optical scanner

American  

[ahp-ti-kuhl skan-er] / ˈɑp tɪ kəl ˈskæn ər /

noun

1. Computers. a peripheral device that converts the text and images of a physical, usually printed, document into a digital format that can be stored, edited, and searched.

---

optical scanner British  

noun

1. a computer peripheral device enabling printed material, including characters and diagrams, to be scanned and converted into a form that can be stored in a computer See also optical character reader

---

optical scanner Scientific  

1. A device that converts printed images and text into digital information that can be edited, transmitted, and stored. Optical scanners work by electronically measuring the intensity of color at a large number of individual locations across the page (often using phototransistors), and converting these measurements into digital numerical values usable by computers and other digital devices.

2. See also A/D converter

---

Example Sentences

The Adarsh edition was seemingly created using an optical scanner, which often results in misspelled words.

From New York Times • Aug. 19, 2019

With DRE systems, voters touch a screen or button to make their selections while optical-scanners require them to fill out a paper ballot which is then fed into an optical scanner.

From Washington Times • Jul. 11, 2018

The researchers revealed how they were able to use an optical scanner purchased online for $250 to distinguish perfectly between life-saving malaria drugs and deadly counterfeits.

From The Guardian • Feb. 20, 2017

If anything, the unconsidered variables might tip the balance slightly in favor of the paper ballots, since each optical scanner can service more voters than the touch screen.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2012

Borrowing $250,000 from relatives and friends, they came up with a 23-lb., $10,000 optical scanner that produced high-resolution, forensic-quality print images.

From Time Magazine Archive