaults to the cartridge when the ScanTools version does not support controlling the light source.

See Application Settings for more information.

ScanFlex Compatible

iNSIGHT 2/4 (with Imaging) scanners are ScanFlex compatible. However, the .300 line read spacing is not supported by ScanFlex.

OpScan Scanners

• Features
• Equipped with OMR read technology.
• Equipped with either Infrared (pencil read) or Red (ink read) light source read heads.
• Dual- or Single-side read.
• Not capable of image clipping or archiving.
• Select stacker availability varies - standard, optional, or not available depending on scanner model.
• Hardware bar code reader is optional or not available depending on scanner model. Not compatible with software bar code.
• Transport printer is optional.

Read Technology

OpScan Optical Mark RecognitionOMR is the process of machine recognition of pencil or pen marks on a page and the production of a text data file output. The technology supports multiple choice questions, surveys, and mark-all-that-apply questions using defined grids of bubble response positions. Unlike "mark sense" software, the OMR solution not only determines which marks have been filled in by the respondent, but is able to distinguish the intended response when more than one bubble has been marked. This is important in applications like test scoring where erasures may appear as dark marks and be incorrectly scored. (OMR) scanners capture mark information from forms by means of a read head that contains light sources and sensors exactly matched to the spacing and shape of the mark positions on the forms. OMR spacing is .166 (standard), .200, or .300. OMR format is "bubble" (standard) or line read for some spacings. This technology is completely read head hardware dependent.

Light Source Control

OpScan scanner models 3, 4, 4U, 4XP, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15, 21, 9010M, and 9020M are equipped with an Infrared light source (pencil read) read head OR a Red light source (ink read) read head. Form colors and marking instruments used are therefore dictated by the scanner hardware. Light source selections in ScanTools are not used.

See Application Settings dialog for more information.

EZData Scanners

Features

• Equipped with OMR read technology.
• Equipped with a Red (ink read) light source read head only.
• Single-side read only.
• Not capable of image clipping or archiving.
• Select stacker is not available.
• Hardware bar code reader is not available. Not compatible with software bar code.
• Transport printer is not available.

Read Technology

EZData Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) scanners capture mark information from forms by means of a read head that contains light sources and sensors exactly matched to the spacing and shape of the mark positions on the forms. OMR spacing is .250. OMR format is "bubble" (standard) only. This technology is completely read head hardware dependent.

Light Source Control

EZData scanners are equipped with a Red light source (ink read) read head ONLY. Form colors and marking instruments used are dictated by the scanner hardware. Light source selections in ScanTools are not used.

Download Plus Utility

OpScan and iNSIGHT 2/4 (OMR Only) scanners that have the download hardware option installed support the Download Plus Utility option of ScanTools. It allows ScanTools run-time applications and edits to be loaded directly into the scanner memory, enabling the scanner to communicate directly with a PC or mainframe application as a stand-alone documentOne or more sheets that, when scanned, produce one document record in a data file. Many documents can be in one application. The document definition describes the document. processing system.

Scanner and PC must communicate via an RS232 communications port. Download does not support USB communications between the scanner and the PC.

See Download Introduction for additional information.

Related topics

Download Plus Utility

System Requirements

Trademark Acknowledgements

Working with OMR and Image Scanners