Solving the small sample size problem in face recognition using generalized discriminant analysis

The goal of face recognition is to distinguish persons via their facial images. Each person's images form a cluster, and a new image is recognized by assigning it to the correct cluster. Since the images are very high-dimensional, it is necessary to reduce their dimension. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) has been shown to be effective at dimension reduction while preserving the cluster structure of the data. It is classically defined as an optimization problem involving covariance matrices that represent the scatter within and between clusters. The requirement that one of these matrices be nonsingular restricts its application to datasets in which the dimension of the data does not exceed the sample size. For face recognition, however, the dimension typically exceeds the number of images in the database, resulting in what is referred to as the small sample size problem. Recently, the applicability of LDA has been extended by using the generalized singular value decomposition (GSVD) to circumvent the nonsingularity requirement, thus making LDA directly applicable to face recognition data. Our experiments confirm that LDA/GSVD solves the small sample size problem very effectively as compared with other current methods.     

A stochastic realization algorithm via block LQ decomposition in Hilbert space

A stochastic realization problem of a stationary stochastic process is re-visited, and a new stochastically balanced realization algorithm is derived in a Hilbert space generated by second-order stationary processes. The present algorithm computes a stochastically balanced realization by means of the singular value decomposition of a weighted block Hankel matrix derived by a “block LQ decomposition”. Extension to a stochastic subspace identification method explains how the proposed abstract algorithm is implemented in system identification.     

Fundamental properties of reset control systems

Reset controllers are linear controllers that reset some of their states to zero when their input is zero. We are interested in their feedback connection with linear plants, and in this paper we establish fundamental closed-loop properties including stability and asymptotic tracking. This paper considers more general reset structures than previously considered, allowing for higher-order controllers and partial-state resetting. It gives a testable necessary and sufficient condition for quadratic stability and links it to both uniform bounded-input bounded-state stability and steady-state performance. Unlike previous related research, which includes the study of impulsive differential equations, our stability results require no assumptions on the evolution of reset times.     

Pedestrian detection and tracking at crossroads

This paper presents a system that can perform pedestrian detection and tracking using vision-based techniques. A very important issue in the field of intelligent transportation system is to prevent pedestrians from being hit by vehicles. Recently, a great number of vision-based techniques have been proposed for this purpose. In this paper, we propose a vision-based method, which combines the use of a pedestrian model as well as the walking rhythm of pedestrians to detect and track walking pedestrians. Through integrating some spatial and temporal information grabbed by a vision system, we are able to develop a reliable system that can be used to prevent traffic accidents happened at crossroads. In addition, the proposed system can deal with the occlusion problem. Experimental results obtained by executing some real world cases have demonstrated that the proposed system is indeed superb.     

An immune oriented multi-agent system for biological image processing

In this article, we present a parallel image processing system based on the concept of reactive agents. Our system lies in the oRis language, which allows to describe finely and simply the agents’ behaviors to detect image features. We also present a method of segmentation using a multi-agent system, and two biological applications made with oRis. The stopping of this multi-agent system is implemented through a technique issued from immunology: the apoptosis.     

Employing optimized combinations of one-class classifiers for automated currency validation

Automated currency validation requires a decision to be made regarding the authenticity of a banknote presented to the validation system. This decision often has to be made with little or no information regarding the characteristics of possible counterfeits as is the case for issues of new currency. A method for automated currency validation is presented which segments the whole banknote into different regions, builds individual classifiers on each region and then combines a small subset of the region specific classifiers to provide an overall decision. The segmentation and combination of region specific classifiers to provide optimized false positive and false negative rates is achieved by employing a genetic algorithm. Experiments based on high value notes of Sterling currency were carried out to assess the effectiveness of the proposed solution.     

Quadtree-based genetic algorithm and its applications to computer vision

Many computer vision problems can be formulated as optimization problems. Presented in this paper is a new framework based on the quadtree-based genetic algorithm that can be applied to solve many of these problems. The proposed algorithm incorporates the quadtree structure into the conventional genetic algorithm. The solutions of image-related problems are encoded through encoding the corresponding quadtrees, and therefore, the 2D locality within a solution can be preserved. Examples addressed using the proposed framework include image segmentation, stereo vision, and motion estimation. In all cases, encouraging results are obtained.     

A global output-feedback controller for stabilization and tracking of underactuated ODIN: A spherical underwater vehicle

This paper presents a method to design an output-feedback controller that simultaneously solves global asymptotic stabilization and tracking of an underactuated omni-directional intelligent navigator—a spherical underwater vehicle moving in a horizontal plane (i.e. at a constant depth). The vehicle does not have a sway actuator and has only position and orientation measurements available. The control development is based on Lyapunov's direct method, backstepping technique and use of interconnected structure of the vehicle dynamics. Numerical simulations demonstrate the results.