Leolvasó

Leolvasó is a Hungarian term for a device or software that reads information from a medium. It can refer to hardware or programs that extract data by optical, magnetic, or radio-frequency means, or that convert printed or displayed text into digital form or audible output. The exact meaning depends on context and field of use.

The most common types are barcode readers (vonalkód-leolvasók), optical character recognition devices (OCR or optikai leolvasók), magnetic stripe readers (mágnescsík-leolvasók), and RFID readers (RFID-leolvasók). Barcode readers use a light source to scan a barcode and decode the pattern into data, often connected to computers, point-of-sale systems, or mobile devices. OCR technology captures images of text and converts them into editable, searchable digital text, enabling digitization of documents and automated data entry. Magnetic stripe readers extract data from the magnetic stripe on cards, while RFID readers communicate with tags to identify items or grant access. In accessibility contexts, a screen reader or text-to-speech system is sometimes described as a leolvasó when it reads content aloud for users with visual impairments.

Typical applications include retail checkout and inventory control, logistics and warehousing, document digitization, access control, and payment systems. Technical considerations involve scan quality, lighting and surface condition for optical devices, the data format and error rates for OCR, range and interference for RFID, and security and privacy implications for all reading technologies. Leolvasók continue to evolve with advances in sensors, imaging, and artificial intelligence.