Automated Discovery of Network Cameras in Heterogeneous Web Pages

Reduction in the cost of Network Cameras along with a rise in connectivity enables entities all around the world to deploy vast arrays of camera networks. Network cameras offer real-time visual data that can be used for studying traffic patterns, emergency response, security, and other applications. Although many sources of Network Camera data are available, collecting the data remains difficult due to variations in programming interface and website structures. Previous solutions rely on manually parsing the target website, taking many hours to complete. We create a general and automated solution for aggregating Network Camera data spread across thousands of uniquely structured web pages. We analyze heterogeneous web page structures and identify common characteristics among 73 sample Network Camera websites (each website has multiple web pages). These characteristics are then used to build an automated camera discovery module that crawls and aggregates Network Camera data. Our system successfully extracts 57,364 Network Cameras from 237,257 unique web pages.

The GONet (Ground Observing Network) Camera: An Inexpensive Light Pollution Monitoring System

Instrumentation developed to monitor and characterize light pollution from the ground has helped frame our understanding of the impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) [Bará, Lima, & Zamorano, 2019; Hänel et al., 2018; Zamorano et al., 2017]. All-sky imaging has been used to quantify and characterize ALAN in a variety of environments [D. M. Duriscoe, 2016; Jechow, Kyba, & Hölker, 2019]. Over the past decade growth in access to DIY electronics has afforded the opportunity for the development of new and affordable instrumentation for ALAN research. The GONet (Ground Observing Network) camera is an inexpensive (~USD 100), simple to use, all-sky imaging system designed to allow measurements of sky quality at night. Due to their ease of use and low price, GONet cameras allow observations by users with little technical expertise, large inter-comparison campaigns and deployments of opportunity. Developed as a student engineering project at the Adler Planetarium, initial field tests of the GONet system have demonstrated its utility as a tool that can benefit ALAN research. Here we present an overview of the design and use of the GONet device, methods of calibration, initial results from observations, potential use cases, and limitations of the system. What we describe here is the version 1 GONet camera. We conclude with a brief description of the version 2 unit already under development.

Low-cost Delivery and Telepresence Robot for COVID-19 Crisis

Purpose: The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has created the need for social distancing between medical staff and patients, therefore, healthcare robotics is increasingly important as regards infectious control. The purpose of this study was to design and fabricate a remote controlled transport robot that could provide an optimum technology base for developing countries, having dual functions of telepresence and delivery operations inside or outside buildings, is easy to assemble and also easily able to be cleaned using standard chemical agents.Methods: This machine was designed and fabricated to incorporate two main functions; delivery and telepresence. The robot consists of a base frame, DC motors for driving and steering systems, actuator motor for driving wheel elevation, Wi-Fi AP/Repeater, network camera, and a necessary a back-up power system.Results: This robot can be used both indoors and outdoors. It can carry loads of more than 80 kg. The machine can cross obstacles greater than 3 cm. It can be cleaned by disinfectant agents. An actuator motor can lift the driving wheels above the surface to prevent gear damage. Conclusion: This article demonstrates the concept of a healthcare telepresence and delivery robot that can provide distancing during the present COVID-19 crisis, using optimum technology for low and middle-income countries. In the future, the researcher should consider development of the delivery controls, combined with the telepresence system using the internet of things, to improve the navigation system, the manipulator system for supporting multi-floor transportation, and also other multi-functional purposes.