AHCI RESEARCH GROUP
Publications
Papers published in international journals,
proceedings of conferences, workshops and books.
OUR RESEARCH
Scientific Publications
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You can use the tag cloud to select only the papers dealing with specific research topics.
You can expand the Abstract, Links and BibTex record for each paper.
2010
Ciampi, Mario; Gallo, Luigi; Coronato, Antonio; Pietro, Giuseppe De
Middleware Mechanisms for Interaction Interoperability in Collaborative Virtual Environments Journal Article
In: International Journal of Advanced Media and Communication, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 154–166, 2010, ISSN: ISSN (Online): 1741-8003 - ISSN (Print): 1462-4613.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Interoperability, Middleware, Multi-agent systems, Natural User Interfaces, Virtual Reality
@article{ciampiMiddlewareMechanismsInteraction2010,
title = {Middleware Mechanisms for Interaction Interoperability in Collaborative Virtual Environments},
author = { Mario Ciampi and Luigi Gallo and Antonio Coronato and Giuseppe De Pietro},
doi = {10.1504/IJAMC.2010.032141},
issn = {ISSN (Online): 1741-8003 - ISSN (Print): 1462-4613},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
journal = {International Journal of Advanced Media and Communication},
volume = {2},
number = {4},
pages = {154--166},
abstract = {In this paper, we discuss interaction interoperability in Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVE), intended to mean the ability of two or more users to cooperate despite the heterogeneity of their interfaces. To allow such interoperability, rather than focusing on the de-coupling of input devices from interaction techniques and from interaction tasks, we suggest integrating interactive systems at higher level through an interface standardization. To achieve this aim, we propose: i) an architectural model able to handle differences in input devices and interaction tasks; ii) an agent-based middleware that provides basic components to integrate heterogeneous user interfaces. We also present a prototype of an agent-based middleware able to support developers in the interconnection of monolithic applications and we introduce tools and languages we have used to formalize the interaction tasks considered in the case study.},
keywords = {Interoperability, Middleware, Multi-agent systems, Natural User Interfaces, Virtual Reality},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In this paper, we discuss interaction interoperability in Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVE), intended to mean the ability of two or more users to cooperate despite the heterogeneity of their interfaces. To allow such interoperability, rather than focusing on the de-coupling of input devices from interaction techniques and from interaction tasks, we suggest integrating interactive systems at higher level through an interface standardization. To achieve this aim, we propose: i) an architectural model able to handle differences in input devices and interaction tasks; ii) an agent-based middleware that provides basic components to integrate heterogeneous user interfaces. We also present a prototype of an agent-based middleware able to support developers in the interconnection of monolithic applications and we introduce tools and languages we have used to formalize the interaction tasks considered in the case study.
Francescomarino, Chiara Di; Leonardi, Chiara; Marchetto, Alessandro; Nguyen, Cu D.; Qureshi, Nauman A.; Sabatucci, Luca; Perini, Anna; Susi, Angelo; Tonella, Paolo; Zancanaro, Massimo
A Bit of" Persona", a Bit of" Goal", a Bit of" Process"... a Recipe for Analyzing User Intensive Software Systems. Proceedings Article
In: iStar 2010 – Proceedings of the 4th International i* Workshop, pp. 36–40, 2010.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: AAL for the Elderly, Business Process, Design Process, Goal-Oriented Approach, Requirement Engineering
@inproceedings{difrancescomarinoBitPersonaBit2010,
title = {A Bit of" Persona", a Bit of" Goal", a Bit of" Process"... a Recipe for Analyzing User Intensive Software Systems.},
author = { Chiara Di Francescomarino and Chiara Leonardi and Alessandro Marchetto and Cu D. Nguyen and Nauman A. Qureshi and Luca Sabatucci and Anna Perini and Angelo Susi and Paolo Tonella and Massimo Zancanaro},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
booktitle = {iStar 2010 – Proceedings of the 4th International i* Workshop},
volume = {586},
pages = {36--40},
series = {CEUR Workshop Proceedings},
abstract = {The centrality of users in the design and development of complex systems, such as service-based applications, calls for new methodologies and techniques to extract and represent user needs and to translate them into real processes. In this short paper, we describe the integration of concepts and analysis techniques of different approaches, namely Goal-Oriented Requirements Engineering, User-Centred Design and Process-Oriented Modeling, that are being developed in the context of two projects related to Ambient Assisted Living and Internet of Services.},
keywords = {AAL for the Elderly, Business Process, Design Process, Goal-Oriented Approach, Requirement Engineering},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The centrality of users in the design and development of complex systems, such as service-based applications, calls for new methodologies and techniques to extract and represent user needs and to translate them into real processes. In this short paper, we describe the integration of concepts and analysis techniques of different approaches, namely Goal-Oriented Requirements Engineering, User-Centred Design and Process-Oriented Modeling, that are being developed in the context of two projects related to Ambient Assisted Living and Internet of Services.
Gallo, Luigi; Minutolo, Aniello; Pietro, Giuseppe De
A User Interface for VR-ready 3D Medical Imaging by off-the-Shelf Input Devices Journal Article
In: Computers in Biology and Medicine, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 350–358, 2010, ISSN: 0010-4825.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Healthcare, Interaction techniques, Medical Imaging, Mouse, Natural User Interfaces, Pointing, Rotation, User study, Virtual Reality, Wiimote
@article{galloUserInterfaceVRready2010,
title = {A User Interface for VR-ready 3D Medical Imaging by off-the-Shelf Input Devices},
author = { Luigi Gallo and Aniello Minutolo and Giuseppe De Pietro},
doi = {10.1016/j.compbiomed.2010.01.006},
issn = {0010-4825},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
journal = {Computers in Biology and Medicine},
volume = {40},
number = {3},
pages = {350--358},
abstract = {The distinctiveness of clinical environments demands specific solutions in the design of both usable and practical user interfaces for 3D medical imaging. In this work, a novel user interface to provide a direct interaction in 3D space by off-the-shelf input devices is proposed. The interface, which has been implemented and integrated into an open-source medical image viewer, features a depth-enhanced mouse pointer and a novel rotation technique that uses the object's geometry as the rotation handle. The usability of the proposed approach is evaluated to show its effectiveness for use in professional 3D imaging applications.},
keywords = {Healthcare, Interaction techniques, Medical Imaging, Mouse, Natural User Interfaces, Pointing, Rotation, User study, Virtual Reality, Wiimote},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The distinctiveness of clinical environments demands specific solutions in the design of both usable and practical user interfaces for 3D medical imaging. In this work, a novel user interface to provide a direct interaction in 3D space by off-the-shelf input devices is proposed. The interface, which has been implemented and integrated into an open-source medical image viewer, features a depth-enhanced mouse pointer and a novel rotation technique that uses the object's geometry as the rotation handle. The usability of the proposed approach is evaluated to show its effectiveness for use in professional 3D imaging applications.
Leonardi, Chiara; Sabatucci, Luca; Susi, Angelo; Zancanaro, Massimo
Ahab's Leg: Exploring the Issues of Communicating Semi-Formal Requirements to the Final Users Proceedings Article
In: Advanced Information Systems Engineering: 22nd International Conference, CAiSE 2010, Hammamet, Tunisia, June 7-9, 2010. Proceedings 22, pp. 455–469, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2010.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Goal-Oriented Approach, Requirement Engineering, Requirement Validation, User-Centred Design
@inproceedings{leonardiAhabLegExploring2010,
title = {Ahab's Leg: Exploring the Issues of Communicating Semi-Formal Requirements to the Final Users},
author = { Chiara Leonardi and Luca Sabatucci and Angelo Susi and Massimo Zancanaro},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-642-13094-6_35},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
booktitle = {Advanced Information Systems Engineering: 22nd International Conference, CAiSE 2010, Hammamet, Tunisia, June 7-9, 2010. Proceedings 22},
pages = {455--469},
publisher = {Springer Berlin Heidelberg},
abstract = {In this paper, we present our experience in using narrative scenarios as a tool to communicate and validate semi-formal requirements with the stake-holders in a large software project. The process of translating the semi-formal language of Tropos into the narrative form of scenarios is introduced and some unintended implications of this process are discussed. In particular, we define the notion of Ahab's leg to describe the necessity to introduce new constraints or features in a description when moving to a different representational language. Starting from the lessons learned with this specific case study, we derive some general implications concerning the issue of requirement translation for validation tasks and we propose some methodological guidelines to address the Ahab's leg dilemma.},
keywords = {Goal-Oriented Approach, Requirement Engineering, Requirement Validation, User-Centred Design},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
In this paper, we present our experience in using narrative scenarios as a tool to communicate and validate semi-formal requirements with the stake-holders in a large software project. The process of translating the semi-formal language of Tropos into the narrative form of scenarios is introduced and some unintended implications of this process are discussed. In particular, we define the notion of Ahab's leg to describe the necessity to introduce new constraints or features in a description when moving to a different representational language. Starting from the lessons learned with this specific case study, we derive some general implications concerning the issue of requirement translation for validation tasks and we propose some methodological guidelines to address the Ahab's leg dilemma.
Leonardi, Chiara; Sabatucci, Luca; Susi, Angelo; Zancanaro, Massimo
Exploring the Boundaries: When Method Fragmentation Is Not Convenient. Proceedings Article
In: MALLOW, 2010.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: AAL for the Elderly, Design Process, Smart Environment, User-Centred Design
@inproceedings{leonardiExploringBoundariesWhen2010,
title = {Exploring the Boundaries: When Method Fragmentation Is Not Convenient.},
author = { Chiara Leonardi and Luca Sabatucci and Angelo Susi and Massimo Zancanaro},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
booktitle = {MALLOW},
abstract = {This paper presents an approach to explore the coupling of User-Centred Design and Tropos methodologies. The two methodologies have been employed in a real project aiming at developing smart environment for nursing home to support medical and assistance staff. In particular Tropos has been used for modeling (and reason about) the domain and the system, whereas User-Centred Design has been useful for establishing an interface for communicating with stakeholders. The integration was challenging due to the epistemological differences between the two design approaches.},
keywords = {AAL for the Elderly, Design Process, Smart Environment, User-Centred Design},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
This paper presents an approach to explore the coupling of User-Centred Design and Tropos methodologies. The two methodologies have been employed in a real project aiming at developing smart environment for nursing home to support medical and assistance staff. In particular Tropos has been used for modeling (and reason about) the domain and the system, whereas User-Centred Design has been useful for establishing an interface for communicating with stakeholders. The integration was challenging due to the epistemological differences between the two design approaches.
Leonardi, Chiara; Sabatucci, Luca; Susi, Angelo; Zancanaro, Massimo
Managing the Transition from Contextual Inquiry to Design by Coupling Semi-Formal and HCI Methods Proceedings Article
In: CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 2010.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Contextual Design, HCI, Requirement Engineering, Scenarios-based Design
@inproceedings{leonardiManagingTransitionContextual2010,
title = {Managing the Transition from Contextual Inquiry to Design by Coupling Semi-Formal and HCI Methods},
author = { Chiara Leonardi and Luca Sabatucci and Angelo Susi and Massimo Zancanaro},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
booktitle = {CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems},
abstract = {We present the approach we developed to manage the transition from contextual inquiry to design by coupling HCI and semi-formal requirement engineering methods.},
keywords = {Contextual Design, HCI, Requirement Engineering, Scenarios-based Design},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We present the approach we developed to manage the transition from contextual inquiry to design by coupling HCI and semi-formal requirement engineering methods.
Morandini, Mirko; Sabatucci, Luca; Siena, Alberto; Mylopoulos, John; Penserini, Loris; Perini, Anna; Susi, Angelo
On the Use of the Goal-Oriented Paradigm for System Design and Law Compliance Reasoning. Proceedings Article
In: iStar, pp. 71, 2010.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Goal-Oriented Approach, Requirement Engineering, Self-Adaptive Systems
@inproceedings{morandiniUseGoalOrientedParadigm2010,
title = {On the Use of the Goal-Oriented Paradigm for System Design and Law Compliance Reasoning.},
author = { Mirko Morandini and Luca Sabatucci and Alberto Siena and John Mylopoulos and Loris Penserini and Anna Perini and Angelo Susi},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
booktitle = {iStar},
volume = {4},
pages = {71},
abstract = {The concept of goal may be used to model intentions of human actors, such as requirements analysts or designers, as well as the reasons for pro-active behaviour of software agents. This short paper describes three ongoing research efforts on the application of the Goal-Oriented paradigm to system requirements analysis, system design and development of self-adaptive software agents.},
keywords = {Goal-Oriented Approach, Requirement Engineering, Self-Adaptive Systems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The concept of goal may be used to model intentions of human actors, such as requirements analysts or designers, as well as the reasons for pro-active behaviour of software agents. This short paper describes three ongoing research efforts on the application of the Goal-Oriented paradigm to system requirements analysis, system design and development of self-adaptive software agents.
Augello, Agnese; Pilato, Giovanni; Gaglio, Salvatore
Intelligent Advisor Agents in Distributed Environments Journal Article
In: Studies in Computational Intelligence, vol. 324, pp. 109–124, 2010, ISSN: 1860949X.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Chatbots, Decision Support Systems, Intelligent Advisors Systems
@article{augelloIntelligentAdvisorAgents2010,
title = {Intelligent Advisor Agents in Distributed Environments},
author = { Agnese Augello and Giovanni Pilato and Salvatore Gaglio},
editor = { Soro A},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-642-16089-9_7},
issn = {1860949X},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
journal = {Studies in Computational Intelligence},
volume = {324},
pages = {109--124},
abstract = {The chapter presents a Distributed Expert System based on a multi-agent-architecture. The system is composed of a community of intelligent conversational agents playing the role of specialized advisors for the government of a virtual town, inspired to the SimCity game. The agents are capable to handle strategic decision under uncertainty conditions. They interact in natural language with their owners, obtain information on the current status of the town and give suggestions about the best strategies to apply in order to govern the town. textcopyright 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.},
keywords = {Chatbots, Decision Support Systems, Intelligent Advisors Systems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The chapter presents a Distributed Expert System based on a multi-agent-architecture. The system is composed of a community of intelligent conversational agents playing the role of specialized advisors for the government of a virtual town, inspired to the SimCity game. The agents are capable to handle strategic decision under uncertainty conditions. They interact in natural language with their owners, obtain information on the current status of the town and give suggestions about the best strategies to apply in order to govern the town. textcopyright 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
Augello, Agnese; Pilato, Giovanni; Gaglio, Salvatore
An Intelligent Advisor to Suggest Strategies in Economic Policy Decisions Proceedings Article
In: CISIS 2010 - The 4th International Conference on Complex, Intelligent and Software Intensive Systems, pp. 734–739, 2010, ISBN: 978-0-7695-3967-6.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Artificial intelligence, Conversational Agents, Decision Networks, Decision Support Systems, Knowledge Representation, Ontologies
@inproceedings{augelloIntelligentAdvisorSuggest2010,
title = {An Intelligent Advisor to Suggest Strategies in Economic Policy Decisions},
author = { Agnese Augello and Giovanni Pilato and Salvatore Gaglio},
doi = {10.1109/CISIS.2010.75},
isbn = {978-0-7695-3967-6},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
booktitle = {CISIS 2010 - The 4th International Conference on Complex, Intelligent and Software Intensive Systems},
pages = {734--739},
abstract = {In this paper we illustrate the architecture of an agent that plays the role of an "intelligent advisor". The advisor is aimed at suggesting the best managing strategies for a model of a virtual town. A Decision Support System (DSS) embedded on a conversational agent constitutes the intelligent advisor architecture. Two interacting knowledge representation areas characterize the DSS. The first one deals with the description of the domain and the deterministic events through the use of ontologies. The second one deals with the management of situations characterized by uncertainty. The intelligent advisor tries to prospect the future evolutions of particular choices taken by the user, and as a consequence, suggests the player-user the best strategy given the current status of the game. textcopyright 2010 IEEE.},
keywords = {Artificial intelligence, Conversational Agents, Decision Networks, Decision Support Systems, Knowledge Representation, Ontologies},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
In this paper we illustrate the architecture of an agent that plays the role of an "intelligent advisor". The advisor is aimed at suggesting the best managing strategies for a model of a virtual town. A Decision Support System (DSS) embedded on a conversational agent constitutes the intelligent advisor architecture. Two interacting knowledge representation areas characterize the DSS. The first one deals with the description of the domain and the deterministic events through the use of ontologies. The second one deals with the management of situations characterized by uncertainty. The intelligent advisor tries to prospect the future evolutions of particular choices taken by the user, and as a consequence, suggests the player-user the best strategy given the current status of the game. textcopyright 2010 IEEE.
Scianna, Andrea; Ammoscato, Alessio
3D Gis Data Model Using Open Source Software Proceedings Article
In: A, Peled (Ed.): International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives, pp. 120–125, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 2010.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: 3D Modelling, Environmental Technology, Geographical Information Systems
@inproceedings{scianna3DGisData2010a,
title = {3D Gis Data Model Using Open Source Software},
author = { Andrea Scianna and Alessio Ammoscato},
editor = { Peled A},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
booktitle = {International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives},
volume = {38},
pages = {120--125},
publisher = {International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing},
abstract = {Today many kinds of applications requires data containing actual three-dimensional data; fields like urban and town planning and pollution studies need 3D data, both for visualization purpose, as well as carry out many spatial analysis. This research-Management and use of distributed 3D data by open source Web-GIS software-is part of the Italian "PRIN 2007"$_ast$ research project, aimed to build urban and suburban 3D models, and to interact with them using open source software only. Particularly free and open source software, used for the experimentation here shown, are Blender and PostGIS; the first one has been used to build and structure three-dimensional data, the second one for data allocation. These software interact using scripts, written in Python language. Buildings have been modeled upon the GIANT3D model (Geographical Interoperable Advanced Numerical Topological 3-Dimensional Model) developed in the research "PRIN 2004", regarding "Evolved structure of numerical cartography for Gis and Web-GIS". Python scripts, activated by Blender, allow to allocate data into a spatial database implemented through PostgreSQL and PostGis, that could be a remote database somewhere on the net; all geometrical and topological information, implemented in the 3D model, are so transferred in PostGIS. These information can be retrieved by Blender using other Python scripts, so Blender fully interacts with 3D data allocated in PostGIS. These data can be also accessed by many other clients, both directly using a database client, as using other protocols (like HTTP on the internet). Next step is to build an open source viewer, or a plugin for internet browsers, that allows client to visualize, explore and inquiry 3D model, retrieving data from database.},
keywords = {3D Modelling, Environmental Technology, Geographical Information Systems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Today many kinds of applications requires data containing actual three-dimensional data; fields like urban and town planning and pollution studies need 3D data, both for visualization purpose, as well as carry out many spatial analysis. This research-Management and use of distributed 3D data by open source Web-GIS software-is part of the Italian "PRIN 2007"$_ast$ research project, aimed to build urban and suburban 3D models, and to interact with them using open source software only. Particularly free and open source software, used for the experimentation here shown, are Blender and PostGIS; the first one has been used to build and structure three-dimensional data, the second one for data allocation. These software interact using scripts, written in Python language. Buildings have been modeled upon the GIANT3D model (Geographical Interoperable Advanced Numerical Topological 3-Dimensional Model) developed in the research "PRIN 2004", regarding "Evolved structure of numerical cartography for Gis and Web-GIS". Python scripts, activated by Blender, allow to allocate data into a spatial database implemented through PostgreSQL and PostGis, that could be a remote database somewhere on the net; all geometrical and topological information, implemented in the 3D model, are so transferred in PostGIS. These information can be retrieved by Blender using other Python scripts, so Blender fully interacts with 3D data allocated in PostGIS. These data can be also accessed by many other clients, both directly using a database client, as using other protocols (like HTTP on the internet). Next step is to build an open source viewer, or a plugin for internet browsers, that allows client to visualize, explore and inquiry 3D model, retrieving data from database.
Scianna, Andrea
Experimental Studies for the Definition of 3D Geospatial Web Services Proceedings Article
In: S., Veenendaal B. Dragicevic S. Brovelli M. A. Li (Ed.): International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 2010.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Cooperative Management, Geo-Spatial Informations, Geographical Information Systems
@inproceedings{sciannaExperimentalStudiesDefinition2010a,
title = {Experimental Studies for the Definition of 3D Geospatial Web Services},
author = { Andrea Scianna},
editor = { Veenendaal B. Dragicevic S. Brovelli M.A. Li S.},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
booktitle = {International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives},
volume = {38},
publisher = {International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing},
abstract = {The importance of geospatial information delivery, across Internet, is increasing more and more. But if in the last years was satisfying to get 2D geographic information, from Internet browsers, extracted by http servers supported by map servers, today users would acquire 3D information especially in some case or sectors as that of building cadastral applications or civil protection. In this case availability of 3D information could be very valuable. But behind this need there exist many important aspects that today are only partially resolved as the definition of 3D geospatial web services that are connected and are dependent on some other aspects (i.e. the standardization of 3D geographic data models). The experimentation carried out deals with these issues, trying to define a 3D web service in order to visualize and query by Internt Browser 3D model of the built environment. Actually there are few 3D data models (such as CityGML) whose standard definition process is not complete. Besides these models are built with main requirement of 3D visualization even if at different level of detail. But some sectors require a better use of geographic 3D information such as querying at different level of detail (such as at a level regarding the different building parts defined through their attributes) and 3D processing. Based on a project named "Interoperability and cooperative management of geographic, dynamic, multidimensional and distributed data with Free and Open Source GIS: Management and use of distributed 3D data by open source Web-GIS software" funded by Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research as Program of Relevant National Interest (PRIN 2007), it is here illustrated a part of a process, that start from the construction of a Java plugin that initially consist in reading information directly from a relational database management server with spatial extension, and ends with the construction of an application server which is based the extraction of GML 3D data, all based on the existence of a 3D geospatial web service whose definition is one the last and main goal of the research. textcopyright 2010 ISPRS Archives.},
keywords = {Cooperative Management, Geo-Spatial Informations, Geographical Information Systems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The importance of geospatial information delivery, across Internet, is increasing more and more. But if in the last years was satisfying to get 2D geographic information, from Internet browsers, extracted by http servers supported by map servers, today users would acquire 3D information especially in some case or sectors as that of building cadastral applications or civil protection. In this case availability of 3D information could be very valuable. But behind this need there exist many important aspects that today are only partially resolved as the definition of 3D geospatial web services that are connected and are dependent on some other aspects (i.e. the standardization of 3D geographic data models). The experimentation carried out deals with these issues, trying to define a 3D web service in order to visualize and query by Internt Browser 3D model of the built environment. Actually there are few 3D data models (such as CityGML) whose standard definition process is not complete. Besides these models are built with main requirement of 3D visualization even if at different level of detail. But some sectors require a better use of geographic 3D information such as querying at different level of detail (such as at a level regarding the different building parts defined through their attributes) and 3D processing. Based on a project named "Interoperability and cooperative management of geographic, dynamic, multidimensional and distributed data with Free and Open Source GIS: Management and use of distributed 3D data by open source Web-GIS software" funded by Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research as Program of Relevant National Interest (PRIN 2007), it is here illustrated a part of a process, that start from the construction of a Java plugin that initially consist in reading information directly from a relational database management server with spatial extension, and ends with the construction of an application server which is based the extraction of GML 3D data, all based on the existence of a 3D geospatial web service whose definition is one the last and main goal of the research. textcopyright 2010 ISPRS Archives.
Sorce, Salvatore; Augello, Agnese; Santangelo, Antonella; Gentile, Antonio; Genco, Alessandro; Gaglio, Salvatore; Pilato, Giovanni
Interacting with Augmented Environments Journal Article
In: IEEE Pervasive Computing, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 56–58, 2010, ISSN: 15361268.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Augmented Reality, Pervasive Systems
@article{sorceInteractingAugmentedEnvironments2010,
title = {Interacting with Augmented Environments},
author = { Salvatore Sorce and Agnese Augello and Antonella Santangelo and Antonio Gentile and Alessandro Genco and Salvatore Gaglio and Giovanni Pilato},
doi = {10.1109/MPRV.2010.34},
issn = {15361268},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
journal = {IEEE Pervasive Computing},
volume = {9},
number = {2},
pages = {56--58},
abstract = {The interactions of users and individuals with augmented environments are discussed. Pervasive systems have been observed to augment environments by integrating information into regular objects and activities. They consist of two parts, such as a visible part populated by animate or inanimate (AI) entities interacting with the environment through digital devices and an invisible part composed of software objects performing specific tasks. Researchers at the University of Palermo are developing a classification of devices to support more integrated interaction among pervasive system devices. They are developing the classification with specific reference to computing, memory, I/O, and networking capabilities. The device classifications and model definition will also support everything middleware designers use to create pervasive systems.},
keywords = {Augmented Reality, Pervasive Systems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The interactions of users and individuals with augmented environments are discussed. Pervasive systems have been observed to augment environments by integrating information into regular objects and activities. They consist of two parts, such as a visible part populated by animate or inanimate (AI) entities interacting with the environment through digital devices and an invisible part composed of software objects performing specific tasks. Researchers at the University of Palermo are developing a classification of devices to support more integrated interaction among pervasive system devices. They are developing the classification with specific reference to computing, memory, I/O, and networking capabilities. The device classifications and model definition will also support everything middleware designers use to create pervasive systems.
Vassallo, Giorgio; Pilato, Giovanni; Augello, Agnese; Gaglio, Salvatore
Phase Coherence in Conceptual Spaces for Conversational Agents Book
John Wiley and Sons, 2010, ISBN: 978-0-470-46495-3.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: Chatbots, Conversational Agents
@book{vassalloPhaseCoherenceConceptual2010,
title = {Phase Coherence in Conceptual Spaces for Conversational Agents},
author = { Giorgio Vassallo and Giovanni Pilato and Agnese Augello and Salvatore Gaglio},
doi = {10.1002/9780470588222.ch18},
isbn = {978-0-470-46495-3},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
publisher = {John Wiley and Sons},
keywords = {Chatbots, Conversational Agents},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
2009
Gallo, Luigi; Ciampi, Mario
Wii Remote-enhanced Hand-Computer Interaction for 3D Medical Image Analysis Proceedings Article
In: CTIT '09: Proceedings of International Conference on the Current Trends in Information Technology, pp. 85–90, IEEE Computer Society, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2009, ISBN: 978-1-4244-5755-7.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: 3D interaction, Data glove, Healthcare, Visualization, Wiimote
@inproceedings{galloWiiRemoteenhancedHandComputer2009,
title = {Wii Remote-enhanced Hand-Computer Interaction for 3D Medical Image Analysis},
author = { Luigi Gallo and Mario Ciampi},
doi = {10.1109/CTIT.2009.5423137},
isbn = {978-1-4244-5755-7},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-12-01},
booktitle = {CTIT '09: Proceedings of International Conference on the Current Trends in Information Technology},
pages = {85--90},
publisher = {IEEE Computer Society},
address = {Dubai, United Arab Emirates},
abstract = {In this paper, we introduce a low cost, not cumbersome, 3D user interface for exploring medical data. 3D imaging data can be manipulated in a semi-immersive virtual environment by means of an off-the-shelf wireless data glove equipped with an additional infrared LED. The LED is tracked by a Wii Remote, which is able to provide accurate positional information with no need for further six degrees of freedom position trackers. We also describe the interaction techniques we have designed specifically for a medical imaging scenario and provide some implementation details of the integration of the interface in an open-source image processing software for medical research.},
keywords = {3D interaction, Data glove, Healthcare, Visualization, Wiimote},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
In this paper, we introduce a low cost, not cumbersome, 3D user interface for exploring medical data. 3D imaging data can be manipulated in a semi-immersive virtual environment by means of an off-the-shelf wireless data glove equipped with an additional infrared LED. The LED is tracked by a Wii Remote, which is able to provide accurate positional information with no need for further six degrees of freedom position trackers. We also describe the interaction techniques we have designed specifically for a medical imaging scenario and provide some implementation details of the integration of the interface in an open-source image processing software for medical research.
Gallo, Luigi; Coronato, Antonio
Pervasive Distributed Volume Rendering in a Lightweight Multi-agent Platform Proceedings Article
In: ICIS '09 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Interaction Sciences: Information Technology, Culture and Human, pp. 750–755, ACM, Seoul, Korea, 2009, ISBN: 978-1-60558-710-3.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Healthcare, Middleware, Multi-agent systems, Ray casting
@inproceedings{galloPervasiveDistributedVolume2009,
title = {Pervasive Distributed Volume Rendering in a Lightweight Multi-agent Platform},
author = { Luigi Gallo and Antonio Coronato},
doi = {10.1145/1655925.1656062},
isbn = {978-1-60558-710-3},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-11-01},
booktitle = {ICIS '09 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Interaction Sciences: Information Technology, Culture and Human},
pages = {750--755},
publisher = {ACM},
address = {Seoul, Korea},
abstract = {In this paper, we present a service for a pervasive distribution of the computational load involved in the execution of high quality 3D rendering of medical volume data. The service is built upon an ad-hoc developed multi-agent middleware layer, which is in charge of executing user-defined tasks in hybrid peer-to-peer networks. Users' tasks are embedded in mobile agents and then spread in a platform composed by both fixed and mobile stations. Such agents are able to migrate among stations in order to ensure a certain degree of load balancing and dependability. The application scenario considered is a hospital, where intensive computing tasks can be edbend ectively executed on a large number of heterogeneous devices that are networked and typically only partially used. We also present the results of performance and dependability tests performed under real-world conditions.},
keywords = {Healthcare, Middleware, Multi-agent systems, Ray casting},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
In this paper, we present a service for a pervasive distribution of the computational load involved in the execution of high quality 3D rendering of medical volume data. The service is built upon an ad-hoc developed multi-agent middleware layer, which is in charge of executing user-defined tasks in hybrid peer-to-peer networks. Users' tasks are embedded in mobile agents and then spread in a platform composed by both fixed and mobile stations. Such agents are able to migrate among stations in order to ensure a certain degree of load balancing and dependability. The application scenario considered is a hospital, where intensive computing tasks can be edbend ectively executed on a large number of heterogeneous devices that are networked and typically only partially used. We also present the results of performance and dependability tests performed under real-world conditions.
Esposito, Massimo; Gallo, Luigi; Coronato, Antonio; Vecchia, Gennaro Della
An Infrastructure for Pervasive Access to Clinical Data in eHospitals Proceedings Article
In: Damiani, Ernesto; Jeong, Jechang; Howlett, Robert J.; Jain, Lakhmi C. (Ed.): New Directions in Intelligent Interactive Multimedia Systems and Services - 2, pp. 431–442, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, Mogliano Veneto, Italy, 2009, ISBN: 978-3-642-02936-3.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: EHR, Healthcare, Localization, Pervasive computing, RFID, Tracking
@inproceedings{espositoInfrastructurePervasiveAccess2009,
title = {An Infrastructure for Pervasive Access to Clinical Data in eHospitals},
author = { Massimo Esposito and Luigi Gallo and Antonio Coronato and Gennaro Della Vecchia},
editor = { Ernesto Damiani and Jechang Jeong and Robert J. Howlett and Lakhmi C. Jain},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-642-02937-0_40},
isbn = {978-3-642-02936-3},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-07-01},
booktitle = {New Directions in Intelligent Interactive Multimedia Systems and Services - 2},
volume = {226/2009},
pages = {431--442},
publisher = {Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg},
address = {Mogliano Veneto, Italy},
series = {Studies in Computational Intelligence},
abstract = {Ubiquitous computing technologies are being applied in many fields of business and institutions, varying from small intelligent spaces to large virtual enterprises. In particular, such technologies can be successfully used in health care facilities in order to reduce medical costs and improve quality of service. This paper presents an infrastructure for pervasively accessing Electronic Health Records (EHR) in a hospital. It relies on services which integrate Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) and photosensor technologies for identifying, locating and tracking doctors and patients equipped with mobile devices and RFID tags, with the final aim of granting ubiquitous and transparent access to medical data stored into standard EHRs.},
keywords = {EHR, Healthcare, Localization, Pervasive computing, RFID, Tracking},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Ubiquitous computing technologies are being applied in many fields of business and institutions, varying from small intelligent spaces to large virtual enterprises. In particular, such technologies can be successfully used in health care facilities in order to reduce medical costs and improve quality of service. This paper presents an infrastructure for pervasively accessing Electronic Health Records (EHR) in a hospital. It relies on services which integrate Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) and photosensor technologies for identifying, locating and tracking doctors and patients equipped with mobile devices and RFID tags, with the final aim of granting ubiquitous and transparent access to medical data stored into standard EHRs.
Jeon, Gwanggil; Falcón, Rafael; Gallo, Luigi; Jeong, Jechang; Suh, Il Hong
Single Field Deinterlacing Scheme Using Edge-Direction Vectors in Interlaced Sequences Journal Article
In: Optical Engineering, vol. 48, no. 6, pp. 067001, 2009, ISSN: ISSN (Online): 1560-2303 - ISSN (Print): 0091-3286.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Deinterlacing, Fuzzy, Membership function, Sobel operation
@article{jeonSingleFieldDeinterlacing2009,
title = {Single Field Deinterlacing Scheme Using Edge-Direction Vectors in Interlaced Sequences},
author = { Gwanggil Jeon and Rafael Falcón and Luigi Gallo and Jechang Jeong and Il Hong Suh},
doi = {10.1117/1.3146811},
issn = {ISSN (Online): 1560-2303 - ISSN (Print): 0091-3286},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-06-01},
journal = {Optical Engineering},
volume = {48},
number = {6},
pages = {067001},
abstract = {In this paper, a new intrafield deinterlacing algorithm with an edge-direction vector (EDV) in the image block is introduced. The EDV, which is computed by a Sobel mask utilized edge map, was first introduced so that finer resolution of the edge direction could be acquired. The Sobel operator is performed on the ``top and bottom'' or ``left and right'' adjacent pixels to detect the most likely edge direction of the missing pixel. The proposed EDV-oriented deinterlacing system operates by identifying small pixel variations at five orientations, 26.5, 45, 90, 135, and 153.5 deg. The EDV values work as inputs of the S-type small membership function, and the weight values were obtained for each edge direction. Based on the fuzzy rule and edge-direction confidence parameter, the missing pixels were computed. These weight values were multiplied by the candidate deinterlaced pixels to successively build approximations of the deinterlaced sequence. The results of computer simulations demonstrated that the proposed method outperforms a number of previously documented intrafield deinterlacing methods.},
keywords = {Deinterlacing, Fuzzy, Membership function, Sobel operation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In this paper, a new intrafield deinterlacing algorithm with an edge-direction vector (EDV) in the image block is introduced. The EDV, which is computed by a Sobel mask utilized edge map, was first introduced so that finer resolution of the edge direction could be acquired. The Sobel operator is performed on the ``top and bottom'' or ``left and right'' adjacent pixels to detect the most likely edge direction of the missing pixel. The proposed EDV-oriented deinterlacing system operates by identifying small pixel variations at five orientations, 26.5, 45, 90, 135, and 153.5 deg. The EDV values work as inputs of the S-type small membership function, and the weight values were obtained for each edge direction. Based on the fuzzy rule and edge-direction confidence parameter, the missing pixels were computed. These weight values were multiplied by the candidate deinterlaced pixels to successively build approximations of the deinterlaced sequence. The results of computer simulations demonstrated that the proposed method outperforms a number of previously documented intrafield deinterlacing methods.
Jeon, Gwanggil; Fang, Yong; Gallo, Luigi; Park, Sang-Jun; Lee, Rokkyu; Jeong, Jechang
Cascade Fuzzy Filters for Impulse and Random Noise Cancellation Proceedings Article
In: ISCE '09. IEEE 13th International Symposium on Consumer Electronics, pp. 498–502, IEEE Computer Society, Mielparque-Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan, 2009, ISBN: 978-1-4244-2975-2.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Fuzzy, Image denoising, Noise
@inproceedings{jeonCascadeFuzzyFilters2009,
title = {Cascade Fuzzy Filters for Impulse and Random Noise Cancellation},
author = { Gwanggil Jeon and Yong Fang and Luigi Gallo and Sang-Jun Park and Rokkyu Lee and Jechang Jeong},
doi = {10.1109/ISCE.2009.5156825},
isbn = {978-1-4244-2975-2},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-05-01},
booktitle = {ISCE '09. IEEE 13th International Symposium on Consumer Electronics},
pages = {498--502},
publisher = {IEEE Computer Society},
address = {Mielparque-Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan},
abstract = {This paper proposes the design of a multipass fuzzy filter for noise cancellation, and considers its application to video deinterlacing. The proposed fuzzy filter is developed to reduce noise with random and impulse characteristics, and to be used in real-time deinterlacing. We first present an impulse noise cancellation filter followed by random noise removal filter. The proposed technique can integrate conventional deinterlacing methods with the proposed denoising operation. The algorithm is tested on video sequences with impulse and random noises. The simulation results prove that the proposed method suppresses noise efficiently. In addition, we trace optimal parameter values for fuzzy membership function.},
keywords = {Fuzzy, Image denoising, Noise},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
This paper proposes the design of a multipass fuzzy filter for noise cancellation, and considers its application to video deinterlacing. The proposed fuzzy filter is developed to reduce noise with random and impulse characteristics, and to be used in real-time deinterlacing. We first present an impulse noise cancellation filter followed by random noise removal filter. The proposed technique can integrate conventional deinterlacing methods with the proposed denoising operation. The algorithm is tested on video sequences with impulse and random noises. The simulation results prove that the proposed method suppresses noise efficiently. In addition, we trace optimal parameter values for fuzzy membership function.
Cirrincione, Maurizio; Cossentino, Massimo; Gaglio, Salvatore; Hilaire, Vincent; Koukam, Abderrafiaa; Pucci, Marcello; Sabatucci, Luca; Vitale, Giampaolo
Intelligent Energy Management System Proceedings Article
In: 2009 7th IEEE International Conference on Industrial Informatics, pp. 232–237, IEEE, 2009, ISBN: 978-1-4244-3759-7.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Decision-making mechanism, Intelligent energy management, Multi agent systems
@inproceedings{cirrincioneIntelligentEnergyManagement2009,
title = {Intelligent Energy Management System},
author = { Maurizio Cirrincione and Massimo Cossentino and Salvatore Gaglio and Vincent Hilaire and Abderrafiaa Koukam and Marcello Pucci and Luca Sabatucci and Giampaolo Vitale},
doi = {10.1109/INDIN.2009.5195809},
isbn = {978-1-4244-3759-7},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
booktitle = {2009 7th IEEE International Conference on Industrial Informatics},
pages = {232--237},
publisher = {IEEE},
abstract = {Energy management is nowadays a subject of great importance and complexity. It consists in choosing among a set of sources able to produce energy that will give energy to a set of loads by minimising losses and costs. The sources and loads are heterogeneous, distributed and the reaction of the system, the choice of sources, must be done in real-time to avoid power outage. The goal of this paper is to present a system able to selfregulate a heterogeneous set of power sources and loads organised as a coherent group of entities that is called microgrid, in order to optimize several criteria such as: cost and efficiency. This system is based upon the Multi-Agent Systems paradigm. Each micro-grid entity is modelled as an autonomous agent able to interact and with it owns decision making mechanism. It takes into account the characteristics of the source or load types it belongs to and self-organizes with other agents in order to globally optimize the given criteria.},
keywords = {Decision-making mechanism, Intelligent energy management, Multi agent systems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Energy management is nowadays a subject of great importance and complexity. It consists in choosing among a set of sources able to produce energy that will give energy to a set of loads by minimising losses and costs. The sources and loads are heterogeneous, distributed and the reaction of the system, the choice of sources, must be done in real-time to avoid power outage. The goal of this paper is to present a system able to selfregulate a heterogeneous set of power sources and loads organised as a coherent group of entities that is called microgrid, in order to optimize several criteria such as: cost and efficiency. This system is based upon the Multi-Agent Systems paradigm. Each micro-grid entity is modelled as an autonomous agent able to interact and with it owns decision making mechanism. It takes into account the characteristics of the source or load types it belongs to and self-organizes with other agents in order to globally optimize the given criteria.
Coronato, Antonio; Gallo, Luigi; Pietro, Giuseppe De
Medical Data Visualization via a Pervasive Multi-Agent Platform Journal Article
In: International Journal of Healthcare Delivery Reform Initiatives, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 68–81, 2009, ISSN: ISSN (Online): 1938-0224 - ISSN (Print): 1938-0216.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Healthcare, Mobile computing, Multi-agent systems, Pervasive computing
@article{coronatoMedicalDataVisualization2009,
title = {Medical Data Visualization via a Pervasive Multi-Agent Platform},
author = { Antonio Coronato and Luigi Gallo and Giuseppe De Pietro},
doi = {10.4018/jhdri.2009100105},
issn = {ISSN (Online): 1938-0224 - ISSN (Print): 1938-0216},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
journal = {International Journal of Healthcare Delivery Reform Initiatives},
volume = {1},
number = {4},
pages = {68--81},
abstract = {Pervasive healthcare is the field of application emerging from the combination of healthcare with pervasive computing, which is the computing paradigm that aims to provide users with access to services in a transparent way, wherever they are and whichever their interacting device is. In this paper, a software infrastructure for pervasive healthcare is presented. Such an infrastructure aims at supporting medical practitioners with advanced pervasive access to medical data, which is also context-aware in the sense that the modality to fruit data depends on the device used by the operator and on his physical position within the environment. The paper also describes a service for high quality 3D rendering of medical volume data, which takes advantage of the software infrastructure to distribute the computational load upon the devices available in the environment in a completely transparent way to users.},
keywords = {Healthcare, Mobile computing, Multi-agent systems, Pervasive computing},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Pervasive healthcare is the field of application emerging from the combination of healthcare with pervasive computing, which is the computing paradigm that aims to provide users with access to services in a transparent way, wherever they are and whichever their interacting device is. In this paper, a software infrastructure for pervasive healthcare is presented. Such an infrastructure aims at supporting medical practitioners with advanced pervasive access to medical data, which is also context-aware in the sense that the modality to fruit data depends on the device used by the operator and on his physical position within the environment. The paper also describes a service for high quality 3D rendering of medical volume data, which takes advantage of the software infrastructure to distribute the computational load upon the devices available in the environment in a completely transparent way to users.
Cossentino, Massimo; Sabatucci, Luca; Seidita, Valeria
A Collaborative Tool for Designing and Enacting Design Processes Proceedings Article
In: SAC, pp. 715–721, 2009.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Collaborative Tool, Situational Method Engineering, Supporting Tool
@inproceedings{cossentinoCollaborativeToolDesigning2009,
title = {A Collaborative Tool for Designing and Enacting Design Processes},
author = { Massimo Cossentino and Luca Sabatucci and Valeria Seidita},
doi = {10.1145/1529282.1529431},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
booktitle = {SAC},
pages = {715--721},
abstract = {Today several approaches using Situational Method Engineering paradigm exist, each of them proposes methods and techniques for developing ad-hoc design processes. In this context heavy efforts were spent in the construction of appropriate tools that could help method engineers in producing a specific design process and in using it. We developed a tool called Metameth for supporting the design process definition and its enactment. Metameth is implemented as a multi-agent system, where each agent is capable of reasoning and adapting itself in order to support the designer in performing different kinds of design activities.},
keywords = {Collaborative Tool, Situational Method Engineering, Supporting Tool},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Today several approaches using Situational Method Engineering paradigm exist, each of them proposes methods and techniques for developing ad-hoc design processes. In this context heavy efforts were spent in the construction of appropriate tools that could help method engineers in producing a specific design process and in using it. We developed a tool called Metameth for supporting the design process definition and its enactment. Metameth is implemented as a multi-agent system, where each agent is capable of reasoning and adapting itself in order to support the designer in performing different kinds of design activities.
Mascio, Tania Di; Perini, Anna; Sabatucci, Luca; Susi, Angelo
Building and Browsing Tropos Models: The AVI Design Proceedings Article
In: Human Interface and the Management of Information. Information and Interaction: Symposium on Human Interface 2009, Held as Part of HCI International 2009, San Diego, CA, USA, July 19-24, 2009, Proceedings, Part II, pp. 269, Springer, 2009.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Agents, Design Process, Supporting Tool
@inproceedings{dimascioBuildingBrowsingTropos2009,
title = {Building and Browsing Tropos Models: The AVI Design},
author = { Tania Di Mascio and Anna Perini and Luca Sabatucci and Angelo Susi},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-642-02559-4_30},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
booktitle = {Human Interface and the Management of Information. Information and Interaction: Symposium on Human Interface 2009, Held as Part of HCI International 2009, San Diego, CA, USA, July 19-24, 2009, Proceedings, Part II},
pages = {269},
publisher = {Springer},
abstract = {This paper proposes the use of the HCI paradigm and techniques to support software system designers in building and browsing visual models during the development of complex distributed systems. In particular, we adopt Usability Evaluation Methods (UEMs) to analyse the first version of the interface of TAOM4E, the tool supporting the Tropos Agent-Oriented methodology. Using the results of this usability study, we collect different requirements to design an Advanced Visual Interface (AVI) of TAOM4E taking into account requirements of supporting software designers during Tropos models design process browsing.},
keywords = {Agents, Design Process, Supporting Tool},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
This paper proposes the use of the HCI paradigm and techniques to support software system designers in building and browsing visual models during the development of complex distributed systems. In particular, we adopt Usability Evaluation Methods (UEMs) to analyse the first version of the interface of TAOM4E, the tool supporting the Tropos Agent-Oriented methodology. Using the results of this usability study, we collect different requirements to design an Advanced Visual Interface (AVI) of TAOM4E taking into account requirements of supporting software designers during Tropos models design process browsing.
Franchini, Silvia; Gentile, Antonio; Sorbello, Filippo; Vassallo, Giorgio; Vitabile, Salvatore
An Embedded, FPGA-based Computer Graphics Coprocessor with Native Geometric Algebra Support Journal Article
In: Integration, the VLSI Journal, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 346–355, 2009, ISSN: 0167-9260.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Application-specific processors, Clifford algebra, Computational geometry, Embedded coprocessors, Field Programmable Gate Arrays, FPGA prototyping, Geometric algebra
@article{franchiniEmbeddedFPGAbasedComputer2009,
title = {An Embedded, FPGA-based Computer Graphics Coprocessor with Native Geometric Algebra Support},
author = { Silvia Franchini and Antonio Gentile and Filippo Sorbello and Giorgio Vassallo and Salvatore Vitabile},
doi = {10.1016/j.vlsi.2008.09.010},
issn = {0167-9260},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
journal = {Integration, the VLSI Journal},
volume = {42},
number = {3},
pages = {346--355},
abstract = {The representation of geometric objects and their transformation are the two key aspects in computer graphics applications. Traditionally, computer-intensive matrix calculations are involved in modeling and rendering three-dimensional (3D) scenery. Geometric algebra (aka Clifford algebra) is attracting attention as a natural way to model geometric facts and as a powerful analytical tool for symbolic calculations. In this paper, the architecture of Clifford coprocessor (CliffoSor) is introduced. CliffoSor is an embedded parallel coprocessing core that offers direct hardware support to Clifford algebra operators. A prototype implementation on a programmable gate array (FPGA) board is detailed. Initial test results show the potential to achieve a 20texttimes speedup for 3D vector rotations, a 12texttimes speedup for Clifford sums and differences, and more than a 4texttimes speedup for Clifford products, compared to the analogous operations in GAIGEN, a standard geometric algebra library generator for general-purpose processors. An execution analysis of a raytracing application is also presented. textcopyright 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.},
keywords = {Application-specific processors, Clifford algebra, Computational geometry, Embedded coprocessors, Field Programmable Gate Arrays, FPGA prototyping, Geometric algebra},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The representation of geometric objects and their transformation are the two key aspects in computer graphics applications. Traditionally, computer-intensive matrix calculations are involved in modeling and rendering three-dimensional (3D) scenery. Geometric algebra (aka Clifford algebra) is attracting attention as a natural way to model geometric facts and as a powerful analytical tool for symbolic calculations. In this paper, the architecture of Clifford coprocessor (CliffoSor) is introduced. CliffoSor is an embedded parallel coprocessing core that offers direct hardware support to Clifford algebra operators. A prototype implementation on a programmable gate array (FPGA) board is detailed. Initial test results show the potential to achieve a 20texttimes speedup for 3D vector rotations, a 12texttimes speedup for Clifford sums and differences, and more than a 4texttimes speedup for Clifford products, compared to the analogous operations in GAIGEN, a standard geometric algebra library generator for general-purpose processors. An execution analysis of a raytracing application is also presented. textcopyright 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Gallo, Luigi; Pietro, Giuseppe De
Input Devices and Interaction Techniques for VR-Enhanced Medicine Book Section
In: Damiani, Ernesto; Jeong, Jechang (Ed.): Multimedia Techniques for Device and Ambient Intelligence, pp. 115–134, Springer US, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-387-88776-0.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Healthcare, Interaction metaphors, Medicine, Virtual Reality
@incollection{galloInputDevicesInteraction2009,
title = {Input Devices and Interaction Techniques for VR-Enhanced Medicine},
author = { Luigi Gallo and Giuseppe De Pietro},
editor = { Ernesto Damiani and Jechang Jeong},
isbn = {978-0-387-88776-0},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
booktitle = {Multimedia Techniques for Device and Ambient Intelligence},
pages = {115--134},
publisher = {Springer US},
abstract = {Virtual Reality (VR) technologies make it possible to reproduce faithfully real life events in computer-generated scenarios. This approach has the potential to simplify the way people solve problems, since they can take advantage of their real life experiences while interacting in synthetic worlds. In medicine, the application of these technologies and of the related communication interfaces could have a great impact on several fields, such as virtual endoscopy, surgical simulation and planning and medical education. Nonetheless, VR is still far away from being used in the daily clinical practice, being confined to specialist applications. In this study we try to outline the deficiencies of current VR-enhanced medical applications, focusing on field of medical imaging. We analyze the main requirements to produce effective systems suitable to be used by physicians, from the input device to the interaction techniques and metaphors. Moreover, we introduce the interactive system we are designing to allow a usable manipulation of 3D reconstructions of anatomical parts in virtual environments, which is based on the use of a handheld input device: the Wii controller.},
keywords = {Healthcare, Interaction metaphors, Medicine, Virtual Reality},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
Virtual Reality (VR) technologies make it possible to reproduce faithfully real life events in computer-generated scenarios. This approach has the potential to simplify the way people solve problems, since they can take advantage of their real life experiences while interacting in synthetic worlds. In medicine, the application of these technologies and of the related communication interfaces could have a great impact on several fields, such as virtual endoscopy, surgical simulation and planning and medical education. Nonetheless, VR is still far away from being used in the daily clinical practice, being confined to specialist applications. In this study we try to outline the deficiencies of current VR-enhanced medical applications, focusing on field of medical imaging. We analyze the main requirements to produce effective systems suitable to be used by physicians, from the input device to the interaction techniques and metaphors. Moreover, we introduce the interactive system we are designing to allow a usable manipulation of 3D reconstructions of anatomical parts in virtual environments, which is based on the use of a handheld input device: the Wii controller.
Gambino, Orazio; Augello, Agnese; Caronia, Alessandro; Pilato, Giovanni; Pirrone, Roberto; Gaglio, Salvatore
A Web-Oriented Java 3D Talking Head Journal Article
In: Advances in Intelligent and Soft Computing, vol. 60, pp. 295–311, 2009, ISSN: 18675662.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: 3D Modelling, Animation, Human computer interaction, Natural Language Processing
@article{gambinoWeborientedJava3D2009,
title = {A Web-Oriented Java 3D Talking Head},
author = { Orazio Gambino and Agnese Augello and Alessandro Caronia and Giovanni Pilato and Roberto Pirrone and Salvatore Gaglio},
editor = { Kulikowski J.L. Hippe Z.S.},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-642-03202-8_24},
issn = {18675662},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
journal = {Advances in Intelligent and Soft Computing},
volume = {60},
pages = {295--311},
abstract = {Facial animation denotes all those systems performing speech synchronization with an animated face model. These kinds of systems are named Talking Heads or Talking Faces. At the same time simple dialogue systems called chatbots have been developed. Chatbots are software agents able to interact with users through pattern-matching based rules. In this paper a Talking Head oriented to the creation of a Chatbot is presented. An answer is generated in form of text triggered by an input query. The answer is converted into a facial animation using a 3D face model whose lips movements are synchronized with the sound produced by a speech synthesis module. Our Talking Head exploits the naturalness of the facial animation and provides a real-time interactive interface to the user. Besides, it is specifically suited for being used on the web. This leads to a set of requirements to be satisfied, like: simple installation, visual quality, fast download, and interactivity in real time. The web infrastructure has been realized using the Client-Server model. The Chatbot, the Natural Language Processing and the Digital Signal Processing services are delegated to the server. The client is involved in animation and synchronization. This way, the server can handle multiple requests from clients. The conversation module has been implemented using the A.L.I.C.E. (Artificial Linguistic Internet Computer Entity) technology. The output of the chatbot is given input to the Natural Language Processing (Comedia Speech), incorporating a text analyzer, a letter-to-sound module and a module for the generation of prosody. The client, through the synchronization module, computes the time of real duration of the animation and the duration of each phoneme and consequently of each viseme. The morphing module performs the animation of the facial model and the voice reproduction. As a result, the user will see the answer to question both in textual form and in the form of visual animation. textcopyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009.},
keywords = {3D Modelling, Animation, Human computer interaction, Natural Language Processing},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Facial animation denotes all those systems performing speech synchronization with an animated face model. These kinds of systems are named Talking Heads or Talking Faces. At the same time simple dialogue systems called chatbots have been developed. Chatbots are software agents able to interact with users through pattern-matching based rules. In this paper a Talking Head oriented to the creation of a Chatbot is presented. An answer is generated in form of text triggered by an input query. The answer is converted into a facial animation using a 3D face model whose lips movements are synchronized with the sound produced by a speech synthesis module. Our Talking Head exploits the naturalness of the facial animation and provides a real-time interactive interface to the user. Besides, it is specifically suited for being used on the web. This leads to a set of requirements to be satisfied, like: simple installation, visual quality, fast download, and interactivity in real time. The web infrastructure has been realized using the Client-Server model. The Chatbot, the Natural Language Processing and the Digital Signal Processing services are delegated to the server. The client is involved in animation and synchronization. This way, the server can handle multiple requests from clients. The conversation module has been implemented using the A.L.I.C.E. (Artificial Linguistic Internet Computer Entity) technology. The output of the chatbot is given input to the Natural Language Processing (Comedia Speech), incorporating a text analyzer, a letter-to-sound module and a module for the generation of prosody. The client, through the synchronization module, computes the time of real duration of the animation and the duration of each phoneme and consequently of each viseme. The morphing module performs the animation of the facial model and the voice reproduction. As a result, the user will see the answer to question both in textual form and in the form of visual animation. textcopyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009.