[sane-devel] Document Capture Technologies, formerly Syscan

[Jack McGill]

Hello,
For the last several months I have been campaigning for linux support for small sheetfed mobile document scanners.

This morning I emailed DCT, formerly Syscan, makers of the DocketPort and TravelScan lines of scanners. Their scanners are resold by several companies, including Pentax, Ambir, and Scanshell.

I received an initial email back from the company president and later a phone call from one of their senior software developers. They are very interested in adding SANE support to their scanners. They see the wisdom of adding potential new customers. They have some concerns about licensing and distribution issues, of which I am not an expert. 

I think it would be helpful if the linux community continues to write or email this company, offering our support and expertise, and to express our gratitude for their interest. Their webpage is http://www.docucap.com.
Their contact information is:

DOCUMENT CAPTURE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
1798 Technology Drive Ste.178
SanJose, California 95110, USA
Tel: +1-408-436-9888
Fax: +1-408-436-6151
Tech Support: +1-408-436-6152
support at docucap.com
sales at docucap.com

Also, if there is someone who has experience writing a backend and who has expertise with the SANE GPL exception and wants to either write the backend or guide them through the process, let me know. 

They already have Software Developer's Kit that has a proprietary binary linux library file that performs the low functions of the DocketPort scanners. This would need to be changed to conform to the SANE standards. Their DocketPort line of scanners are powered by Genesys 84x chips. I don't think that they are planning on supporting the TravelScan line, which used the LM983x chips.

It sounds like they have not made a final decision to add SANE support, but they are very close. I think we should try to convince them that this is the right thing to do and that we will support them by buying their products, giving them technical assistance, and respecting their intellectual property.

Jack McGill