Information Technology - Fall 2006 PTT Board Report - Index - Fall 2006 Board Report

The information technology component of NCPTT continues to evolve as it takes on a greater role in the mission of the Center. Each of the IT component’s four elements saw an increase in activity during FY 2006.

Grants and Projects

NCPTT’s Web Developer, Sean Clifford, continues to revamp and streamline the PTT grants system. NCPTT now has an in-house automated system that allows users flexibility in producing their grant applications as well as easing the task of managing the grants program for the staff.

Internet Program

NCPTT is a leader in the electronic dissemination of information. A major focus of the program has been the continuing development of NCPTT’s website to deliver preservation information and NCPTT products to the preservation community. A great deal of the credit for the increased traffic of the website is the addition of an on-line catalog. This has been an exciting development as the Center strives to project a stronger presence in the preservation community through its electronic outlet.

In-office Computer Systems

Both hardware and software capabilities change rapidly in today’s business environment. Utilizing current computer technologies facilitates the accomplishment of NCPTT’s mission. Information management staffers are responsible for keeping in-office systems current, updated, and functioning properly.

In an effort to protect NCPTT data and systems from intruders a firewall was installed, a disaster recovery plan has been written and implemented and a plan is currently being developed to address a catastrophe to the workstations and servers. Additionally, NCPTT’s workstations were equipped with UPS backup systems to combat power outages and rogue surges. The measures have made NCPTT’s data and equipment more insulated from attacks and disasters. Early in FY 2006 the GIS server was upgraded to ArcView 9.1 in preparation for the hosting of a GPS/GIS class conducted by NSU professors. The Cane River National Heritage Area’s GIS database that is housed at NCPTT on the Center’s GIS server was the focal point of the class.

TELNPS

The Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Network permits thousands of National Park Service employees to receive competency-based training at or near their work site at little or no cost. The Network will soon reach over 135 receiving stations across the Service. The highly interactive training allows students immediate access to their instructors and is a key component to the success of the broad and varied training opportunities.

During FY2006, 22 classes were taken at NCPTT with 109 participants. Some of those participating were staff from the Cane River Creole National Historical Park and the Cane River National Heritage Area. The Center’s TELNPS system is scheduled for an upgrade in equipment in early FY2007.

The installation of the TELNPS station at NCPTT has provided Center employees and NPS employees from the surrounding area with the opportunity to gain high quality training specific to their jobs at a convenient location. The Center is excited to be a part of the NPS’s continued growth of interactive distance learning activities.

Three learners watch a TelNPS broadcast.

NCPTT Library

The NCPTT Library operates as the Center’s research library, providing references and resources for all center staff and researchers. Primary emphasis is on preservation technology, rehabilitation, and the cultural disciplines represented by the Center’s staff. Over the past two years the Center has made a substantial commitment to increasing its holdings in these areas. In the past six months approximately 50 books have been added to the Center’s collection.

NPS recently began a nationwide initiative to improve library services throughout the system. This program establishes library management policies and provides professional guidance and technical support to NPS libraries at all levels. It also promotes the use of current technology and partnerships to facilitate access to all information by and about the National Park Service. As part of this initiative, NCPTT is upgrading its own library facilities, completing a book catalog, creating a database of back issues of journals, and continuing to expand the collection.

Screenshot of ProCite database

Corneal Imaging

Background

In 2004, Drs. Ko Noshino and Shree Nayar from the Department of Computer Science at Columbia University presented a paper entitled The World in an Eye at an the IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition. This paper outlines the extraction of images from the reflections of the eyes of photographic subjects to reveal what the subject is looking at. NCPTT contacted Dr. Nayar and obtained a copy of the software used to perform image extraction in order to apply this technology to historic photographs.

Image Selection

The Digital Imaging Laboratory at the Nebraska State Historical Society maintains the Butcher Collection, an archive of plate glass negatives taken between 1862 and 1912, and a very high resolution optical scanner. Dr. Nayar suggested that photographs taken outdoors of subjects with dark eyes would yield the best results. Several promising candidates were chosen from the online archive of this collection and Sean Clifford visited the Imaging Laboratory in Lincoln, Nebraska at the end of September 2006. Assistant Curator Dale Bacon scanned the selected photographs at 3170 dpi (dots per inch) optical resolution and provided additional 800 dpi resolution images he found of interest.

Results

None of the photographs selected yielded identifiable corneal reflections. However, other photographs containing large reflective surfaces did yield identifiable images. Most notable are a reflection in brass instruments in the Kearney Marine Band studio portrait and reflections in the Columbia Model B "Eagle" recording device captured in photographs taken outdoors. Conclusions and Further Research Scanning at 3170 optical dpi does not seem to be of sufficient resolution to extract identifiable reflections from the eyes of photographic subjects in six by eight inch glass plate negatives. However, larger reflective surfaces in images of this type seem the most likely to yield images of interest to researchers.

Kearney Marine Band circa 1912. Though taken in a studio, this image contained several promising reflections in musical instruments and the brims of caps.

Figure 1 – Kearney Marine Band circa 1912. Though taken in a studio, this image contained several promising reflections in musical instruments and the brims of caps.

The reflections in this band member’s eyes, the third from the left in the first row in front of the child, seemed promising. Note the reflection of a window in the brim of his hat.

Figure 2 – The reflections in this band member’s eyes, the third from the left in the first row in front of the child, seemed promising. Note the reflection of a window in the brim of his hat.

Extraction of the corneal image from the left eye and subsequent histogram processing did not yield an identifiable image. The right eye (not shown) did not yield useful results.

Figure 3 - Extraction of the corneal image from the left eye and subsequent histogram processing did not yield an identifiable image. The right eye (not shown) did not yield useful results.

This horn yields a reflection in which the back of a band member and details of the room can be identified. Note the shelving on the wall and what appears to be a cat in the window.

Figure 4 – This horn yields a reflection in which the back of a band member and details of the room can be identified. Note the shelving on the wall and what appears to be a cat in the window.

A young man in a family portrait at the end of the 19th century.

Figure 5 – A young man in a family portrait at the end of the 19th century.

Results of processing the left eye. No identifiable image was obtained.

Figure 6 – Results of processing the left eye. No identifiable image was obtained.

Native American man speaking into a Columbia Model B 'Eagle' recorder.

Figure 7 – Native American man speaking into a Columbia Model B "Eagle" recorder.

Several reflections can be seen in this image, scanned at 800 dpi (dots per inch) including trees, buildings, and what appears to be four people. A 3170 dpi resolution scan of this photograph has been requested.

Figure 8 – Several reflections can be seen in this image, scanned at 800 dpi (dots per inch) including trees, buildings, and what appears to be four people. A 3170 dpi resolution scan of this photograph has been requested.

NCPTT Web Site Overview

Web Site Statistics Since April 1, 2006

The NCPTT web site has experienced an increase in unique visitors and page over the last six months. Between April 1, 2006 and October 1, 2006, the site received 32,538 unique visitors, an increase of 17%. Over the same period page views were 8,264,680, an increase of 215%.

Most Popular Pages (Excluding Home Page)

Product Catalog, 415,139
Hurricane Preservation Technical Assistance, 248,308
Contact NCPTT & Staff Pages, 128,885
Employment, 60,580
About NCPTT, 59,768
Summer Institute 2006: Architecture & Engineering, 45,974
Publications, 44,080
News, 43,829
News Archive, 43,370
Architecture & Engineering Program, 42,636
Preservation Technology & Training Grants Call for Proposals, 42,463
Heritage Education Program, 41,180
Archeology & Collections Program, 40,979
Materials Research Program, 40,465
Historic Landscapes Program, 40,083