Scanner

Flatbed image scanner

A scanner is a technological device which acquires information from the world and converts it into data, often to be analyzed or stored by a computer.

In the context of computing, a scanner is a device which analyzes a physical image (such as a photograph, printed text, or handwriting) and converts it to a digital image. See scanner (computing).

There is also another type of scanner that is used generally for receiving radio broadcasts above 30Mhz. They are illegal in some states and countries. See Scanner (radio)

In computer networking, a scanner is a computer program to probe a remote system, typically to discover a vulnerability. See vulnerability scanner.

Scan

In telecommunication, the term scan has the following meanings:

To examine sequentially, part by part.
To examine every reference in every entry in a file routinely as part of a retrieval scheme.
In radar, one complete rotation of the interrogating antenna.
In SONAR, to search 360� or a specific search sector by the use of phased array of transducers.
To sweep, i.e., rotate, a beam about a point or about an axis.

Source: from Federal Standard 1037C in support of MIL-STD-188

In the Semiconductor electronics testing industry, the term scan has the following meanings:

To test the logic used in an integrated circuit in a non-functional method by using a special test mode. This mode generally changes the configuration of the device being tested to look more similar to a large shift register. Logicial blocks are then tested by loading and unloading this register.