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The specific problem of symbol recognition in graphical documents requires additional techniques to those developed for character recognition. The most well-known obstacle is the so-called Sayre paradox: Correct recognition requires good segmentation, yet improvement in segmentation is achieved using information provided by the recognition process. This dilemma can be avoided by techniques that identify sets of regions containing useful information. Such symbol-spotting methods allow the detection of symbols in maps or technical drawings without having to fully segment or fully recognize the entire content.This unique text/reference provides a complete, integrated and large-scale solution to the challenge of designing a robust symbol-spotting method for collections of graphic-rich documents.The book examines a number of features and descriptors, from basic photometric descriptors commonly used in computer vision techniques to those specific to graphical shapes, presenting a methodology which can be used in a wide variety of applications. Additionally, readers are supplied with an insight into the problem of performance evaluation of spotting methods.Some very basic knowledge of pattern recognition, document image analysis and graphics recognition is assumed.Topics and features:* Includes a Foreword by Professor Karl Tombre, Director of the INRIA Nancy - Grand Est research center and Editor-in-Chief of Springer’s International Journal on Document Analysis and Recognition* Introduces the problems of symbol spotting and focused retrieval, outlining an architecture for solving these problems* Examines techniques in computer vision for recognizing objects in scenes, and their application to the specific problem of spotting graphical symbols in documents* Describes a method to determine probable locations of symbols in technical drawings which makes use of vectorial signatures as symbol descriptors* Presents a spotting method which uses a prototype-based search as the basis for the focused retrieval task* Explores an indexing method that retrieves locations of interest where a query symbol is likely to be found* Investigates techniques for evaluating the performance of symbol-spotting systems, defined in terms of recognition abilities, location accuracy and scalabilityResearchers and practitioners in the field of graphics recognition, interested in the problem of symbol spotting and focused retrieval applications in the context of digital libraries, will find this an invaluable text on the subject. Dr. Marçal Rusiñol is a Research Associate at the Computer Vision Center and at the Computer Sciences Department of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain. Dr. Josep Lladós is Director of the Computer Vision Center and Associate Professor at the Computer Sciences Department of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain. ... Read more

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This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 5th European Conference on Research and Advanced Technology for Digital Libraries, ECDL 2001, held in Darmstadt, Germany, in September 2001.
The 38 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 79 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on user modeling; digitization, interpretation, and annotation of documents; knowledge management; data and metadata models; integration in user communities; information retrieval and filtering; multimedia system; and multilinguality. ... Read more

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This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 8th European Conference on Research and Advanced Technology for Digital Libraries, ECDL 2004, held in Bath, UK in September 2004.

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This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Asian Digital Libraries, ICADL 2006, held in Kyoto, Japan in November 2006.

The 46 revised full papers, 14 revised short papers, and 6 poster papers presented together with 3 keynote and invited papers were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 170 submissions. The topics covered by the papers include information extraction, information retrieval, metadata, architectures for digital libraries and archives, ontologies, information seeking, cultural heritage and e-learning. In addition there are 6 papers on national and regional projects on digital libraries and archives.

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Digital Libraries and Multimedia brings together in oneplace important contributions and up-to-date research results in thisfast moving area.
Digital Libraries and Multimedia serves as an excellentreference, providing insight into some of the most challengingresearch issues in the field. ... Read more

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This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 11th European Conference on Research and Advanced Technology for Digital Libraries, ECDL 2007, held in Budapest, Hungary, in September 2007.

The 36 revised full papers presented together with the extended abstracts of 36 revised poster, demo papers and 2 panel descriptions were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 153 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on ontologies, digital libraries and the web, models, multimedia and multilingual DLs, grid and peer-to-peer, preservation, user interfaces, document linking, information retrieval, personal information management, new DL applications, and user studies.

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This book coherently documents the results and experiences of a major digital library pilot effort, the MeDoc project (Multimedia Electronic Documents). This two-year project was initiated by the German Informatics Society (GI) and involved authors, publishers, librarians, and computer science departments. The prototype distributed digital library system developed during the initiative was operated in a nationwide trial for several months. The book presents the technical and operational results achieved during the project as well as input from foreign digital library activities. Besides professionals active in the area of digital library research and design, this book addresses librarians and others engaged in scientific publishing. ... Read more

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This text describes the British Library's "Initiatives for Access" programme which has explored the application of digital and networking technologies for the storage, retrieval, display and transmission of information. The programme has created demonstrator projects, a number of which are now live services, including "Inside" (a current awareness and document delivery system), the "Patent Express Jukebox" "Electronic Beowulf" and the British Library Online Information Service. It has also contributed to the development of several award-winning multimedia CD-ROMs based on the Library's collections. This book provides a detailed account of the projects through individual case studies, with introductory and linking text which draws together technical standards and service issues. It also looks at the likely needs of a future information environment. ... Read more

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Summary: This book answers the questions: how do academic libraries provide value-added reference and information services in a digital age? It provides best practices from a global perspective. The book starts at the information needs and info-seeking behaviours of university students and faculty. Then it examines the use cycle: consumer, instruction, and producer. It examines the resource cycle: collection development, instructor, maintenance. What are the essential elements of reference: orientation, instruction, collaborative planning, products? Key Features: 1. Focuses oninformation needs and information-seeking behaviours of academic library stakeholders (faculty, students, community) 2. Focuses on technologies' impact on reference and information services (selection, access, interaction, instruction, administration), focusing on the human issues 3. Emphasizes collaborative aspects of reference/info services (with faculty for program/course instruction, with computer services for digital integration, with other libraries for resource sharing/portals/development) 4. Includes reference/information 'packaging' (products) 5.Provides best practices from a global perspective The Author: Dr Lesley Farmer coordinates the Library Media Teacher Program at California State University Long Beach. Dr Farmer has written 19 books and over a hundred articles on librarianship, is published in JELIS, and edits Education Libraries. Her research interests include information literacy, collaboration and educational technology. Readership: Academic librarians, academic teaching faculty and administration, high school library media teachers. Contents: Introduction - the academic world; the library's role; impact of technology; human side of technology; collaborative issues; a system approach to value-added service; global perspectives Technology impact on information needs and behaviours of the academic community - students; faculty; administrators; staff; local community; other librarians Technology impact on reference use cycle - using reference sources (productivity); provide information from reference sources; teach reference use Technology impact on reference and information services staffing - personnel; service; physical vs. virtual access; collaborative efforts; staff development Technology impact on reference resources: the human issues - ownership vs.access; databases; e-documents; digitization efforts; linking sources; collaborative efforts Technology impact on packaging reference and information services - role of the reference librarian in packaging information; packages; development; dissemination Technology impact on physical access to reference and information resources: the human issues Technology impact on intellectual access to reference and information services -searches/ready reference; library instruction; information literacy collaboration with faculty ... Read more

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Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)—portable, multifunctional, and able to connect with computers and networks—are both a fast-selling consumer device and a hot technology for libraries.This timely guide helps librarians and information professionals understand how these devices fit into day-to-day operations and how libraries can become more accommodating to PDA-using patrons.Cuddy provides an overview of PDAs, including their history, a comparison of different makes and models, and a look ahead at their future growth.She explores the wireless benefits, storage options, and valuable peripherals (cameras, barcode readers, cardswipes, printers) for PDAs.Software applications—Microsoft Word, document readers, Web browsing, and more—are examined and discussed.The use of PDAs in collection development and provision of materials—e-journals, e-books, databases—is outlined. Special sections cover the applicability of this technology to special projects including delivering content to users, developing applications, lending policies (both for PDAs and PDA-readable content), mobilizing staff, marketing and promoting services, developing instruction, privacy and security, and more.Practical and easy-to-understand, this manual demystifies PDAs and prepares professionals to harness their portable power. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

how widespread a usage?
Is there really a place for PDAs in a library? Sure, some people will want to do this. But will it really become widespread? The book does not really address this basic issue. Rather, it assumes the need, and then goes on to show a librarian how library assets might be made accessible to PDAs. Fair enough. The usages described seem sensible and well thought out.

But, if a user is in a library with her PDA, will she really want to use it? Given that now many libraries are well equipped with computers for browsing both the Web and the library's books. And these computers have much larger screens than a PDA.

Perhaps the best context for this book is when a user is not at the library. But possibly surfing to the library via a PDA. ... Read more

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This book outlines and evaluates the current status of digital reference service in libraries worldwide. The book is based on an international collaborative project between two groups from German and Chinese institutions, during which digital reference services provided by nearly 200 libraries were evaluated. The book also examines the reasons for the differences in services, and contains widely applicable proposals and perspectives on digital reference services. ... Read more

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Proceedings of the 6th European Conference, ECDL 2002, held September 16-18, 2002 in Rome, Italy. Softcover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Ultimate Digital Library review
Licensing and fair use, ownership vs. access, privacy vs. personalized online services, open sourced vs. proprietary, homegrown vs. vended, and the adaptation of dot-com solutions (Yahoo, Google, and Amazon among others) to library systems are just a few of the timely issues discussed in this book.

This is a frank insider�s view and analysis of industry trends, libraries, and technology vendors.Best practices from the public and private sector are identified and applied to the business management of libraries, the product development of library information systems, and the recruitment and retention of library staff and library students. The issues are addressed from both a customer and supplier perspective and they are applicable to anyone that uses, works for, or with a library or technology company.

An easy informative read.I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 7th European Conference on Research and Advanced Technology for Digital Libraries, ECDL 2003, held in Trondheim, Norway in August 2003. The 39 revised full papers and 8 revised short papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 161 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on uses, users, and user interfaces; metadata applications; annotation and recommendation; automatic classification and indexing; Web technologies; topical crawling and subject gateways; architectures and systems; knowledge organization; collection building and management; information retrieval; digital preservation; and indexing and searching of special documents and collection information. ... Read more

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A distinctive feature of the present stage in computer equipment development is the continuous increase in functionality and complexity of computer components. Production procedures and techniques for electronic equipment are constantly improved and its capabilities expand. The use of advanced technologies increases the integration of digital components in computers, and extends their range. The ever-growing complexity of digital components used in computers places more stringent requirements upon their reliability. Reliability may be improved by a complex of technological, maintenance and organizational measures. The technical diagnostic techniques for digital computer component are exceptional. One of the types of diagnosing computer parts and components is on-line testing. Its application at the stage of components manufacturing allows users to determine whether their behaviour is correct and to perform the fault location procedure which eventually improves the basic reliability parameters.The principal emphasis of the present study is on the use of up-to-date on-line testing techniques for digital devices employed in computers which are popular but have not been adequately covered in literature. ... Read more