José Carlos Rodríguez-Rodríguez

On Parallel Channel Modeling of Retinal Processes

Based on previous work on parallel processing for visual motion detection and analysis ([1], [2], [3]) in which interesting relationships among number and random distribution of cells, overlapping degree and receptive field size with fault tolerance, accuracy of computations and performance cost were shown in practice, we now focus our attention on modeling a two parallel channel visual peripheral system consisting of three layers of neuron-like cells that account for motion and shape information of perceived objects. A tetra-processor UltraSparc SUN computer is used for simulation and video-outputs in false color show the two-channel activity of the system. A train of input images presenting a moving target is analyzed by the neuron-like processing layers and the results presented as a video movie showing a colour coded version of neural activity.

Analysis of Distance and Similarity Metrics in Indoor Positioning Based on Bluetooth Low Energy.

In this work, we provide an analysis of BLE channel-separate fingerprinting using different distance and similarity measures. In a 168 m\(^{2}\) testbed, 12 beacons with Eddystone and iBeacon protocols set were deployed, taking into account the orientation of users and considering 10 distance/similarity measures. We have observed that there is an orientation that offers the best positioning performance with the combination of iBeacon protocol, channel 38 and Mahalanobis distance. Taking 8 samples in the online phase, accuracy values obtained are in the range 1.28 m–1.88 m, and precision values are within 1.90 m–3.76 m or less, 90% of the time and depending which orientation the observer is facing.

Training Bioloid Robots for Playing Football

In this paper we describe our proposal for humanoid robotic system to develop a football team that compete in the Robocup, describing hardware components used and software components developed.

Automatic Inventory of Multi-part Kits Using Computer Vision

A prototype tool for the detection, segmentation, classification and counting of Lego pieces based on the OpenCV artificial vision library is presented. This prototype arises before the need to automate the complex and tedious task of the inventoried one of Lego kits of the MindStorm serie.

A Character Segmentation Proposal for High-Speed Visual Monitoring of Expiration Codes on Beverage Cans

Expiration date labels are ubiquitous in the food industry. With the passage of time, almost any food becomes unhealthy, even when well preserved. The expiration date is estimated based on the type and manufacture/packaging time of that particular food unit. This date is then printed on the container so it is available to the end user at the time of consumption. MONICOD (MONItoring of CODes); an industrial validator of expiration codes; allows the expiration code printed on a drink can to be read. This verification occurs immediately after printing. MONICOD faces difficulties due to the high printing rate (35 cans per second) and problematic lighting caused by the metallic surface on which the code is printed. This article describes a solution that allows MONICOD to extract shapes and presents quantitative results for the speed and quality.

A Robotic Platform Prototype for Telepresence Sessions

In this paper we present a first prototype of a teleoperated telepresence system that uses a range of devices aimed at operating a mobile platform situated in a remote location while offering the user the sensation of being at that remote location. The objective of this first stage of the project is to achieve a sensation of telepresence by simply giving the user the freedom of movement of the platform and the freedom of movement of the camera system.

An open modular system for monitoring remote sensors

The main goal of this project is to monitor and control remote sensors from one or more desalination plants. These plants can be found and distributed from each other miles away. All critical parameters must be controlled. In a desalination plant, the installed sensors are the key elements. These sensors feed the system providing the needed information so it could work properly. The plant state is defined by the sensors readings. From this state, we can identify possible anomalies in the normal behavior of the plant, which could cause the activation of different alarms. In order to accomplish these goals, a modular and flexible system has been developed not only for desalination plants but also for any other systems that require controlling remote sensors. The system allows direct access to this remote information through a variety of interfaces (web, SMS). The tier architectural design plays an important role in providing a basic characteristic: its adaptability to different environments. Therefore, adding or changing specific modules can be easily introduced into the modular structure of the system without interfering the core application modules. The application has been develop under Java technologies (J2EE) using Open Source Toolkits.

On the evolution of formal models and artificial neural architectures for visual motion detection

Motion is a key, basic descriptor of our visual experience of the outside world. The lack of motion perception is a devastating illness that leads to death in animals and seriously impaired behavior in humans. Thus, the study of biological basis of motion detection and analysis and the modelling and artificial implementation of those mechanisms has been a fruitful path of science in the last 60 years. Along this paper, the authors make a review of the main models of motion perception that have emerged since the decade of the 60s stress-ing the underlying biological concepts that have inspired most of them and the traditional architectural concepts imprinted in their functionality and design: formal mathematical analysis, strict geometric patterns of neuron-like processors, selectivity of stimulate etc. Traditional approaches are, then, questioned to include “messy” characteristics of real biological systems such as random distribution of neuron-like processors, non homogeneity of neural architecture, sudden failure of processing units and, in general, non deterministic behavior of the system. As a result is interesting to show that reliability of motion analysis, computational cost and extraction of pure geometrical visual descriptors (size and position of moving objects) besides motion are improved in an implemented model.

Application of multichannel vision concepts and mechanisms in an artificial industrial vision system

The design of visual processing systems in very demanding industrial environments is a technical field in which bioinspiration has not been explored as a developing tool. The need of extremely quick, accurate and real time responses needed in industrial applications is not usually seen as compatible with the “messy”, “slow” or “inaccurate” methods and algorithms inspired in the information processing mechanisms underlying neural activity in the visual pathway. We are trying, thus, to explore the practical possibilities of interaction among concepts from both worlds: the “real” vision system designed for a real time quality control of a production line, and the “inspiration” taken from multi-channel biological vision. In previous papers [1,2] a biologically plausible parallel system for visual detection of form, movement, shape and size has been developed. The system, working off-line and skipping real time restrictions, was tested for a variety of situations, yielding very good results in estimating the mentioned visual characteristics of moving objects. Furthermore, a second parallel-computing version was designed introducing the concept of parallel channel processing, e.g., the discrimination of different visual characteristics by mean of multiprocessors and multithread computing. The architecture we present here, which includes certain concepts developed in the previously explained results [3,4], is intended to work in the production line of a beverage canning industry where cans with faulty imprinted use date and lot number have to be immediately discharged from the line.