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 general 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.