Bilateral polynomial matrix equations in two indeterminates

Two special cases of the bilateral 2-D polynomial matrix equationDU +VN=C whenC=I andC=I with being a -stable 2-D polynomial, which are related respectively to deadbeat and asymptotic control problems of 2-D systems, are first considered. By generalizing the concepts of factor coprimeness, zero coprimeness and zero skew primeness in the 2-D polynomial ring to the ring of causal -stable 2-D rational functions, a constructive solution of these two problems mentioned is proposed. Based on these results, we derive a solvability condition for the bilateral equiation whereC is a general 2-D polynomial matrix. The general solutions are investigated as well.     

An intelligent negotiator agent design for bilateral contracts of electrical energy

In this paper, an intelligent agent (using the Fuzzy SARSA learning approach) is proposed to negotiate for bilateral contracts (BC) of electrical energy in Block Forward Markets (BFM or similar market environments). In the BFM energy markets, the buyers (or loads) and the sellers (or generators) submit their bids and offers on a daily basis. The loads and generators could employ intelligent software agents to trade energy in BC markets on their behalves. Since each agent attempts to choose the best bid/offer in the market, conflict of interests might happen. In this work, the trading of energy in BC markets is modeled and solved using Game Theory and Reinforcement Learning (RL) approaches. The Stackelberg equation concept is used for the match making among load and generator agents. Then to overcome the negotiation limited time problems (it is assumed that a limited time is given to each generator–load pairs to negotiate and make an agreement), a Fuzzy SARSA Learning (FSL) method is used. The fuzzy feature of FSL helps the agent cope with continuous characteristics of the environment and also prevents it from the curse of dimensionality. The performance of the FSL (compared to other well-known traditional negotiation techniques, such as time-dependent and imitative techniques) is illustrated through simulation studies. The case study simulation results show that the FSL based agent could achieve more profits compared to the agents using other reviewed techniques in the BC energy market.     

HDR Image Generation based on Intensity Clustering and Local Feature Analysis

This paper describes a cluster-based method for combining differently exposed images in order to increase their dynamic range. Initially an image is decomposed into a set of arbitrary shaped regions. For each region we compute a utility function which is based on the amount of presented information and an entropy. This function is used to select the most appropriate exposure for each region. After the exposures are selected, a bilateral filtering is applied in order to make the interregional transitions smooth. As a result we obtain weighting coefficients for each exposure and pixel. An output image is combined from clusters of input images using weights. Each pixel of the output image is calculated as a weighted sum of exposures. The proposed method allows recovering details from overexposed and underexposed parts of image without producing additional noise. Our experiments show effectiveness of the algorithm for the high dynamic range scenes. It requires no information about shutter speed or camera parameters. This method shows robust results even if the exposure difference between input images is 2-stops or higher.     

A Fast Approximation of the Bilateral Filter Using a Signal Processing Approach

The bilateral filter is a nonlinear filter that smoothes a signal while preserving strong edges. It has demonstrated great effectiveness for a variety of problems in computer vision and computer graphics, and fast versions have been proposed. Unfortunately, little is known about the accuracy of such accelerations. In this paper, we propose a new signal-processing analysis of the bilateral filter which complements the recent studies that analyzed it as a PDE or as a robust statistical estimator. The key to our analysis is to express the filter in a higher-dimensional space where the signal intensity is added to the original domain dimensions. Importantly, this signal-processing perspective allows us to develop a novel bilateral filtering acceleration using downsampling in space and intensity. This affords a principled expression of accuracy in terms of bandwidth and sampling. The bilateral filter can be expressed as linear convolutions in this augmented space followed by two simple nonlinearities. This allows us to derive criteria for downsampling the key operations and achieving important acceleration of the bilateral filter. We show that, for the same running time, our method is more accurate than previous acceleration techniques. Typically, we are able to process a 2 megapixel image using our acceleration technique in less than a second, and have the result be visually similar to the exact computation that takes several tens of minutes. The acceleration is most effective with large spatial kernels. Furthermore, this approach extends naturally to color images and cross bilateral filtering.     

Quickly locating efficient, equitable deals in automated negotiations under two-sided information uncertainty

This paper develops an automated negotiation procedure inclusive of mechanism design and agent design for bilateral multi-issue negotiations under two-sided information uncertainty. The proposed negotiation mechanism comprises a protocol called MUP (Monotonic Utility-granting Protocol) and a matching strategy called WYDIWYG (What You Display Influences What You Get). The proposed preference elicitation procedure makes the agents faithful surrogates of the user they represent while the proposed Frontier Tracking Proposal Construction Algorithm (FTPCA) makes them learn the opponent's flexibility in negotiation and respond appropriately. The mechanism design and the agent design together help in locating efficient and equitable deals quickly. The efficiency, stability, simplicity, distribution symmetry and incentive compatibility of the proposed procedure are demonstrated through negotiation simulation experiments.     

Strategic Interactions of Bilateral Monopoly on a Private Highway

This paper investigates strategic interactions between a private highway operator and a private transit operator who uses the same highway for its services. Heterogeneity of travellers is taken into account by considering a continuous distribution of values of time. Demand elasticity arises from the inclusion of an outside virtual mode. Game theory is applied to model the possible moves taken by the operators in their interactions. Four games are formulated, representing different decision making processes, including Nash and Stackelberg (leader-follower) games. The different timings of long-run and short-run decisions are also modeled in a two-stage game. Our results indicate that the market equilibria in the four games formulated are quite different as a result of the different sequences of moves. The highway operator is considered to be in a better position in terms of profit making in most cases, while for the transit operator it will generally be more advantageous to be the follower rather than in the leader position.     

江南古镇的街坊空间结构解析

街坊空间作为江南古镇的主体空间,由"间"、合院、院落组、地块等基本空间元素构成.由于居住情况变化、生活方式改变、古镇区主导性质变化等方面的原因,江南古镇街坊空间的形态日趋复杂化,空间结构从单向构成向双向构成模式转化.这种结构转化既是古镇街坊空间不断调整、发展从而适应新环境、满足新需求的过程,也是古镇街坊空间作为一个系统,自组织发展的过程.然而,由于缺少系统的规划和管理,这种结构的转化也造成了一些负面影响.     

表情和姿态的双模态情感识别

多模态情感识别是当前情感计算研究领域的重要内容,针对人脸表情和动作姿态开展双模态情感识别研究,提出一种基于双边稀疏偏最小二乘的表情和姿态的双模态情感识别方法.首先,从视频图像系列中分别提取表情和姿态两种模态的空时特征作为情感特征矢量.然后,通过双边稀疏偏最小二乘(BSPLS)的数据降维方法来进一步提取两组模态中的情感特征,并组合成新的情感特征向量.最后,采用了两种分类器来进行情感的分类识别.以国际上广泛采用的FABO表情和姿态的双模态情感数据库为实验数据,并与多种子空间方法(主成分分析、典型相关分析、偏最小二乘回归)进行对比实验来评估本文方法的识别性能.实验结果表明,两种模态融合后相比单模态更加有效,双边稀疏偏最小二乘(BSPLS)算法在几种方法中得到最高的情感识别率.     

基于区间估计的单幅图像快速去雾

针对雾、霾等天气条件下捕获的图像存在严重降质现象,该文提出一种基于区间估计的单幅图像快速去雾方法。该方法从大气散射模型出发,基于暗通道先验理论,利用最小值滤波和灰度开运算,通过区间估计得到大气光值,同时得到介质传输率的初始估计值。通过对大气光照进行白平衡处理,从而得到简化大气散射模型。然后,利用简化大气散射模型和介质传输率的初始估计值,通过区间估计得到场景反照率的暗通道值,进一步得到介质传输率的粗略估计值。将介质传输率的初始估计值和粗略估计值进行像素级融合,通过联合双边滤波和值域调整得到介质传输率的最终估计值。最后,通过简化大气散射模型和色调调整得到去雾图像。实验结果表明,所提算法具有较快的运算速度,能有效提高去雾图像的清晰度和对比度,同时获得较好的色调保真度。