Book Scaning

Scanning books can be a delicate task. With millions of rare in irreplaceable books in private and public ownership the desire to scan in a non destructive way is growing. Books are often scanned to allow them to be re-published as eBooks, or to allow them to be reprinted when demand returns. In the case of very rare books, it is wise to make a digital backup just in case the original is ever lost.

People have been scanning books, albeit with poor results, ever since the invention of the document scanner. Technology has now developed to such a degree that books can be scanned with speed and amazing accuracy. Specialised scanners hold the books in a v-shaped cradle and cameras take photographs of the opposing pages.

In the early days, using flatbed scanners, there were issues with shadows and curvature near the binding of the book. This curvature and shadowing would render text near the gutter illegible. The overhead book scanner sought to resolve these issues by taking snap shots from above the book, however the problem of curvature was ever present.

By using a v-shaped cradle, books sit open at approx. 45 degrees, a v-shaped glass screen is lowered onto the book which ensures that the pages lay flat. Once the screen is lowered, two cameras take photos of the pages. Software can then be used on the captured images to crop and then to OCR, extracting an editable text based version of the book.

Book scanning has plenty of applications, from rare historical books, to company journals, council records, technical manuals and out of print books. Once scanned and converted, these books can be republished as eBooks or re printed using traditional methods.

Sterling are able to provide you with a turnkey document management solution. Please contact us below for more information and free consultation.

If you feel that your company could benefit from our expertise in Electronic Records Management, Bureau Scanning, Microfilm Services, Document Archive or Data Backup Services please click the link to visit our corporate site.http://www.thesterlingdatagroup.com/document-scanning-capture/microfilm-book-scanning/

Posted in: Computer