A Lightweight and Cost-Effective 3D Omnidirectional Depth Sensor Based on Laser Triangulation

Absolute distance measurement is a field of research with a large variety of applications. Laser triangulation is a well-tested and developed technique using geometric relations to calculate the absolute distance to an object. The advantages of laser triangulation include its simple and cost-effective setup with yet a high achievable accuracy and resolution in short distances. A main problem of the technology is that even small changes of the optomechanical setup, e.g., due to thermal expansion, lead to significant measurement errors. Therefore, in this work, we introduce an optical setup containing only a beam splitter and a mirror, which splits the laser into a measurement beam and a reference beam. The reference beam can then be used to compensate for different error sources, such as laser beam dithering or shifts of the measurement setup due to the thermal expansion of the components. The effectiveness of this setup is proven by extensive simulations and measurements. The compensation setup improves the deviation in static measurements by up to 75%, whereas the measurement uncertainty at a distance of 1 m can be reduced to 85 μm. Consequently, this compensation setup can improve the accuracy of classical laser triangulation devices and make them more robust against changes in environmental conditions.

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Energy Efficient Wireless Sink Node for Monitoring of Snow Environment

Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (TURCOMAT) ◽

10.17762/turcomat.v12i2.1514 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 1775-1785

Author(s):

Rajesh Kumar Garg, Et. al.

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficient ◽

Snow Depth ◽

Field Performance ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Field Evaluation ◽

Sink Node ◽

Depth Sensor ◽

Power Module ◽

Term Field

Conventionally, sink node is considered to have large hardware and energy resources; however, many times sink node is working in same conditions as source nodes, especially when deployed for monitoring of the snow environment. In this paper, an effort has been made to practically realize a sink node which is energy efficient and cost effective for monitoring applications. To save energy, the Main Power Module is designed to provide controlled powers to sensors and sub-modules. The paper discusses design aspects of the sink node and its long-term field evaluation with environmental sensors, especially the Snow Depth Sensor of MaxBotix. Field performance of Snow Depth Sensor has been enhanced by Euclidean Minimum Distance filter which improved the correlation of data to 0.997. The proposed design helps to achieve energy consumption of 42.72mWh which is significantly lower than the previous work. The reliable working of the sink node in the long-term field evaluation indicates that snow environment can be monitored at less expense of energy by employing proposed sensors and the specially designed sink node.

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Improved 3D Human Motion Capture Using Kinect Skeleton and Depth Sensor

Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics ◽

10.20965/jrm.2021.p1408 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (6) ◽

pp. 1408-1422

Author(s):

Alireza Bilesan ◽

Shunsuke Komizunai ◽

Teppei Tsujita ◽

Atsushi Konno ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Motion Capture ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Ground Truth ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Human Motion ◽

Human Gait ◽

Joint Angles ◽

Kinematic Parameters ◽

Depth Sensor ◽

Skeleton Model

Kinect has been utilized as a cost-effective, easy-to-use motion capture sensor using the Kinect skeleton algorithm. However, a limited number of landmarks and inaccuracies in tracking the landmarks’ positions restrict Kinect’s capability. In order to increase the accuracy of motion capturing using Kinect, joint use of the Kinect skeleton algorithm and Kinect-based marker tracking was applied to track the 3D coordinates of multiple landmarks on human. The motion’s kinematic parameters were calculated using the landmarks’ positions by applying the joint constraints and inverse kinematics techniques. The accuracy of the proposed method and OptiTrack (NaturalPoint, Inc., USA) was evaluated in capturing the joint angles of a humanoid (as ground truth) in a walking test. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed method in capturing the kinematic parameters of a human, lower body joint angles of five healthy subjects were extracted using a Kinect, and the results were compared to Perception Neuron (Noitom Ltd., China) and OptiTrack data during ten gait trials. The absolute agreement and consistency between each optical system and the robot data in the robot test and between each motion capture system and OptiTrack data in the human gait test were determined using intraclass correlations coefficients (ICC3). The reproducibility between systems was evaluated using Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). The correlation coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were interpreted substantial for both OptiTrack and proposed method (ICC > 0.75 and CCC > 0.95) in humanoid test. The results of the human gait experiments demonstrated the advantage of the proposed method (ICC > 0.75 and RMSE = 1.1460°) over the Kinect skeleton model (ICC < 0.4 and RMSE = 6.5843°).

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The application of electron microscopy to diagnosis in gynecologic neoplasms and tumor-like conditions

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100110787 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

pp. 102-105

Author(s):

Lawrence M. Roth

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Malignant Tumors ◽

Frozen Section ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Female Reproductive Tract ◽

Ultrastructural Examination ◽

Specific Diagnosis ◽

Potential Value ◽

Gynecologic Neoplasms

The female reproductive tract may be the site of a wide variety of benign and malignant tumors, as well as non-neoplastic tumor-like conditions, most of which can be diagnosed by light microscopic examination including special stains and more recently immunoperoxidase techniques. Nevertheless there are situations where ultrastructural examination can contribute substantially to an accurate and specific diagnosis. It is my opinion that electron microscopy can be of greatest benefit and is most cost effective when applied in conjunction with other methodologies. Thus, I have developed an approach which has proved useful for me and may have benefit for others. In cases where it is deemed of potential value, glutaraldehyde-fixed material is obtained at the time of frozen section or otherwise at operation. Coordination with the gynecologic oncologist is required in the latter situation. This material is processed and blocked and is available if a future need arises.

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The IBM-PC in electron microscopy

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100165525 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 54 ◽

pp. 612-613

Author(s):

James F. Mancuso

Keyword(s):

Head Start ◽

Image Acquisition ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Financial Applications ◽

Number Of Factors ◽

Instrument Control ◽

The Cost ◽

Training And Support ◽

Control Image ◽

Ibm Pc

IBM PC compatible computers are widely used in microscopy for applications ranging from control to image acquisition and analysis. The choice of IBM-PC based systems over competing computer platforms can be based on technical merit alone or on a number of factors relating to economics, availability of peripherals, management dictum, or simple personal preference.IBM-PC got a strong “head start” by first dominating clerical, document processing and financial applications. The use of these computers spilled into the laboratory where the DOS based IBM-PC replaced mini-computers. Compared to minicomputer, the PC provided a more for cost-effective platform for applications in numerical analysis, engineering and design, instrument control, image acquisition and image processing. In addition, the sitewide use of a common PC platform could reduce the cost of training and support services relative to cases where many different computer platforms were used. This could be especially true for the microscopists who must use computers in both the laboratory and the office.

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A Review of 21 iPad Applications for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Purposes

Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication ◽

10.1044/aac21.2.60 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 60-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Ashley Alliano ◽

Kimberly Herriger ◽

Anthony D. Koutsoftas ◽

Theresa E. Bartolotta

Keyword(s):

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Alternative Form ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Text To Speech ◽

Reference Guide ◽

Expressive Communication ◽

Communication Needs ◽

User Friendly ◽

Ipad Applications

Abstract Using the iPad tablet for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) purposes can facilitate many communicative needs, is cost-effective, and is socially acceptable. Many individuals with communication difficulties can use iPad applications (apps) to augment communication, provide an alternative form of communication, or target receptive and expressive language goals. In this paper, we will review a collection of iPad apps that can be used to address a variety of receptive and expressive communication needs. Based on recommendations from Gosnell, Costello, and Shane (2011), we describe the features of 21 apps that can serve as a reference guide for speech-language pathologists. We systematically identified 21 apps that use symbols only, symbols and text-to-speech, and text-to-speech only. We provide descriptions of the purpose of each app, along with the following feature descriptions: speech settings, representation, display, feedback features, rate enhancement, access, motor competencies, and cost. In this review, we describe these apps and how individuals with complex communication needs can use them for a variety of communication purposes and to target a variety of treatment goals. We present information in a user-friendly table format that clinicians can use as a reference guide.

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Initial Aphasia Treatments More Cost-Effective Than Later Ones

ASHA Leader ◽

10.1044/leader.rib4.19052014.13 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 19 (5) ◽

pp. 13-13

Keyword(s):

Cost Effective

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Teletinnitus Program at the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System

Perspectives on Telepractice ◽

10.1044/teles4.1.23 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 23-29

Author(s):

Constance Hilory Tomberlin

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Patient Care ◽

Health Care System ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

New Technology ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Veterans Health ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

Care System

There are a multitude of reasons that a teletinnitus program can be beneficial, not only to the patients, but also within the hospital and audiology department. The ability to use technology for the purpose of tinnitus management allows for improved appointment access for all patients, especially those who live at a distance, has been shown to be more cost effective when the patients travel is otherwise monetarily compensated, and allows for multiple patient's to be seen in the same time slots, allowing for greater access to the clinic for the patients wishing to be seen in-house. There is also the patient's excitement in being part of a new technology-based program. The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) saw the potential benefits of incorporating a teletinnitus program and began implementation in 2013. There were a few hurdles to work through during the beginning organizational process and the initial execution of the program. Since the establishment of the Teletinnitus program, the GCVHCS has seen an enhancement in patient care, reduction in travel compensation, improvement in clinic utilization, clinic availability, the genuine excitement of the use of a new healthcare media amongst staff and patients, and overall patient satisfaction.

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