Analysis of surface parametrizations for modern photometric stereo modeling

Tridimensional shape recovery based on Photometric Stereo (PS) recently received a strong improvement due to new mathematical models based on partial differential irradiance equation ratios. This modern approach to PS faces more realistic physical effects among which light attenuation and radial light propagation from a point light source. Since the approximation of the surface is performed with single step method, accurate reconstruction is prevented by sensitiveness to noise. In this paper we analyse a well-known parametrization of the tridimensional surface extending it on any auxiliary convex projection functions. Experiments on synthetic data show preliminary results where more accurate reconstruction can be achieved using more suitable parametrization specially in case of noisy input images

Unifying diffuse and specular reflections for the photometric stereo problem

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from IEEE via http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/WACV.2016.7477643After thirty years of researching, the photometric stereo technique for 3D shape recovery still does not provide reliable results if it is not constrained into very well-controlled scenarios. In fact, dealing with realistic materials and lightings yields a non-linear bidirectional reflectance distribution function which is primarily difficult to parametrize and then arduous to solve. With the aim to let the photometric stereo approach face more realistic assumptions, in this work we firstly introduce a unified irradiance equation describing both diffuse and specular reflection components in a general lighting setting. After that, we define a new equation we call unifying due to its basic features modeling the photometric stereo problem for heterogeneous materials. It is provided by making the ratio of irradiance equations holding both diffuse and specular reflections as well as non-linear light propagation features simultaneously. Performing a wide range of experiments, we show that this new approach overcomes state-of-the-art since it leads to a system of unifying equations which can be solved in a very robust manner using an efficient variational approach.Experimental setups were provided by Toulouse Tech Transfer, and this collaboration was funded by CNRS GdR 2286 (MIA)

Ontological Matchmaking in Recommender Systems

The electronic marketplace offers great potential for the recommendation of supplies. In the so called recommender systems, it is crucial to apply matchmaking strategies that faithfully satisfy the predicates specified in the demand, and take into account as much as possible the user preferences. We focus on real-life ontology-driven matchmaking scenarios and identify a number of challenges, being inspired by such scenarios. A key challenge is that of presenting the results to the users in an understandable and clear-cut fashion in order to facilitate the analysis of the results. Indeed, such scenarios evoke the opportunity to rank and group the results according to specific criteria. A further challenge consists of presenting the results to the user in an asynchronous fashion, i.e. the 'push' mode, along with the 'pull' mode, in which the user explicitly issues a query, and displays the results. Moreover, an important issue to consider in real-life cases is the possibility of submitting a query to multiple providers, and collecting the various results. We have designed and implemented an ontology-based matchmaking system that suitably addresses the above challenges. We have conducted a comprehensive experimental study, in order to investigate the usability of the system, the performance and the effectiveness of the matchmaking strategies with real ontological datasets.Comment: 28 pages, 8 figure

Teaching Construction in the Virtual University: the WINDS project

This paper introduces some of the Information Technology solutions adopted in Web based INtelligent Design Support (WINDS) to support education in A/E/C design. The WINDS project WINDS is an EC-funded project in the 5th Framework, Information Society Technologies programme, Flexible University key action. WINDS is divided into two actions: ·The research technology action is going to implement a learning environment integrating an intelligent tutoring system, a computer instruction management system and a set of co-operative supporting tools. ·The development action is going to build a large knowledge base supporting Architecture and Civil Engineering Design Courses and to experiment a comprehensive Virtual School of Architecture and Engineering Design. During the third year of the project, more than 400 students all over Europe will attend the Virtual School. During the next three years the WINDS project will span a total effort of about 150 man-years from 28 partners of 10 European countries. The missions of the WINDS project are: Advanced Methodologies in Design Education. WINDS drives a breakdown with conventional models in design education, i.e. classroom or distance education. WINDS implements a problem oriented knowledge transfer methodology following Roger Schank's Goal Based Scenario (GBS) pedagogical methodology. GBS encourages the learning of both skills and cases, and fosters creative problem solving. Multidisciplinary Design Education. Design requires creative synthesis and open-end problem definition at the intersection of several disciplines. WINDS experiments a valuable integration of multidisciplinary design knowledge and expertise to produce a high level standard of education. Innovative Representation, Delivery and Access to Construction Education. WINDS delivers individual education customisation by allowing the learner access through the Internet to a wide range of on-line courses and structured learning objects by means of personally tailored learning strategies. WINDS promotes the 3W paradigm: learn What you need, Where you want, When you require. Construction Practice. Construction industry is a repository of ""best practices"" and knowledge that the WINDS will profit. WINDS system benefits the ISO10303 and IFC standards to acquire knowledge of the construction process directly in digital format. On the other hand, WINDS reengineers the knowledge in up-to-date courses, educational services, which the industries can use to provide just-in-time rather than in-advance learning. WINDS IT Solutions The missions of the WINDS project state many challenging requirements both in knowledge and system architecture. Many of the solutions adopted in these fields are innovative; others are evolution of existing technologies. This paper focuses on the integration of this set of state-of-the-art technologies in an advanced and functionally sound Computer Aided Instruction system for A/E/C Design. In particular the paper deals with the following aspects: Standard Learning Technology Architecture The WINDS system relies on the in progress IEEE 1484.1 Learning Technology Standard Architecture. According to this standard the system consists of two data stores, the Knowledge Library and the Record Database, and four process: System Coach, Delivery, Evaluation and the Learner. WINDS implements the Knowledge Library into a three-tier architecture: 1.Learning Objects: ·Learning Units are collections of text and multimedia data. ·Models are represented in either IFC or STEP formats. ·Cases are sets of Learning Units and Models. Cases are noteworthy stories, which describes solutions, integrate technical detail, contain relevant design failures etc. 2.Indexes refer to the process in which the identification of relevant topics in design cases and learning units takes place. Indexing process creates structures of Learning Objects for course management, profile planning procedures and reasoning processes. 3.Courses are taxonomies of either Learning Units or a design task and Course Units. Knowledge Representation WINDS demonstrates that it is possible and valuable to integrate a widespread design expertise so that it can be effectively used to produce a high level standard of education. To this aim WINDS gathers area knowledge, design skills and expertise under the umbrellas of common knowledge representation structures and unambiguous semantics. Cases are one of the most valuable means for the representation of design expertise. A Case is a set of Learning Units and Product Models. Cases are noteworthy stories, which describe solutions, integrate technical details, contain relevant design failures, etc. Knowledge Integration Indexes are a medium among different kind of knowledge: they implement networks for navigation and access to disparate documents: HTML, video, images, CAD and product models (STEP or IFC). Concept indexes link learning topics to learning objects and group them into competencies. Index relationships are the base of the WINDS reasoning processes, and provide the foundation for system coaching functions, which proactively suggest strategies, solutions, examples and avoids students' design deadlock. Knowledge Distribution To support the data stores and the process among the partners in 10 countries efficiently, WINDS implements an object oriented client/server as COM objects. Behind the DCOM components there is the Dynamic Kernel, which dynamically embodies and maintains data stores and process. Components of the Knowledge Library can reside on several servers across the Internet. This provides for distributed transactions, e.g. a change in one Learning Object affects the Knowledge Library spread across several servers in different countries. Learning objects implemented as COM objects can wrap ownership data. Clear and univocal definition of ownerships rights enables Universities, in collaboration with telecommunication and publisher companies, to act as "education brokers". Brokerage in education and training is an innovative paradigm to provide just-in-time and personally customised value added learning knowledg

Mobiles and wearables: owner biometrics and authentication

We discuss the design and development of HCI models for authentication based on gait and gesture that can be supported by mobile and wearable equipment. The paper proposes to use such biometric behavioral traits for partially transparent and continuous authentication by means of behavioral patterns. © 2016 Copyright held by the owner/author(s)

Persepsi Pemustaka Pada Layanan Perpustakaan Keliling Di Alun-alun Mini Ungaran Kabupaten Semarang

Judul skripsi ini adalah “Persepsi Pemustaka pada Layanan Perpustakaan Keliling di Alun-alun Mini Ungaran Kabupaten Semarang”. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui bagaimana persepsi pemustaka pada layanan perpustakaan keliling di Alun-alun Mini Ungaran Kabupaten Semarang. Skripsi ini menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif jenis deskriptif bentuk studi kasus. Dalam skripsi ini diambil lima informan yang memenuhi kriteria sebagai informan. Teknik pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan teknik Purposive sampling. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan observasi, dokumen, dan wawancara. Pengolahan data menggunakan reduksi data dengan membuat transkrip, mengelompokkan, kemudian membuat analisis. Penyajian data dilakukan dengan mendeskripsikan hasil dari reduksi data serta menarik kesimpulan. Penelitian ini melihat dari segi bukti langsung, kehandalan, daya tanggap, jaminan, dan empati. Hasil analisis diketahui bahwa persepsi pemustaka pada layanan perpustakaan keliling terkait dengan bukti langsung pemustaka mengetahui adanya layanan perpustakaan keliling, letak perpustakaan keliling sudah strategis, fasilitas sudah bagus, koleksi lumayan lengkap, perilaku dan penampilan petugas baik, rapi, trampil, dan sehat. Kehandalan sudah datang tepat waktu, waktu yang disediakan cukup memadai, dan petugas sudah tepat dan tidak berbelit-belit. Daya tanggap petugas sudah cepat melayani dan merespon, petugas sudah sigap, dan menawarkan bantuan. Jaminan tempat perpustakaan keliling aman dan nyaman, petugas tidak memberikan alternatif koleksi lain, petugas sudah sopan tetapi kurang ramah. Empati petugas peduli kritikan, sabar, telaten, dan objektif. Sebagian besar layanan perpustakaan keliling di Alun-alun Mini Ungaran Kabupaten Semarang sudah bagus. Walaupun masih ada kekurangan yang disampaikan pemustaka, meliputi jumlah koleksi yang kurang beragam, petugas kurang ramah, serta pelayanan petugas yang dirasa masih kurang memuaskan

Perpustakaan Keliling Sebagai Manifestasi Peran Perpustakaan Umum Melawan Bentuk Eksklusi Sosial : Studi Kasus Perpustakaan Umum Daerah Jawa Tengah

Information is major requirement for individuals in the information age. Individuals need information to improve their quality of life. For individuals who have limited access to information, it can be considered has the potential bad quality of life. Therefore, it behooves the government to provide the institutions that collect and disseminate information for free of charge regardless of social status, economic, and education, it is public library. The purpose of this study was to describe the role of Perpustakaan Umum Daerah Jawa Tengah (Central Java Province Public Librariy) through the bookmobile service, against forms of social exclusion. This research used a qualitative method with case study approach. The results showed that the public library have should be a social inclusion institution. With such an inclusive label then anyone can go into the library and enjoy a free library service. But there are still some of the community groups who judge the library is an unfriendly place to visit. Seeing the reality, Perpustakaan Umum Daerah Jawa Tengah provides pro-active service by visiting the patron who are far away from the information centre and have limited access to information due to social , economic or education status. The Places were visited include the penitentiary, the brothel, and even the base of the refugee community banned organization. Through bookmobile service tried to attend as a remover form of social exclusion by providing access to information to the public

Fractional-order diffusion for image reconstruction

International audienceIn this paper, a general framework based on fractional-order partial differential equations allows to solve image reconstruction problems. The algorithm presented in this work combines two previous notions: a fractional derivative implementation by Discrete Fourier Transform and the edge detection by topological gradient. The purpose of the paper is to extend some existing results in image denoising problem with fractional-order diffusion equations and presents new results in image inpainting. The results emphasize the importance of particular fractional-orders