Sebastian Ernst

Advanced street lighting control

Design and control of outdoor lighting systems is a complex task, which is made even more difficult by introducing features like dynamic, sensor-based operation, multiple lighting levels and sophisticated, adjustable luminaires. This paper proposes an integrated approach, based on formal graph-based models and methods, to handle both of these tasks. The introduced formalisms help handle the state-space explosion related to the aforementioned characteristics. Control is performed by means of AI techniques (including rule-based systems and pattern matching), which is applied to the system using graph transformations. An illustrative, simple example is carried out throughout the paper, but the presented methods are highly scalable, which made them applicable to several practical projects of varying scale and characteristics.

A Multicriteria Model for Dynamic Route Planning

In this paper we introduce INSIGMA project and its part related to road transport. We propose methods and parameters for route optimization in dynamic urban environments. An overall motivation for development of proposed dynamic system is discussed with detailed efficiency analysis of placed algorithms. From the end users’ perspective, several practical use cases are identified. The system takes advantages of so-called dynamic maps, which provide information about up-to-date traffic conditions and visualization functionality as well.

State-Space Reduction through Preference Modeling ⋆

Automated planning for numerous co-existing agents, with uncertainty caused by various levels of their predictability, observability and autonomy, is a complex task. One of the most significant issues is related to explosion of the state space. This paper presents a formal framework which can be used to model such systems and proposes the use of formally-modeled agents’ preferences as a way of reducing the number of states. A detailed description of preference modeling is provided, and the approach is evaluated by examples.

Ontology Oriented Storage, Retrieval and Interpretation for a Dynamic Map System

This paper presents the Dynamic Map system, one of the key products of the INSIGMA Project. The main focus is on the map and dynamic data storage subsystem, which utilizes a spatial database and is based on ontologies. First, the data models used are described, including the OpenStreetMap-based structure for the static map and the ontology-driven structure for dynamic parameters and events. The approach to generation of database structures from OWL is described in detail, followed by descriptions of the OSM import process, the GPS tracker module, the sensor state analyzer and the event interpreter. Finally, the planned future enhancements are outlined and discussed.

Application of distributed graph transformations to automated generation of control patterns for intelligent lighting systems

Abstract Designing a large infrastructure, such as a street lighting system, is a complex task itself especially in the context of Smart City and Smart Grid approaches. The problem is made even harder if it needs to be designed with control in mind. To facilitate a complex design process without losing fidelity, a graph-based formalism, namely General Environment Model (GEM), is proposed to be applied to model such an environment. Moreover, another graph-based model, namely Control Availability Graph or shortly CAG, is proposed to enable definition of routines for dynamic control of large-scale systems. Both of these models have been verified in practice, but the transition from GEM to CAG had been performed manually. In this paper, we propose a coherent, formal method of generating a control system from the graph-based environment description while taking into account the designers decisions. An application of the generated CAG as a control system yields up to 34% of energy consumption reduction in a pilot deployment of over 3500 light points for the city of Krakow, Poland.

Modeling indoor lighting inspection robot behavior using Concurrent Communicating Lists

Today, energy efficiency is one of the top priorities in building design and construction. A significant share of energy usage is due to indoor lighting. Although methods exist for design and control of intelligent lighting systems, the task of real-world lighting assessment and verification remains only partly addressed. This paper describes foundations for design of a robot to conduct regular and automated audits of lighting quality in office buildings, with emphasis on the modeling of its behavior. The proposed model uses the Concurrent Communicating Lists (CCL) notation, which allows it to be easily simulated, executed, and formally verified. The CCL behavior model is discussed in the context of Knowledge-Behavior-Platform (KBP) robotic architecture proposed as a practical model runtime environment.

A Robust Planning Algorithm for Groups of Entities in Discrete Spaces

Automated planning is a well-established field of artificial intelligence (AI), with applications in route finding, robotics and operational research, among others. The task of developing a plan is often solved by finding a path in a graph representing the search domain; a robust plan consists of numerous paths that can be chosen if the execution of the best (optimal) one fails. While robust planning for a single entity is rather simple, development of a robust plan for multiple entities in a common environment can lead to combinatorial explosion. This paper proposes a novel hybrid approach, joining heuristic search and the wavefront algorithm to provide a plan featuring robustness in areas where it is needed, while maintaining a low level of computational complexity.

Application of New ATAM Tools to Evaluation of the Dynamic Map Architecture

The paper reports an application of Architecture-based Tradeoff Analysis Method (ATAM) for early evaluation of the Dynamic Map architecture. The Dynamic Map is a complex information system, composed of spatial databases, storing static and dynamic data relevant for urban traffic, as well as a set of software modules responsible for data collection, interpretation and provision. Due to the complexity of the system, its size and key importance of its services to other subsystems, we decided to perform architecture evaluation using the ATAM method. To facilitate the task new tools supporting ATAM based assessment are proposed: Scenario Influence Matrix and Architectural Decision Matrix. Taking as example an excerpt from the system architecture, we present how they were used during the architecture evaluation. The gathered experience confirm usefulness of the tools, enabling ATAM to help detecting real flaws in a design and identify potential risks.

A Distributed Architecture for Multimedia File Storage, Analysis and Processing

The paper presents a prototype of a distributed storage, analysis and processing system for multimedia (video, audio, image) content based on the Apache Hadoop platform. The core of the system is a distributed file system with advanced topology, replication and balancing capabilities. Metadata for stored media objects is being managed in a separate database in conformance with well-known metadata models and standards. In addition, the system allows implementation of efficient multimedia data analysis (e.g. face recognition) and processing (e.g. transcoding, digital watermarking) algorithms. Interoperability with external systems, such as the currently-developed Infona is provided by means of an OAI-PMH-compliant interface for metadata harvesting. More in-depth integration is possible by making storage, analysis and processing services available to external entities using the SYNAT integration platform. The article evaluates several important aspects of the proposed distributed repository, such as security, performance, extensibility and interoperability.

Prototypes of a Web System for Citizen Provided Information, Automatic Knowledge Extraction, Knowledge Management and GIS Integration

This paper presents preliminary results of work conducted within the INDECT project, Deliverable D4.14. The main goal of this deliverable is to develop a web system for acquisition of information from citizens, automatic knowledge extraction and knowledge management with GIS features. The paper presents three prototype systems and outlines their functionality. Social features have been implemented to encourage users to actively participate in data acquisition. Each of the presented systems offers a slightly different functionality and is based on a somewhat different conceptual model. The prototypes have been developed with the use of various software development technologies and tools for practical evaluation of each of the possible approaches. The results presented here constitute the basis for the implementation of the final system.