Ambient Agents: Embedded Agents for Remote Control and Monitoring Using the PANGEA Platform

Ambient intelligence has advanced significantly during the last few years. The incorporation of image processing and artificial intelligence techniques have opened the possibility for such aspects as pattern recognition, thus allowing for a better adaptation of these systems. This study presents a new model of an embedded agent especially designed to be implemented in sensing devices with resource constraints. This new model of an agent is integrated within the PANGEA (Platform for the Automatic Construction of Organiztions of Intelligent Agents) platform, an organizational-based platform, defining a new sensor role in the system and aimed at providing contextual information and interacting with the environment. A case study was developed over the PANGEA platform and designed using different agents and sensors responsible for providing user support at home in the event of incidents or emergencies. The system presented in the case study incorporates agents in Arduino hardware devices with recognition modules and illuminated bands; it also incorporates IP cameras programmed for automatic tracking, which can connect remotely in the event of emergencies. The user wears a bracelet, which contains a simple vibration sensor that can receive notifications about the emergency situation

Toward unconstrained fingerprint recognition : a fully touchless 3-D system based on two views on the move

Touchless fingerprint recognition systems do not require contact of the finger with any acquisition surface and thus provide an increased level of hygiene, usability, and user acceptability of fingerprint-based biometric technologies. The most accurate touchless approaches compute 3-D models of the fingertip. However, a relevant drawback of these systems is that they usually require constrained and highly cooperative acquisition methods. We present a novel, fully touchless fingerprint recognition system based on the computation of 3-D models. It adopts an innovative and less-constrained acquisition setup compared with other previously reported 3-D systems, does not require contact with any surface or a finger placement guide, and simultaneously captures multiple images while the finger is moving. To compensate for possible differences in finger placement, we propose novel algorithms for computing 3-D models of the shape of a finger. Moreover, we present a new matching strategy based on the computation of multiple touch-compatible images. We evaluated different aspects of the biometric system: acceptability, usability, recognition performance, robustness to environmental conditions and finger misplacements, and compatibility and interoperability with touch-based technologies. The proposed system proved to be more acceptable and usable than touch-based techniques. Moreover, the system displayed satisfactory accuracy, achieving an equal error rate of 0.06% on a dataset of 2368 samples acquired in a single session and 0.22% on a dataset of 2368 samples acquired over the course of one year. The system was also robust to environmental conditions and to a wide range of finger rotations. The compatibility and interoperability with touch-based technologies was greater or comparable to those reported in public tests using commercial touchless devices

New platform for intelligent context-based distributed information fusion

Tesis por compendio de publicaciones[ES]Durante las últimas décadas, las redes de sensores se han vuelto cada vez más importantes y hoy en día están presentes en prácticamente todos los sectores de nuestra sociedad. Su gran capacidad para adquirir datos y actuar sobre el entorno, puede facilitar la construcción de sistemas sensibles al contexto, que permitan un análisis detallado y flexible de los procesos que ocurren y los servicios que se pueden proporcionar a los usuarios. Esta tesis doctoral se presenta en el formato de “Compendio de Artículos”, de tal forma que las principales características de la arquitectura multi-agente distribuida propuesta para facilitar la interconexión de redes de sensores se presentan en tres artículos bien diferenciados. Se ha planteado una arquitectura modular y ligera para dispositivos limitados computacionalmente, diseñando un mecanismo de comunicación flexible que permite la interacción entre diferentes agentes embebidos, desplegados en dispositivos de tamaño reducido. Se propone un nuevo modelo de agente embebido, como mecanismo de extensión para la plataforma PANGEA. Además, se diseña un nuevo modelo de organización virtual de agentes especializada en la fusión de información. De esta forma, los agentes inteligentes tienen en cuenta las características de las organizaciones existentes en el entorno a la hora de proporcionar servicios. El modelo de fusión de información presenta una arquitectura claramente diferenciada en 4 niveles, siendo capaz de obtener la información proporcionada por las redes de sensores (capas inferiores) para ser integrada con organizaciones virtuales de agentes (capas superiores). El filtrado de señales, minería de datos, sistemas de razonamiento basados en casos y otras técnicas de Inteligencia Artificial han sido aplicadas para la consecución exitosa de esta investigación. Una de las principales innovaciones que pretendo con mi estudio, es investigar acerca de nuevos mecanismos que permitan la adición dinámica de redes de sensores combinando diferentes tecnologías con el propósito final de exponer un conjunto de servicios de usuario de forma distribuida. En este sentido, se propondrá una arquitectura multiagente basada en organizaciones virtuales que gestione de forma autónoma la infraestructura subyacente constituida por el hardware y los diferentes sensores

HIERARCHICAL-GRANULARITY HOLONIC MODELLING

This thesis aims to introduce an agent-based system engineering approach, named Hierarchical-Granularity Holonic Modelling, to support intelligent information processing at multiple granularity levels. The focus is especially on complex hierarchical systems. Nowadays, due to ever growing complexity of information systems and processes, there is an increasing need of a simple self-modular computational model able to manage data and perform information granulation at different resolutions (i.e., both spatial and temporal). The current literature lacks to provide such a methodology. To cite a relevant example, the object-oriented paradigm is suitable for describing a system at a given representation level; notwithstanding, further design effort is needed if a more synthetical of more analytical view of the same system is required. In the literature, the agent paradigm represents a viable solution in complex systems modelling; in particular, Multi-Agent Systems have been applied with success in a countless variety of distributed intelligence settings. Current agent-oriented implementations however suffer from an apparent dichotomy between agents as intelligent entities and agents\u2019 structures as superimposed hierarchies of roles within a given organization. The agents\u2019 architectures are often rigid and require intense re-engineering when the underpinning ontology is updated to cast new design criteria. The latest stage in the evolution of modelling frameworks is represented by Holonic Systems, based on the notion of \u2018holon\u2019 and \u2018holarchy\u2019 (i.e., hierarchy of holons). A holon, just like an agent, is an intelligent entity able to interact with the environment and to take decisions to solve a specific problem. Contrarily to agent, holon has the noteworthy property of playing the role of a whole and a part at the same time. This reflects at the organizational level: holarchy functions first as autonomous wholes in supra-ordination to their parts, secondly as dependent parts in sub-ordination to controls on higher levels, and thirdly in coordination with their local environment. These ideas were originally devised by Arthur Koestler in 1967. Since then, Holonic Systems have gained more and more credit in various fields such as Biology, Ecology, Theory of Emergence and Intelligent Manufacturing. Notwithstanding, with respect to these disciplines, fewer works on Holonic Systems can be found in the general framework of Artificial and Computational Intelligence. Moreover, the distance between theoretic models and actual implementation is still wide open. In this thesis, starting from the Koestler\u2019s original idea, we devise a novel agent-inspired model that merges intelligence with the holonic structure at multiple hierarchical-granularity levels. This is made possible thanks to a rule-based knowledge recursive representation, which allows the holonic agent to carry out both operating and learning tasks in a hierarchy of granularity levels. The proposed model can be directly used in terms of hardware/software applications. This endows systems and software engineers with a modular and scalable approach when dealing with complex hierarchical systems. In order to support our claims, exemplar experiments of our proposal are shown and prospective implications are commented

Inteligência Ambiente em serviços de saúde baseada em ontologias e na descoberta de conhecimento em bases de dados e/ou bases de conhecimento

Tese de doutoramento em Engenharia BiomédicaAvanços em novas Metodologias para a Resolução de Problemas e o uso de Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC) possibilitam uma nova conceção dos processos ao nível dos Serviços de Saúde, baseados no uso e na integração de dados e conhecimentos a todos os níveis, num ambiente relacionado com Instituições de Saúde. De facto, as novas tecnologias de comunicação suportarão a transição de uma aproximação baseada na instituição, para uma abordagem baseada no utente, i.e., o Sistema de Saúde está confrontado com uma série de desafios, nomeadamente os relacionados com a qualidade da informação e o custo de tais processos. Por outro lado, o nível de saúde já atingido em Portugal não permite uma degradação do nível e qualidade de serviços já oferecidos aos cidadãos a quem constitucionalmente é garantido o direto à saúde. Importa encontrar formas de concertar a governação clínica (clinical governance) com a gestão económica dos serviços de saúde, muito particularmente para a desejada sustentabilidade do Serviço Nacional de Saúde. A prestação de cuidados de saúde a custos controlados, dotando o utente de capacidade para participar nesse processo, e a utilização e reutilização de informação, são aspetos importantes para a instituição prestadora de cuidados de saúde. O nosso principal intuito será o de encontrar formas e métodos de superação da atual dispersão de informação nos diversos serviços, departamentos e setores da saúde, muito coincidentes com a situação deficitária, por vezes desagregada, dissociada dos problemas, onde impera a desmotivação e se propiciam assimetrias nos cuidados de saúde sejam hospitalares, ou ao nível dos cuidados primários e outros. Importará garantir a acessibilidade aos cidadãos, particularmente aos doentes, disponibilizando cuidados de saúde oportunos, integradores, que respeitem as reais necessidades de saúde das pessoas e sejam administrados segundo as melhores práticas de gestão clínica e de administração. Para promover tal desiderato importa articular e integrar procedimentos, controlar metas e resultados. Importará maximizar a utilização das TIC’s, exigindo-se para tal soluções de integração e interoperabilidade de processos, criando verdadeiros sistemas de informação integrados, multidisciplinares, que considerem as necessidades e legítimos interesses dos stakeholders da saúde. As infraestruturas das TIC’s deverão, por conseguinte, refletir a visão do sistema de prestação de cuidados de saúde de forma não intrusiva, onde a informação possa fluir de forma transparente entre as instituições e os profissionais de saúde. Assim, o trabalho desenvolvido e apresentado nesta tese abordará aspetos chave que deverão estar relacionados com a utilização da tecnologia e dos sistemas de informação numa visão centrada no utente, na prestação de cuidados de saúde e na gestão e prevenção de doenças. Tratar-se-á de consolidar uma visão global da assistência hospitalar, articulada e integrada com outros setores e saberes, oferecendo aos cidadãos cuidados de saúde garantidamente adequados, sustentados em processos de integração da informação e de automação aceitáveis e oportunos, atendendo às ontologias médicas e melhores práticas profissionais, que transmitam maior proximidade aos utentes, permitindo, no limite, monitorizar e tratar os doentes no seu domicílio.Advances in new Methodologies for Problem Solving and Information Technology enable a fundamental redesign of health care processes based on the use and integration of data and/or knowledge at all levels, in a healthcare environment. Indeed, new communication technologies will support the transition from institution centric to patient-centric based applications, i.e., the health care system is faced with a series of challenges, namely those concerning quality-ofinformation and the cost-effectiveness of such processes. On the other hand, the health level achieved in Portugal does not allow anymore the degradation of the quality of services provided to citizens, to whom, constitutionally, is guaranteed the right to have health care treatments. It is important to gather clinical governance with the economic management of health care services, particularly to achieve the desired sustainability of the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde). The distribution of cost-effective health care allowing the patient to take active part in the caring process, provision of evidence based care on all levels in the system and effective use and reuse of information are key issues for the health care organization. Our main aim will be the finding of ways and methods to overpass the actual scattering of information through the services, departments and health sectors, where personal motivation is difficult to attain, and the health care treatments are becoming disparate, at all levels. It should be guaranteed, to the citizens, mainly the sick or the needy, providing timely health care concerning the real needs of people through practices recognized as the best, from the clinical point of view. To promote such goal it is important to integrate procedures and to control results. The use of IT’s should be maximized through the application of interoperability procedures, creating truly integrated information services, considering the needs and interests of the health care stakeholders. The information and communication technology infrastructure should, therefore, reflect the view of the health care system as a seamless system where information can flow across organizational and professional borders. Thus, the work presented in this thesis, it will be address key principles that must be at the center of patient-centered use of technologies for the health care and disease management and prevention. A global vision of hospital assistance will be gathered, integrated with other sectors an know-how, providing citizens with adequate health care services, supported by information integration and automation procedures acceptable and secure, respecting clinical ontologies and the best medical practices, insuring the needed proximity to citizens, allowing, at the limit, to monitor ant to give care to patients at home

A proposal of ubiquitous fuzzy computing for ambient intelligence

Ambient Intelligence is considered as the composition of three emergent technologies: Ubiquitous Computing, Ubiquitous Communication and Intelligent User Interfaces. The aim of integration of aforesaid technologies is to make wider the interaction between human beings and information technology equipment through the usage of an invisible network of ubiquitous computing devices composing dynamic computational-ecosystems capable of satisfy the users requirements. Many works focus the attention on the interaction from users to devices in order to allow an universal and immediate access to available content and services provided by the environment. This paper, vice versa, focuses on the reverse interactions, from devices to users, in order to realize a collection of autonomous control services able to minimize the human effort. In particular, by merging computational intelligence methodologies with standard Web technologies we show how ubiquitous devices will be able to find the suitable set of intelligent services in a transparent way. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved