Scanner Introduction

From openSUSE

The diagram below represents the components involved in the scanner installation.

Scanner diagram

1. The higher layer is the end-user application. You can use several applications as Xsane that came with OpenSuSE.
2. Then we have the SANE dll meta backend that also came with OpenSuSE. It implements the API that will be used by the end-user application.
3. Then we have the SANE backend device driver that also came with OpenSuSE. For example snapscan is used for some Epson scanners.
4. Then we have the libusb that also came with OpenSuSE. This is the communication with USB
5. And finally several scanners need to receive a firmware (uploaded) every time they start (powered on). Firmware files to be uploaded into the scnner are proprietary binary data. Only for some Epson scanners there is a (non-free) package iscan-firmware from OpenSuSE.