How does a scanner work? Easily explained

There is hardly an office today that can do without a scanner. The devices are also widely used in private households. In this practical tip, we explain how a scanner works.

How does a scanner work?

A scanner works with light and reflections.

• A bright light illuminates the document to be scanned. This usually happens when the so-called "scan head" moves over the document.
• Depending on whether the current image area is dark or light, different amounts of light are reflected. This light is directed through mirrors onto a lens, which in turn illuminates a semiconductor.
• The more light falls on the semiconductor, the more electricity it transmits. The different currents are divided into areas. These areas of strength then become binary codes, from which the image is ultimately created.

How does a scanner work with colored images?

• A scanner can not only scan black and white images, but also color images.
• Color scanners have several sensors. Each sensor has a color filter that only allows a certain color to pass through. In this way, the intensity of the individual colors can be measured.