Contents - Index

Scanner Configuration


The application is normally configured appropriately for a client's Optical Mark Reader during installation. However if this was not done or the model of OMR is changed then the application will need the scanner configuration to be carried out.

Important: The parameters for the scanner configuration are stored in the Windows/System folder so to vary these settings will require write access to that folder. These settings will effect how the application interfaces with the OMR so should not be manipulated without a clear understanding of the effects. If in any doubt contact Speedwell for further advice (see Contacting Speedwell).

To configure the scanner
  • In the Configure menu select Scanner.
  • The Configure Optical Mark Reader dialog is displayed.



    The following details identifying to the application the properties of optical mark reader can be set.
  • The scanner type can be selected from the OMR drop down box,
  • The number of read heads can be selected in the Read Heads radio box (1 and 2 represent a single or dual sided OMR respectively).
  • The pitch of the tracks can be selected in the Tracks radio box (40 tracks is 5 tracks per inch or 0.2" pitch and 48 tracks is 6 tracks per inch or 0.166" pitch).
  • Each mark read by the scanner is allocated a value from 0 (the lightest mark) to 15 (the darkest mark). If the OMR is reading marks that would be better ignored or ignoring marks that would would be better read vary the value in the Minimum Darkness edit box. Increase this value to read lighter marks and decrease this value to ignore darker marks.
  • If a single mark is expected from a number of response areas but two are read either the lighter of the two can be ignored or a multimark (see Multiple Choice Style Questions) is allocated. This is based on the difference between the values allocated to each mark. To reduce or increase this difference vary the value in the Minimum Difference edit box. Decrease this value to ignore darker secondary marks increase this value to read lighter secondary marks.
  • ‡ If multiple marks are expected from a number of response areas and these are subsequently accumulated those that are significantly lighter than the darkest mark can be ignored. This is based on the difference between the values allocated to each mark. To reduce or increase this difference vary the value in the Minimum Darkness Additive edit box. Decrease this value to ignore darker secondary marks increase this value to read lighter secondary marks. 
  • Some OMRs have two output hoppers which can be used to collect accepted sheets separately from rejected sheets (see Scanning In Batch Mode). If it would be more convenient for the stacks of sheets to be in the opposite hoppers then tick or clear the Swap Output Hoppers check box.
  • ‡ Some OMRs have printers attached which can be used during scanning. If there is a printer and it is to be used tick the Use Printer check box.
  • If the OMR being used is an NCS it may be possible to run it in an emulation or standard configuration mode. If it is being run in standard configuration mode then tick the NCS Standard Configuration check box.
  • If the OMR being used is an NCS it is possible for the application to autostart the scanning (otherwise the user needs to press the appropriate start button on the OMR). If autostarting is preferred tick the Automatically Start Scanning check box.

    The features marked with a double dagger ‡ are not used in Speedquest and are included for completeness if other Speedwell applications are in use by the client.

    Not all options are available for all OMRs so some may be invisible or greyed out.