Oxford Multi Spectral Launches Multispectral Digital Scanner
5th March 2012
Isis spin-out Oxford Multi Spectral Ltd has launched its flatbed A4 multispectral scanner at an event at the Ashmolean museum.
The first scanners were demonstrated at the event, held on March 1st 2012. Oxford Multispectral was spun-out by Isis in August 2011.
Originally developed for research into ancient papyri and manuscripts at Oxford University’s Classics Department, the scanner now delivers a sophisticated technology into the hands of users around the world.
The Oxford Multispectral scanner extends the visible light range found in standard scanners, into the ultra-violet and infra-red areas of the spectrum. Discrete colour scans are made at specific wavelengths throughout the extended range, revealing detail previously hidden from view.
The scanner further enhances the newly revealed detail by applying recently developed image processing algorithms which extract and clearly distinguish the required details from the underlying or surrounding media.
Originally developed for research into ancient papyri and manuscripts at Oxford University’s Classics Department, the scanner is already attracting considerable attention from Forensic Document Examiners, Museums and Archive Collections. Additionally producers and users of security printed documents, such as banknotes, passports and ID cards, where forgery detection and print quality control is a paramount concern, have expressed keen interest in the use of the technology.
The company attributes much of the success in reaching this milestone, to its Chinese start-up investor, Mr Liyao Xu, who, during a visit to Oxford in 2011, recognised the potential of the technology, funded and practically supported its rapid transition from development to production.
Mike Broderick, the Director and CEO of Oxford Multi Spectral Ltd, said: “Taking the scanner from laboratory prototype to a commercially available, professionally engineered product, fit for use in markets around the world has taken a huge effort by the whole team. Reaching this key stage many months ahead of the predicted date without compromising quality standards is a testament to the sophisticated design, the ingenuity of the engineers and the dedication of everyone involved. Now we can take this new technology to a world market”.
Oxford Multi Spectral Ltd now delivers sophisticated multispectral document imaging in a simple to use and affordable package. The company thanks UK Trade & Investment Department, the China-Britain Business Council, Oxford University and Oxford University Innovation for their support.
