Measuring pedestrian gait using low resolution infrared people counters

This thesis describes research conducted into the measure- ment of pedestrian movement. It starts with an examination of current pedestrian detection and tracking systems, looking at several different technologies including image-processing systems. It highlights, as other authors have, that there is still a substantial gap between the abilities of existing pedestrian measurement and tracking systems and the requirements of users of such systems. After the review it provides an introduction to human gait and its use as a biometric. It then examines the IRISYS people counter, a low resolution infrared detector, used for this research. The detector's advantages and disadvantages are discussed, a detailed description of the data produced is provided. The thesis then describes in detail a study establishing that human gait information can be measured by the IRISYS people counter. It examines the use of the detectors in stereo to measure the height of the people; however the results are not impressive. During this investigation the presence of oscillations likely to relate to this walking gait is noted in the data. A second study is carried out confirming that the noted oscillation originates from human gait and further data is gathered to enable the development of measurement algorithms. The magnitude of the walking oscillation noted is examined in detail. It is found to be both individualistic and highly correlated to gender. A gender distribution algorithm is presented and evaluated on data captured in two different locations. These show very promising results. Several different methods are described for processing the infor-mation to extract a measure of cadence. The cadence is found to be individualistic and shows interesting correlations to height and leg length. This thesis advances the field of pedestrian measurement by conducting pedestrian motion studies and developing algorithms for measuring human gait.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Measuring pedestrian gait using low resolution infrared people counters

This thesis describes research conducted into the measure- ment of pedestrian movement. It starts with an examination of current pedestrian detection and tracking systems, looking at several different technologies including image-processing systems. It highlights, as other authors have, that there is still a substantial gap between the abilities of existing pedestrian measurement and tracking systems and the requirements of users of such systems.After the review it provides an introduction to human gait and its use as a biometric. It then examines the IRISYS people counter, a low resolution infrared detector, used for this research. The detector's advantages and disadvantages are discussed, a detailed description of the data produced is provided. The thesis then describes in detail a study establishing that human gait information can be measured by the IRISYS people counter. It examines the use of the detectors in stereo to measure the height of the people; however the results are not impressive. During this investigation the presence of oscillations likely to relate to this walking gait is noted in the data.A second study is carried out confirming that the noted oscillation originates from human gait and further data is gathered to enable the development of measurement algorithms. The magnitude of the walking oscillation noted is examined in detail. It is found to be both individualistic and highly correlated to gender. A gender distribution algorithm is presented and evaluated on data captured in two different locations. These show very promising results. Several different methods are described for processing the infor-mation to extract a measure of cadence. The cadence is found to be individualistic and shows interesting correlations to height and leg length.This thesis advances the field of pedestrian measurement by conducting pedestrian motion studies and developing algorithms for measuring human gait

Recognition of simple gestures using a PIR sensor array

We present an approach that is intended for simple gesture control using a relatively inexpensive pyroelectric array detector. The detector is manufactured using standard wafer processing techniques. It consists of a 16 element passive infrared sensor array that responds to changing infrared signals, such as are generated by a hand moving at a distance of some tens of centimetres in front of the array. There is quite a large variation in the responsivity of the pixels within the array, but despite that it is relatively easy to use differential signals from the array or to apply a simplified version of an image processing algorithm to track movement in front of the detector. We have developed a prototype system that can recognise hand movements in different directions in front of the detector. This has allowed us to develop a demonstrator system that can be used to control, for instance, a PowerPoint presentation by gesture

Concept for a Distributed, Modular, In-space Robotically Assembled, RF Communication Payload in GEO

In this paper, we discuss a concept for a Radio Frequency (RF) Ka band communications payload that is robotically assembled and serviced in space using a servicing vehicle such as the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) vehicle being developed by the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Our work focuses on how to modularize a representative Ka band communications payload into discrete modules that are hosted on a persistent platform. In our concept, each module consists of a primary aperture and the associated RF and electronics required to serve a particular coverage area or type. These modules are notionally packaged in a form factor capable of launching as a secondary payload via an EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) ring or a Payload Orbital Delivery System (PODS) module. The overall payload consists of an earth coverage module, regional coverage modules, high gain regional coverage modules, and a host interface unit (HIU). We discuss the notional capabilities and requirements of each module. We present two different architecture concepts corresponding to two different persistent platform concepts. In one concept, the persistent platform is made up of small, independent spacecraft that are connected together with structural members with communication channels. The payload modules are hosted on the individual spacecraft. In the second approach, the platform consists of a large central spacecraft with a structural truss that has power, communication and thermal loops. The payload modules are hosted on the truss through standard interfaces. We present aspects of the mission concept on how the payload may be modularized, launched (as secondary launch elements), acquired by the RSGS vehicle in space and assembled on to the persistent platform. We discuss the robotics aspects of assembly and servicing of the payload modules. A key aspect of this concept is the serviceability of the payload. Central to the modular and discrete payload design is an intent to refurbish the payload incrementally as technology evolves or the components fail. Existing geosynchronous communication satellites are designed and built as monolithic spacecraft which makes any servicing beyond refueling fairly complicated. This makes it hard to take advantage of the post launch evolution in technology, particularly in the electronics elements. Our concept is aimed at modularizing the payload such that the modules, particularly the electronics elements, can be easily serviced using the RSGS vehicle. Our concept attempts to take advantage of the long service life of high reliability system components in the core satellite bus while allowing rapid expansion and upgrading of the communications payload through the addition and replacement of individual payload modules