Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 311

Abstract: This paper proposed hybrid algorithms of principal component analysis (PCA) and support vector machine-genetic algorithm (SVM-GA) for real-time face recognition. The hybrid scheme aims to apply the SVM-GA to improve the validity of PCA based real-time recognition systems. Experimental results demonstrate the proposed method simplifies features effectively and obtains a higher classification accuracy.

Abstract: Due to the rapid development of computer hardware, the mobile computer systems such as PDAs, high-end mobile phones are capable of running augmented reality (AR, hereafter) system nowadays. The mouse and keyboard based user interfaces of the traditional AR system may not be suitable for the mobile AR system because of different hardware interface and use environment. The goal of this research is to propose a novel computer-vision based human-computer interaction model, which is expected to greatly improve usability of the mobile augmented reality. In this research, we will conduct an experiment on testing the usability of a new gesture-based interface and propose a product evaluation model for e-commerce applications based on the gesture interface. In the end, we expected the new interaction model could encourage more commercial applications and other research projects. In this paper, we propose a new interface interaction model called PinchAR. The focus of PinchAR is on adapting the interface design to the changing hardware design. This paper summarizes the PinchAR project, that is, the design of an intuitive interaction model in an AR environment. Also included in this paper are the results of the PinchAR experiments.

Abstract: This paper presents the development of a brand new hardware framework of low-cost, tiny and power-efficient wireless monitoring system. The framework of this wireless personal area monitoring system (WPAMS) includes sub-1GHz RFID interrogator subsystem, antenna subsystem and passive RFID transponder subsystem. Compare to other interrogators, sub-1GHz interrogator achieves larger communication range and suffers fewer reflections in the indoor space. The sophisticated commercial transponder can be easily embedded in the personal belongings without any battery inside. In addition, a lightweight three-pass authentication process helps to form a simple point-to-point short-range identification network which makes our monitoring system is superior to other monitoring systems using active communication technologies, such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, UWB, Wi-Fi, and so on. Six experimental scenarios have been developed to demonstrate the performance on item-level identification. By connecting +5.7/5.5dBi right-hand circularly polarized commercial antennas and +1.7dBi linear polarized antenna, under 1 watt power limitation, the proposed WPAMS has successfully identified all the items within 2-meter range. The current PCB size of interrogator is 2-inch×3.25-inch×0.25-inch and can be reduced in the near future.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to apply frequency bands to explore how mental rotation strategies affect the identification of 2D figures. Eighteen adults were recruited for this study. In the ERP experiments, the participants were required to identify 2D figures with mental rotation. The results showed the differences between the high-achieving (HA) and low-achieving (LA) spatial ability participants in their use of mental rotation for identifying 2D figures. At 300-380 ms, the HA participants showed higher brain activity in the right hemisphere than in other brain areas, whereas the LA participants showed activity in the whole brain. At 520 to 620 ms, the areas of brain activity were in the opposite hemisphere for the HA and LA participants. The highest brain activity was shown in the left hemisphere of the HA participants and in the right hemisphere for the LA participants at 520 to 620 ms. The implication of this study is that right hemisphere specialization for mental rotation might appear in early cognitive processing, but in late cognitive processing, the left hemisphere specialization form of mental rotation might show an advantage.

Abstract: This paper focuses on the motion capture method of the certain variety of South China traditional folk dance, Quan-zhou Chest-clapping. The authors used Vicon Motion Capture system to capture the motion of “the seven claps”, the basic form of Quan-zhou Chest-clapping Dance, and optimized the capture procedures and acting standards for the clapping and certain motions’ capture. To process the motion data , the authors used the Motionanalysis system to obtain the six degrees of freedom of certain basic dance motions, by measuring the motions’ maximum and minimum values of linear displacements and angular displacements on axis X ,Y and Z. Based on the measuring results of the motions’ degrees of freedom, the authors further discussed the quantification of motion course and developed the integrate exclusive motion capturing assessment criteria.

Abstract: The objective of this study is to analyze the effects of friction and heat transfer with considerations of variable specific heats of working fluid on the performance of a Miller cycle Diesel engine. The variations in power output and thermal efficiency with compression ratio, and the relations between the power output and the thermal efficiency of the Miller cycle Diesel engine are presented. The results show that the power output as well as the efficiency where maximum power output occurs will decrease with the increase of heat loss. The temperature-dependent specific heats of working fluid have a significant influence on the performance. The power output and the working range of the Miller cycle Diesel engine increase with the increase of specific heats of working fluid, while, the efficiency decreases with the increase of specific heats of working fluid. The influence of the parameter b related to the friction loss has a negative effect on the performance. Therefore, the power output and efficiency of the cycle decrease with increasing b. Note that the effects of heat transfer with considerations of variable specific heats of working fluid and friction loss on the performance are significant and should be considered in practice cycle analysis.

Abstract: The pulse generator is the critical component in high-frequency ultrasound imaging systems. Currently, there still exist some shortcomings about commercial ultrasound image systems and devices such as 5900 PR …etc.. However, to achieve a higher sensitivity and high performance, a programmable pulser generator is desired to match the requirements of high frequency ultrasound image system. In this study, we utilized a novel bipolar pulse generator method to overcome those issues in developed high resolution image system. As the needs of application in clinic, a real –time of high-frequency ultrasound imaging systems, including pulse generator, high speed scanning mechanism, high voltage protection and FPGA trigger control circuit, was developed in our Laboratory. This paper will focus to compare the performance of the bipolar generator and unipolar generator as used in pulse generator device respectively. Finally, the developed bipolar pulse generator show the better performance than the unipolar generator does. The bipolar system can generate clean N-cycle bipolar pulses and improve the center frequency of transducer up to 60 MHz. The axial resolution of scan system has been improved to around 60 μm. In addition, the result indicated that the proposed bipolar pulser could increase 4 dB for pulse/echo waveforms amplitude.

Abstract: As head-disk clearance has been reduced to nearly 1 nm, air bearing slider dynamic stability becomes increasingly important. This paper presents an experimental study about the coupling effects of Head Gimbal Assembly (HGA) dynamics and arm vibration on Head Disk Interaction (HDI). HDI dynamics was evaluated on a disc with defect. It was found that a much bigger vibration of the slider was observed when suspension local bending mode and arm bending mode are closed to each other than the situation that the two modes are separated. It is proved that both HGA and arm are related to HDI dynamics in a hard disc drive. This study is helpful to characterize system dynamics for robust HDI design.

Abstract: This research developed a vision navigation autonomous mobile robot and combined it with industrial automated production line. Due to traditional TFT-LCD production lines, the load/unload depends on Manual Guided Vehicle (MGV) or Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV). However, it needed to construct many tracks so that the MGV or AGV can move. The track is high cost and is not easy to adjust. Hence, our research developed an autonomous mobile robot with vision navigation technology to determine the location of TFT-LCD panel and the obstruction in the moving process. Furthermore, we successfully developed an intelligent vision navigation autonomous mobile robot in this research. It not only improved the shortcoming of setting up a lot of tracks, but also avoided the obstructions automatically to enhance the safety.

Abstract: Running is a kind of high-repetitive limb movements, which can possibly suffer knee-joint and ankle joint badly. In this paper, the author uses advanced instrument of motion capture to gain the gait data of human’s running motion，then create the curve of motion data tracing the knee-joint and ankle joint guided by the theory of biomechanics and kinesiology. Last we get the cause about the suffering of meniscus and ligament of knee-joint and ankle joint during the process of human’s running motion. The result of research can apply to biomechanics of human and the design of exerciser.