DEVELOPMENT TOOL FOR COMPUTER VISION SYSTEMS AT PIXEL LEVEL

This paper describes a tool to aid the development of computer vision applications for pixel-level diagnosis. A conceptual framework for constructing pixel processors is described. The proposed tool is based on two domains: one deals with numerical images, named features, and the other deals with symbolic images, named classes. A reduced set of image and operator types is defined. Based on it, an object-oriented language is described. The main objects define features and classes and their associated operators, namely procedures, classifiers, and rules. All system control is goal oriented and is designed to provide symbolic images as results when a request is received from a higher level of the image understanding system. Some knowledge engineering concepts, such as certainty control and instances, are also included.     

AN APPROACH TOWARD CONSISTENCY DEGREES OF FUZZY THEORIES

In fuzzy logic-in wider, but also in narrow sense-the problem of consistency has been discussed more or less occasionally from different points of view. Up to now, however, it has usually not been taken as really important. This may be partly caused by a rather restricted understanding of what is to be meant by consistency or inconsistency in fuzzy logic in the wider sense-e.g. in fuzzy control as one of the main applicational fields of fuzzy logic.

In this paper we deal with fuzzy theories in the realm of the fuzzy logic in narrow sense. Based on the fact that usually an "interactive", r-norm based conjunction is considered together with the min-based conjunction one has in a natural way two different consistency condition. We look here at the weaker one.     

An application-oriented,optimization-based methodology for interactive design of engineering systems†

Motivated by a control system example, a new methodology is proposed for tackling optimal design of engineering systems. This methodology emphasizes designer's intuition and man-machine interaction. It includes a classification of specifications into various types and a scaling of specification space and parameter spaces based on the designer's knowledge of the particular application. An algorithm is proposed for solving the resulting constrained ‘minimax’ optimization problem and its convergence is proved. Finally, an application-oriented user front-end is presented. The methodology discussed in this paper has been implemented in the DELIGHT system and has been successfully used in various types of applications.     

Technical Note Simulation of MEIS-II data on 5S code to quantify algal concentration in an intertidal area

An atmospheric correction algorithm due to Deschamps et al. (1981) has been applied to MEIS-II data. Some atmospheric conditions such as continental and maritime aerosol models have been used in this work. Simulation on 5S code was made with Thematic Mapper Band 4 and Spot band 3. All these pieces of the puzzle permitted the qualification of algal concentration in an intertidal area, which was the aim of this work. Continental or maritime aerosol models gave a similar result due probably to the specific area, located between land and nearshore. Apparent radiance is smaller than corrected radiance because absorption process takes place in this part of the spectrum (0.8 to 0.9μm). When apparent radiance is higher than 30 Wm^?2 sr^?1 μm^?1 algal concentration is overestimated by up to 60 per cent.     

Nearest neighbour analysis applied to synthetic aperture radar images for the description of urban land cover and land use

This article presents an analysis method for the creation of an image variable that represents built-up land cover and land use within the urban fabric. The method is inspired by the nearest neighbour analysis and the data are from the synthetic aperture radar systems COSMO-SkyMed (CSK) and Radarsat-2 (RS2). Point features were identified from the extreme high backscattering values for each image and the spatial pattern extracted to represent the proportion of built-up land cover as clustered, random, or dispersed. The coefficient of association between the continuous nearest neighbour ratio image and the land-cover percentage cover in four classes are ?0.9 and ?0.8 with the CSK and the RS2 images, respectively. Considering a two-class land-cover scheme, the coefficient of association between variables approaches ?0.9 for both images. Clustered features highlight individual buildings that are mixed in various neighbouring land-cover and land-use types. Residential land use is particularly well outlined using the CSK image, while large institutional, commercial, and light industry buildings are enhanced through the RS2 cross-polarization nearest neighbour ratio images.     

A slip model for micro/nano gas flows induced by body forces

A slip model for gas flows in micro/nano-channels induced by external body forces is derived based on Maxwell’s collision theory between gas molecules and the wall. The model modifies the relationship between slip velocity and velocity gradient at the walls by introducing a new parameter in addition to the classic Tangential Momentum Accommodation Coefficient. Three-dimensional Molecular Dynamics simulations of helium gas flows under uniform body force field between copper flat walls with different channel height are used to validate the model and to determine this new parameter.     

Inhomogeneous shear flows of linear polymers

Solutions of a system of equations of nonlinear viscoelastic fluid motion describing inhomogeneous shear flows of linear polymers are indicated.Notation _ij stress tensor - p pressure - F_i mass force vector - _ij Kronecker delta - coefficient of shear viscosity - relaxation time - _ij inner parameter - _ij=vi/x_j velocity gradient tensor - ₀ initial value of the shear viscosity coefficient - ₀ initial value of the relaxation time - D dimensionless first invariant of the additional stress tensor - A, B, C constants of integration - f(D) universal function characterizing the material - r, , z cylindrical coordinates - u=v_z axial component of the velocity vector - v=v circumferential component of the velocity vector - ₁, ₂ first and second differences of the normal stress - Q volume mass flow rate - R radius of a circular tube - R₁, R₂ radii of the inner and outer cylinders, respectively - M moment per unit length Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 449–456, September, 1981.     

Ergonomic contribution of ABLE exoskeleton in automotive industry

In PSA Peugeot Citroen factories, high precision requirements of workstations make them being manual. One of the main goal of the car manufacturer is to minimize the pain of workers while maintaining high efficiency of production lines. Consequently, assisting operators with an exoskeleton is a potential solution for improving ergonomics of painful workstations while respecting industrial constraints. To determine ergonomic performances of an exoskeleton, human joint angles and torques, ground reaction forces, and duration of operations are analysed for eight subjects performing a representative screwing task. Experiments were performed using ABLE upper-limb exoskeleton, developed by the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), which has the functionality to compensate arm and tools loads. Results show a clear reduction of the sum of the joints torques, up to 38.9%, given by ABLE supply and invite to make concrete the use of exoskeletons in car assembly lines.