Kohei Miyata

A novel safety light curtain system using a hemispherical mirror

Light curtain systems are used to detect intruders in various cases and places. However, it is necessary to adjust the position of the light detecting element accurately in order to receive the irradiating laser light. We propose a new type safety light curtain system that uses a hemispherical mirror and an LED in this research. A hemispherical mirror can reflect irradiating light rays surroundings of 180° in the vertical direction and 360° in the horizontal direction. When an LED is at a position that is higher than the hemispherical mirror, the LED irradiating light can be reflected by the hemispherical mirror, even if the LED is arbitrarily set up. In the case that, the light of LED is intercepted when an intruder passes between the LED and the hemispherical mirror, the output voltage of the light detecting element decreases. We can set a proper threshold voltage value of the detecting element to judge whether an intruder passes or not. Our system uses a PSOC microcomputer to judge the output voltage of the receiving element with the threshold voltage value. In addition, the LED output light is modulated by 10kHz in order to avoid the influence of the surrounding turbulence light. Our experiment succeeded to detect intruder using the proposed system without accurate light axis setting.

A generic SoC platform using DPR feature to improve social life

Our life has become useful by electrical products, but not all elderly people and disabled people can get contribution by it. Wearable supporting systems are needed to for such people to get usefulness anywhere. Since supporting systems vary according to what support to and the characteristics of target person, it must satisfy the high-mix low-volume nature of such products. Also, in a low-end embedded product with wearable nature, realizing the signal processing as hardware is required in terms of performance and power consumption. The Dynamic partial reconfiguration (DPR) of hardware is one of the candidates to tackle such problem. This paper proposes a generic system-on-chip (SoC) platform, dynamic partial reconfiguration platform (DyREP), which uses the DPR nature. Through the case study that binarizes an image and uses a prototype system of DyREP with an FPGA, we show some results.

Development of Position Detector with Large Sensing Area Using Frosted Glass

This paper proposes a new position detector using frosted glass and four photo detectors. Four photo detectors are arranged under the four corners of the rough surface of frosted glass. When this sensor is irradiated by laser pointer, the light repeats reflection in the frosted glass and arrives at the photo detectors. The light intensity decreases by the increasing of distance between the photo detector and the irradiating point. Therefore, the distance between a photo detector and the irradiation point can be worked out from the output of the photo detectors. Thus, the light irradiation point can be derived from the distances with the four photo detectors. This sensor is low cost and has a large sensing area. In addition, this sensor also can be used as a pointing device because the movement of the light on the frosted glass can be judged.

Person Localization System Using Privacy-Preserving Sensor

A privacy-preserving sensor for person localization has been developed. In theory, the sensor can be constructed with a line sensor and cylindrical lens because only a one-dimensional brightness distribution is needed. However, a line sensor is expensive. In contrast, CMOS area sensors are low cost and are increasing in sensitivity according to recent rapid advancement in the technology. Therefore, we covered the CMOS area sensor physically so that it behaved as a line sensor, we substituted CMOS sensors for the line sensors in practice. The proposed sensor obtains a one-dimensional horizontal brightness distribution that is approximately equal to the integration value of each vertical pixel line of the two-dimensional image. It is impossible to restore the two-dimensional detail texture image from one-dimensional brightness distribution, although it obtains enough information to detect a person’s position and movement status. Thus, the privacy is protected. Moreover, the appearance of the proposed sensor is very different from the conventional video camera, so the psychological resistance of having a picture taken is reduced. In this work, we made the privacy preserving sensor practically, and verified whether a person’s state was able to be detected. The simulation results show that the proposed sensor can detect a present person’s state responsively without violating privacy.

Proposal of Flexible Touch Panel Sensor

Recently, new touch panels are actively developed. And, the device with the touch panel is widespread. However, past touch panels cannot fold. Therefore, they can be set up only on the plane. Flexibility is needed for the touch panel to set up the touch panel in various places. Then, we propose the flexible touch panel sensor. This sensor is made from a resistance films and an insulation film and metallic foils. The place touched can be specified according to the current ratio that flows to the circuit when the person touches the sensor. This sensor can be installed on various places.

Proposal of three dimension coordinates metrology using camera and ultrasonic sensor

Recently, various controllers are developed. However, the operation of controller is very difficult for elderly persons. Therefore, the operation that uses the gesture like the hand gesture that can be operated intuitively and easily is researched. Three-dimensional coordinates of the hand are necessary to operate it by the hand gesture. The triangulation is a general method of the three-dimensional coordinates metrology. However each sensor should take the distance enough. Therefore the downsizing of the device is difficult. we suggest three dimension coordinates metrology using camera and ultrasonic sensor. The device can be miniaturized by using the camera and the ultrasonic sensor.

Proposal for a new concept for a robot in which the constructing module can be exchanged seamlessly

Although industrial robots have developed considerably since the end of the last century, and have been used in various fields, robotics is still being actively researched in Japan. Following the work of national research institutes and educational institutions, robot manufacturers have also put considerable resources into developing a new generation of robots. Moreover, society in general has high expectations of robots. To provide a low-price robot that can be widely used in the home, in medical treatments, in welfare, and in disaster relief, etc., a high-function, low-cost module that can easily be exchanged for maintenance or repair is very necessary. To achieve this aim, it is undesirable to develop robots based on different original standards from research institutes, educational institutions, and robot manufacturers, etc. Therefore, a common standard in robotic development needs to be established, and robots must be developed based on that standard. In this research, a new concept for the next generation of robot development is proposed. This concept includes a high-intelligence module, lower manufacturing costs, and an easy exchange operation.

Development of Stationary User Interface Using Head-Tracking

Recently, various user interfaces are developed. However the operation of user interface is very difficult for the physically handicapped persons who cannot move their hand. The stationary user interface we are proposing uses head tracking via a camera and a display. It is portable and can operate household appliances. It is also operated intuitively in head tracking.