The TV-Trawler Project

In this paper, we describe a system which enables the filtering, recording and delivery of digital video broadcasts over satellite, by matching incoming content descriptions to pre-defined sets of personal user preferences which have been defined using MPEG-7. The system enables the automatic analysis, selection and flexible, customized delivery of relevant content extracted from potentially hundreds of concurrent video channels

Construction of self-updating and reusable space models via vision-based sensing

We desribe the design, implementation, and test of VIOLAS, a vision-based system for object location and occupancy sensing in sentient buildings. Sentient building operations require the existance of a dynamic and self-updating model of building context, components, spaces, systems, processes, and occupancy. Such a model can support applications in building and facility management as well as indoor environmental controls. Specifically, comprehensive self-updating models can facilitate the implementation of simulation-based building systems control strategies (e.g. for heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting). Since the underlying model for such operations must possess the capability to autonomously update itself, a versatile sensing mechanism is required that provides context awareness, i.e., real-time facility state information. The research desribed in this paper aims to examine and demonstrate the potential of vision-based sensing solutions to meet this requirement. For the generation of a comprehensive, self-updating space model, the prototype system particularly requires object identification and location sensing as well as occupancy detection. Toward this end, VIOLAS offers a flexible and scalable arrangement of hardware and software components (tied together via internet), which is generally well-suited to the requirements of sentient buildings

A vision-based sensing system for sentient building models

The quality and cost effectiveness of services in the building industry possess high potential for improvement. A possible approach to bringing out this potential is to conceive buildings as sentient entities that contiuously adapt to changes in environment and occupancy. To achieve real-time building operation support and to avoid bottleneck situations resulting from manual model input and updating activities, the underlying model must possess the capability to autonomously update itself. This requires a versatile sensing mechanism that provides real-time facility state information. The research described in this paper aims to demonstrate the potential of vision-based sensing solutions to support the operations of sentient buildings. Toward this end, a system prototype has been implemented that focuses on building systems control (lighting). The resulting arrangement of required hardware and software components (tied together via internet) provides a flexible and self-adapting structure, which is highly suited to the requirements of control applications for sentient buildings

Investigation of the relationship between lower limb orthosis user satisfaction and quality of life and functionality in stroke patients: a cross-sectional study

Background: Orthosis satisfaction may be an important parameter that increases orthosis usage and reveals orthosis' positive effect on rehabilitation. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between lower limb orthosis user satisfaction and quality of life (QOL) and functionality in stroke patients. Methods: Forty-four stroke patients with a mean age of 56.91 +/- 14.08 years were included. Orthosis user satisfaction was evaluated using the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users' Survey (OPUS). QOL was assessed using the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL). Lastly, functional status was evaluated using the Fugl - Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity (FMA-LE) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). Results: The relationships were found between the OPUS total satisfaction and SS-QOL-selfcare (r = -0.412, p = 0.005), and upper extremity (r = -0.401, p = 0.007); OPUS device satisfaction and SS-QOL-selfcare (r = -0.484, p 0.05). While participants' QOL and lower extremity functionality were generally at low, those with better functional status had lower orthosis satisfaction because it made ambulation at home difficult. Conclusion: Taking patient opinions into account in the orthotic design process will help to eliminate the problems related to comfort and orthotic wear that might affect orthotic satisfaction. The production of more comfortable orthoses might positively affect individuals' use of orthoses and satisfaction. This outcome may be a good starting point for prospective studies

Vision-Based Location Sensing And Self-Updating Information Models For Simulation-Based Building Control Strategie

Dynamic facility state models could effectively support simulation-based building systems control. In a simulation-based control strategy, the permutation space of control options (alternative states of control devices) at a future time step is proactively explored using computational simulation. The simulated implications of alternative control options are then compared based on users' preferences. From this comparison, the preferable control actions can be deduced. To achieve this functionality, however, the presence of a dynamic and self-updating building model (with context, room, systems, and occupancy data) is necessary. In this paper, we described the conception and implementation of a prototype visionbased object location sensing and occupancy detection system to provide the control unit of a sentient building with a steady flow of up-to-date building state infomration