A scanner is a device that digitizes physical documents, images, or objects by capturing their content and converting it into digital format. This digital file can then be viewed, edited, stored, and shared on a computer. Essentially, it works like a digital photocopier that creates a digital image of the scanned item
. How a scanner works:
- A light source illuminates the document or object.
- A photosensitive sensor captures the reflected light.
- The sensor converts the light patterns into digital information, creating a digital representation of the scanned content
Types of scanners include:
- Flatbed scanners: Have a flat glass surface where documents are placed.
- Sheet-fed scanners: Feed multiple pages through rollers.
- Handheld scanners: Portable devices moved over the surface to scan.
- Portable scanners: Compact and easy to carry.
- 3D scanners: Capture three-dimensional objects to create digital models
Scanners are widely used in offices, homes, libraries, and research institutes to digitize paper records for easy management, safekeeping, and quick retrieval. They facilitate the transformation of analog data into digital form, enabling modification and sharing
. In summary, a scanner is an input device that converts physical images or documents into digital files for use on computers, enhancing productivity and data management
