1.3.3 (a): describe the principles of the operation of 2D scanners and describe how they are applied to real life scenarios.

A 2D scanner is generally used as a method of inputting paper documents and storing them in a computer in a electric form.

The document is placed on the glass panel of the scanner.

A bright light is emitted, illuminating the document (usually from a xenon lamp)

A scan head is moved across from under the panel, scanning the document. An image of the scan is produced and sent to a lens using mirrors, which focuses on the document image

The focused image falls onto a Charge Couple Device (CCD) consisting of integrated circuits etched into silicon

The CCD is made up of thousands of light-sensitive elements, which produce electrical charges when light falls on them.

The scanned image has now turned into an electronic form, which software can now produce an image from.

Computers with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software allow scanned text to be converted into a text file format.

Now the scanned image can be changed by importing it into a word processor.

If the document was an image, an image file is formed (e.g a JPEG)

What uses for 2D scanners are there?

2D scanners are used in airports to read peoples' passports.

OCR software can be used to change or copy text in an electronic form of the scanned passport.

The photo in the passport is also scanned and is stored in a file. A photo of the passenger's face is also taken at the airport and compared with the image in the passport. (It could check basic stuff like distance between the eyes and the nose width)