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 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 tool works with a Canon copy station setup to track who is imaging, when they imaged, and how fast they have been imaging. It records the whole process flow in a MySql database. It helps in the automation of renaming filenames to barcodes and also move 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 or a NAS (Network Attached Storage). The image is sent to a predefined incoming folder, the software detects the new file and waits for a barcode to be supplied. In our copy station setup a barcode scanner is located next to the camera to quickly scan the barcode that is on the specimen. That barcode renames the existing file name to the barcode value.

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.

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.

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.

Presentation

General Overview (PowerPoint ~1.6MB)

Software Work Flow Diagrams

1) Rename File

2) Delete File