Fast Component-Based QR Code Detection in Arbitrarily Acquired Images

Quick Response (QR) codes are a type of 2D barcode that is becoming very popular, with several application possibilities. Since they can encode alphanumeric characters, a rich set of information can be made available through encoded URL addresses. In particular, QR codes could be used to aid visually impaired and blind people to access web based voice information systems and services, and autonomous robots to acquire context-relevant information. However, in order to be decoded, QR codes need to be properly framed, something that robots, visually impaired and blind people will not be able to do easily without guidance. Therefore, any application that aims assisting robots or visually impaired people must have the capability to detect QR codes and guide them to properly frame the code. A fast component-based two-stage approach for detecting QR codes in arbitrarily acquired images is proposed in this work. In the first stage, regular components present at three corners of the code are detected, and in the second stage geometrical restrictions among detected components are verified to confirm the presence of a code. Experimental results show a high detection rate, superior to 90 %, at a fast speed compatible with real-time applications.     

State difference feedback for stabilizing uncertain steady states of non-linear systems

Supposing a non-linear system is subjected to parametric uncertainties, the present paper aims at stabilizing its unstable steady states. A distinctive feature of the problem is that exact information about the steady state is unavailable. To cope with the difficulty, we have examined the applicability of the state difference feedback which uses the difference between the present state x(t) and the past state x(t-T). A rigorous stability analysis has been executed for the case where state deviations are controllable by a single input variable. The stability analysis has led to a favourable conclusion that if the number of unstable modes is just two, and if they are not associated with the origin in the complex plane, we are always able to find a controller which stabilizes the deviations from the unknown steady state. Design process is illustrated by using two kinds of pendulum systems.     

Characterization of Photoluminescent (Y1–xEux)2O3 Thin Films Prepared by Metallorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition

The purpose of this study was to identify and correlate the microstructural and luminescence properties of europium-doped Y₂O₃ (Y_{1– x} Eu _x )₂O₃ thin films deposited by metallorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), as a function of deposition time and temperature. The influence of deposition parameters on the crystallite size and microstructural morphology were examined, as well as the influence of these parameters on the photoluminescence emission spectra. (Y_{1– x} Eu _x )₂O₃ thin films were deposited onto (111) silicon and (001) sapphire substrates by MOCVD. The films were grown by reacting yttrium and europium tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl–3,5-heptanedionate) precursors with an oxygen atmosphere at low pressures (5 torr (1.7 × 10³ Pa)) and low substrate temperatures (500°–700°C). The films deposited at 500°C were smooth and composed of nanocrystalline regions of cubic Y₂O₃, grown in a textured [100] or [110] orientation to the substrate surface. Films deposited at 600°C developed, with increasing deposition time, from a flat, nanocrystalline morphology into a platelike growth morphology with [111] orientation. Monoclinic (Y_{1– x} Eu _x )₂O₃ was observed in the photoluminescence emission spectra for all deposition temperatures. The increase in photoluminescence emission intensity with increasing postdeposition annealing temperature was attributed to the surface/grain boundary area-reduction effect.     

Cogging Torque Characteristics of a Magnetic‐Geared Motor

This paper describes the cogging torque characteristics of a magnetic‐geared motor with permanent magnets only on the high‐speed rotor. The operational principle, which is different from that of the magnetic‐geared motor with permanent magnets on the high‐speed rotor and stator, is described. The torque characteristics, especially the order of the cogging torque, are mathematically formulated and verified by conducting 3D finite element analysis and carrying out measurements on a prototype. A novel cogging torque reduction method is proposed and verified as well.     

In Situ Observation of Deformation in Semi-solid Fe-C Alloys at High Shear Rate

Synchrotron X-ray radiography at 125 frames per second was used to study deformation mechanisms in semi-solid Fe-C alloys at high solid fraction and shear strain rates of 10^?1/s. An image correlation approach was also used to quantify the shear strain fields and study shear-induced dilation and the origin of shear cracking. It was shown that, at high solid fraction (90 to 93 pct solid), rearrangement including rotation and translation of solid particles became restricted and shear strain localized into narrow liquid-filled channels/fissures. Shear cracking was shown to originate from inadequate liquid flow into the expanding spaces between solid particles caused by shear-induced dilation. At lower solid fraction (~85 pct solid), solid particles rearranged with a significantly higher component of rotation leading to more shear-induced dilation and a wider shear band.     

Dynamic Characteristics Analysis of Two‐DOF Oscillatory Actuator and Experimental Verification of Prototype

Recently, linear oscillatory actuators have been used in a wide range of applications. In particular, small linear oscillatory actuators are expected to be used in haptic devices by being extended to provide multi‐degree‐of‐freedom motion with arbitrary acceleration. In this paper, we propose a compact two‐DOF oscillatory actuator that can move in various directions on a plane. The static and dynamic characteristics of the actuator are determined by the 3D finite element method. The effectiveness of this method is shown through a comparison of the measured results with the experimental results from a prototype. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 186(1): 58–65, 2014; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.22312     

Comprehensive analysis of minimum grain size in pure aluminum using friction stir processing

A friction stir processing (FSP) technique has been developed for use with aluminum and magnesium alloys, with the goal of high-strain-rate processing. In this study, we treat the microstructures of aluminum samples, of three levels of purity, manipulating their grain sizes, making them finer, using FSP. Grain sizes decreased with an increase in the Zener-Hollomon parameter, at all purity levels. However, the recrystallized grain of FSP-ed ultra-high-purity (99.999%) aluminum was particularly large, compared to the grain sizes of lower-purity (99% and 99.99%) aluminum, when subjected to the same processing conditions. The grain size reached a certain minimum value at high-strain-rates of processing, which we report for each purity level herein.     

Crystallization behaviours around the glass transition temperature in an amorphous Fe–Nb–B alloy

Crystallization behaviours around the glass transition temperature in an amorphous Fe₇₀Nb₁₀B₂₀ alloy were investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy. Dense bcc-Fe nanocrystals initially appeared as the primary phase, followed by the dense formation of the (Fe,Nb)₂₃B₆ nanocrystalline phase. The bcc-Fe nanocrystals were formed even by annealing at a temperature that is 38 K lower than the glass transition temperature. A difference of the low temperature behaviours between the present conventional amorphous alloy and a bulk metallic glass was discussed.     

Review of pulmonary toxicity of indium compounds to animals and humans

Due to the increased production of ITO, the potential health hazards arising from occupational exposure to this material have attracted much attention. This review consists of three parts: 1) toxic effects of indium compounds on animals, 2) toxic effects of indium compounds on humans, and 3) recommendations for preventing exposure to indium compounds in the workplace.Available data have indicated that insoluble form of indium compounds, such as ITO, indium arsenide (InAs) and indium phosphide (InP), can be toxic to animals. Furthermore, InP has demonstrated clear evidence of carcinogenic potential in long-term inhalation studies using experimental animals. As for the dangers to humans, some data are available concerning adverse health effects to workers who have been exposed to indium-containing particles. The Japan Society for Occupational Health recommended the value of 3 μg/L of indium in serum as the occupational exposure limit based on biological monitoring to preventing adverse health effects in workers resulting from occupational exposure to indium compounds. Accordingly, it is essential that much greater attention is focused on human exposure to indium compounds, and precautions against possible exposure to indium compounds are most important with regard to health management among indium-handling workers.     

Roles of a neuronal cell-surface molecule, neuropilin, in nerve fiber fasciculation and guidance

PURPOSE: To determine whether infiltrative lung, airway, or vascular disease can be differentiated as the cause of mosaic attenuation on thin-section computed tomographic (CT) scans of the lung. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thin-section CT scans were reviewed in 70 patients examined at three institutions. A mosaic attenuation pattern and pathologic or clinical proof of a specific type of disease were demonstrated. Causes of the mosaic pattern included infiltrative lung disease (n = 37), airway disease (n = 22), and vascular disease (n = 11). Thin-section CT findings were assessed independently by two observers blinded to clinical findings. RESULTS: The type of disease was identified correctly at CT in 58 (83%) of 70 patients by observer 1 and 57 (81%) of 70 patients by observer 2. Infiltrative lung disease was diagnosed correctly by both observers in 34 (92%) of 37 cases. Observer 1 identified 21 (95%) of 22 cases of airway disease and three (27%) of 11 cases of vascular disease. Observer 2 identified 19 (86%) of 22 cases of airway disease and four (36%) of 11 cases of vascular disease. CONCLUSION: Infiltrative lung disease and airway disease may be differentiated reliably as the cause of mosaic attenuation on lung CT scans, whereas vascular disease is often misinterpreted as infiltrative lung disease or airway disease.