In today’s digital age, the transition from physical documents and photos to digital formats is almost ubiquitous. The primary reason for this shift is to safeguard against damage or loss. The process of converting physical documents and photos into digital formats is achieved through scanning. With a wide array of scanners available in the market, understanding the most efficient and practical methods for scanning is essential. This guide will delve into the various techniques for scanning documents, ensuring you can digitize your important papers effectively.
Understanding Document Scanning
Before we explore the methods of scanning, let’s clarify what document scanning entails. Scanning is the process of converting physical documents or photographs into digital soft copies. The main goal is to create digital replicas that can be stored on computers, ensuring safer and longer-term preservation. These digital files can be saved in various formats on your PC, offering enhanced security and accessibility.
The scanner market offers a diverse range of types, each suited for different needs:
- Flatbed Scanners: Versatile for documents and photos, offering high quality.
- Sheetfed Scanners: Designed for quickly scanning multiple-page documents.
- Photo Scanners: Optimized for high-resolution photo digitization.
- Handheld Scanners: Portable and convenient for quick scans on the go.
- Portable Scanners: Compact and lightweight, ideal for mobile professionals.
- Drum Scanners: High-end scanners used for professional image reproduction.
- Multifunction Printer Scanners: Integrated into printers, offering scanning, printing, and copying capabilities.
Practical Methods for Scanning Documents
Digitizing documents has become significantly simpler than in the past. In this digital era, the demand for scanners is steadily increasing. Here are several methods you can use, both with dedicated scanners and directly from your smartphone.
Utilizing Google Drive for Scanning
Google Drive offers a convenient built-in scanning feature, eliminating the need for additional applications. Here’s how to use it:
- Open Google Drive on your smartphone.
- Tap the “+” (Add) icon.
- Select the “Scan” or “Pindai” menu option.
- Capture the photo of the document you wish to scan. Ensure proper alignment and desired results.
- Optimize lighting and capture the image from directly above.
- The scanned document will be automatically saved to your Google Drive.
Alt Text: Scanning a document using the Google Drive app on a smartphone, showing the camera interface.
Limitations of Scanning with Google Drive:
- Lack of OCR Feature: Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is not available, which can result in less sharp document scans and inability to edit text directly from the scan.
- Limited Features: Compared to dedicated scanning apps or devices, Google Drive’s scanning feature is quite basic.
Scanning with the Brother DS-940DW Scanner
For professionals requiring high mobility, a compact scanner is invaluable. The Brother DS-940DW scanner is designed to be compact and easily portable, without compromising functionality.
Alt Text: The compact and portable Brother DS-940DW scanner, highlighting its sleek design and portability.
Connecting Scanner to Laptop and Smartphone
Here’s how to connect and use the Brother DS-940DW scanner with your laptop and smartphone:
- Install the Brother driver: Follow the instructions in the manual or download it from the official Brother website.
- Run the application: It will automatically search for available devices nearby.
- Select connectivity: Choose between USB cable or Wi-Fi connection. For local Wi-Fi networks, the USB cable can be disconnected after setup.
- Download Brother iPrint&Scan app: Get it from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
- Connect your devices: Ensure both the scanner and your smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Find the scanner password: It is located on the back of the DS-940DW device.
- Select your scanner: Once the DS-940DW appears, click on its name.
- Load your document or photo: Place it into the scanner.
- Tap “Scan”: Configure settings like paper size and color or black & white scanning.
- Start scanning: The scanner will begin processing the document and send the scan to your Android or iOS device.
- Finish scanning: Click “Finish” if you have no more documents to scan.
- Review and save: Check the scan on your phone. If satisfactory, save it as a PDF or JPEG.
Direct Scanning Without Additional Devices
The DS-940DW offers the unique capability to scan directly without needing cables or other devices. Here’s how:
- Use the control panel: Locate and use the control panel buttons on the scanner itself.
- Select scan mode: Choose between black & white or color scanning.
- Choose format and sides: Select the output format and whether to scan single or double-sided.
- Insert media: Place the document to be scanned. The scan will be automatically saved to the internal storage or microSD card.
Alt Text: Close-up view of the Brother DS-940DW scanner’s control panel, showing buttons for direct scanning options.
Scanning Using Windows
For scanning directly to a PC, ensure the scanner is connected to your computer. Windows 10 and later versions ideally automatically recognize scanners.
- Click Start: Open the Windows menu and search for “Printers & scanners”.
- Configure Scanner: Select your scanner from the list and click on it.
- Press Start/Stop: Press the start/stop button on the scanner unit. The scanner will scan and send the digitized document to your PC.
Advantages of the Brother DS-940DW Scanner
Brother is renowned for its printing and scanning technology. The DS-940DW scanner embodies a “Desk Saving Design,” making it compact and practical. Notably, it can even scan laminated documents. Let’s explore its key advantages:
Design
The design is inherently practical and perfect for users with high mobility. It includes a built-in battery, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a MicroSD slot. Its dimensions are a slim 31.9 x 6.31 x 4.5 cm when closed, with minimal change when open. Weighing only about 699 grams, it is exceptionally lightweight.
The top features an output guide to access the scanner’s interior in case of paper jams. Inside, a top cover enables automatic duplex (double-sided) scanning.
Wireless Capability
This scanner operates both wirelessly and with cables, enhancing its portability. The USB card support allows scanning without direct connections to laptops or smartphones.
Speed
The DS-940DW is fast, scanning a page in just 3.83 seconds, whether single or double-sided.
Power Efficiency
In standby mode with Wi-Fi, it consumes 1.5-1.8W. During scanning (Wi-Fi mode), it uses approximately 2.1-2.2W.
Charging Time
The battery fully charges in 1.5 to 2 hours.
Versatile Paper Size Handling
It supports a wide range of paper sizes, from legal and F4 to documents up to 180 cm in length.
Advanced Features
- OCR (Optical Character Recognition): Enables scanning of text documents for easy editing post-scan.
- Auto Deskew: Automatically corrects skewed images, ensuring straight and professional-looking scans even if the paper is slightly misaligned during scanning.
- Blank Page Skip: Automatically detects and removes blank pages from scanned documents, streamlining the digital document.
- Auto Crop: Automatically crops the scanned image to fit the document size, removing unnecessary borders.
Conclusion
Scanning documents has never been easier, thanks to devices like the Brother DS-940DW and features like Google Drive’s scan option. Whether you need a portable solution for on-the-go scanning or a robust device for home or office, understanding how to scan documents with a scanner effectively is crucial in today’s digital workflow. The Brother DS-940DW stands out with its compact design, versatile features, and user-friendly operation, making it an excellent choice for digitizing your documents and photos.
Interested in owning the Brother photo and document scanner? Visit the official Brother website for more information.
References:
https://carisinyal.com/jenis-jenis-scanner/2/
https://www.bhinneka.com/blog/cara-scan-di-printer/#Cara_Scan_Dari_Printer_ke_Windows
https://www.jagatreview.com/2021/03/review-scanner-mini-brother-ds-940dw-super-ringkas/4
https://youtu.be/sRM_vV_Fa5g
https://www.brother.co.id/id-id/contents/mobilescanningsolution
