| Title | SPNHC 2014: Progress in Digitization: Image segmentation in high throughput digitisation workflows |
| Publication Type | Presentation |
| Year of Publication | 2014 |
| Authors | Blagoderov, Vladimir, Livermore Laurence, Price Ben, van der Walt Stéfan, Holtzhausen Pieter, and Smith Vince |
| Keywords | automation, digitization, insects, microscope slides, Natural History Museum, SPNHC 2014, SPNHC 2014: Progress in Digitization, synchronization |
| Abstract | Advances in imaging technologies have made the acquisition of high throughput, multi-specimen images a trivial task. However, the subsequent movement of specimens (e.g. due to curatorial or research activity) breaks the synchronisation between the physical collection and its digital representation, degrading the value of multi-specimen images over time. Furthermore, the data record of a single specimen cannot be unambiguously linked to its digital image with this approach. In order to realise the full potential of multi-specimen imaging technology, software is required to automate or semi-automate the segmentation of images into individual specimens and support subsequent annotation. We demonstrate a potential approach for two types of specimens: microscopic slides and pinned insects. This approach will form part of the large scale digitisation programme being developed at the NHM which has the ambitious goal of digitising 20 million specimens in the next five years. |
| URL | https://www.idigbio.org/sites/default/files/workshop-presentations/spnhc2014/05_BlagoderovEtAl_ImageSegmentation_sm.pdf |
