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A scanner is a computer peripheral device that optically converts physical documents, images, or objects into a digital format that can be stored, edited, and transmitted by a computer. It works by using a light source and a sensor to capture the content, converting it into a digital file like a JPEG, PDF, or editable text document using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software. Common types include flatbed, sheetfed, and handheld scanners.

Types of scanners

Flatbed: The document is placed face down on a glass surface, and a scanning bar moves underneath to capture the image.

Sheetfed: Paper is fed through a slot, where it passes over a stationary image sensor. Some can handle multiple pages using an automatic document feeder (ADF).

Handheld: A portable device that is manually dragged over a flat surface to scan content.

Barcode: A specialized device that reads barcodes, commonly found in retail and logistics.