Optical Scanners
An optical scanner is a hardware input device that allows a user to take an image or text and convert it into a digital file, allowing the computer to read or display the scanned object. Features of the optical scanner include-its design, software compatibility, type of feeder, speed, resolution, etc. Some advantages of the optical scanner include :
• Easy to use
• Continuous, detailed, and scaled true-colour images for documentation and interpretation
• Portable and/or stable devices
• Enables the user to alter the scanned object on the computer to their likeness
• Ability to scan low quality paper and get some presentable image
• Long lasting lifetime
• Reliable
• Little maintenance required
• Low failure rate
Disadvantages of the optical scanner include:
• In the case of a power failure, everything is lost
• Takes up a lot of memory space
• May be slow at times due to the model or age
• May sometimes lose some of the quality of the image depending on various circumstances.
Card Readers
A card reader is a data input device that reads data from a card-shaped storage medium. Historically, paper or cardboard punched cards were used throughout the first several decades of the computer industry to store information and programs for computer system, and were read by punched card readers. More modern card readers are electronic devices that use plastic cards imprinted with barcodes, magnetic strips, computer chips or other storage medium. A memory card reader is a device used for communication with a smart card or a memory card. A magnetic card reader is a device used to read magnetic stripe cards, such as credit cards. Features of a memory card reader include- design, software compatibility, speed, etc; while features of the magnetic card reader include- design, speed, compatibility, etc. Some advantages of the different types of card readers are:
• Easy accessibility and usage
• Portable and/or stable