Darrell C. Schroder

A Microprocessor-Based System for the Monitoring and Control of a Solar Installation

This paper describes the microcomputer hardware and software used to instrument and control a flat plate solar energy collection system. The procured data is transferred to a minicomputer for further signal processing and analysis. The system utilizes micro-electronic circuits to digitize and store data on magnetic tape as well as use that data for control decisions. The scheme described was found to be inexpensive yet effective.

Learning from Time-Compressed Videotapes

In a freshman electrical engineering course an experiment was performed to evaluate the use of time-compressed videotaped lectures. The class of 192 students was randomly divided into three equal groups, with one group receiving live lectures, the second group videotaped lectures, and the third group 30 percent time-compressed videotaped lectures. The classes were tested during the experimental period, and the results indicated that there was no difference between the groups in learning as measured by the tests. Thus, it appears that time compression of videotaped lectures can be used to improve the efficiency of education.

Computer Detection and Tracking of Moving People in Television Images/sup 1/

An important area of computer vision is the detection and tracking of moving people in television images. This paper descr ibes the development of a computer vision system which can detect and track human motion across the international border between the United States and Mexico. The system consists of 16 parallel microprocessors which each operate on a segment of the total video image to determine if there has been motion in that segment of the image. Motion is detected based upon a novel scheme for calculating the median pixel value in the segment and comparing it with the median value from an earlier frame. Motion is detected if the median varies by more than a predetermined amount. When this happens a bit is sent to a controlling CPU. Also, each segment exchanges information with its neighbors thereby improving its ability to track the motion of a person. The paper also describes a practical realization of the design and problems associated with its use in a practical security system.