Computer Hardware Terms, Glossary and Dictionary

Optic scanner is a hardware device that can read text or illustrations printed on paper and translate the information into a form the computer can use. A scanner works by digitizing an image. The resulting matrix of bits, called a bit map, can then be stored in a file, displayed on a screen, and manipulated by programs. There are color scanners and gray scaling scanners which the same principle applies. A scanner is commonly connected to a computer USB, Firewire, Parallel or SCSI port.

Related Terms

optical scanner