Image Scanner

Report Type: Informational Report

Topic: Scanners

Date: November 24, 2016

Name: Umar Iftikhar

Roll No: Bs49 5547

Teachers Name: Miss Shazia Nasir

Course Name: Business Communication

Course Code: GENG 206

Abstract:

I am writing an informational report on a device known as an Image Scanner, abbreviated as just scanner. I will be analyzing and over viewing scanner technology as well as predicting the future of technological advancements that may take place in the field of image scanning technology. I will add the advantage and disadvantages of different types of scanner and the limitations that we face while using scanners. Types of scanners and scanners that are commonly used in Pakistan include hand held, sheet fed, slide, drum and flatbed scanners. The performance of each of these scanners is based on its resolution, dynamic range, bit depth and its software. These are the key components in scanners which is how they are rated in performance. Furthermore this report will include technological advances in these four areas and will enlighten you with the development of sensor technology and other similar technological advancements such as digital cameras.

Why I chose this topic?

The reason behind choosing this topic is recently my dad’s firm has started the production of hand held and flatbed scanners locally in the area of Karachi. Our production is very famous around the computing giants across Pakistan. We have been previously producing computer equipment such as keyboard, mouse, headphones, ear phones and speakers and have been selling these products locally to companies like Audionic and HP. Scanners is a broad topic and there is a lot of depth in what they are and what is their future in this fast paced digital era. Soon we will also be producing a line of printers as well.

Introduction:

The purpose of this report is to briefly discuss about current scanners and predict or analyze the technological advancements that may that place in the image scanning technology.

This report will describe the main types of scanners that are commonly used in Pakistan at a daily basis and will examine their performance based on the four main features of a scanner. Resolution, bit depth, range and the software it uses. Furthermore the development of sensor technology will also be discussed.

The first ever scanner was made in 1960 by a Russian engineer, Jacob Rainbow, which was called a “reading machine.” The reading machine formed the base of all the new developments that took place in scanner technology. After the reading machine came the drum scanner. The drum scanner used a new kind of technology that used a photomultiplier tube. These types of scanners are also used today because they produce high and top of the line quality images they produce. The drum scanners later on became much smaller in size and more economical as the users in computer technology increased.

Nowadays scanners also capture a wide variety of two dimensional and three dimensional sources.  These images are converted into computerized files and can be stored in the computer or any other removable disk such as USBs. These images can also be edited and enhanced by the user.

How Scanners Work?

The scanner uses a light source that electronically converts an image into binary data. That binary data is then store onto the computer. Then the scanner recreates the image by using small electronic components known as scanner’s “eyes”. But nowadays the types of “eyes” used in scanners today are photomultiplier tubes and charge coupled devices.  The “eye” measures the amount of light reflected from different points of the page and then translates them into digital signals.

To create a file on the computer that shows as an image, the scanner divides the image into a grid with points called pixels. Then the pixels are filled with colors blue, red and green.

Types of Scanners?

1. Drum Scanners

These scanners were the first to famous in scanner but now are less commonly used due to the advancements in scanner technology. Drum scanners were expensive and were used by the professionals in the industry. They produced high quality images because they used a device known as a photomultiplier tube. Drum scanner were difficult to operate and only technicians operated these machines. The item which was being scanned used to be put onto the glass cylinder which used to be rotated at high speed around the sensor.

1. Sheet-fed Scanners

These types of scanners are one of the most famous scanners at this time due to their economical price and are particularly used in small offices or at homes. They can scan full sized documents and are compact and do not need much of desk space. A limitation to sheet fed scanners is that it is unable to scan three dimensional objects.

1. Flatbed Scanners

The most popular scanners that are generally used worldwide are the flatbed scanners. The type of scanner is very versatile as it is able to scan flat objects as well as three dimensional objects. These are easy to use, you put the object that has to be scanned on top of the glass window and the scanning heads move underneath. Its technology is also been used in with x-rays.

1. Slide Scanners

This type of scanner is used to scan items such as slides that need to be treated or handled very carefully. Unlike other scanner the scanned heads in the slide scanner do not reflect the light onto the slide, in fact they pass through the slides. There are no distortions created by the reflected light in these types of scanners and they are ensuring to produce superior quality images. These scanners are very expensive and are limited to be used only on slides or films.

1. Handheld Scanners

These scanners are portable and compact. They are dragged across a page manually in order to scan or capture an image. These scanners are easy to use and cheap to buy. Whereas these scanner do not generate a high resolution image.