…A computer scanner does exactly that: it scans a document, photograph, or an object, and creates a digital image on your computer. The ability to quickly and efficiently digitize documents or photographs is an invaluable asset in today's world. Imagine how much time could be saved by scanning in an entire report instead of re-typing the whole document. Scanners also give consumers the ability to digitize their photos offering them a quick, technological solution to share them with friends and relatives, or even to post them online for anyone to see.

Scanners are often incorporated into multiple-function devices, such as printer scanners, which, as the name suggests, combines the ability to print and scan into one device. For increased functionality, there are also devices called printer scanner copiers, more commonly referred to as three-in-ones, which incorporate the ability to make and reproduce documents.

Companies such as Hewlett-Packard (HP), Canon and others offer several variations on the scanner, and even the most basic scanner includes features like automatic red-eye reduction for photographs. Higher-end scanners can include features like automatic document feeders, the ability to scan both sides of a document at once, and built-in adapters for photo slides and negatives. Many of the larger document scanners are intended primarily for companies that need to digitize high volumes and can handle hundreds of pages a minute, making it easy for businesses to maintain their documents in an organized, digital format.