It is over ten years since Spencer Chase and I began our collaboration
to produce a roll scanner design based on contact image sensor (CIS)
arrays.  Several machines have sprung from this work and, during this
period, attitudes towards roll scanning have also changed.

Like myself, many enthusiasts now enjoy listening to player piano
music using MIDI files derived from piano rolls, reproduced by means
of electronic keyboards, synthesisers or solenoid pianos.  Also, an
ever increasing number of enthusiasts indicate that they would like
to have their rolls scanned so they can enjoy them in this way but,
understandably, most are reluctant to allow them out of their
possession.  There appears to be a need for a portable, user-friendly
machine capable of producing high quality results.

To this end, I have designed a new scanner using modern techniques
which is suitable for DIY operation.  It is fast, compact, very easy
to operate and incorporates several new concepts including a "play as
you scan" feature.  An overview of the new design has been placed
on a temporary web site at http://www.rollscanners.org.uk/  and I have
explored the technical concepts in sufficient depth to convince myself
of their viability.

Turning this notion into reality represents many months of work and
it is not worth proceeding further unless there is interest from
potential collaborators.  I would also be pleased to hear from any
roll collectors, in addition than those who have already approached me,
who might eventually wish to either buy or borrow such a machine in
order to scan their own rolls.

Thanks
Richard Stibbons
richard@stibbons.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]

 [ See Richard's previous MMD articles on this topic, indexed at
 [ http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/Authors/Aut1197.html
 [ -- Robbie