Urban Burnik

Using affective parameters in a content-based recommender system for images

There is an increasing amount of multimedia content available to end users. Recommender systems help these end users by selecting a small but relevant subset of items for each user based on her/his preferences. This paper investigates the influence of affective metadata (metadata that describe the user’s emotions) on the performance of a content-based recommender (CBR) system for images. The underlying assumption is that affective parameters are more closely related to the user’s experience than generic metadata (e.g. genre) and are thus more suitable for separating the relevant items from the non-relevant. We propose a novel affective modeling approach based on users’ emotive responses. We performed a user-interaction session and compared the performance of the recommender system with affective versus generic metadata. The results of the statistical analysis showed that the proposed affective parameters yield a significant improvement in the performance of the recommender system.

Emotion-Aware Recommender Systems – A Framework and a Case Study

Recent work has shown an increase of accuracy in recommender systems that use emotive labels. In this paper we propose a framework for emotion-aware recommender systems and present a survey of the results in such recommender systems. We present a consumption-chain-based framework and we compare three labeling methods within a recommender system for images: (i) generic labeling, (ii) explicit affective labeling and (iii) implicit affective labeling.

Registration of satellite images based on road network map

This paper presents a novel approach to fully automatic satellite image registration to a local earth coordinate system based on the digital map of the road network. Automatic satellite image co-registration methods typically establish correspondences between points on the target and registered image using local image features such as SIFT, however they are not effective for multi-temporal and multi-sensor registration. As the road network is a prominent feature on the satellite images and is visible in most circumstances, we propose to map it directly to the digital road network topographic map, which is readily available in GIS databases. Our approach starts by detection of road segments in a satellite image, producing a road mask image. Small road mask patches are matched against rasterized road network map to find a set of probable patch locations. Following optimization of translation parameters, each satellite image tile is coarsely located on a road map. In a second fine optimization step, smaller road patches locations are further optimized. The algorithm produces a set of tie points, which include coordinates of satellite image pixels within local metric coordinate system. Experiments were performed on a set of 5 RapidEye images of Slovenia from different periods of the year. The results show that the average error of the points is below 1 pixel for all images, and that the reliability in terms of outlier pixels is very high.

Development of interactive television t-learning course

Paper presents some of the latest advances in the use of iDTV for educational purposes offering learner to actively participate in the course. We explore the potentials to expand the power of iDTV by delivering interactive learning into the home and present open issues and development experience respectively. Paper presents research results of IST project ELU - enhanced learning unilimited.

CONTENT AND PRESENTATION ADAPTATION IN HYPERMEDIA SYSTEMS

The present chapter is dedicated to personalised real-time multimedia communication services. The challenge of modern communication services is a combination of personalised information gathering and customised data retrieval technology. A concept of personalised communication service is presented, followed by an overview of information search, retrieval and adaptive presentation technologies. Both generalised strategies and supporting technologies are presented throughout the chapter.

Video-based learners’ observed attention estimates for lecture learning gain evaluation

A significant problem in the field of higher education is maintaining learners’ attention during lectures, which is known to significantly affect their learning outcomes. Attention management is commonly associated with the individual ability of a lecturer to track and respond to the common behaviour of an auditorium; it lacks a detailed estimation of the intra-variability of individual learners’ attention during the course of the lecture. This paper suggests an objective and non-intrusive evaluation of learners’ attention against learning outcomes by introducing an observed attention estimate (OAE). The procedure uses human annotations based on visual cues with a supporting video recording/playback system and a web-based annotation system. This proposed procedure enables us to estimate the attention level of individual learners as observed by human annotators for given time intervals associated with specific concepts covered by the lecture. As part of the procedure, we use an inventory-based lecture gain evaluation and representation based on a novel learning gain matrix. This procedure allows for a detailed analysis of the lecture time flow with regard to learners’ attention. We have verified the applicability of the procedure on a small-scale case study.

Measuring impedance using an open-source instrumentation platform

The article presents development and design of a precision LCR meter based on an affordable open-source instrumentation platform. The design of the instrument has been performed by an interdisciplinary group of students. A project-based approach has been used in order to make a practical use of engineering knowledge within the group of participants. The results cover all the necessary project results achieved by the participants from the state-of-the art analysis in the domain of LCR meters to dissemination of project results. These may serve as a guide for similar project specifications. Alternatively, the presented results may be used in preparing student assignments in electrical impedance measurements based on affordable hardware.

Industrial product design project: building up engineering students’ career prospects

ABSTRACT The needs to bridge the academic skills of students involved in higher education and improve their readiness for employment in industry are being widely addressed. Most academic curricula cover the natural, technical and scientific topics of engineering in depth but lack practical engineering experience and soft skill development crucial for a successful engineering career. A novel national tender-based programme has been launched to provide students with industrial-grade experience during studies through direct cooperation between students, university staff and the industry. This paper presents results of a specific engineering project case supervised by the authors. Within the project, students got an opportunity to practice engineering skills without sacrificing the time needed for a company-based internship. During a 6-month project, a group of interdisciplinary students designed an instrument as specified by the industrial project partner. Participation in the project was optional and organised as a student’s side activity. The project was stimulating development of a range of engineering competences and soft skills among the participants. The participating students showed an above-average commitment and responsibility, fulfilling the specified project goals. The indirect measures demonstrate the positive influence of participating in the project on the career futures of the students.

Design of a secure remote management module for a software-operated medical device

Abstract Software-based medical devices need to be maintained throughout their entire life cycle. The efficiency of after-sales maintenance can be improved by managing medical systems remotely. This paper presents how to design the remote access function extensions in order to prevent risks imposed by uncontrolled remote access. A thorough analysis of standards and legislation requirements regarding safe operation and risk management of medical devices is presented. Based on the formal requirements, a multi-layer machine design solution is proposed that eliminates remote connectivity risks by strict separation of regular device functionalities from remote management service, deploys encrypted communication links and uses digital signatures to prevent mishandling of software images. The proposed system may also be used as an efficient version update of the existing medical device designs.

Telemedical System in the Blood Transfusion Service: Usage Analysis

Partners FE, KROG and ZTM (alphabetical order) as stated in acknowledgemetns, have developed, manufactured and installed a telemedical system into the blood transfusion service of Slovenia. The system was installed in eleven hospitals, offering blood transfusion services and two blood transfusion centers. The system was in use for nearly seven years. After period of operation, system state snapshot was performed and analyzed. The analysis was focused on per hospital usage preferences through time. Distribution of patients ABO RhD blood typing was also analyzed. In the paper the telemedical system is presented. The method of data collection and data analysis methods are described. The final section presents results accompanied with discussion where economical impact of the telemedical system in comparison to the manual operation is briefly presented.