Final answer:
A fingerprint scanner reads a unique personal characteristic and converts its pattern to a digital code.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to this question is (b) Fingerprint scanner. A fingerprint scanner reads the unique personal characteristic of a person's fingerprint and converts its pattern into a digital code. This digital code can be used for identification purposes.
Unlike a barcode scanner, which uses a laser beam to read barcodes, a fingerprint scanner captures the pattern of ridges and valleys on a person's fingertip. This pattern is unique to each individual and can be used as a secure form of authentication.
Other options, such as (a) Barcode scanner, (c) Magnetic stripe reader, and (d) Optical character recognition, are not specifically designed to read and convert personal characteristics into digital codes like a fingerprint scanner does.