Research

Commercial applications

A wide variety of commercial applications are possible with the IBM Research technology for capturing and reproducing highly accurate images. Three examples are briefly described below.

Examples

Julius Lowy Frame & Restoring Company, Inc.

image of antique picture frame In 1996, IBM Research embarked on a project with the Julius Lowy Frame & Restoring Company, Inc., to explore the use of digital imaging for directly scanning antique picture frames, original works of art, and photographic transparencies in conjunction with Lowy's framing and art preservation services. A more complete description of the collaboration, includes an example of the "picture-in-frame" capability we developed.

Neiman Marcus

bracelet (JPEG, 70K)
In a 1994 pilot project with the Precious Jewels Salon of the exclusive Neiman Marcus department store chain, we directly scanned images of well over a thousand items of jewelry. A prototype viewing station was put together from relatively ordinary personal computer hardware and installed in the Jewels Salon offices in four stores. In what is called a "consultative selling" mode, sales associates could use this hardware to show customers items (mostly one of a kind) available in a different store, or to review for themselves available inventory.

Color is an extremely important factor in high-end, one-of-a-kind, jewelry. Accurate images give a competitive edge in this arena.

The Hygrade Express Furniture Company

round end table (JPEG, 35K)
In 1995 we worked with the Hygrade Express Furniture Company on the imaging portion of a remote order entry system to be resold to furniture retailers. In this case, images were captured by scanning 8x10 photos or transparencies of the furniture items. Although the color can only be as accurate as the original photo, our image technology made it possible to display compelling images on personal computer displays with a relatively standard 1024 x 768 pixels of resolution, with 16-bit color depth (65,536 colors).

Note: Where image color accuracy is of less concern than high-volume workflow, as in so-called operational imaging, the IBM ImagePlus* family of products offers an alternative set of solutions by providing automated electronic retrieval of stored document images.


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