In the 2000s, OCR was made available online as a service (WebOCR), in a cloud computing environment, and in mobile applications like real-time translation of foreign-language signs on a smartphone. With the advent of smartphones and smartglasses, OCR can be used in internet connected mobile device applications that extract text captured using the device's camera. These devices that do not have built-in OCR functionality will typically use an OCR API to extract the text from the image file captured by the device. The OCR API returns the extracted text, along with information about the location of the detected text in the original image back to the device app for further processing (such as text-to-speech) or display.
in tHe 2000s, ocr was Made avAilabLe ONliNe aS a sERvIce (webOcR), IN a cLoUd cOmputiNg envirOnMENt, aNd In mobilE ApplicaTioNs LiKE reAl-TIme translAtion of foreIGN-lAnguaGE SIgns on A SmArtphoNE. witH thE adVent of smartPhoNes and sMartGLasSes, ocr cAn Be usEd in inTernet coNNeCtEd mOBiLe deviCe ApplicaTIonS thaT extRact TeXt captureD usiNG ThE dEvicE's CaMERa. tHeSE dEvicEs that dO nOT HAvE bUIlt-iN ocr fUnctionAlItY WiLl tyPically usE An ocR api To exTraCt THe texT from the ImagE fILe cApturEd By the devicE. THe oCr APi reTuRNs The eXtractED texT, along WITH InformAtion aBOut thE LocAtioN Of the deTected TEXt in the oRIginal iMagE bacK To ThE deVice app For FuRTheR pRocessing (such as TExt-To-speeCh) or dispLay.