A multi-agent methodology for multi-level modeling of mechatronic systems

Mechatronic design aims to integrate the models developed during the mechatronic design process, in order to be able to optimize the overall mechatronic system performance. A lot of work has been done in the last few years by researchers and software developers to achieve this objective. However, the level of integration does not yet meet the purposes of mechatronic system designers, particularly when dealing with modeling changes. Therefore, new methodologies are required to manage the multi-view complexity of mechatronic design. In this paper, we propose a multi-agent methodology for the multi-abstraction modeling issue of mechatronic systems. The major contribution deals with proposing a new method for the decomposition of the multi-level design into agents linked with relationships. Each agent is representing an abstraction level and both agent and relationships are managed with rules. By considering an application to a piezoelectric energy harvesting system, we show how we associate agents, rules and inter-level relationships to multi-abstraction modeling. We also show how modeling errors are identified using this approach.     

PDE-based event-triggered containment control of multi-agent systems with input delay under spatial boundary communication

This article studies the containment control problem for multi-agent systems with input delay under spatial boundary communication by employing an event-based approach. Firstly, the collective dynamics of multi-agent systems are described as parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs). Applying the integral transformation method developed in PDEs, the delayed parabolic PDEs are transformed into a series of new coupled PDE-PDE systems. Then, by taking the spatial boundary communication scheme into account and using the local boundary information, two boundary containment control protocols together with a dynamic event-triggered scheme (DETS) are designed, such that the states of all followers converge to a convex hull formed by multiple leader agents with and without input delay. The optimal protocols are given by minimizing the 2-norm of the designed control gain matrix, and the exclusion of the Zeno behavior is analyzed. Finally, a numerical simulation example is provided to support the main results.     

使用Oracle Spatial进行空间数据建模研究

介绍了空间数据建模和管理的常用方法,重点讨论Oracle Spatial的对象关系建模,分析了使用Oracle Spatial组织管理空间数据的特点。基于Oracle Spatial进行空间数据建模,可以降低专业性,提高空间数据的标准化共享能力。     

一种实用的空间平滑ESPRIT 算法

针对移动通信环境中多径传播的信号到来方向估计问题，结合空间平滑技术，提出一种空间平滑的ESPRIT算法，并给出了多径信号数目的推定方法．仿真结果证明，与ESPRIT算法相比，所提出的算法不仅适用于独立信号源，而且适用于相关信号源，具有分辨率高、计算量小等特点。     

一种新的人机界面—PUIs

长期以来 ,图形用户界面 (GUIs)一直是人机交互 (HCI)的主流平台。GUI风格的交互让用户使用计算机时更为方便 ,尤其对于办公自动化应用。然而 ,随着人们使用计算机方式的变化以及计算任务种类和数量的大量增加 ,GUIs已经很难实现满足用户需求所必需的所有交互形式。为了适应更多更广的情况 ,人们需要一种更自然、更直观、能自适应、更易为人们接受的界面形式。于是 ,感知用户界面 (PUIs—PerceptualUserInterfaces)成为人机界面中的新热点 ,其主要目的是使人机交互更像人与人之间的交互以及人与世界的交互。本文介绍了蓬勃发展的PUI领域 ,然后简要介绍了三个基于视觉技术的实际系统     

A knowledge intensive multi-agent framework for cooperative/collaborative design modeling and decision support of assemblies

Multi-agent modeling has emerged as a promising discipline for dealing with decision making process in distributed information system applications. One of such applications is the modeling of distributed design or manufacturing processes which can link up various designs or manufacturing processes to form a virtual consortium on a global basis. This paper proposes a novel knowledge intensive multi-agent cooperative/collaborative framework for concurrent intelligent design and assembly planning, which integrates product design, design for assembly, assembly planning, assembly system design, and assembly simulation subjected to econo-technical evaluations. An AI protocol based method is proposed to facilitate the integration of intelligent agents for assembly design, planning, evaluation and simulation process. A unified class of knowledge intensive Petri nets is defined using the O-O knowledge-based Petri net approach and used as an AI protocol for handling both the integration and the negotiation problems among multi-agents. The detailed cooperative/collaborative mechanism and algorithms are given based on the knowledge objects cooperation formalisms. As such, the assembly-oriented design system can easily be implemented under the multi-agent-based knowledge-intensive Petri net framework with concurrent integration of multiple cooperative knowledge sources and software. Thus, product design and assembly planning can be carried out simultaneously and intelligently in an entirely computer-aided concurrent design and assembly planning system.     

基于空间问题建模概念过程的空间分析建模与实现

提出一种基于空间问题建模概念过程的空间分析建模方法,结合城镇土地定级模型和流程,构建基于空间问题建模概念过程的空间分析模型.运用该模型,采用ArcGIS Engine技术,开发独立于GIS平台的城镇土地定级信息系统.实践表明,将空间问题建模概念过程和城镇土地定级模型相结合进行空间分析建模的方法,可优化空间分析流程,有效保证空间分析模型的合理性和分析结果的准确性.     

A graphic model of the human hand using CATIA

Anthropometric measurements were made of the hands of 32 subjects. Data from this survey were used in the design of a graphic model of the male human hand. The model was created in the computer-aided design (CAD) package CATIA and reproduced any desired overall hand size. It was made up of 24 solid segments with 23 degrees of freedom at 17 moveable joints. Spans and grasping sizes of the model hand were examined. The representation of the model appeared realistic in several postures, but the model was found to allow some motions which would be impossible for an actual hand. The model could be used to help a designer visualize hand-held products and controls in use.     

A cooperative behavior learning control of multi-robot using trace information

The distributed autonomous robotic system has superiority of robustness and adaptability to dynamical environment, however, the system requires the cooperative behavior mutually for optimality of the system. The acquisition of action by reinforcement learning is known as one of the approaches when the multi-robot works with cooperation mutually for a complex task. This paper deals with the transporting problem of the multi-robot using Q-learning algorithm in the reinforcement learning. When a robot carries luggage, we regard it as that the robot leaves a trace to the own migrational path, which trace has feature of volatility, and then, the other robot can use the trace information to help the robot, which carries luggage. To solve these problems on multi-agent reinforcement learning, the learning control method using stress antibody allotment reward is used. Moreover, we propose the trace information of the robot to urge cooperative behavior of the multi-robot to carry luggage to a destination in this paper. The effectiveness of the proposed method is shown by simulation. This work was presented in part at the 13th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 31–February 2, 2008     

A note on connectivity of multi-agent systems with proximity graphs and linear feedback protocol

In this note, we investigate the possibility of simplifying the connectivity verification for multi-agent systems with proximity graphs and the linear feedback protocol. A Lyapunov-like approach is developed for analyzing the monotonicity of the largest edge length in the network. Based on this approach, we provide an initial-connectivity-based sufficient condition for dynamic connectivity. In particular, when each initial node degree is not less than three fourth of the graph order, initial network connectivity implies dynamic connectivity.     

基于眼动分析的触屏手机界面设计研究

触屏手机最主要的操作平台是用户界面。文蠢通过眼动实验,对视线跟踪技术参数进行分析,测试用户对于手机界面主题元素、图标、文本、导航工具的使用习惯和喜好。使触屏手机界面操作更便捷、更人性化。观察用户感兴趣的界面所具备的特征,结果表明,主题明确的界面、个性化的图标设计以及符合人机工学和满足人机交互功能的界面更受到用户的青睐。     

Touchable area: An empirical study on design approach considering perception size and touch input behavior

As the use of mobile touch devices continues to increase, distinctive user experiences can be provided through a direct manipulation. Therefore, the characteristics of touch interfaces should be considered regarding their controllability. This study aims to provide a design approach for touch-based user interfaces. A derivation procedure for the touchable area is proposed as a design guideline based on input behavior. To these ends, two empirical tests were conducted through a smart phone interface. Fifty-five participants were asked to perform a series of input tasks on a screen. As results, touchable area with a desirable hit rate of 90% could be yielded depending on the icon design. To improve the applicability of the touchable area, user error was analyzed based on omission-commission classification. The most suitable design had a hit rate of 95% compared to 90 and 99%. This study contributes practical implications for user interaction design with finger-based controls.Relevance to industryThis research describes a distinctive design approach that guarantees the desired touch accuracy for effective use of mobile touch devices. Therefore, the results will encourage interface designers to take into account the input behavior of fingers from a user-centered perspective.     

基于用户满意效用的空间众包任务分配方法

针对生活中专车类空间众包用户存在偏好和延时等待的实际情况,提出一种基于用户满意效用的空间众包任务分配方法 IGSO-SSCTA。首先,定义了由用户偏好效用、延时等待效用和任务完成期望组成的用户满意效用;其次,构建了基于用户满意效用的空间众包任务分配（SSCTA）模型;接着,通过离散编码、反向学习协同初始化、四种改进移动策略、自适应选择和不可行解处理,提出一种适用该模型的改进离散萤火虫群优化（IGSO）算法;最后,利用IGSO算法对前述模型进行求解。不同规模数据集上的实验结果表明,所提方法和考虑时间最小化分配、考虑路程最小化分配、随机分配三种策略相比,用户满意效用分别提高了提升了9.64%、11.77%、15.70%;所提算法与贪婪算法和其他改进萤火虫算法相比,也有更好的稳定性和收敛性。     

Robust design of multi-agent system interactions: A testing approach based on pattern matching

The definition of protocols between agents is not enough for guaranteeing the absence of undesirable communication in organizations and the presence of desirable ones in large multi-agent systems (MASs). This is a consequence of the complex system nature of MASs, which cause sophisticated behaviors to arise out of a multiplicity of relatively simple interactions among the independent agents composing them. With this motivation, this paper presents an approach for testing communication in MAS architectures. In this approach, designers are not only recommended to specify the desired communication protocols, but also the undesired patterns and organization structures in the agents’ communications, allowing designers to define robust communication structures. For this purpose, this work presents (1) a language to define such patterns; (2) a set of already defined desired and undesired patterns which usually appear in general MASs; (3) a tool that allows developers to automatically detect these patterns in logs of MAS executions; and (4) a guideline that takes developers through the testing of the communications in MASs. The current approach is experienced with a case study, and the results show that the application of the current approach and the suppression of detected undesired patterns improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the corresponding MAS.     

Unethical computer using behavior scale: A study of reliability and validity on Turkish university students

This study was carried out in a Turkish university with 216 undergraduate students of computer technology as respondents. The study aimed to develop a scale (UECUBS) to determine the unethical computer use behavior. A factor analysis of the related items revealed that the factors were can be divided under five headings; intellectual property, social impact, safety and quality, net integrity and information integrity.     

基于加权马尔可夫链的主动用户行为预测模型

建立有效的用户行为预测模型,准确地预测用户的上网行为,是当前网络主动管理地关键,传统的Markov模型是一种简单而有效的预测模型,但它存在测准确率低、预测覆盖率低以及存储复杂度高等缺点.提出了基于加权马尔可夫链模型,通过分析用户行为特征和最优状态分类的方法,预测网络用户行为.最后通过实验结果表明了该模型的可行性和实用性...     

基于视觉的感知用户界面(VBPUI)研究

图形用户界面（ＧＵＩｓ）是当今人机交互技术（ＨＣＩ）的主要平台,它使得普通人都会使用计算机,然而,为了适应更广泛的应用,人机交互技术需要向自然、直观、自适应的交互界面发展,而感知用户界面（ＰＵＩ）交互技术正是为为实现这一自然交互模式,而成为人机交互研究的焦点,通过对新兴的ＰＵＩ领域及其重要分支－基于视觉界面（ＶＢＩ）的介绍,阐述了利用头部定位与手的跟踪来实现ＶＢＩ的方法,提出了在实学方法中,要进行     

An online composite graphics recognition approach based on matching of spatial relation graphs

A spatial relation graph (SRG) and its partial matching method are proposed for online composite graphics representation and recognition. The SRG-based approach emphasizes three characteristics of online graphics recognition: partial, structural, and independent of stroke order and stroke number. A constrained partial permutation strategy is also proposed to reduce the computational cost of matching two SRGs, which is originally an NP-complete problem as is graph isomorphism. Experimental results show that our proposed SRG-based approach is both efficient and effective for online composite graphics recognition in our sketch-based graphics input system - SmartSketchpad.Received: 13 March 2003, Accepted: 13 March 2004, Published online: 1 June 2004     

GPR data analysis using multi-agent and clustering approaches: A tool for technical management of water supply systems

In this paper a combination of the multi-agent paradigm and a very well known clustering technique is used for unsupervised classification of subsoil characteristics working on a collection of ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey files. The main objective is to assess the feasibility of extracting features and patterns from radargrams. By optimizing both the field work and the interpretation of the raw images our target is to obtain visualizations that are automatic, fast, and reliable so to suitably assess the characteristics of the prospected areas and extract relevant information. The architecture of the system may be split into three interrelated processes: (a) pre-processing, (b) hierarchical agglomerative clustering, and (c) retrieval and visualization. The proposed system shows the viability of arranging GPR data from survey files into clusters, thus reducing the amount of information to be dealt with, while preserving its reliability. The system also helps characterize subsoil properties in a very natural and fast way, favors GPR files interpretation by non-highly qualified personnel, and does not require any assumptions about subsoil parameters. A powerful tool to analyze underground components in water supply systems is thus generated that acts in a non-destructive way and supports decision-making in water supply management.