Hidden-Markov-Models-Based Dynamic Hand Gesture Recognition

This paper is concerned with the recognition of dynamic hand gestures. A method based on Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) is presented for dynamic gesture trajectory modeling and recognition. Adaboost algorithm is used to detect the user's hand and a contour-based hand tracker is formed combining condensation and partitioned sampling. Cubic B-spline is adopted to approximately fit the trajectory points into a curve. Invariant curve moments as global features and orientation as local features are computed to represent the trajectory of hand gesture. The proposed method can achieve automatic hand gesture online recognition and can successfully reject atypical gestures. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can reach better recognition results than the traditional hand recognition method

Partially hidden Markov models for privacy-preserving modeling of indoor trajectories

Markov models are natural tools for modeling trajectories, following the principle that recent location history is predictive of near-future directions. In this work we study Markov models for describing and predicting human movement in indoor spaces, with the goal of modeling the movement on a coarse scale to protect the privacy of the individuals. Modern positioning devices, however, provide location information on a much more finer scale. To utilize this additional information we develop a novel family of partially hidden Markov models that couple each observed state with an auxiliary side information vector characterizing the movement within the coarse grid cell. We implement the model as a non-parametric Bayesian model and demonstrate it on real-world trajectory data collected in a hypermarket.Peer reviewe

Projected and Hidden Markov Models for calculating kinetics and metastable states of complex molecules

Markov state models (MSMs) have been successful in computing metastable states, slow relaxation timescales and associated structural changes, and stationary or kinetic experimental observables of complex molecules from large amounts of molecular dynamics simulation data. However, MSMs approximate the true dynamics by assuming a Markov chain on a clusters discretization of the state space. This approximation is difficult to make for high-dimensional biomolecular systems, and the quality and reproducibility of MSMs has therefore been limited. Here, we discard the assumption that dynamics are Markovian on the discrete clusters. Instead, we only assume that the full phase- space molecular dynamics is Markovian, and a projection of this full dynamics is observed on the discrete states, leading to the concept of Projected Markov Models (PMMs). Robust estimation methods for PMMs are not yet available, but we derive a practically feasible approximation via Hidden Markov Models (HMMs). It is shown how various molecular observables of interest that are often computed from MSMs can be computed from HMMs / PMMs. The new framework is applicable to both, simulation and single-molecule experimental data. We demonstrate its versatility by applications to educative model systems, an 1 ms Anton MD simulation of the BPTI protein, and an optical tweezer force probe trajectory of an RNA hairpin

Real-Time Predictive Modeling and Robust Avoidance of Pedestrians with Uncertain, Changing Intentions

To plan safe trajectories in urban environments, autonomous vehicles must be able to quickly assess the future intentions of dynamic agents. Pedestrians are particularly challenging to model, as their motion patterns are often uncertain and/or unknown a priori. This paper presents a novel changepoint detection and clustering algorithm that, when coupled with offline unsupervised learning of a Gaussian process mixture model (DPGP), enables quick detection of changes in intent and online learning of motion patterns not seen in prior training data. The resulting long-term movement predictions demonstrate improved accuracy relative to offline learning alone, in terms of both intent and trajectory prediction. By embedding these predictions within a chance-constrained motion planner, trajectories which are probabilistically safe to pedestrian motions can be identified in real-time. Hardware experiments demonstrate that this approach can accurately predict pedestrian motion patterns from onboard sensor/perception data and facilitate robust navigation within a dynamic environment.Comment: Submitted to 2014 International Workshop on the Algorithmic Foundations of Robotic