Data scanner

A data scanner was a piece of non-Earth technology that Suzie Costello of Torchwood Three salvaged in 2006. She claimed it could open any lock in 45 seconds. (TV: Cyberwoman)

The device could lso be used to store text and other data in the form of photograph-like images. Merely by waving it at printed text and images, 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 Duroc-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. (TV: Dead Man Walking)

Torchwood website
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.