FLATBED OPTICAL SCANNER

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Flatbed Optical Scanner



 A Flatbed Optical Scanner, the most commonly used scanner, is a device that allows a copy of the document to be digitally produced by having the object to be scanned in a transparent, horizontally disposed, flat plate or platen. A linear optical sensor array such as a charge coupled device (CCD) is used to scan an object by strip or line. A Flatbed Optical Scanner typically contains a housing that shields various optical and mechanical assemblies and an assembly rail that helps mount the scanner for convenience.

 Most flatbed scanners have an average of 300x300 dots per inch (dpi). Upgrading the scanner, however, can increase the dpi to around 725.

 Who are the leading providers? MicroTek, Epson, Hewlett-Packard, Visioneer, Canon

 Flatbed Scanners allow multiple sheet scanning, unlike others wherein the papers have to be fed into the scanning device.

 This is commonly used to produce digital versions of documents, scanning papers, pictures, films and negatives.

 For scanning purposes only, but some are specialized for high-quality photographs.


Sources:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7423786.html. Accessed August 4, 2009
http://www.pcworld.com/article/106196/top_10_scanners.html. Accessed August 4, 2009
http://www.consumersearch.com/scanner-reviews. Accessed August 4, 2009
http://www.answers.com/topic/image-scanner. Accessed August 6, 2009
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/scanner.htm/printable August 6, 2009