The objectives,architectures and effects of distance learning laboratories for industrial engineering education

The concept of laboratories for distance (e-learning) with remotely controlled laboratory set-ups or virtual laboratories with different simulations have an important role in industrial engineering education and training. Although the concept is not new, there are a number of open issues that should be solved. This paper will present the fundamental objectives of learning through distance learning laboratories as well as the special issues connected with these labs, including their effectiveness. Other important questions will be addressed such as pre requests for remote controlled/virtual labs according to different stakeholders, different architectures will be compared and, finally, evaluations and students' feedback will be presented.     

Process and learning outcomes from remotely-operated,simulated, and hands-on student laboratories

A large-scale, multi-year, randomized study compared learning activities and outcomes for hands-on, remotely-operated, and simulation-based educational laboratories in an undergraduate engineering course. Students (N = 458) worked in small-group lab teams to perform two experiments involving stress on a cantilever beam. Each team conducted the experiments in one of three lab formats (hands-on, remotely-operated, or simulation-based), collecting data either individually or as a team. Lab format and data-collection mode showed an interaction, such that for the hands-on lab format learning outcomes were higher when the lab team collected data sets working as a group rather than individually collecting data sets to be combined later, while for remotely-operated labs individual data collection was best. The pattern of time spent on various lab-related activities suggests that working with real instead of simulated data may induce higher levels of motivation. The results also suggest that learning with computer-mediated technologies can be improved by careful design and coordination of group and individual activities.     

现代远程教学系统的设计和实现

介绍了网络化教学及智能化远程学习系统。分析了网络化教学流程及其主要部分的模型。通过典型实例，探索了对具体系统的开发设计，证明了智能化远程学习模型是一个实用的远程学习智能化方案，模型具有可实现性。     

Remote real-time CNC machining for web-based manufacturing

Today's machining shop floors, characterized by large variety of products in small batch sizes, require dynamic control and real-time monitoring capabilities that are responsive and adaptive to the rapid changes of production capability and functionality. It is especially true when the shop floors are combined with the e-manufacturing concept. However, a highly efficient infrastructure that can integrate the pieces of automated equipment together and link them to the e-manufacturing is still missing. The objective of this research is to develop an appropriate methodology with open architecture for real-time monitoring and remote control of networked CNC machines. A framework named Wise-ShopFloor (Web-based-integrated sensor-driven e-ShopFloor) is designed for this purpose. Within the context, this paper presents a new enabling technology to bring traditional CNC machine tools on-line with combined monitoring and control capability. Issues such as architecture design, methodology development, and prototype implementation are addressed through a milling machine case study. It is expected that the developed technology can be readily applied to real shop floor environments with increased productivity, flexibility, and responsiveness.     

Real-time collaboration of virtual laboratories through the Internet

Web-based learning environments are becoming increasingly popular in higher education. One of the most important web-learning resources is the virtual laboratory (VL), which gives students an easy way for training and learning through the Internet. Moreover, on-line collaborative communication represents a practical method to transmit the knowledge and experience from the teacher to students overcoming physical distance and isolation. Considering these facts, the authors of this document have developed a new dynamic collaborative e-learning system which combines the main advantages of virtual laboratories and collaborative learning practices. In this system, the virtual laboratories are based on Java applets which have embedded simulations developed in Easy Java Simulations (EJS), an open-source tool for teachers who do not need complex programming skills. The collaborative e-learning is based on a real-time synchronized communication among these Java applets. Therefore, this original approach provides a new tool which integrates virtual laboratories inside a synchronous collaborative e-learning framework. This paper describes the main features of this system and its successful application in a distance education environment among different universities from Spain.     

LabVIEW在实验室远程控制中的应用

该文介绍了LabVIEW的功能特点、程序设计结构、运算形式和实用工具软件包,并以远程电子线路实验室系统为例介绍了LabVIEW在实验室远程控制中的应用。     

A framework for a distributed CAD system

The DIJA project is a web-based CAD system accessible to any user (from neophyte to expert) and from a simple desktop computer. Its modeling approach is based on a top-down methodology and takes into account trade information. In this paper, we propose a network architecture based on a replication process and a multi-level language to manage the consistency between the client model and the server model. The whole CAD system is based on a modular architecture communicating with messages exchanges and provides a general architecture for all trade CAD applications.     

Towards federated interoperable bridges for sharing educational remote laboratories

Educational remote laboratories are software and hardware tools that allow students to remotely access real equipment located in the university as if they were in a hands-on-lab session. Different initiatives have existed during the last two decades, and indeed toolkits (e.g. iLabs, WebLab-Deusto or Labshare Sahara) have been developed to ease their development by providing common management features (e.g. authentication or scheduling). Each of these systems was developed aiming particular constraints, so it could be difficult to migrate the labs built on top of one system to other. While there is certainly some overlap among these systems, with bridges among them they become complimentary. Given that these systems support web services based federation protocols for sharing labs, it is possible to achieve this goal, and share labs among different universities through different systems. The impact of this goal is that different institutions can increase the experiential activities of their students, potentially improving their learning goals. The focus is the integration of WebLab-Deusto labs inside the iLab Shared Architecture, as well as the integration of iLab batch labs inside WebLab-Deusto, detailing limitations and advantages of both integrations and showing particular cases.     

A sensor-driven approach to Web-based machining

The objective of this research is to develop a framework named Wise-ShopFloor and the enabling technologies for collaborative manufacturing in a decentralized environment. Particularly, this paper presents our latest development on Web-based and sensor-driven remote machining. Once a product design is given, its process plan and NC codes are generated by using a distributed process planning (DPP) system. The NC codes are then used for remote machining via a standard Web browser and a Java GUI interface running inside the browser. In this paper, the focus is given to the concept, architecture and a prototype implementation of the enabling technology. A case study of a test part machining on a 5-axis milling machine is also completed for testing and validation. It is expected that the developed technology can be applied to design verification via remote machining as well as real part production in a distributed manufacturing environment.     

基于LabVIEW的远程测控系统的设计与实现

虚拟仪器与网络技术的发展给测控系统的设计与实现带来了新的要求与机遇。本文着重介绍了网络化测控系统中常用的C/S与B/S两种网络模式及其在LabVIEW开发平台下的实现方法。实践表明,利用LabVIEW开发平台可以简单、灵活的构建符合实际要求的远程测控系统。     

The influence of system characteristics on e-learning use

The benefits of an e-learning system will not be maximized unless learners use the system. This study proposed and tested alternative models that seek to explain student intention to use an e-learning system when the system is used as a supplementary learning tool within a traditional class or a stand-alone distance education method. The models integrated determinants from the well-established technology acceptance model as well as system and participant characteristics cited in the research literature. Following a demonstration and use phase of the e-learning system, data were collected from 259 college students. Structural equation modeling provided better support for a model that hypothesized stronger effects of system characteristics on e-learning system use. Implications for both researchers and practitioners are discussed.     

Image processing for boundary extraction of remotely sensed data

Image processing algorithms for analysing remotely sensed data are developed. The algorithms proposed in the paper provide means for autoregressive texture modelling and for boundary detection of uniform subimage areas. The boundary detection methods make use of a semicircular entropy operator and of the binary hypothesis testing of the Poisson counting process. The proposed algorithms are applied to the pattern analysis of the isothermal distribution in the oceanic environment.     

作业型遥控水下运载器的多变量backstepping鲁棒控制

针对作业型遥控水下运载器（ROV）存在复杂外干扰、参数不确定性以及强非线性耦合的特性,提出了作业型ROV的多变量backstepping控制方法．使用Lyapunov稳定性分析方法,证明了当存在系统参数不确定性和未知常值外干扰的情况时,系统的局部渐近稳定性．以及跟踪误差的局部渐近收敛性．针对作业型ROV在动力定位时的特点,得到了系统动力定位时的四自由度简化模型．仿真结果表明,所提出的多变量backstepping鲁棒控制器具有比常规PID控制器更好的控制品质和鲁棒性能．     

VDM-RS: A visual data mining system for exploring and classifying remotely sensed images

Remotely sensed imagery has become increasingly important in several applications domains, such as environmental monitoring, change detection, fire risk mapping and land use, to name only a few. Several advanced image classification techniques have been developed to analyze such imagery and in particular to improve the accuracy of classifying images in the context of such applications. However, most of the proposed classifiers remain a black box to users, leaving them with little to no means to explore and thus further improve the classification process, in particular for misclassified pixel samples. In this paper, we present the concepts, design and implementation of VDM-RS, a visual data mining system for classifying remotely sensed images and exploring image classification processes. The system provides users with two classes of components. First, visual components are offered that are specific to classifying remotely sensed images and provide traditional interfaces, such as a map view and an error matrix view. Second, the decision tree classifier view provides users with the functionality to trace and explore the classification process of individual pixel samples. This feature allows users to inspect how a sample has been correctly classified using the classifier, but more importantly, it also allows for a detailed exploration of the steps in which a sample has been misclassified. The integration of these features into a coherent, user-friendly system not only helps users in getting more insights into the data, but also to better understand and subsequently improve a classifier for remotely sensed images. We demonstrate the functionality of the system's components and their interaction for classifying imagery using a hyperspectral image dataset.     

A discrete event framework for autonomous observation under uncertainty

In this work we establish a framework for the general problem of observation, which may be applied to different kinds of visual tasks. We construct intelligent high-level control mechanisms for active visual recognition of different processes within a hybrid dynamic system. We address the problem of observing a manipulation process in order to illustrate the ideas and motive behind our framework. We use a discrete event dynamic system as a high-level structuring technique to model the manipulation system. The formulation utilizes the knowledge about the system and the different actions in order to solve the observer problem in an efficient, stable and practical manner. The model uses different tracking mechanisms so that the observer can see the workspace of the manipulating robot. An automaton is developed for the hand/object interaction over time and a stabilizing observer is constructed. Low-level modules are developed for recognizing the visual events that causes state transitions within the dynamic manipulation system in real time. A coarse quantization of the manipulation actions is used in order to attain an active, adaptive and goaldirected sensing mechanism. The formulation provides high-level symbolic interpretations of the scene under observation. The discrete event framework is augmented with mechanisms for recovering the continuous parametric evolution of the scene under observation and for asserting the state of the manipulation agent. This work examines closely the possibilities for errors, mistakes and uncertainties in the manipulation system, observer construction process and event identification mechanisms. We identify and suggest techniques for modeling these uncertainties. Ambiguities are allowed to develop and are resolved after finite time. Error recovery mechanisms are also devised. The computed uncertainties are utilized for navigating the observer automaton state space, asserting state transitions and developing a suitable tracking mechanism.     

Computational Experiments for Complex Social Systems: Experiment Design and Generative Explanation

Powered by advanced information technology, more and more complex systems are exhibiting characteristics of the cyber-physical-social systems(CPSS). In this context, computational experiments method has emerged as a novel approach for the design, analysis, management, control, and integration of CPSS, which can realize the causal analysis of complex systems by means of “algorithmization” of “counterfactuals”. However,because CPSS involve human and social factors(e.g., autonomy,initiative, and so...     

A model for evaluating the effectiveness of remote engineering laboratories and simulations in education

Economic pressures on universities and the emergence of new technologies have spurred the creation of new systems for delivering engineering laboratories in education, in particular simulations and remote-access laboratory systems. Advocates of simulation argue that physical labs needlessly consume university space and students’ time. However, proponents of hands-on laboratories argue that student engineers should be exposed to real environments. Remote laboratories have appeared as a third option. These laboratories are similar to simulation techniques in that they require minimal space and time, because the experiments can be rapidly configured and run over the Internet. But unlike simulations, they provide real data. Studying the relative effectiveness of these modes of delivering student laboratories is complex, for the underlying technology of the laboratory is just one of many possible factors that could influence effectiveness. For example, the interface to the equipment may be of importance, as might the discussions students have among themselves. This paper presents a model for testing the relative effectiveness of engineering laboratories in education that takes account of these and other factors. The results are presented for an assessment study comparing versions of remote labs versus hands-on labs in a junior-level mechanical engineering course on machine dynamics and mechanisms. The results suggest that students learned lab content information equally well from both types of laboratories, and that they have a realistic understanding and appreciation of the practical advantages of remote laboratories.     

Communication protocol for monitoring a large number of remotely distributed hazardous material detection devices

Modern wireless communication technologies opened up new avenues of data collection from remotely distributed environmental sensors. Global Mobile Communications (GSM) and satellite telephone services currently cover almost all parts of the world. With this development, it became feasible to place and collect data from remote sensors at locations which were previously inaccessible due to distance or extremely restrictive conditions. Although data collection through wireless devices is becoming popular by the day, there is no unified protocol for sending and receiving information from remote devices. In this study, a communication protocol is developed for monitoring a large number of remotely distributed environmental devices. The protocol is being implemented as a part of a project which aims to place a large number of environmental monitoring devices throughout the United Arab Emirates (UAE).     

基于计算实验的城市道路行程时间预测与建模

城市道路行程时间预测对于提高交通管控效果具有重要意义. 本文综合应用平行系统、集散波、误差反馈修正、多模型自适应控制及模型库动态优 化策略等方法与技术对间断流行程时间预测问题进行了研究. 首先,介绍了平行系统理论的基本原理及计算实验的基本方法; 然后,给出了基于平行系统理论的路段行程时间的预测模型, 设计了基于集散波的行程时间计算实验方法, 提出了多模型自适应行程时间预测并给出了模型动态优化策略. 最后,通过实验证明了本方法的有效性. 结果表明, 本文方法预测精度较高, 且能够对行程时间预测值进行持续优化, 可为后续的间断流行程时间预测研究提供借鉴.