The Digital Ark Develops RICE™ and RICEpadi™ System to Save Time and Money when Digitizing Collections
PROVIDENCE, R.I., Nov. 9 , 2011 –The Digital Ark has developed the RICE™ (short for Rapid Image Capture Engine) and RICEpadi™, a new digitization system to meet the demands of quality, speed and accuracy for the archiving and reproduction of large volume collections. The RICE™ and RICEpadi™ improve the rapid image capture workflow by automating image processing, ensuring quality control, facilitating client management and streamlining web publishing. Utilizing its extensive experience in digital archiving and database development, The Digital Ark designed the RICE™ and RICEpadi™ to substantially reduce the resources required, thereby increasing efficiency and decreasing costs.
Combining hardware and software technologies, The Digital Ark's RICE™ and RICEpadi™ solution addresses numerous challenges faced when digitizing hundreds of thousands of items, including maintaining collection integrity, capturing associated metadata, post-processing digital images, tracking assets, and managing project progress. The RICE™ software works in conjunction with the RICEpadi™ hardware components to control the digital camera, store information about the images, display metadata, and change sizing, cropping, rotation and white balance. The RICE™ database can also be used to facilitate transcription using remote resources through a web browser. For a 98,326 page manuscript collection circa 1810-1930 for The Mary Baker Eddy Library, The Digital Ark was able to save hundreds of man-hours and expedite client communications. As their archivist, Nicole Lapenta, described, "The online database allowed us to download high-resolution files, verify metadata, and answer questions to prevent delays to the digitizing process."
The Digital Ark also harnesses the power of the RICEpadi™ for smaller collections such as the Anthony Quinn Trust's online digital archive containing 4,000 pieces of artwork Mr. Quinn created and collected. Using a tablet or smart phone such as an iPad or iPhone, the curator immediately retrieves the corresponding database record using the QR code (Quick Response) adhered to the artwork. The Digital Ark is currently using the RICEpadi™ system to digitize an exquisite collection of hand-painted, historic photographs circa 1910-1930 for the Harpers Ferry Center of the National Park Service. These scenic photographs of Oregon and California by such artists as Fred H. Kiser will then be reproduced as fine-art giclée prints for display at the Oregon Caves National Monument.
