Digital restoration using volumetric scanning

• Published in: Proceedings of the 4th ACM/IEEE-CS Joint Conference on Digital Libraries pp. 117 - 124
• Main Authors: Seales, W. B., Lin, Yun
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY, USA ACM 07.06.2004; IEEE; ACM Press
• Series: ACM Conferences
• Subjects: Applied computing > Document management and text processing; Applied sciences; Cameras; Computational modeling; Computer science; Computer science; control theory; systems; Cotton; Exact sciences and technology; Fires; Image restoration; Information systems. Data bases; Laboratories; Memory organisation. Data processing; Permission; Software; Software libraries; volumetric scanning; preservation; digital unwrapping; restoration; Preservation; Irreversible process; Text; Electronic library; Non destructive test; Modeling; Damaging
• ISBN: 1581138326; 9781581138320
• DOI: 10.1145/996350.996380

In this paper we present a new, nondestructive method for revealing inaccessible text buried within damaged books and scrolls. The method is based on volumetric scanning followed by data modeling and physically-based simulation. We show by experiment that it is possible to recover readable text from objects without physically opening or damaging them. In handling damaged collections, conservators often face a choice between two frustrating alternatives: indefinite preservation without analysis, or irreversible physical harm for the sake of potential discovery. We believe that this work creates a new opportunity that embraces both the need to preserve and the possibility for complete analysis.