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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 29 S E P T E M B E R 7 , 2 0 1 5 that shows promise in cracking the RGB nut for commercial photographers and their clients who require exact color images. While "multi-spectral imaging" has been around for a while, Howell says it's typically only been "in very high-tech environments." e goal of his Artemis system is to create an accessible application suitable for commercial photographers doing large quantities of color-sensitive objects (such as the Caravan Beads' job) or which can be used to create quality control color fi les for package printers or manufacturers of products where color accuracy is critical. He's been working on perfecting the system for three or four years. What's been lacking, until Kahn approached him this spring to catalog the Caravan Beads inventory for its new website that launches in mid-September, has been the opportunity to prove that the Artemis system works under real-life conditions. By mid- August, they had successfully photographed more than 4,000 diff erent beads with accurate color — with a Caravan employee positioning 2-by-2-inch bead boxes on a copy stand, making the exposure and comparing the image's color on a calibrated computer screen with the original beads. "We decided early on we need to make Artemis as automatic as possible," Howell says. "From their point of view, what we off ered when I asked them to take on this job was a huge data- set," adds Kahn. "We've got lots and lots of products across the full color spectrum that needed to be photographed with color accuracy. It's remarkable good. I'm quite convinced achieving the right color at the very beginning will reduce a lot of [online ordering] problems later on." Boosting Maine's 'creative economy' Both Howell and Kahn see their collaboration as a shining example of how Maine might capitalize on its home-grown talent to build a creative economy based on innovation and collaboration. In their case, using the patented Artemis system to improve the color accuracy of Caravan Beads' website enhances the customer-friendly focus of Kahn's approach to his online wholesale and retail business, while also giving Howell Ltd. an important success story for its new focus as a technology development company. "One of our goals as a technology company is to put Maine on the map," says Howell, whose other digital imaging patents include: ¡ A multispectral imaging device featured in a February 2011 Mainebiz story that can be used by museums and art historians as a non- invasive way of viewing the under-layers of paintings to assist in research or restorations ¡ An optical silhouetting system that "eff ortlessly" achieves silhouettes of even the most complex objects and detail ¡ A contrast enhancement method that eliminates diff raction and enables higher resolution digital imaging. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Medical Network Inc. (MedNet) is a Maine-based organization that has the power to lower your healthcare costs by providing a credentialed, low-cost, high access, preferred provider network. mainemednet.com 1 (800) 556-1144 3 questions to ask your broker about self-insurance Talk to your broker today and ask about self-funding your health plan. Many companies, even those with less than 50 employees, have saved thousands of dollars by self-insuring. Your broker can help set up a risk-assessment in your office. Get the information you need to design and control your plan. Discover ways you can implement a robust wellness program to reduce expenses. How can a wellness plan reduce my costs? 3 How do I set up a risk assessment? 2 Does it make sense for a company with less than 50 employees to self-insure? 1

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