Yasar Guneri Sahin

Early forest fire detection using radio-acoustic sounding system.

Automated early fire detection systems have recently received a significant amount of attention due to their importance in protecting the global environment. Some emergent technologies such as ground-based, satellite-based remote sensing and distributed sensor networks systems have been used to detect forest fires in the early stages. In this study, a radio-acoustic sounding system with fine space and time resolution capabilities for continuous monitoring and early detection of forest fires is proposed. Simulations show that remote thermal mapping of a particular forest region by the proposed system could be a potential solution to the problem of early detection of forest fires.

Detection of Hidden Hostile/Terrorist Groups in Harsh Territories by Using Animals as Mobile Biological Sensors

Terrorism is the greatest threat to national security and cannot be defeated by conventional military force alone. In critical areas such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Turkey, regular forces cannot reach these hostile/terrorist groups, the instigators of terrorism. These groups have a clear understanding of the relative ineffectiveness of counter-guerrilla operations and rely on guerrilla warfare to avoid major combat as their primary means of continuing the conflict with the governmental structures. In Internal Security Operations, detection of terrorist and hostile groups in their hiding places such as caves, lairs, etc. can only be achieved by professionally trained people such as Special Forces or intelligence units with the necessary experience and tools suitable for collecting accurate information in these often harsh, rugged and mountainous countries. To assist these forces, commercial micro-sensors with wireless interfaces could be utilized to study and monitor a variety of phenomena and environments from a certain distance for military purposes. In order to locate hidden terrorist groups and enable more effective use of conventional military resources, this paper proposes an active remote sensing model implanted into animals capable of living in these environments. By using these mobile sensor devices, improving communications for data transfer from the source, and developing better ways to monitor and detect threats, terrorist ability to carry out attacks can be severely disrupted.

MEDWISE: An Innovative Public Health Information System Infrastructure

In this paper, we present MedWise, a high level design of a medical information infrastructure, and its architecture. The proposed system offers a comprehensive, modular, robust and extensible infrastructure to be used in public health care systems. The system gathers reliable and evidence based health data, which it then classifies, interprets and stores into a particular database. It creates a healthcare ecosystem that aids the medical community by providing for less error prone diagnoses and treatment of diseases. This system will be standards-compliant; therefore it would be complementary to the existing healthcare and clinical information systems. The key objective of the proposed system is to provide as much medical historical and miscellaneous data as possible about the patients with minimal consultation, thus allowing physicians to easily access Patients’ Ancillary Data (PAD) such as hereditary, residential, travel, custom, meteorological, biographical and demographical data before the consultation. In addition, the system can help to diminish problems and misdiagnosis situations caused by language barriers-disorders and misinformation. MedWise can assist physicians to shorten time for diagnosis and consultations, therefore dramatically improving quality and quantity of the physical examinations of patients. Furthermore, since it intends to supply a significant amount of data, it may be used to improve skills of students in medical education.

RT-HRLE: A system design for real-time hazards reporting and loss estimation using wireless sensors

This paper presents a high level design for a scalable and extendable real-time hazard reporting and loss estimation system (RT-HRLE) which helps evaluating the initial estimation of economic losses in case of natural or man-made disasters. The system allows real-time monitoring, tracking of missed people inside buildings and reports partial or total destruction of buildings to a central database. Estimation of the actual number of missed persons inside buildings at the moment of disasters can be also reported to help accelerating medical and disaster relief assistance. The system is based on measuring the changes of the geometrical dimensions of buildings using smart wireless sensors. Reported changes are then automatically compared with pre-configured evaluations to compute the total loss. Collected data for loss estimation are useful for analyzing hazards and vulnerabilities. The current system can be extended to measure cracks in bridges after the earthquake without the need for human intervention.

An improved interactive whiteboard system: A new design and an ergonomic stylus

Interactive whiteboards (IWB) are very useful tools to facilitate the understanding of audience, and they have successfully been used for a number of years in the field of education. However, due to the manufacturing expenses and the overheads of required environmental devices, many interactive whiteboard systems (IWBS) are too expensive, and therefore, may not be feasible solutions. However, it is possible to implement IWBs without purchasing additional equipments, thus benefiting from IWBS at a low cost with reduced system requirements. The features of Nintendo Wii Remote Controller (NWRC), such as camera for tracking infrared lights and Bluetooth module for connection, make it very convenient tool for developing an interactive whiteboard system. This system reduces the manufacturing costs, provides a wide-range use, and portability. NWRC has been used in education for many purposes for several years. This paper addresses the solutions of several problems caused by IWBS with NWRC such as ergonomics of the IR pen, reflection problems, and interruption on drawing; thus it proposes very convenient, cost effective, useful interactive whiteboard system that can be used in education.

A novel mobile epilepsy warning system

This paper presents a new design of mobile epilepsy warning system for medical application in telemedical environment. Mobile Epilepsy Warning System (MEWS) consists of a wig with a cap equipped with sensors to get Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, a collector which is used for converting signals to data, Global Positioning System (GPS), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) which has Global System for Mobile (GSM) module and execute Artificial Neural Network (ANN) software to test current patient EEG data with pre-learned data, and a calling center for patient assistance or support. The system works as individual sensors obtain EEG signals from patient who has epilepsy and establishes a communication between the patient and Calling Center (CC) in case of an epileptic attack. MEWS learning process has artificial neural network classifier, which consists of Multi Layered Perceptron (MLP) neural networks structure and back-propagation training algorithm.

A Combined Technology for Wildfire Detection Using HS/RF

This paper addresses an effective early detection system of wildfires using high resolution images from low-light sensitive cameras linked to an innovative HS/RF (High Speed/Radio Frequency) communications grid. Using data compression techniques, a data-stream and signal management application, combined with OFDM data transmission, the HS/RF enables “broadband speed” wireless communications. This obviates the need for expensive FO cabled infrastructure in remote locations, meaning the proposed system is relatively inexpensive to deploy. In terms of forestry management the HS/RF system exhibits dual advantages; because the video-stream provides real images on the ground there should be a reduction in false-alarms, and a reduction in the decisions-time to enable a rapid response. Systems processes and specialized hardware required to support operational details are also described.

A Public Health Information System Design

The integration of modern information technologies into health care resulted in development of public health care information systems for the purpose of aiding the medical community by providing for less error prone diagnoses and treatment of diseases. The architecture presented in this paper is an evidence-based health care information infrastructure which collects considerable amounts of reliable, evidence-based data over time from various sources, and that it classifies, interprets and makes the data readily available and accessible to the health care provider before patient consultations. Among many other goals, the proposed system’s key objective and contribution is gathering Patients’ Ancillary Data (PAD) and incorporating this information into the diagnosis and treatment workflow. The data from medical tests is enriched and complemented by patient ancillary data such as hereditary, residential, travel, custom, meteorological, biographical and demographical data. Automatic provisioning of PAD, another goal of the proposal, helps to diminish problems and misdiagnosis situations caused by language barriers-disorders that frequently prevent the acquisition of patient data. This attribute of the system assists physicians to shorten time for diagnosis and consultations, therefore dramatically improving quality and quantity of the physical examinations of patients.

Real-Time Monitoring Environment to Detect Damaged Buildings in Case of Earthquakes

Detection of damaged buildings in case of an earthquake is a vital process for rapid response to casualties caused by falling debris before their health deteriorates. This paper presents a system for real time detection of damaged buildings in the case of an earthquake, using video cameras to supply information to national disaster management centers. The system consists of video cameras which monitor buildings continuously, an algorithm to detect damaged buildings rapidly using video images, and a database to store data concerning sound and damaged buildings. The detection method used in the system is applicable for local areas only (several small buildings or one big building), but it may provide accurate information about the buildings immediately after a disaster.