A brief description of ImaNote

By Lily Díaz, Jyrki Messo

Around ten years ago we created a tool called ImaNote (Image and Map Annotation Notebook) for viewing, zooming and annotating arbitrary-sized images using a web browser where multiple users could work with the tool simultaneously, being able to almost instantly see and edit each other’s modifications. Among the objectives of the project was to create an accessible digital media environment that includes tools for storing, classifying, and searching cultural heritage materials primarily in the form of images and for aggregating them into meaningful wholes from parts. We have sought to make use of interactive technology to facilitate non-linear discursive encounters and support a decentralization of the author’s role. Annotation tools, such as ImaNote, can potentially extend personal desktops into collaborative environments therefore augmenting the capabilities of personal information spaces as communication and exchange channels. Thus the emphasis on social software in which many authors with diverse points of view can contribute to one application (Díaz et al. 2011).

The current ImaNote is a full rewrite of the original ImaNote. ImaNote will be an open source product based on IIPMooViewer licenced using GNU General Public License (version 3). IIPMooViewer is widely used, high performance light-weight HTML5 Ajax-based JavaScript image streaming and zooming client designed for the IIPImage high resolution image server system for web based streamed viewing and zooming of ultra high-resolution images created by Ruven Pillay. The main additions in the translation of the original ImaNote to IIPMooViewer are related to improving the functionality that allows users to create multiple layers of annotations to multiple gigapixel-sized image layers, and in addition we have completely re-designed the user interface of the IIPMooViewer tool. In next versions we will focus more and more on the simultaneous teamwork functionality of ImaNote and various ways to connect the ImaNote to external systems and data sources as well as possibilities to use timeline type of information in presentation of images and annotation layers.

• ImaNote contains following functionality:
• Pan and zoom of ultra high resolution imaging
• Multi-layer annotations of regions of images
• Synchronized viewer capability
• Image blending comparison
• Multispectral imaging
• Mobile device support: iOS and Android
• Dynamic watermarking
• Localization

Go to ImaNote