Low-Cost End-to-End Spectral Imaging System for Historical Document Discovery

FAIN: PR-268783-20

RIT (Rochester, NY 14623-5698)
David Messinger (Project Director: May 2019 to present)

A Tier II project to develop a low-cost spectral imaging system and accompanying software to recover obscured and illegible text in historical materials.

Most research libraries and museums hold unique or rare items on which historically significant text is no longer legible due to deterioration or erasure. Spectral imaging - the process of collecting images of objects in many wavelengths of light - has become one solution for recovering obscured and illegible text on historical materials. Unfortunately, these systems are very expensive, and require knowledge of image processing methods. Most libraries and museums cannot afford these systems, nor do they have the capacity to process the data. To mitigate this, we propose to develop a low-cost spectral imaging system with accompanying low barrier-to-entry software.

Media Coverage

RIT building imaging systems to help libraries and museums uncover lost texts (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Luke Auburn
Publication: RIT News & Events
Date: 6/23/2020
Abstract: News article written by our University News organization about our new NEH award.
URL: https://www.rit.edu/news/rit-building-imaging-systems-help-libraries-and-museums-uncover-lost-texts

Associated Products

“Low-cost multispectral imaging system trade study for pigment identification in works of art” (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: “Low-cost multispectral imaging system trade study for pigment identification in works of art”
Author: Tania Kleynhans
Author: MacKenzie Carr
Author: David Messinger
Abstract: Many research libraries and museums hold unique or rare items on which historically significant text is no longer legible due to damage, deterioration, or erasure. Spectral imaging { the process of capturing images of objects in many colors or wavelengths of light, including parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that are not observable by humans but easily imaged by modern sensors (i.e., ultraviolet and infrared) { has become the go-to" solution for recovering obscured and illegible texts. Unfortunately, most of these imaging systems are very expensive and not intuitive to use. Additionally, software to process the captured images can be expensive, difficult to use, and require significant knowledge of image processing methods. To address the above issues, we have developed a low-cost multispectral imaging system with accompanying open-source software that librarians, curators, and scholars with limited budgets can use to recover obscured and illegible text in their collections. The developed system is easy to use, can be dismantled and transported with little effort, and produce good quality spectral images as well as accurate true color renderings for digitization if needed. The software was developed with simplicity and functionality in mind. Basic image processing to uncover lost text is easy to implement without special image processing knowledge. The system specifications, characterization and calibration procedures and results are discussed. Images captured from a 15th century palimpsested manuscript leaf are shown and results discussed.
Date: 04/12/2021
Primary URL: https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/11727/117270F/Low-cost-user-friendly-multispectral-imaging-system-for-the-recovery/10.1117/12.2585629.full
Primary URL Description: SPIE Digital Library
Conference Name: Algorithms, Technologies, and Applications of Multispectral and Hyperspectral Imaging

Mind the Gap: Bridging Departments and Disciplines in the Digital Humanities Saturday (A Roundtable) (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Mind the Gap: Bridging Departments and Disciplines in the Digital Humanities Saturday (A Roundtable)
Author: Tania Kleynhans
Abstract: A roundtable discussion with Tania Kleynhans, Rochester Institute of Technology; Helen Davies; and Alexander J. Zawacki, Univ. of Rochester.
Date: 05/15/2021
Primary URL: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1059&context=medieval_cong_archive
Primary URL Description: Program for the 2021 Medieval Congress
Conference Name: 56th International Congress on Medieval Studies

American Society of Questioned Document Examiners (ASQDE) Annual General Meeting, “Multi- & Hyperspectral Imaging of Cultural Heritage Artifacts” (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: American Society of Questioned Document Examiners (ASQDE) Annual General Meeting, “Multi- & Hyperspectral Imaging of Cultural Heritage Artifacts”
Abstract: This invited presentation focused on the technology behind multispectral imaging and image processing for use in the analysis of manuscripts and other historical documents. The primary focus was on the imaging technologies used to enhance faded text by comparing the chemical signatures of materials using multispectral imaging systems. Examples from our low-barrier to entry imaging system were presented.
Author: David Messinger
Date: 01/08/2021
Location: virtual

American Institute of Conservation Imaging Working Group Meeting, “Imaging a future for the past: recovery of lost texts with a low-cost MSI system” (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: American Institute of Conservation Imaging Working Group Meeting, “Imaging a future for the past: recovery of lost texts with a low-cost MSI system”
Abstract: This presentation described our low-barrier to entry multispectral imaging system and its use in libraries, museums, and archives. Particular emphasis was places on the simplicity of the system setup and use, and examples of imaging session were presented.
Author: David Messinger
Date: 4/19/2022
Location: virtual
Primary URL: https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/IWG_Meetings#IWG_Meeting_.28April_19.2C_2022.29

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