Scanners

📠 1. What Is a Scanner?

A scanner is a device that converts physical documents, images, or objects into digital data. It captures visual information and translates it into a format that computers can store, edit, and share.

🧩 2. Types of Scanners

• Flatbed Scanner: A glass surface where documents are placed; common for offices.
• Sheet-fed Scanner: Feeds paper through rollers; faster for multiple pages.
• Handheld Scanner: Portable, moved manually across the page.
• Drum Scanner: High-end, uses a rotating drum; extremely precise for professional imaging.
• 3D Scanner: Captures the shape and dimensions of objects for modeling.
• Barcode Scanner: Reads barcodes using laser or imaging technology.

⚙️ 3. Key Features

• Resolution (DPI): Determines image clarity.
• Color Depth: Number of colors captured (e.g., 24-bit, 48-bit).
• Speed: Pages per minute for document scanners.
• Connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi, or network-enabled.
• OCR (Optical Character Recognition): Converts scanned text into editable digital text.

🕰️ 4. Brief History

• 1957: First image scanner invented by Russell A. Kirsch, used to scan photographs into computers.
• 1980s–1990s: Flatbed scanners became common in offices and homes.
• 2000s: Document scanners with OCR improved productivity.
• 2010s–2020s: 3D scanning and portable scanners expanded applications.

🔮 5. Trends in Scanner Technology (2025+)

• AI-enhanced OCR for more accurate text recognition.
• Portable and wireless scanners for mobile professionals.
• 3D scanning integrated into design, VR, and medical fields.
• Eco-friendly digitization reducing paper use.