book scanning device

themole

dunno is this is the right place for this.

i want to scan some books of mine.

i want to build a device to scan books automitically, ie turn the pages automitically so i just have to slot in the book and it scans itself.

has anyone come across a similar project?

i see three main element involved:
turning device
scanning device
s/w

these can be as complicated as i like to make it, ie

turning device:
for testing this can be my hands
i was thinking of some kind of robotic arm with a suction cup to crab and turn a page.

scanning device:
was thinking of using a webcam or camera as this can be mounted over the book and leaves room for the arm to turn the page

sw:
i could initially store the images as just plain images, that which is obtained from the camera/webcam.
the next step would be to clean up the images, cutting off the non-page parts etc.
the final goal could be to ocr the page, pulling out the images and doing the whole thing up in html which i can read on my phone.


my main goal is to be able to read the books i have on my phone/pc.

(and no, i don't want to chop the spines off my books and put them through a sheets scanner)

any suggestions/ideas?

Capt'n Midnight

You know the way you flick pages to see the little drawings dance ?

Well how about putting a book in a holder and bend the pages and then as an arm or wheel moves the pages flick back, though you'd need a fast camera.

EL_Loco

why bother keeping the books in tact!

slice up the pages and lash it into a scanner with an autofeeder.

here's a guy who's done it, book intact method.
http://www.zygo-usa.com/blv6opct.htm

themole

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

You know the way you flick pages to see the little drawings dance ?

Well how about putting a book in a holder and bend the pages and then as an arm or wheel moves the pages flick back, though you'd need a fast camera.

hmm, sounds interesting.

but prob wouldn't work for several reasons, requirs very fast camera, image distorted due to bending of page etc.

EL_Loco wrote:

why bother keeping the books in tact!

slice up the pages and lash it into a scanner with an autofeeder.

again, another interesing idea but i may want to borrow books to scan

EL_Loco wrote:

here's a guy who's done it, book intact method.
http://www.zygo-usa.com/blv6opct.htm

that would appear to be designed for a disabled user to turn a page, usually slowely. dunno if that would be usefull.

this article was one of the first things i found when searching.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2003-12-29-bookscan_x.htm

i basically want to do my own "cheap" version of this. obviously slower etc.

what i would like to find is a project where someone has done this. i can't seem to find any.

anyone know good sites for hardware modding/construction projects which may contain such a project?

cheers beers