A Constraint-Based Approach for Visualization and Animation

TRIP systems are tools for visualization and animation. They are based on a constraint-based model of bi-directional translation between abstract data and pictorial data. Using these systems, programmers can visualize abstract data, and animate various algorithms and processes, simply by providing a declarative mapping rule. This paper presents this model for visualization and animation, focusing on the use of constraints, and also presents the TRIP systems with examples of visualization and animation.     

AC Drive System for Tension Reel Control

Recently, adjustable-speed ac drive systems have been employed successfully for blowers, pumps, table rollers, etc., in steel plants instead of the more conventional dc drives. In processing lines many drives require speed and tension control. To confirm the suitability of an ac drive for tension control, the tension reel of an existing pilot processing line has been equipped with an adjustable-speed ac drive. An ac drive system for tension reel control, its characteristics, and performance are described and compared with a dc tension control.     

On the complexities of consistency checking for restricted UML class diagrams

Automatic debugging of UML class diagrams helps in the visual specification of software systems because users cannot detect errors in logical consistency easily. This study focuses on the tractable consistency checking of UML class diagrams. We accurately identify inconsistencies in these diagrams by translating them into first-order predicate logic that is generalized by counting quantifiers and classify their expressivities by eliminating certain components. We introduce optimized algorithms that compute the respective consistencies of class diagrams of different expressive powers in P, NP, PSPACE, or EXPTIME with respect to the size of the class diagrams. In particular, owing to the restrictions imposed on attribute value types, the complexities of consistency checking of class diagrams decrease from EXPTIME to P and PSPACE in two cases: (i) when the class diagrams contain disjointness constraints and overwriting/multiple inheritances and (ii) when the class diagrams contain both these components along with completeness constraints. Additionally, we confirm the existence of a restriction of class diagrams that prevents any logical inconsistency.     

From handheld collaborative tool to effective classroom module: Embedding CSCL in a broader design framework

The field of Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) includes designers who emphasize effectiveness, measured via experiments, as well as designers who emphasize context and conduct qualitative research on teaching and learning practices. We conjectured that these two different emphases could be fruitful combined in a research and development process aimed at producing effective CSCL practices. We explored this possibility in a project that adapted a CSCL tool from Chile to serve as the basis of an effective 3-week classroom module for primary school mathematics in the United States. To go from tool to module, we addressed curricular fit, training materials, pedagogical guidance, formative and summative assessments, and logistical support. In conducting the project, we found that effectiveness and contextual research could be conducted simultaneously and yielded complementary insight to this design process, which enabled our project to rapidly move from the base tool towards complete classroom modules. An experiment we conducted after our design iterations showed that students who used the modules learned more about the target content, fractions. A retrospective analysis of our design process suggests that the Integrative Learning Design framework is useful for organizing the complementary components of effectiveness and contextual research in our design process.     

Supervisory control of automatic pouring machine

This paper presents supervisory control of a total molten-metal pouring system to improve the productivity of the factory, the safety of workers, and the quality of the product. Through the pouring processes model, a forward tilting control input was calculated by an adaptive feedforward control system to hold the liquid in the sprue cup at a constant level considering the change effected by the accumulating slag in the ladle. A backward tilting input was obtained by means of the hybrid shape approach applied to suppress the slosh. The supervisory control system reasonably switches from the forward tilting motion to the backward tilting motion by using model predictive control to achieve the accurate poured quantity. The validity of the proposed total control system was demonstrated through experiments.     

基于鞍点搜索的粘连对象图像分割方法

针对图像中不规则形状物体接触的分割问题,提出一种采用Hessian矩阵来判断分割点（即鞍点）进行粘连对象分割的方法。根据对图像进行腐蚀操作得到的三维地貌图,结合鞍点的数学特性,运用Hessian矩阵的特征值对鞍点进行搜索定位,沿经过鞍点的最大梯度路径分割粘连对象。与目前已有的几种分割算法相比,该方法具有算法简捷、分割效果好以及易于实现的特点。     

深度信息辅助的均值漂移目标跟踪算法

参考目标模型中混入的背景噪声会弱化目标特征的描述,导致目标跟踪定位误差。为减少误差,依据目标与背景处于不同深度平面的特点,提出了基于深度信息辅助的和改进的背景加权直方图的MeanShift跟踪算法,能够有效削弱核窗口中的背景干扰信息,突出目标的颜色特征信息,并适时自适应更新核带宽,减少因目标尺寸变小时引入较多的背景干扰信息。实验结果表明该算法迭代次数更少,具有良好的跟踪定精度。     

SEQUENCE-INDEXED LINEAR-TIME TEMPORAL LOGIC: PROOF SYSTEM AND APPLICATION

We propose a proof system for reasoning on certain specifications of secure authentication systems. For this purpose, a new logic, sequence-indexed linear-time temporal logic (SLTL), is obtained semantically from standard linear-time temporal logic (LTL) by adding a sequence modal operator that represents a sequence of symbols. By this sequence modal operator, we can appropriately express message flows between clients and servers and states of servers in temporal reasoning. A Gentzen-type sequent calculus for SLTL is introduced, and the completeness and cut-elimination theorems for it are proved. SLTL is also shown to be PSPACE-complete and embeddable into LTL.     

Flexible active‐matrix OLED displays: Challenges and progress

Abstract— Organic light‐emitting‐device (OLED) devices are very promising candidates for flexible‐display applications because of their organic thin‐film configuration and excellent optical and video performance. Recent progress of flexible‐OLED technologies for high‐performance full‐color active‐matrix OLED (AMOLED) displays will be presented and future challenges will be discussed. Specific focus is placed on technology components, including high‐efficiency phosphorescent OLED technology, substrates and backplanes for flexible displays, transparent compound cathode technology, conformal packaging, and the flexibility testing of these devices. Finally, the latest prototype in collaboration with LG. Phillips LCD, a flexible 4‐in. QVGA full‐color AMOLED built on amorphous‐silicon backplane, will be described.     

Stochastic determinism underlying life: systematic theory for assisting the synthesis of artificial cells and new medicines

The frequencies of purines and pyrimidines in double-strand DNA are in a symmetric ratio of 1: 1, while the asymmetric density ratios of purines and pyrimidines in RNA and artificial ribozymes are between 1: 1 and approximately 1: 1.5. The frequency ratio in DNA is deterministic, while that in RNA is fairly stochastic. Symbiotic fusion of deterministic symmetry and stochastic asymmetry, which can be seen at the molecular, cell and whole-body levels, is a key concept for understanding the self-organizing processes in living organisms. The left-right symmetric distribution of arms and legs is observed in outward appearance, although the inner body, including the heart and the liver, is asymmetric. A minimum hypercycle of four cycles at the origin of life is also in the symbiotic fusion of symmetry and asymmetry. The inevitability of deterministic symmetry and stochastic asymmetry underlying life is systematically revealed on the basis of physics as the weft and molecular biology as the warp. This work was presented in part at the First European Workshop on Artificial Life and Robotics, Vienna, Austria, July 12–13, 2007