Convert JPEG into searchable text

Well, here is the situation...

I am currently taking a class with an outdated edition of textbook required. One of the very few local libraries that still holds the title insists that the book can only be used in the library. Well, what I did is that I took pictures of the pages, but these images are in JPEG, I would love to have them converted into searchable text. Does anyone know the easiest way to do this?

I use a tablet PC, so i also want to know the best way to integrate these images into my annotations. Unfortunately, no OneNote, only windows Journal here.

Please pour me with suggestion.

 

Use a PDF creator you can add the photo and you can search the text, maybe somebody knows of a cheap or free version.

 

What you're looking for is OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to recognize the characters and convert them into text. Check out the OCR built into google docs. You'll need to get a google account, if you use gmail it's the same thing.

Uploading and converting PDF and image files with text to Google Docs : Uploading and Exporting - Google Docs Help

 

you need to use some type of OCR software.

 

There is a size limit at 2mb. Unfortunately, most of pics I took are over that limit.

 

Well you could resize them down to 2mb. If you use Microsoft office there is a program called Microsoft Office Picture Manager. I think Picasa can also resize pictures. I'm not sure if either can do a batch resize job though.

How many pictures do you have?

 

Well, each chapter is about 30 pages long, each picture covers two pages, and I took pics for 3 chapters already, so 45 pictures so far? There are still 10 chapters to go through though.

I tried FREE OCR ( i think that's what it's call), no luck at all. I am going to try the built-in OCR inside Office Pro 2007 and see how that turns out.

Btw, the OneNote Web App doesn't recognize tablet pen input? I thought that's one of the strengths of OneNote desktop client version?

 

Photoshop's "Save for web" feature does wonders in downsizing images without much noticeable loss in quality.

 

OCR is a real hit and miss thing. Most of the better ones are not going to be free and while it will speed up the process tons I am sure its still going to take a while to convert it all to text.

 

I've been using Fine Reader for my OCR (not free) and it's fantastic.

 

I use foxit Phantom... Love the ocr It has (not free) but their are ways of getting it

 

Uh, no. You'll just get a PDF that's comprised of a picture, no searchable text. You do need OCR software to convert it to text.

 

lakersgo,
How's it going dude? give us an update.

 

You can use any free online OCR software to translate to txt

 

Not going well. I gave up on the idea of converting into searcheable text. In fact, I gave up on the attempt to annotate on the JPEG file either. Just too much hassle.

 

My brother mfc laser has OCR built in to the scan capabilities. It is hit or miss though. Maybe try finding a printer that comes with OCR software?

 

Post one of the pics on the internet, or send it to me via Private Message. I'd like to take a crack at it with google docs OCR.