Nicolás Fernando Gazcón

Automatic vehicle identification for Argentinean license plates using intelligent template matching

The problem of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) has been studied from different aspects since the early 90s. Efficient approaches have been recently developed, particularly based on the features of the license plate representation used in different countries. This paper focuses on a novel approach to solving the ANPR problem for Argentinean license plates, called Intelligent Template Matching (ITM). We compare the performance obtained with other competitive approaches to robust pattern recognition (such as artificial neural networks), showing the advantages both in classification accuracy and training time. The approach can also be easily extended to other license plate representation systems different from the one used in Argentina.

ARBS: An Interactive and Collaborative System for Augmented Reality Books

Augmented Reality AR has been studied from different application fields since the early 60s. In particular, AR has been usefully applied in the educational field, specially based on a versatile AR application called Augmented Book. We introduce the Augmented Reality Book System ARBS, an interactive and collaborative application for traditional books augmentation. The proposed system allows the incorporation of AR content to any pre-existent traditional book. Once the AR content is incorporated to the book, it can be shared and explored by other users, allowing collaboration among readers. The ARBS does not require special programming or previous technical knowledge from the user. To validate the proposed system, we designed and conducted a novel experimental study with novice AR users. Very positive feedback from participants confirms the usefulness of the ARBS.

Fieldwork in Geosciences assisted by ARGeo: A mobile Augmented Reality system

Abstract Gathering data on the field is a crucial task in many disciplines. Moreover, in the Geosciences the GPS positioning is relevant to the data acquisition as well as to the planning of the fieldwork. Nowadays, mobile devices are widespread, constituting an accessible platform consisting of single devices coupled with different sensors for data acquisition, such as GPS, compass, magnetometer, etc. Emerging technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) enable the use of these devices as a software platform to complement the perception of our surrounding environment. Despite the fact that there are several AR applications focused on different aspects of Geosciences, a comprehensive fieldwork oriented system, which can be easily adapted to the community needs, is still missing. Based on a multidisciplinary work between professionals from Geosciences and Computer Sciences, we designed and developed a framework based AR system named ARGeo. The proposed system constitutes a complementing tool for the geologists fieldwork carefully designed to be used in remote sites, using only the mobile device hardware and without the need of an internet connection for data acquisition. ARGeo complements the fieldwork observation and the precise recording of geological data needed, e.g., for the interpretation of folded structures. It allows the user to register geo-tagged information such as points of interests (i.e. references on the field or the fold itself) using natural interactions. In addition, it provides two novel features: an interactive dipping plane measurement from distant points of view and a back-in-time visualization of previous recorded positions, in order to help understanding the spatial relations among the recorded samples. Pilot studies were conducted with domain experts of geology and they agree on the potential of the system. Results point out that ARGeo naturally integrates mobile devices and AR to the geologists fieldwork. Its possible extension with new features to the Geosciences as well as to other application fields is detailed.