Virginio Cantoni

Perspectives and challenges in e-learning: towards natural interaction paradigms

Abstract The role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in educational development has been world-wide recognized as a priority in order “to reinforce academic development, to widen access, to attain universal scope and to extend knowledge, as well as to facilitate education throughout life” (Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, Report of the Canadian Delegation to the UNESCO World Conference on Higher Education, Paris, October 5–9, 1998. http://www.cmec.ca/international/unesco WCHE98report.en.pdf ). As a consequence, developments in ICTs have had a significant impact on conventional higher education, as the university of the 21st century takes shape. By analyzing traditional learning models as opposed to new e-learning paradigms, this paper provides a global overview on future learning systems, from both technology- and user-centered perspectives. In particular, the visual component of the e-learning experience is emphasized as a significant feature for effective content development and delivery, while the adoption of new interaction paradigms based on multi-dimensional metaphors and perceptive interfaces is presented as a promising direction towards more natural and effective learning experiences.

Image Analysis and Processing II

Alexander I. Boldyrev, and Vi taly I. Rybak V. M. Glushkov Institute of Cybernetics Ukrainian Academy of Sciences Kiev, USSR Some results of ,research and development concerning 2-D and 3-D robot vision systems carried out in V.M.Glushkov Institute of Cybernetics are presented. The problems of 3-D object model construction and algorithms of its structure elements extraction from greyscale and range-finder data are discussed. An example of 2-D industrial vision system with its softand hardware is offered to illustrate practical implementation of the results achieved. Research and development are provided by means of simulation and a subsequent test of methods and algorithms on real data. This approach is implemented in specialized hardand software complex.

Pyramidal systems for computer vision

This book presents papers on image processing using supercomputers and array processors. Topics considered include parallel processing, computer architecture, performance, data-flow processing, algorithms, computer vision, pattern recognition, equipment interfaces, programming languages, silicon implementation on multiprocessor pyramid architecture, and fault-tolerance techniques in arrays for image processing.

Vanishing point detection: representation analysis and new approaches

We introduce two different representation approaches and propose two techniques to estimate the position of vanishing points in an image, one bused on a probabilistic strategy and the other focused on a deterministic analysis. Unlike most of the methods so far developed, which exploit the Gaussian sphere, the new techniques operate in the (/spl rho/, /spl theta/) polar parameter space and in the (x, y) image plane coordinate space. Both the solutions are described and compared, through the discussion of the results obtained from their application to real images.

PAPIA: Pyramidal architecture for parallel image analysis

In 1981 a national research program for the design, simulation and construction of a multiprocessor image processing system was started. After a first phase devoted to the comparison of suggested and existing systems and to the definition of a set of benchmarks and to the evaluation of the performances of the major classes of machines, a new system has been defined. The structure of the new system is based on a pyramid of processors and many applications in which this machine may be exploited are highlighted. The multiprocessor architecture has been fully designed and the chip will be built by an Italian silicon. foundry, the SGS company, within the framework of the multichip national project.

GANT: Gaze analysis technique for human identification

Abstract Anatomical biometric recognition is widely used in a large number of civilian and government applications, within well-tested biometric parameters. New sensors and matching algorithms have led to the deployment of soft biometrics, which may provide a fast and reliable identity finding procedure. These traits are physical or behavioral human characteristics like skin color, eye color, and gait, used by humans to recognize their peers, presenting distinctiveness and permanence to identify an individual uniquely and reliably. This paper regards a novel Gaze ANalysis Technique, namely GANT, exploiting a graph-based representation of fixation points obtained by an eye tracker during human computer interaction. The main goal is to demonstrate the conjecture that the way an individual looks at an image might be a personal distinctive feature, i.e. a soft biometric application. A novel dataset acquired through the Tobii 1750 remote eye tracker has been used to demonstrate GANT accuracy in soft biometry, in terms of Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC), Equal Error Rate (EER) and Cumulative Match Curve (CMC).

Challenges for Data Mining in Distributed Sensor Networks

The way of collecting sensor data faces a revolution when the newly developing technology of distributed sensor networks becomes fully functional and widely available. Smart sensors acquire full interconnection capabilities with similar devices, so that run-time data aggregation, parallel computing, and distributed hypothesis formation become reality with off-the-shelf components and sensor boards. This revolution started around in 1996, and now hardware and network are converging on the first convincing solutions. Exploring and exploiting this paradigm are a renovated challenge for the pattern recognition and data mining community. This paper attempts a survey on state-of-the-art of wireless sensor technology, with an eye on data-related problems and technological limits. Although the possibilities seem promising, the limited computational resources of individual nodes hamper the elaboration of data with computationally-intensive algorithms. New software paradigms must be developed, both creating new techniques or adapting, for network computing old algorithms of earlier ages of computing

2-D object recognition by multiscale tree matching

Abstract In this paper we present an efficient 2D object recognition method that uses multiscale tree representations. A planar object is represented by means of a tree, in which each node corresponds to a boundary segment at some level of resolution and an arc connects nodes corresponding to segments at successive levels that are spatially related. The problem of matching an object against a model is formulated as the one of determining the best mapping between nodes at all levels of the two associated trees. The proposed matching algorithm is based on dynamic programming and has optimal O(∣T ∣∣T′∣) time complexity, where ∣ T ∣ and ∣ T ′∣ are the number of nodes in the two trees.

Matching the task to an image processing architecture

Abstract Several different computer architectures have been suggested or built to overcome the Von Neumann bottleneck. Particularly in image processing, data structures and algorithm organization may benefit from a good match with the new architectures. Such a match may be defined as the degree of exploitation of the system resources (including time) to obtain the specific solution. A diagram that shows the existing match between classes of machines, data structures, and computational structures is given in this paper. A comparison of the performance of extreme architectures on a limited number of benchmarks, chosen from the most popular IP tasks, concludes this work.

The PAPIA system

In 1983 an Italian research program was begun for the design, simulation and construction of a multiprocessor image processing system. After a first phase devoted to the comparison of suggested and existing systems and to the definition of a set of benchmarks, a new system was defined. The structure of this new system is introduced here: it is based on a fine-grained pyramid of processors built up by means of a pyramidal cell implemented on a VLSI multiprocessor chip. The peculiarities and the capabilities of the processing element are highlighted. The complete hardware and software system has been fully designed and is described. A first working prototype has been built and is now operational.