Anthony Deakin

Towards holistic chromatic intelligent monitoring of complex systems

Purpose – To introduce chromatic methods and their application to monitoring complex systems.Design/methodology/approach – Complexity is introduced and the need for holistic monitoring is suggested. The chromatic methodologies are introduced and their broad‐ranging applicability is illustrated with reference to a number of diverse applications.Findings – The generic chromatic monitoring technology has much to offer as a way of visualising, understanding, monitoring and controlling complex processes and system behaviour.Practical implications – The technology is leading to new ways of characterising and evaluating aspects of system behaviour, in a holistic and non‐intrusive manner, that are difficult to measure – e.g. walking behaviour of the elderly, tiredness of drivers.Originality/value – Draws out the generic basis of the chromatic methodology and how it may be applied to a wide range of complex systems and situations to predict when and where human intervention is required.

Chromatic signatures of broadband optical spectra for liquor discrimination

Methods based upon chromatic analysis are described for quantifying broadband optical absorption spectra in discriminating between different types of liquors. The absorption spectra are quantified by three chromaticity coordinates, which can be represented by two points, one on each of two chromatic diagrams. Various types of liquors may then be distinguished on such chromatic maps and groups of similar samples conveniently identified. Examples of the deployment of the approach are given for distinguishing between and classifying various types, brands and mixtures of alcoholic beverages and for identifying an authentic brand. The method provides a high level of traceability and is not restricted to a particular type of optical spectrum.

A portable liquor monitoring system using a PC-based chromatic technique

An approach is described for discriminating between different liquors with a portable system based upon chromatic monitoring. It uses a webcam–computer combination in a robust manner and has the potential for making cursory assessments in the field. The behaviour of the system has been investigated using subsidiary measurements with a spectrometer, from which the repeatability of test results has been assessed. It is shown that the webcam–computer system can provide useful referencing to reduce the influence of system artefacts and so yield good discrimination between different liquors without the use of a spectrometer.

Chromatic processing of DGA data produced by partial discharges for the prognosis of HV transformer behaviour

One method for the identification of incipient transformer failures due to partial discharges involves measuring the concentration of dissolved gases in the transformer oil. The number of gases monitored is often considerable (≥10), and there is a problem in tracking time varying patterns of the concentration of these gases to yield meaningful prognostic information. This contribution describes the use of chromatic processing techniques in the gas identification domain for yielding conveniently assimilable information in the form of chromatic maps for prognostic purposes. Such maps take the form of polar diagrams of various chromatic parameters such as hue (dominant species), saturation (breadth of gases per cent) and lightness (the overall concentration of gaseous species). Three categories of transformer working conditions (safe, alert and faulty) have been established based on such chromatic signatures. A simple probabilistic model, which can facilitate examination of the implication of future data gathered online, has been assembled.

Colour space mining for industrial monitoring

The effectiveness of colour spaces for the encapsulation of multivariate and distributed source information has led to increasing interest in their deployment in industrial monitoring technology. Other advantageous features are the availability of several hardware technologies that allow early transformation of a variety of monitored quantities into colour information, the compression of data at an early stage, and the familiarity of colour as a means for human assimilation of quantitative information.

Condition monitoring of high voltage transformer oils using optical chromaticity

The motivation for the present contribution was to produce a cost effective, convenient system for the optical monitoring of degraded high voltage transformer oils using the chromaticity of polychromatic light transmitted through the oil. The technique uses readily available and portable instrumentation. Examples of results for typical oil samples have been obtained with the technique and comparisons made with the conventional technique of Colour Index. It is shown how the chromatic technique can supplement the Colour Index approach to provide additional information about changes in the transformer oil, such as the presence and extent of solid micro-particles.

Collaborative development of courseware: Part One — Examples

Abstract Approaches to courseware development vary considerably. From examination of current research and practice, illustrated by examples taken from case studies in commercial and academic collaborative courseware production, we highlight and discuss some of the common issues identified, notably quality assurance and re-use of course material. Appropriate re-use can dramatically increase the efficiency of the production of courseware and contribute to the maintenance of consistent standards. In terms of the quality of courseware, which is difficult to assess objectively other than by obtaining user / client feedback, we suggest that the degree of coordination of the skills and efforts of the courseware team is a significant factor affecting the quality of the courseware as well as the efficiency of production. A suitably designed model of coordination should permit quality assurance procedures to be integrated into actual courseware production.

The Plan-Facilitator and the Plan-Document: A new Aspect of Computer Supported Management

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Measurement of Mechanical Strain using Chromatic Monitoring of Photoelasticity

The present contribution describes a chromatic processing approach for quantifying the two dimensional, polychromatic interference patterns produced by a strained photo-elastic element and recorded with a CCD camera. The outputs from the three R, G, B channels of the camera covering a selected area of the interference pattern are processed to yield three chromatic parameters which are H (dominant signal wavelength), L (nominal signal strength), S (effective wavelength spread of signal). It is shown that the value of each of the three parameters varies with strain in a quasi cyclical manner, all being out of phase with each other. Consequently the strain measurement range and sensitivity can both be optimized by the use of the appropriate chromatic parameter within different strain ranges.

Polychromatic monitoring of complex biological systems

Purpose – To illustrate the application of chromatic approaches to complexity with two illustrations each involving the interaction of two complex systems biological and polychromatic light.Design/methodology/approach – Chromatic parameters (H, L, S) were derived from the monitored biological systems plant growth monitored by CCTV with light enhancement by light emitting diodes (LED) and human tissue oxygenation data that may be obtained from optical fibre‐based monitoring. A single chromatic parameter was derived from the H, L, S parameters.Findings – The derived chromatic parameter CT appears to vary linearly with the aspect being monitored plant growth as indicated by chromatic parameters and blood oxygenation as indicated by chromatic parameters.Practical implications – Illustrates the possibility of cost‐effective chromatic‐based monitoring and control of complex systems plant growth enhanced by high efficiency/low energy LEDs and human tissue blood oxygenation (TBO) as well as additional application...