Simple telemedicine for developing regions: Camera phones and paper-based microfluidic devices for real-time, off-site diagnosis

This article describes a prototype system for quantifying bioassays and for exchanging the results of the assays digitally with physicians located off-site. The system uses paper-based microfluidic devices for running multiple assays simultaneously, camera phones or portable scanners for digitizing the intensity of color associated with each colorimetric assay, and established communications infrastructure for transferring the digital information from the assay site to an off-site laboratory for analysis by a trained medical professional; the diagnosis then can be returned directly to the healthcare provider in the field. The microfluidic devices were fabricated in paper using photolithography and were functionalized with reagents for colorimetric assays. The results of the assays were quantified by comparing the intensities of the color developed in each assay with those of calibration curves. An example of this system quantified clinically relevant concentrations of glucose and protein in artificial urine. The combination of patterned paper, a portable method for obtaining digital images, and a method for exchanging results of the assays with off-site diagnosticians offers new opportunities for inexpensive monitoring of health, especially in situations that require physicians to travel to patients (e.g., in the developing world, in emergency management, and during field operations by the military) to obtain diagnostic information that might be obtained more effectively by less valuable personnel.

A Camera Class at the New York Trade School

A camera class in the Lithography Department of the New York Trade School poses for a group photo. Black and white photograph mounted on paper.

A low cost one-camera optical tracking system for indoor wide-area augmented and virtual reality environments

In the last years the number of industrial applications for Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) environments has significantly increased. Optical tracking systems are an important component of AR/VR environments. In this work, a low cost optical tracking system with adequate attributes for professional use is proposed. The system works in infrared spectral region to reduce optical noise. A highspeed camera, equipped with daylight blocking filter and infrared flash strobes, transfers uncompressed grayscale images to a regular PC, where image pre-processing software and the PTrack tracking algorithm recognize a set of retro-reflective markers and extract its 3D position and orientation. Included in this work is a comprehensive research on image pre-processing and tracking algorithms. A testbed was built to perform accuracy and precision tests. Results show that the system reaches accuracy and precision levels slightly worse than but still comparable to professional systems. Due to its modularity, the system can be expanded by using several one-camera tracking modules linked by a sensor fusion algorithm, in order to obtain a larger working range. A setup with two modules was built and tested, resulting in performance similar to the stand-alone configuration.

Pose estimation of a humanoid robot using images from a mobile external camera

NOGUEIRA, Marcelo B. ; MEDEIROS, Adelardo A. D. ; ALSINA, Pablo J. Pose Estimation of a Humanoid Robot Using Images from an Mobile Extern Camera. In: IFAC WORKSHOP ON MULTIVEHICLE SYSTEMS, 2006, Salvador, BA. Anais... Salvador: MVS 2006, 2006.

Real-Time Visual SLAM Using Pre - Existing Floor Lines as Landmarks and a Single Camera

SANTANA, André M.; SANTIAGO, Gutemberg S.; MEDEIROS, Adelardo A. D. Real-Time Visual SLAM Using Pre-Existing Floor Lines as Landmarks and a Single Camera. In: CONGRESSO BRASILEIRO DE AUTOMÁTICA, 2008, Juiz de Fora, MG. Anais... Juiz de Fora: CBA, 2008.

Line based camera calibration in machine vision dynamic applications

The problem of dynamic camera calibration considering moving objects in close range environments using straight lines as references is addressed. A mathematical model for the correspondence of a straight line in the object and image spaces is discussed. This model is based on the equivalence between the vector normal to the interpretation plane in the image space and the vector normal to the rotated interpretation plane in the object space. In order to solve the dynamic camera calibration, Kalman Filtering is applied; an iterative process based on the recursive property of the Kalman Filter is defined, using the sequentially estimated camera orientation parameters to feedback the feature extraction process in the image. For the dynamic case, e.g. an image sequence of a moving object, a state prediction and a covariance matrix for the next instant is obtained using the available estimates and the system model. Filtered state estimates can be computed from these predicted estimates using the Kalman Filtering approach and based on the system model parameters with good quality, for each instant of an image sequence. The proposed approach was tested with simulated and real data. Experiments with real data were carried out in a controlled environment, considering a sequence of images of a moving cube in a linear trajectory over a flat surface.

The influence of subpixel measurement on digital camera calibration

The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of point measurements in images, with subpixel accuracy, and its contribution in the calibration of digital cameras. Also, the effect of subpixel measurements in 3D coordinates of check points in the object space will be evaluated. With this purpose, an algorithm that allows subpixel accuracy was implemented for semi-automatic determination of points of interest, based on Fõrstner operator. Experiments were accomplished with a block of images acquired with the multispectral camera DuncanTech MS3100-CIR. The influence of subpixel measurements in the adjustment by Least Square Method (LSM) was evaluated by the comparison of estimated standard deviation of parameters in both situations, with manual measurement (pixel accuracy) and with subpixel estimation. Additionally, the influence of subpixel measurements in the 3D reconstruction was also analyzed. Based on the obtained results, i.e., on the quantification of the standard deviation reduction in the Inner Orientation Parameters (IOP) and also in the relative error of the 3D reconstruction, it was shown that measurements with subpixel accuracy are relevant for some tasks in Photogrammetry, mainly for those in which the metric quality is of great relevance, as Camera Calibration.

Output only based modal analysis of a reduced scale building using digital camera images

The article discusses a proposal of displacement measurement using a unique digital camera aiming at to exploit its feasibility for Modal Analysis applications. The proposal discusses a non-contact measuring approach able to measure multiple points simultaneously by using a unique digital camera. A modal analysis of a reduced scale lab building structure based only at the responses of the structure measured with the camera is presented. It focuses at the feasibility of using a simple ordinary camera for performing the output only modal analysis of structures and its advantage. The modal parameters of the structure are estimated from the camera data and also by using ordinary experimental modal analysis based on the Frequency Response Function (FRF) obtained by using the usual sensors like accelerometer and force cell. The comparison of the both analysis showed that the technique is promising noncontact measuring tool relatively simple and effective to be used in structural modal analysis

Explaining standing order reforms in the Camera dei Deputati during the liberal age

How might the continuous changes in the standing orders of the Camera dei Deputati between 1861 and 1922 be explained? To answer this question, the text investigates the political events associated with standing order reforms. Two results are emphasized. On the one hand, and contrary to common views, the study shows that the reforms were not casual or episodic, but resulted from different sets of political pressure, internal or external to the parliamentary ambit. This fact, on the other hand, draws attention to the need to go deeper into the question of the institutional evolution of the liberal parliament, chiefly with regard to relations among institutional actors.

A variational approach to camera motion smoothing

[EN] In this paper we study a variational problem derived from a computer vision application: video camera calibration with smoothing constraint. By video camera calibration we meanto estimate the location, orientation and lens zoom-setting of the camera for each video frame taking into account image visible features. To simplify the problem we assume that the camera is mounted on a tripod, in such case, for each frame captured at time t , the calibration is provided by 3 parameters : (1) P(t) (PAN) which represents the tripod vertical axis rotation, (2) T(t) (TILT) which represents the tripod horizontal axis rotation and (3) Z(t) (CAMERA ZOOM) the camera lens zoom setting. The calibration function t -> u(t) = (P(t),T(t),Z(t)) is obtained as the minima of an energy function I[u] . In thIs paper we study the existence of minima of such energy function as well as the solutions of the associated Euler-Lagrange equations.

Il Senato come camera di rappresentanza territoriale

La riforma del bicameralismo rappresenta nell’ordinamento italiano una delle tematiche più dibattute sin dalla “concessione” dello Statuto Albertino. In Assemblea Costituente, infatti, l’opzione tra monocamerali e bicameralismo - prima - e il dibattito su che tipo di bicameralismo si sarebbe dovuto adottare - poi - hanno dato vita ad una parte organizzativa particolarmente debole e in gran parte antiquata rispetto alle esigenze della prima parte della Costituzione che, al contrario, ha rappresentato il precipitato di una profonda consonanza di ideali. La tesi si propone dunque l’obiettivo di dimostrare che l’esigenza di procedere ad una riforma del sistema bicamerale in Italia sia oggi quanto mai attuale e necessaria. Da un lato, infatti, essa favorirebbe il superamento delle inefficienze del sistema parlamentare e potrebbe rappresentare uno strumento per ovviare alla debole razionalizzazione della forma di governo che, da sempre, ha determinato la strutturale instabilità degli esecutivi. Dall’altro lato, la riforma servirebbe soprattutto a realizzare quella connessione organica tra Stato e regioni necessaria per completare il disegno regionalistico che si ricava dalla Costituzione stessa. Esigenza questa che, peraltro, si è notevolmente rafforzata con la riforma del titolo V della Costituzione, la cui portata innovativa è stata sostanzialmente svuotata di contenuto a causa delle difficoltà che si sono incontrate nella sua attuazione.

Verifica di un sistema a scomparsa di elementi di facciata in vetro stratificato e vetro camera.

La tesi è il risultato di un tirocinio, della durata di cinque mesi, svolto presso l'Azienda 'Aliva', che si occupa di sistemi di facciate. Lo scopo della tesi è la realizzazione di un nuovo sistema di fissaggio a scomparsa di lastre in vetro. Tutta la ricerca è scaturita dalla richiesta dell'azienda per realizzare un nuovo prodotto di fissaggio di lastre di grandi dimensioni in vetro con impatto visivo molto ridotto. Il sistema unisce due tecnologie: - sistema meccanico; - sistema adesivo strutturale di alte performance. Partendo da dei test di laboratorio, la tesi consisterà nell'effettuare le verifiche agli elementi finiti, con l'ausilio del software Strauss7, di lastre in vetro stratificato e vetro camera.

Contributo sperimentale alla ridefinizione della diffusione in parete della camera di prova della galleria del vento Dallara

Joseph Nicolas Cugnot built the first primitive car in 1769 and approximately one hundred year later the first automotive race took place. Thanks to this, for the first time the aerodynamics principles began to be applied to cars. The aerodynamic study of a car is important to improve the performance on the road, or on the track. It purposely enhances the stability in the turns and increases the maximum velocity. However, it is also useful, decrease the fuel consumption, in order to reduce the pollution. Given that cars are a very complex body, the aerodynamic study cannot be conducted following an analytical method, but it is possible, in general, to choose between two different approaches: the numerical or the experimental one. The results of numerical studies depend on the computers’ potential and on the method use to implement the mathematical model. Today, the best way to perform an aerodynamic study is still experimental, which means that in the first phase of the design process the study is performed in a wind tunnel and in later phases directly on track. The automotive wind tunnels are singular mainly due to the test chamber, which typically contains a ground simulation system. The test chamber can have different types of walls: open walls, closed walls, adaptive walls or slotted walls. The best solution is to use the slotted walls because they minimize the interference between the walls and the streamlines, the interaction between the flow and the environment, and also to contain the overall costs. Furthermore, is necessary minimize the boundary layer at the walls, without accelerating the flow, in order to provide the maximum section of homogeneous flow. This thesis aims at redefining the divergent angle of the Dallara Automobili S.P.A. wind tunnel’s walls, in order to improve the overall homogeneity. To perform this study it was necessary to acquire the pressure data of the boundary layer, than it was created the profile of the boundary layer velocity and, to minimize the experimental errors, it was calculated the displacement thickness. The results obtained shows, even if the instrument used to the experiment was not the best one, that the boundary layer thickness could be minor in case of a low diffusion angle. So it is convenient to perform another experiment with a most sensitive instrument to verified what is the better wall configuration.

Progetto e sviluppo di una tenuta meccanica a doppia camera per applicazioni nel settore ceramico

Sviluppo di una tenuta meccanica.

Sistema Multi Smart-Camera per la localizzazione e la guida di un drone

Con un sistema di multivisione correttamente installato e calibrato, si è tracciato il moto di un drone a seguito di operazioni di triangolazione e ne si è controllata automaticamente la traiettoria.