Data scanner: Difference between revisions

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{{conjecture}}
{{Infobox Object
{{Infobox Object
|image = [[Image:Bookscanner.jpg|230px|]]
|image =
|Object name = Book scanner
|type = [[Scanner]]
|type = Information transfer device
|origin =  
|origin = Unknown
|first = Everything Changes (TV story)
|appearances = [[TW]]: ''[[Everything Changes]]'', ''[[Cyberwoman]]''
|appearances = [[TV]]: ''[[Cyberwoman (TV story)|Cyberwoman]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[Dead Man Walking (TV story)|Dead Man Walking]]''
}}
}}A '''data scanner''' was a piece of non-[[Earth]] technology that [[Suzie Costello]] of [[Torchwood Three]] salvaged a year before [[Lisa Hallett]] attacked [[the Hub]]. Suzie claimed it could open any lock in 45 seconds. ([[TV]]: ''[[Cyberwoman (TV story)|Cyberwoman]]'')


A '''data''' or '''book scanner''' is a device can can be used to store text and other data in the form of photagraph-like images.
The device could also be used to store text and other data in the form of [[photograph]]-like images. Merely by waving it at printed text and images such as ''[[A Tale of Two Cities]]'', it could record and store them as information inside itself or transfer the data to a computer. Despite Torchwood Three's policy that alien artefacts must never leave the Hub, [[Toshiko Sato]] took the scanner out several times in order to experiment with it. ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'')


Merely by waving it at printed text and images it can store them as information inside itself or translate the data to a computer ([[TW]]: ''[[Everything Changes]]''). [[Toshiko Sato]], a particular admirer of the scanner, compared it to an [[iPod]] for books. Despite [[Torchwood 3]]'s policy that [[alien artefact]]s must never leave [[the Hub]], Toshiko took the scanner out several times in order to experiment with it. (''[[torchwood.org.uk]]'', [[TW]]: ''[[Everything Changes]]'')  
Toshiko later used it to translate the words that the [[Death (Dead Man Walking)|Death]]-possessed [[Owen Harper]] spoke soon after his [[Resurrection Gauntlet|revival]]. This, however, did not work, something which she claimed it had "never done before". She used it again within the same adventure to unlock a [[hospital]] door. Owen stole it from her, distracting her with a [[kiss]], and used it to relock the door, sealing Tosh outside while he fought Death. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dead Man Walking (TV story)|Dead Man Walking]]'')


It has practically unlimited storage capacity. Toshiko speculated that alien [[archaeology|archeaologists]] used the scanner to record ancient writings. (''[[torchwood.org.uk]]'')
== Behind the scenes ==
=== Torchwood website ===
The [[Series 1 (Torchwood)|series 1]] version of the [[Torchwood website]] featured "current investigations" on alien technology by Tosh. She said of the book, "It's brilliant — kind of like an iPod for books. It can take any book, and scan it in seconds, and transfer the text any storage device [sic]." While testing it out at the library, Tosh claimed it had "limitless" storage capacity. Tosh speculated the device originated as part of an archaeological survey team which waved the scanner over carvings on some planet, and then translated the writing on the journey home. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.torchwood.org.uk/html/toshiko/inv-scanner.shtml |title=Book scanner |author=Sato, T |date of source= |website name=[[Torchwood website]] |accessdate=25 July 2013 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070824104153/http://www.torchwood.org.uk/html/toshiko/inv-scanner.shtml |archivedate=24 August 2007}}</ref>


It can also be used as a lockpicking device. ([[TW]]: ''[[Cyberwoman]]'').
The digital copy of ''A Tale of Two Cities'' is recognisable to modern viewers of ''Everything Changes'' as an [[ebook]]. Viewers of the original broadcast, however, would not have known about commercial ebook readers such as [[Amazon Kindle]], [[Barnes & Noble]] Nook, or Apple Books. Indeed, both Apple Books and Kindle have since become downloadable [[app]]s on (among other Apple hardware) the iPod's [[App Store]], making Tosh's comparison to iPods on the ''Torchwood'' website apt.


==External links==
== Footnotes ==
*[http://www.torchwood.org.uk/html/toshiko/inv-scanner.shtml Toshiko's report on the device]
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Torchwood items]]
[[Category:Torchwood Three's items]]
[[Category:Communications technology]]
[[Category:Communications technology]]
[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:Alien artefacts]]
[[Category:Keys and lockpicks]]
[[Category:Literature]]
[[Category:Information storage]]
[[Category:Scanners]]

Latest revision as of 16:04, 29 November 2022

"Data scanner" is a title based upon conjecture.

Check the behind the scenes section, the revision history and discussion page for additional comments on this article's title.

A data scanner was a piece of non-Earth technology that Suzie Costello of Torchwood Three salvaged a year before Lisa Hallett attacked the Hub. Suzie claimed it could open any lock in 45 seconds. (TV: Cyberwoman)

The device could also be used to store text and other data in the form of photograph-like images. Merely by waving it at printed text and images such as A Tale of Two Cities, it could record and store them as information inside itself or transfer the data to a computer. Despite Torchwood Three's policy that alien artefacts must never leave the Hub, Toshiko Sato took the scanner out several times in order to experiment with it. (TV: Everything Changes)

Toshiko later used it to translate the words that the Death-possessed Owen Harper spoke soon after his revival. This, however, did not work, something which she claimed it had "never done before". She used it again within the same adventure to unlock a hospital door. Owen stole it from her, distracting her with a kiss, and used it to relock the door, sealing Tosh outside while he fought Death. (TV: Dead Man Walking)

Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Torchwood website[[edit] | [edit source]]

The series 1 version of the Torchwood website featured "current investigations" on alien technology by Tosh. She said of the book, "It's brilliant — kind of like an iPod for books. It can take any book, and scan it in seconds, and transfer the text any storage device [sic]." While testing it out at the library, Tosh claimed it had "limitless" storage capacity. Tosh speculated the device originated as part of an archaeological survey team which waved the scanner over carvings on some planet, and then translated the writing on the journey home. [1]

The digital copy of A Tale of Two Cities is recognisable to modern viewers of Everything Changes as an ebook. Viewers of the original broadcast, however, would not have known about commercial ebook readers such as Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, or Apple Books. Indeed, both Apple Books and Kindle have since become downloadable apps on (among other Apple hardware) the iPod's App Store, making Tosh's comparison to iPods on the Torchwood website apt.

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. Sato, T. Book scanner. Torchwood website. Archived from the original on 24 August 2007. Retrieved on 25 July 2013.