Optical scan systems are devices used to read and process information from paper documents. They work by scanning the document and converting the printed text or marks into digital data. This technology is commonly used in various applications, including ballot counting in elections and data entry for surveys. These systems typically use a combination of optical sensors and software to detect and interpret the marks made by users. The scanned data can then be analyzed or stored electronically, making it easier to manage and retrieve information compared to traditional manual methods.