This section provides an overview for image scanners as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 13 image scanner manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked image scanner companies as of November, 2024: 1.Xerox Corporation, 2.Visioneer, Inc., 3.IRIS S.A..
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Categories Related to Image Scanners
An Image Scanner is a device that converts images and text printed on paper or other physical media into electronic data.
Image Scanners include the common flatbed scanner and document scanners that can scan large numbers of documents at high speed.
Flatbed scanners scan paper by placing it on a flatbed, allowing for the scanning of documents, photos, and other fine details.
Document scanners scan large volumes of documents efficiently because they automatically feed the paper as it is scanned. Image scanners convert paper documents into digital data that can be easily stored and shared as electronic files.
Some are also equipped with OCR (Optical Character Reader) functionality, allowing scanned documents to be converted into text data. Image scanners are widely used in the business world as a tool for efficient document management and document creation.
Image Scanners are used to convert images and text printed on paper or other physical media into electronic data. Image Scanners are useful in business settings to improve document management and document creation efficiency.
For example, they are used for the following applications:
Image scanners are used to convert paper documents into electronic files for easy document storage and retrieval. Documents can also be saved in a portable PDF format so that they can be viewed on the go.
Handwritten memos and drawings can be scanned with an image scanner and converted to electronic data for editing and processing.
In addition, with an image scanner equipped with OCR function, scanned documents can be converted to text data, which can then be edited in applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
Image scanners can be used to create digital archives by converting family photos, letters, and old documents into electronic data. Paper documents and photos are also suitable for preservation as they may deteriorate over time.
Image scanner principles can be broadly classified into two types based on the reading method: CIS and CCD.
In the past, the CCD method was the mainstream, but nowadays the CIS method is gradually being adopted.
The CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) method uses a CCD as an image sensor, which reflects and concentrates light using multiple mirrors before the reflected light arrives, and then reads and converts the focused light into data using several lenses. This method is characterized by its deep depth of field, which allows it to read documents with large surface irregularities or those that are far away from the glass surface.
This method is favored in specialized fields such as film scanning. While the resolution is high, the main unit is large and requires a main power supply, so it must be stationary.
The CIS (Contact Image Sensor) method uses RGB tri-color LEDs with controllable blinking as the light source to read the reflected light from the document through a small equal-size lens and convert it into data using an image sensor (CMOS sensor).
The CIS method is widely used in popular models because of its simple structure, easy miniaturization, and energy saving (it can be operated with only a USB connection).
The disadvantage, however, is that the scanner must be placed in close contact with the glass surface to be able to read the image properly.
There are various types of image scanners, depending on the scanning method. Depending on your application, you can choose from a wide range of products, including those that are inexpensive and capable of scanning at high speeds.
Flatbed scanners are the most basic type of scanner and scan paper one sheet at a time. Because of their simple construction, flatbed scanners are inexpensive and readily available at affordable prices.
The advantage is that there is a low risk of soiling or folding the paper when scanning. However, since each sheet must be set up individually, scanning takes longer.
ADF scanners can scan large numbers of documents. These scanners have the ability to feed documents automatically, so when multiple documents are placed in the tray, the paper is fed in order and scanning is completed automatically.
This product is useful for scanning large quantities of documents, but care should be taken to avoid paper jams that can cause paper to break or snap.
Handheld scanners, which can be hand-held for scanning, are becoming mainstream these days. They are useful for scanning books and other items that cannot be cut to size, or for scanning a portion of a large document such as a newspaper, but they are more time-consuming to scan than other types of products.
This type of scanner can scan books and other documents from above without cutting them into page units. Some scanners have a function to correct distortion in the center of the book when the book is opened.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Xerox Corporation, founded in Rochester, New York, in 1906 is a manufacturer of print and digital document products. The company's product portfolio includes scanners, Home Office Printers, Office Laser Printers, Multifunction/All-in-One Printers and Digital Sheet-fed Printing Presses. Their products are used in industries such as Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology, Chemical and Petrochemical, Environmental Testing and healthcare. The company has global warehouses, sales and distribution channels and customer and technical service.
Brother International Corporation is a manufacturer of products and solutions headquartered in New Jersey. The company provides products for home use such as Printers, ink, toners, label makers, and sewing machines, and for office use, there are other products included such as scanners, Direct-to-Garment printers, stamps, gearmotors and reducers, and fax machines. The Agricultural, Healthcare, and Food Processing industries vastly use the labeling solutions, and gearmotors provided by the company, whereas the Education, Law, and Retail sectors benefit from their numerous printing solutions. Scanners, sewing machines, and Direct to Garment printers facilitate the textile industry.
Eastman Kodak Company ,established in 1888 in Rochester, New York, USA, is a manufacturer of imaging and photographic solutions. The product range includes digital cameras, printers, film and chemicals, and imaging software. These offerings provide optimal-quality image capture, printing, and preservation, enabling unique expression and visual storytelling. The digital cameras offer advanced features and superior image quality, while the printers ensure vibrant and accurate photo reproduction. Film and chemicals cater to traditional and artistic photography, and imaging software enhances editing and manipulation capabilities. These products find applications in photography, entertainment, healthcare, and commercial printing industries.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., established as the New York branch in 1955 and then was formally incorporated in 1965, is a supplier of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions based in the United States. The company opened their new headquarters in 2013 and continues to realize growth, oversees operations in North, Central and South America. Located off the Long Island Expressway and near the technology corridor of Route 110, the headquarters features modern amenities and a 52-acre campus.
IRIS S.A., established in 1987 in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, is a manufacturer of document scanning and processing products. The product range includes portable scanners, document management software, OCR (optical character recognition) technology, and image recognition systems. These offerings provide efficient document digitization, accurate data extraction, and streamlined information management, enhancing productivity and reducing paper usage. The portable scanners offer on-the-go scanning convenience, while the document management software organizes and archives digital files. These products find applications in sectors such as business, government, healthcare, and education.
Fujitsu Components America, Inc. is a global leader in electronics manufacturing services (EMS), providing integrated services and solutions for OEMs and ODMs operating in the automotive, communications, computing, consumer, industrial and medical sectors. Fujitsu Components America’s Products include relays, touch panels, and wireless modules, and input and pointing devices. Fujitsu Component America serves customers across volume spectrums in variable-mix, variable-volume production.
Ambir Technology Inc., established in 2001 in Wood Date, Illinois, USA, is a manufacturer of document and image capture products. The products include sheetfed scanners, card scanners, signature pads, and scanning software. These offerings provide efficient and accurate document digitization, enabling streamlined workflows and enhanced data management. The sheetfed scanners offer fast and stable optimal-volume scanning, while the card scanners ensure precise capture of ID cards and small documents. Signature pads facilitate electronic signature capture, and scanning software enhances image processing and integration in sectors such as healthcare, finance, education, and government, assisting improved record-keeping and data security.
Japan HP Co., Ltd., established in 2014 and headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, is a manufacturer specializing in a diverse range of IT hardware and peripherals. Their wide range of products includes printers for printing documents and photos, monitors for displaying computer output, desktops for general computing tasks, laptops for portable computing, as well as chargers and adapters to power and connect HP devices with other devices. Tokyo Factory & Logistics Spark has acquired ISO9001 certification for quality management systems, ISO14001 certification for environmental management systems, and ISO27001:2013 certification for information security management systems.
Visioneer, Inc., established in 1994 in Fremont, California, USA, is a manufacturer of scanners and imaging products. The product range includes desktop scanners, mobile scanners, document management software, and scanning accessories. These offerings provide efficient document digitization, enhanced data organization, and simplified information sharing, optimizing productivity and reducing paper clutter. The desktop and mobile scanners offer optimal-quality image capture and easy connectivity, while the document management software streamlines document archiving and retrieval. These products find applications across industries such as healthcare, finance, legal, and education, facilitating streamlined data management and compliance.
CipherLab, established in 2000, is a Plano, Texas-based designer, manufacturer, and distributor of automatic identification and data capture & collection products and systems. The company’s production line is segmented into mobile computers, barcode scanners, and RFID readers used in warehousing, retail, manufacturing, and transportation & logistics applications. The barcode scanners are available as general-purpose, business, and pocket-sized scanners with the choice of linear imager, laser, and 2D imager. The CipherLab Application Development software, including terminal emulators, scanner software, programming tools, deployment tools, and device management tools, are used to customize the devices to workflows and enable web-based processes.
Unitech Electronics Co., Ltd., established in 2008 in Taiwan, is a manufacturer of electronic components and data acquisition devices and a distributor of software and hardware information for barcode printing, scanning, reading, and data collection-related equipment. The company offers over 1,200 products across three main categories that include rugged PDAs, barcode scanners, and RFID readers used by the medical, public institutions, postal services, and military markets, including use by police units. Unitech Electronics Co., Ltd. offers customized production as well as full distribution, retail, logistics, and warehousing services.
Epson America, Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of digital imaging products established in 1975 as a US subsidiary of Japan’s Seiko Epson Corporation. The company produces various digital imaging products for home and business use, including cameras, printers, home theater systems, and scanners, as well as printing accessories like ink and software. It also manufactures wearable devices, point-of-sale systems, and robots for industrial or factory automation, such as 6-axis and SCARA models. Epson America is headquartered in Los Alamitos, California, with regional offices, authorized resellers and service centers across North America including in Chicago, Atlanta, and Toronto.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Xerox Corporation |
14.6%
|
2 | Visioneer, Inc. |
11.1%
|
3 | IRIS S.A. |
10.1%
|
4 | BROTHER INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION |
9.6%
|
5 | Ambir Technology Inc. |
7.6%
|
6 | Fujitsu Components America, Inc. |
7.6%
|
7 | CipherLab Co., Ltd. |
7.1%
|
8 | Thales DIS France SAS |
6.6%
|
9 | Eastman Kodak Company |
6.1%
|
10 | Canon U.S.A., Inc |
5.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the image scanner page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 4 | 44.4% |
Japan | 2 | 22.2% |
Taiwan | 2 | 22.2% |
Belgium | 1 | 11.1% |
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