I have been working on developing a low cost precision piano roll
scanner.  I have just produced my first scanned image, proving that
the method I am using should work.

My design should be easy to build from readily available surplus parts
and should be quite inexpensive.  Depending on the choice of paper
transport mechanisms the scanner can built for less critical or more
demanding use.  The optical sensing components can easily provide the
resolution necessary for precision work.  I am planning to build a unit
with an industrial quality mechanism that should stand up to continuous
service.  Others may wish to build simpler mechanisms based on spool
box components etc.

As anyone knows who has checked into off-the-shelf scanning systems,
there is a major price jump when scanners exceed the 8.5-inch wide
format.  My design uses a common 8.5-inch format machine with a simple
optical system (easy to align and focus) to cover wider rolls.

The design uses common software to produce TIFF files for further
processing.  Others have developed software to extract note hole
information from such images and to produce master or MIDI files.

Since it is difficult to get reliable results from image sensors
without complex electronics and software, and since many programs are
available to do just this, I hope to be able to provide an electronic
control system that utilizes available software and provides patches
to the unwanted aspects of a frame based image acquisition system.
I believe that I have a simple scheme that will work, but could use
help from someone who is more experienced in digital electronics.

Another approach would involve dedicated hardware and software to read
the sensor and control paper movement.  There are scanner support chips
available to make this job easier, but it is beyond my abilities to
design such a system.

I am hoping to find others who wish to collaborate on this project,
who are better at the electronic and programming aspects, so that we
might be able to make an affordable roll scanning system available to
hobbyists who want to archive their collections before they are dust.

So far I have worked out the details of accurate and gentle transport
of paper and of the coverage of piano roll formats with simple optics.
I would like to hear from others who can help with the other aspects
and from those whose interest would encourage me to complete this
project in a timely fashion.

Spencer Chase