Streamline system for Photographing Herbarium Specimen Sheets

Simple, Fast & Effective

What is SilverImage?

SilverImage is a software tool that runs on a herbarium imaging station to help the management of digital specimen sheets. This tool expedites the process of photographing and managing images by automating most of the manual tasks. The software works in conjunction with a Canon SLR or Nikon SLR Copy station.

Current Problems with Imaging Techniques

When taking images it is necessary to manage the image locations so we can have a relationship between the physical voucher and the digital image. When photographing thousands of specimens the need to log and track everything becomes very important.

Our Solution

We analyzed the current techniques of imaging herbarium specimen sheets and looked for ways to improve upon existing methods to make them better. What we came up with is SilverImage. This software works with a Canon/Nikon copy station setups to track who is imaging, when they imaged, and how fast they have been imaging. It helps in the automation of renaming filenames to barcodes and also moves the files around to keep track of the stage the image is in. The final result is an organized file storage system with thousands of images.

Software Features

File Renaming

When a photograph is taken with the attached camera, that image is transferred either to the local hard drive. The image is sent to a predefined incoming folder, the software detects the new file and waits for a barcode to be supplied via a barcode scanner or manual entry. In our copy station setup a barcode scanner is located next to the camera to instantly scan the barcode that is on the specimen. That accepted barcode renames the existing file name. This is all done with out interacting with the computer which make this a hands free solution when imaging.

User Tracking

When using the software, different users are able to sign in. This is useful for collection managers to monitor the speed and progress of individuals that may be hired to perform the task of imagining. This data has also valuable information for predicting the completion of the imaging project and reports for funding results as well as payroll.

Uploading to Image Server

With SilverImage you can supply a online destination for images to be transferred nightly to a remote server. Currently we support FTP and Amazon S3 accounts. You are also be to setup tasks that will also upload your stations log files as well as a backup of the database. These features work well with our soon to be releases Biodiversity Image Server which is an Open Source project we are currently developing while establishing the Cyberflora Louisiana project.

SilverImage

Image Flow

1) Image is photographed in RAW format and sent to an incoming folder.

2) RAW file is renamed to the name of the barcode.

3) Canon Software converts a JPEG image from the RAW version.

4) Both RAW & JPEG images are moved into an organized structure.

5) A copy of the JPEG image is transferred to the image server.

Recommend Canon SLR Copy Station

This is a combination of different equipment used to quickly produce a digital image from a herbarium specimen sheet. The equipment is not directly related to the SilverImage product but we can confirm that this equipment and method has been tested to work with the software.


Copy Station Equipment PDF Version with Pricing can be found here.
Device	Current Preference
Camera	Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens	Canon 50mm f/2.5 EF Compact Macro
Remote Firing Switch	Canon RS-80N3 Remote Switch
AC Power Adaptor	Canon ACK-E6 AC Adapter Kit
Copy Stand	Bencher: Copymate II
Storage	LaCie 4big Quadra ~15,000 image per 1TB
Computer	PC or Mac
Monitor	20" - 25"
Barcode Scanner	Symbol LS2208 or similar
Color Guide & Scale	Kodak Color Separation Guide - Small Q-13
Barcodes	The labels you want to order are: 1-5/8" x 5/8" (approx.) Archival quality: acid-free paper and adhesive Matte polypropylene lamination Starting number: <Your prefix>0000001 Symbology: Code 39 Layout: Top line: {Museum or College Name} Middle line: barcode Bottom line: sequential number Printing Companies: Watson Label Products http://www.wlp.com/index.html http://www.computype.com/

Released v0.4

Released Date: February 2011

It now support multiple projects. So that you can switch between imaging Project A and other collection Projects. The files will be kept in different locations but use the same database and users.
We now have a prefix feature that lets you attach a global string before your barcode scan so if you wanted TEST00001 and only have barcodes that say 00001 it will combine the two.
Scanner/Manual Modes - This tells the input to either auto accept the value from the barcode scanner or manual mode where you can type in the value you want and press enter. This may be good if your collection id's are based on your accession number. This way you can assign a prefix (collection code) if you like then type your accession number.
Post fix feature - This will append a -1 -2 -3 value to a barcode. So when it is turned on you can scan a barcode multiple times and each scan will increment the postfix number. This is useful for multiple images for one barcode.
User manager - This is a tool in the settings that lets the collection manager add/edit/delete users from SilverImage.
Settings tool to add/edit projects. It will also have a few testing buttons to make sure the software is setup properly.
Bug fix for renaming files.

Pricing

Site License: $999 USD for collections 20,000+ (This is a one time fee and good for 1yr of free upgrades)
If your collection is less then 20,000 please contact us for small herbarium discount.