Fast Detection of Curved Edges at Low SNR

Detecting edges is a fundamental problem in computer vision with many applications, some involving very noisy images. While most edge detection methods are fast, they perform well only on relatively clean images. Indeed, edges in such images can be reliably detected using only local filters. Detecting faint edges under high levels of noise cannot be done locally at the individual pixel level, and requires more sophisticated global processing. Unfortunately, existing methods that achieve this goal are quite slow. In this paper we develop a novel multiscale method to detect curved edges in noisy images. While our algorithm searches for edges over a huge set of candidate curves, it does so in a practical runtime, nearly linear in the total number of image pixels. As we demonstrate experimentally, our algorithm is orders of magnitude faster than previous methods designed to deal with high noise levels. Nevertheless, it obtains comparable, if not better, edge detection quality on a variety of challenging noisy images.Comment: 9 pages, 11 figure

THE DECLINING PRICE PARADOX OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

The declining prices of new technology products often results in a tendency for many decision makers to wait for lower prices, and to postpone a capital investment. This paper makes a distinction between the prices of technology elements and the prices of components and systems. There are many cases where the price reduction over time applies only to some elements of the system, while the total price of the improved system remains almost the same. For those cases, a DECLINING PRICE PARADOX is spelled out. The Paradox suggests that the more the price of the investment is subject to future reduction, the more urgent it is to invest in this technology. The paper incorporates learning considerations in the investment decision making, and states the conditions where the paradox applies.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

ORTHOGONAL INFORMATION STRUCTURES: A MODEL TO EVALUATE THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY A SECOND OPINION

The paper discusses the value of information when a number of independent sources provide information related to a common set of states of nature. The starting point is the Information Economic model of Information Structures. The model is augmented to represent independence of informational sources by means of orthogonality of the information structures. A new mathematical operator, orthogonal product, is defined and its properties are probed. It is shown that this operator maintains some mathematical properties such as closure, association, unity element, null element, etc. It is demonstrated how the orthogonal product represents the notion of multi-source information. The paper proves that an orthogonal product is generally more informative than its multipliers, namely, if cost is not considered a constraining factor, then there is a nonnegative value to obtaining a second opinion. The paper concludes with a numerical example and a discussion on the applicability of the model of orthogonality.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

OPTIMAL SCHEDULING OF PURCHASING ORDERS FOR LARGE PROJECTS

The completion of a typical project hinges upon receiving all the purchased components by the time they are scheduled to be used. Some of these components may have long stochastic lead times, so the project manager is tempted to order them ASAP, to avoid the (usual) high penalties associated with delays. (The penalties may be tangible or intangible, but we assume that they can be measured by monetary units.) This in turn may bring about excessive inventory holding costs. Clearly an optimization is called for to minimize the total expected cost of the project. This is achieved by timing the orders optimally, for the one component case as well as for the n component general case.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR PURCHASING MANAGEMENT OF LARGE PROJECTS

This paper describes a model base Decision Support System (DSS) for purchasing materials and components for large projects. The DSS may be used under two scenarios. Under one scenario, we have a project to execute, and we are looking for a good way to manage the purchasing so as to minimize the expected costs. The decision variable under our control is when and from whom to order each item. Under the other scenario, we are bidding for the project, and wish to assess the costs associated with the purchasing decisions which we should consider before making our bid. In both cases we take into account expected out of pocket costs as well as lateness and/or expediting penalties. The DSS is designed to help us choose the best supplier for each item and schedule the placement of the orders--decisions which are very difficult to make well without such a model base DSS.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

THE NATURE AND BEHAVIOR OF FINANCIAL VERSUS MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Manufacturing management information systems are in a relatively less mature state than financial information systems. This difference in maturity is due in part, to historical reasons, and to the complex and dynamic nature of manufacturing system attributes. This research compares the various system attributes belonging to manufacturing and financial information systems. Application of inappropriate system design techniques (based on these system attribute differences) has contributed to the relatively high failure rate of manufacturing management information systems. The research analyzes the need for the development of design tools geared specifically toward manufacturing management information systems.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

OFFICE AUTOMATION: A MANAGEMENT BY CONSTRAINTS APPROACH

Information Systems Working Papers Serie

PURCHASING AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT IN SCENCE-BASED INDUSTRIES

Inventory Management has been widely discussed in the literature. Recently, the so called "Just in Timeâ method received extensive publicity and was claimed to be one of the major factors of the Japanese industrial success. This, in turn, promoted a large campaign in the rest of the industrialized world, to adopt and imitate the "Just in Timeâ (JIT) policy. Corporate and plant managers focused attention and set up goals as to reach as closely as possible the Japanese inventory levels. Quite often, adoption of JIT disregarded the totally different nature of the business their companies engaged in, relative to Japanese industry. This paper clarifies the differences between two different industrial models: The "Assembly Linesâ model versus the Hi-Tech Job Shop "Science Basedâ model and prescribes the inventory strategy appropriate for each of those models. It is shown that a fully automated Assembly Line type factory requires a âJust in Timeâ (minimal holding costs) inventory strategy, while the Science Based type should follow a more elaborate âoptimal Penaltyâ type of policy.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

AN INFORMATION VALUE APPROACH TO QUALITY CONTROL

Quality Control sampling plans are normally chosen by using industrial and military standards. These standards do not involve economic considerations, and usually fail to meet cost considerations. The Information Economic approach presented in this paper suggests an easy to use methodology which determines the optimal plan for a given situation of a quality control Common quality control attributes like, AQL, LTPD, Operating Characteristics Curves and Quality Control Plans are shown as special cases of Information Economic Models. Theorems involving dominance among various of Quality Control plans are proved. The Blackwell Theorem on the relationship "Generally More Informativeâ is modified to accommodate to the Quality Control case. The major results of the paper include new algorithm to optimize the expected utility of decision makers. The value of information in Quality Control systems is assessed, and cost/effective analysis is carried out.Information Systems Working Papers Serie