Open sourcing FamilySearch's OCR/HTR technology?
Hello!
I wrote this question in the general "ask a question forum" and did not get an answer. I am hoping this group might be more applicable or somebody will point me in the right direction.
Full question here:
https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/174341/opensourcing-familysearchs-ocr-htr-software-trained-models#latest
But basically - I have been working on a personal project that involves transcribing all the historic recorded docs for all the mining districts in Alaska, along with KARDEX information from the US Bureau of Mines and other data that contains mixed typed and handwritten data. I've spent the last year testing different technologies and training models. It's working decently, better than any untrained software or software that doesn't charge per page transcribed. However, I recently came across some of the same data that had been transcribed by familysearch, via FamilySearch Labs, and I have to say that it is much better than mine.
I am wondering if there are any plans to open source the technology, or ways to contribute (donate) data and get it transcribed in the process, or volunteer to help with the development of the technology, etc, that would allow us to use it to transcribe our own archival records.
Thanks!
sky
Comentários
-
Sky287,
FamilySearch has contemplated various ways in which it could allow users to have their own documents transcribed. The intent would be to limit it to genealogical and family history documents and avoid excessive costs. To the best of my knowledge, there has been no decision made regarding that desire. I very much doubt they would package it up and "open source" it for individuals or small groups. Such a project could entail large amounts of work that did little to help FamilySearch's owner, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in its quest to build the family tree of all documented people. That said, the technology pieces have been shared in various scholastic settings. I believe some of the improvements seen in other products reflect approaches and breakthroughs originating from FamilySearch.
—-Robert
(FamilySearch employee until the end of March)0