75885 - Image Processing and Virtual Restoration

Learning outcomes

The course aims at training students in the critical use of computer technologies and tools for the acquisition and processing of digital images of textual documents of various kinds and for their overall digital reconstruction. At the end of the course, the student will know principles and effective methodologies for the digital representation of images and for their correct acquisition; he/she will be able to set up activities of digitization of textual documents.

Course contents

During the course, the fundamental problems of digital images and their relationship with traditional iconography, the main treatments of visual data with numerical calculation tools and the typical aspects of the conservation and valorization of great iconographic heritages will be exposed, as well as all the problems connected with the project and the management of great digital pictorial archives.

Digital Scenarios for Cultural Heritage: Themes and Problems
Scenes, Analog and Digital Images
Scanning processes and acquisition devices (flatbed and planetary scanners, digital cameras, digital backs)
Optical and interpolated resolution
Calibration of a scanner
Digitization of printed and handwritten text
Methodologies for verifying the quality of a digital image (histograms, distributions and information content)
Visualization on any medium
Storing digital images
Formats
Notes on the function of technical metadata
Use of nomenclature in logical structure
Sizing a digital collection (general considerations about the uncertainty of determining the exact storage space of a digital collection)

Readings/Bibliography

Specialized Part:

C.Jacob Images for the Digital Library 2006, SIAE Deposit Handout No. 9801090 https://dspace-glam.4science.cloud/handle/123456789/283

** Non-attenders will add reading of the articles listed below:

C. Jacob, Sizing and management policies for a digital library, in E-Lis 2007 http://hdl.handle.net/10760/9189

C. Jacob, Some simple mathematical concepts can help in choosing digitization parameters in E-LIS 2007 http://hdl.handle.net/10760/10358
A. Salarelli, International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF): a panoramic view in JLIS Vol. 8, No. 1 (2017) [https://www.jlis.it/issue/view/774] https://www.jlis.it/article/view/12090

E. Groppo, C. Cortese et all, International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) for the management, use and study of digital images in Bibelot V. 23 No. 2 (2017)
https://riviste.aib.it/index.php/bibelot/article/view/11677

Teaching methods

Classroom and Remote Lessons.

In 'Virtual' you will be given an account of the syllabus, and will be provided with in-depth material and summaries of the topics covered in the course. A Virtual is accessed with a password provided by the teacher (non-attenders can request it via chat on the channel Teams).

During the lessons will be proposed individual and group exercises aimed at verifying the learning of methodologies and solutions to specific problems on the topics covered.

The frequency is strongly recommended for the complexity of the topics covered and the possibility offered during the lessons of practical exercises aimed at learning specific problems.

Assessment methods

The examination consists of an oral interview based on the presentation of one of the topics covered in the lessons.

Attendance at the lectures is strongly recommended and the assessment will also take account of active participation during group activities and practical exercises.

The following will be assessed: knowledge and mastery of the topics discussed during the lessons. The ability to express oneself adequately and in language appropriate to the subject matter, the ability to synthesise and analyse themes and concepts, and finally the critical and methodological skills acquired by the student.

Students who demonstrate that they have achieved these skills will be awarded an excellent mark (A = 27-30 with honours).

A predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the topics covered in the course as well as a lack of mastery with regard to the examples developed during group work and exercises, combined with verbal expression and logical skills that are not fully satisfactory, will be assessed with marks between good (B = 24-26) and satisfactory (C = 21-23).

It should be noted that training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliographic materials offered during the course will be assessed negatively.

Teaching tools

Screening of slides and analysis of application models of the issues addressed through computer aids; handouts provided by the lecturer.


The theoretical lectures will be accompanied by practical exercises based on examples taken from original sources and aimed at solving specific problems.

Office hours

See the website of Emilia Adele Groppo