Scanner appliance

Turn your scanner into a card processing machine.

A Raspberry Pi appliance that connects Fujitsu document scanners directly to SortSwift. Scan, identify, and catalog cards server-side with zero browser overhead. The step up for when one phone camera cannot keep up with your intake.

Up to 4 scanners Server-side recognition 300+ DPI scanning

Free to start · no credit card · unlimited free scanning

The flow

How it works.

Plug in a scanner, feed it cards, and let SortSwift identify and catalog every one, straight into the web app.

Step 1

Connect scanner

Plug any Fujitsu document scanner into the Raspberry Pi via USB.

Step 2

Scan cards

The Pi captures high-resolution images at configurable DPI.

Step 3

AI identifies

Cards are identified server-side via SortSwift's recognition engine, no browser required.

Step 4

Results stream

Identified cards stream to the SortSwift web app in real time.

Parallel intake

Up to 4 scanners in parallel.

Run one appliance, drive up to four scanners, and keep every one busy. Each scanner has its own settings, its own queue, and its own process, so a slow card on one never blocks the rest.

Independent operation

Each scanner runs with its own settings and queue.

Per-scanner configuration

DPI (75 to 1200), brightness, crop coordinates, rotation, and color mode.

True parallel processing

A multiprocess architecture for simultaneous scanning.

Subscription-based limits

1 scanner on the free plan, up to 4 on paid scanning plans.

Modes

Three scanning modes for every workflow.

Slow and precise, high-speed bulk, or continuous non-stop. Pick the mode that matches the pile in front of you.

Mode 01

Scan Till Stop

Sequential processing with configurable stop criteria. One card at a time for precise control. Perfect for sorting by value or rarity.

Mode 02

Scan Count

Set a target count and let cards queue in parallel. Up to 5 concurrent recognition requests. High-speed bulk scanning with progress tracking.

Mode 03

Refill Mode

Continuous non-stop scanning at maximum throughput. No stopping conditions. Ideal for cataloging large collections.

Under the hood

Advanced features.

Rule trees, auto-remarks, multi-station workstations, batch tracking, and settings that persist. Built for high-volume intake, whether you scan solo or with a team.

Stop Criteria Builder

Visual AND/OR rule trees. Stop on card name, price threshold, rarity, set code, or frame type. Nested logic for complex conditions.

Auto-Remarks

Rule-based tagging applied automatically during scanning. Queue management advances through remark presets when targets are reached.

Station Management

Multiple browser tabs connect as separate workstations. Each station claims specific scanners. Ideal for team environments.

Batch Management

Organize scans into named batches. Track progress and manage multiple batch sessions.

Session Persistence

All settings saved automatically. Per-scanner configurations persist across restarts. Zero reconfiguration needed.

Build your rig

Recommended hardware.

Everything you need to build a Simple Sifter appliance. These are the exact parts we run and recommend.

Ricoh/Fujitsu fi-8170 Scanner

High-speed document scanner with ADF. The recommended scanner for Simple Sifter.

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Raspberry Pi 4

The brain of your Simple Sifter setup.

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Pi Power Cable

USB-C power supply for Raspberry Pi.

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Pi SD Card

Pre-loaded or flashable SD card for the Simple Sifter image.

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Questions

Frequently asked.

What scanners work with Simple Sifter?

Any Fujitsu document scanner supported by SANE. The Ricoh/Fujitsu fi-8170 is our recommended model for best performance.

Do I need a subscription?

You need a SortSwift account, and every account can scan and identify cards for free. Scanning is unlimited and free on every plan at lower accuracy, with no credit card required. The 99.9% high-accuracy recognition is a paid add-on if you want it.

How does it connect to SortSwift?

Via your local network. The SortSwift web app at app.sortswift.com/scanner/sortswift automatically polls your Sifter for results every 3 seconds.

Can multiple people use it at once?

Yes. Station management lets multiple browser tabs connect as separate workstations, each claiming specific scanners.

Is it hard to set up?

Flash the Simple Sifter image to an SD card, insert it into your Pi, connect your scanner, and log in. The auto-updating image keeps everything current.

Turn your scanner into a card machine.

Pair it with unlimited free scanning on every plan. No credit card required.

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