Graphic Symbol Recognition using Graph Based Signature and Bayesian Network Classifier

We present a new approach for recognition of complex graphic symbols in technical documents. Graphic symbol recognition is a well known challenge in the field of document image analysis and is at heart of most graphic recognition systems. Our method uses structural approach for symbol representation and statistical classifier for symbol recognition. In our system we represent symbols by their graph based signatures: a graphic symbol is vectorized and is converted to an attributed relational graph, which is used for computing a feature vector for the symbol. This signature corresponds to geometry and topology of the symbol. We learn a Bayesian network to encode joint probability distribution of symbol signatures and use it in a supervised learning scenario for graphic symbol recognition. We have evaluated our method on synthetically deformed and degraded images of pre-segmented 2D architectural and electronic symbols from GREC databases and have obtained encouraging recognition rates.Comment: 5 pages, 8 figures, Tenth International Conference on Document Analysis and Recognition (ICDAR), IEEE Computer Society, 2009, volume 10, 1325-132

Creating visual aids with graphic organisers on an infinite canvas : the impact on the presenter

Instead of the traditional set of slides, the visual aids of a presentation can now be graphic organisers (concept maps, knowledge maps, mind maps) on an infinite canvas. Constructing graphic organisers has a beneficial impact on learning, but this topic has not been studied in the context of giving a presentation. The present study examined this issue by having 199 students prepare a presentation. The control sample created visual aids that are similar to a deck of slides with text and pictures. In the first experimental condition, graphic organisers were inserted in this deck of slides, and in the second experimental condition, visuals aids with interconnected graphic organisers were produced. There were no significant differences in self-reported self-efficacy related to giving a presentation and in motivational variables. To detect if the presentations met the principles set by the conditions, the participants’ products were coded qualitatively, but this analysis also yielded no differences in variables. Further research should therefore explore the interaction between software and presenter

Investigating the socio-constructivist dimension of online interactions: the case of synchronous audio-graphic conferencing systems

This study explores the quality of interactive patterns in audio-graphic conferencing environments and learners' involvement in interaction. Supporters of this technology claim that online interactions support socio-constructivist language learning. However, the existing literature does not indicate whether the quality of interaction required for realising constructivist principles of learning can affectively be ensured in such environments. The study is based on the Open University's online audio-graphic tuition environment, Lyceum. It investigates the verbal and written interactions of adult Open University students learning French. The data is analysed by different models of analysis pertaining to different socio-constructivist and cognitive models of analysis. The results show that students use high forms of thinking to engage in a cyclical rather than a linear process of knowledge construction. However, there is no evidence that this process is supported by the audio-graphic system itself. The tutor's style and task design play a more important role in supporting the learning process

Hitsville UK: punk in the faraway towns

This was an exhibition of UK punk rock record sleeve design across the period 1976-1984, and consisted of a wide range of record sleeves grouped by punk and post punk sub-genres, and a large format exhibition timeline mapping the chronology and geography of the graphic evolution of punk within this timeframe, using seven inch single sleeves as a representative case study for analysis. This was accompanied by a range of interactive and sound installations allowing users to view the production details of each sleeve and to hear the music on the records. The research consisted of a detailed analysis of ‘quintessentially punk artefacts’, the seven-inch ‘picture’ record sleeves associated with UK Punk. New perspectives on their production and their graphic characteristics including any recurring visual tropes or pictorial devices and the use of a DIY aesthetic were created. The period covered was c.1976-1984. Two important aspects of the research methodology were, firstly, to consider the graphic design of the record sleeves through the prism of the complex sub-cultural codes that were characteristic of UK Punk at this period and, secondly, to view these graphic artefacts as indissoluble from the UK Punk’s musical language. An additional feature of the research was the mapping of the diaspora of UK Punk form London, Manchester and other large cities to ‘the faraway towns’ by means of a visual matrix that demonstrated a widening geographic spread of seven-inch single production during much of period. The exhibitions which were slightly different in each venue, celebrated the wide range of graphic approaches adopted and redressed the balance of recent punk accounts which focus on the short-lived activities of UK Punk’s early years. Together with the visual matrix and real-size reproductions of a wide range of graphic material, the research resulted in an exhibition catalogue package that included three reversible posters, and an interactive web-based resource which links the seven-inch sleeve to its key musical track

Graphical dynamic trends for earthquake incidence response of plan-asymmetric systems

A Graphical Dynamic model is derived to describe the directional earthquake response of two-ways plan-asymmetric systems, which retains the insightful educational evidence of traditional graphical static methods and the accuracy of computational methods of analysis. The dynamic directional response is expressed in terms of modal rotational kinematics about modal centers of rotation, referred to as modal torsional pivots. Seismic forces and response decomposition are handled through geometric modal torsional trends and the earthquake incidence response envelopes are described through directional modal participation radii and graphic spectrum-based "8-shaped" directional influence circles. The graphic approach provides good predictions of the maximum response and of the critical angle computed through CQC3 and other directional analysis methods

Book Review: Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography - Representing Canadian History through Graphic Art

This paper explores how graphic art, specifically in the comic-strip form, can represent events of the past and engage readers in historical narratives. Chester Brown’s Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography tells history in a unique way by depicting heightened moments of drama in Riel’s life during the Red River Rebellion. Through vivid illustrations, Brown involves readers in the imaginative process and helps readers uncover Riel’s character and the choices he made during the series of events before his hanging for high treason in 1885. This paper contains original interpretations of Brown’s comic-strip biography, coupled with scholars’ opinions and critical analysis of Brown’s work. Brown’s comic-strip biography reveals how images in graphic novels can uniquely represent historical events and engage readers in historical narratives. The potential of graphic art at successfully representing the imagined communities of Canada should not be underestimated

Authorities/Knowledge/Beliefs/Outcomes: ‘Governing’ in the Profession of Graphic Design in the US

This exploratory research examines an under-evaluated aspect of graphic design in the United States: the nature of the profession. Discourse analysis that applies the theory of governmentality is used to assess previously collected, open-ended interviews with graphic designers, as well as other source material. Based on the late work of Michel Foucault, governmentality considers how authorities govern through the creation and dissemination of knowledge, which works through individuals’ desires and beliefs and leads to unpredictable outcomes. In this research, two ‘authorities’ within the graphic design profession are identified and considered – design competitions and graphic design higher education. Both authorities are loose and heterogeneous, spread across many organizations, locations, and individuals. These authorities govern through the creation and production of knowledge about what graphic design is and how to practice it. Governing is evidenced in documents, on Web sites, in education accreditation materials, and via practitioners’ and educators’ discourse. Governing works through practitioners’, educators’, and students’ desires to have their work validated by their peers, instructors, critics, judges, and the profession. The outcomes of this governing are varied. Practitioners accepted the awards, found external venues for validation, and questioned the structure and nature of the competitions. Educators questioned the composition and premise of graphic design education and shared knowledge about classroom policies. Practitioners questioned the definition of graphic design and its practice learned during schooling. Thus, the theory of governmentality is a tool for illuminating how the graphic design profession in the US governs. This exploratory analysis opens up new questions for graphic design research, education, and practice. Keywords: Graphic Design, Governmentality, Governing, Profession, Design Competitions, Education</p

Software fault tree analysis tool user's manual

The Software Fault Tree Analysis Tool allows the user to interactively modify the graphic representation of a fault tree. This manual describes the user interface of the tool. The tool is currently available only for Sun-2 workstations running 4.2 BSD Unix

MAKING MEANING USING SYSTEMIC FUNCTIONAL LINGUISTICS AND VISUAL GRAMMAR ANALYSIS: COMPARISON OF SOURCE TEXT AND TARGET TEXT REFLECTED IN THE MAIN CHARACTER OF GRAPHIC NOVEL V FOR VENDETTA

This research presents a project designed to investigate a systemic way of analyzing metafunctions’ shifts between source texts and target texts using systemic functional linguistic (SFL) collaborated with visual grammar (VS; systemic functional approach for images). The study tries to examine the correlation between verbal and visual systems and how it affects the making of meaning in graphic novel. The research is descriptive qualitative with embedded case study. The data is acquired from monologue and dialogue uttered by main character of the first graphic novel book V for Vendetta. Content analysis, questionnaire and focus group discussion are conducted to obtain necessity data. The results shows there are shifts in transitivity structure, lexical items, and clauses' interdependency undergo ideational metafunction, modality system and discourse marker shifts undergo interpersonal metafunction, thematic structures, cohesion devices, physical presentation shifts undergo textual metafunction. Also shifts in target text caused by context of visual structure in representational metafunction and compositional metafunction. Those shifts demonstrate meaning changed in target text and can be identified in each metafunctions. The metafunction representational and ideational deal with interpreting content, form, context and symbolized expression in graphic novel. The shifts in transitivity structure and lexical items are caused by intertextuality and the theatricality in the content, form, context and symbolized expression of V for vendetta graphic novel. Interpersonal metafunction relates with enacting social relation. Whereas textual and compositional metafunction deal with organizing text/images, contextualizing the narrative scope and build reading order

Using Java Technologies in Statistics Applications Data Analysis Graphic Generator

This paper proposes an idea for building a Java Application Programming Interface (API) that allows generating statistics graphics used in Data Analysis. The core of this API is a Java 2D library, and some classes which implement the 2D geometric transformations. The classes are small, fast, easy to use and can be integrated into your projects, and are completely written in pure Java. It allows users to easily develop and deploy sophisticated reports across any platform.Java API, Data Analysis, Graphics