A scanner is an input device for digital images used to scan documents, pictures, and physical objects for further manipulation or reproduction in digital channels. Scanners are used in a wide variety of fields including photography, surveying, graphic design, publishing, medical diagnosis, and document management.
Scanners come in a variety of types including flatbed scanners, handheld scanners, sheet-fed scanners, and digital camera scanners. Flatbed scanners use a flat platen to allow a document to be scanned and are capable of scanning multiple documents at once. Handheld scanners, often called wand scanners, are used by users who need to capture text on the move. Sheet-fed scanners are typically used in printing services to scan documents quickly, and digital camera scanners allow for capturing objects and documents for transferring to a computer.
Apart from use in home and office environments, many scanners are used in commerce and industry. Automated teller machines often feature an integrated scanner used for check deposits, for example. Barcode and QR code scanners are also common and can be found in retail environments for recording purchases automatically.
In the world of graphics, scanners are used to capture and vectorize data which is then manipulated using photographic retouching software. Many department stores and photo technicians offer the service of scanning photos, color correcting them, and converting them to digital formats for further editing.
Scanners are a key part of any modern office, business, and home environment. They have revolutionized the way people interact with paper documents, leading to significant gains in productivity and efficiency.
References:
1. https://www.ways2gogreenblog.com/what-is-a-scanner
2. https://www.edited.com/blog/vectorizing-editing-in-photoshop
