Abstract: Women endure a lot of sexual harassment these days which is becoming alarming day by day. The situation is extremely serious in developing countries as well as underdeveloped ones. Consequently, it poses a significant challenge to women's empowerment as well as to a country's budgetary growth. In this project, we are advancing an IoT device along with an android app that can make women's movement safer. Women can get swift and supreme safety support by pressing the device's emergency switch. If any incident occurs, this device can track the user’s location in real-time and send it to the nearby police box and volunteer. The user can also get location of the nearest safe zone by this device as well. In addition, this device functions in both online and offline mode. If there is no internet available, the user can still use the device to access the nearest police box and volunteer support. The device consists of Arduino nano, GPS, GSM, Bluetooth, etc. The aggregate of all these elements collectively offers this device to be affordable and easy to navigate.

Abstract: The string stability of cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) platoons is largely affected by complex driving environment and abnormal driving behaviors. Fast and repetitive driving-state changes always occur during the period of changing driving states (such as leaving a platoon or lane-change), due to errors made in driver decisions or automatic driving system. This research proposes a framework which combines recognition of driving states with platoon operations and risk-prediction in order to reduce disturbance and unnecessary platoon operations resulting from driving-state jitters. First of all, long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks were used in this research combined with a time-window in order to recognize driving states. Based on this research, the LSTM mode with an added time-window was found to be able to effectively reduce comparatively the jitters of recognition results. After that, an integrated mode which incorporates a recognition mode with danger probabilities was demonstrated to present better platoon operations. Monte Carlo simulation and importance sampling method will be given to predict platoons' and vehicles' trajectories and compute danger probabilities. In addition, an innovative strategy is implemented to identify an additional leader and execute a platoon splitting in order to improve driving smoothness, if a vehicle is recognized in an abnormal car-following state with a high danger-probability. In summary, this research has conducted extensive numerical tests to evaluate performances of the proposed system and the analysis results show that the proposed strategies will effectively increase smoothness and safety for a multi-platooning system.

Abstract: Applications are increasingly coming equipped with a so-called dark mode. Our observation is that many computer enthusiasts are under the impression that dark mode in a way is better than the traditional light mode. This study sets out to explore this belief by observing if dark mode indeed poses any improvements in terms of productivity and quantity of errors over light mode. A controlled experiment was designed involving a visually intensive text entry task using a virtual keyboard with an unfamiliar layout. The results indicate that there were no differences between dark mode and light mode in terms of productivity and quantity of errors.

Abstract: With the availability of various sensors in the smartphone, identifying a locomotion mode becomes convenient and effortless in recent years. Information about locomotion mode helps to improve journey planning, travel time estimation, and traffic management. Though there exists a significant amount of work towards locomotion mode recognition, the performance of these work is not pertinent and heavily depends on the labeled training instances. As it is impractical to gather a prior information (labeled instances) about all types of locomotion modes, the recognition model should be able to identify a new or unseen locomotion mode without having any corresponding training instance. This paper proposes a sensors based deep learning model to identify a locomotion mode by using labeled training instances. The approach also incorporates a concept of Zero-Shot learning to identify an unseen locomotion mode. The model obtains an attribute matrix based on the fusion of three semantic matrices. It also constructs a feature matrix by extracting the deep learning and hand-crafted features from the training instances. Later, the model builds a classifier by learning a mapping between attribute and feature matrices. Finally, this work evaluates the performance of the approach on collected and existing datasets using accuracy and F1 score.

Abstract: A system includes a fabric switch including a motherboard, a baseboard management controller (BMC), a network switch configured to transport network signals, and a PCIe switch configured to transport PCIe signals; a midplane; and a plurality of device ports. Each of the plurality of device ports is configured to connect a storage device to the motherboard of the fabric switch over the midplane and carry the network signals and the PCIe signals over the midplane. The storage device is configurable in multiple modes based a protocol established over a fabric connection between the system and the storage device.

Abstract: In this paper, we present a novel collaboration tool, OmniGlobeVR, which is an asymmetric system that supports communication and collaboration between a VR user (occupant) and multiple non-VR users (designers) across the virtual and physical platform. OmniGlobeVR allows designer(s) to explore the VR space from any point of view using two view modes: a 360° first-person mode and a third-person mode. In addition, a shared gaze awareness cue is provided to further enhance communication between the occupant and the designer(s). Finally, the system has a face window feature that allows designer(s) to share their facial expressions and upper body view with the occupant for exchanging and expressing information using nonverbal cues. We conducted a user study to evaluate the OmniGlobeVR, comparing three conditions: (1) first-person mode with the face window, (2) first-person mode with a solid window, and (3) third-person mode with the face window. We found that the first-person mode with the face window required significantly less mental effort, and provided better spatial presence, usability, and understanding of the partner's focus. We discuss the design implications of these results and directions for future research.

Abstract: This article investigates the sliding-mode control design problem for uncertain time-varying delayed systems. A novel non-negative constraints approach is proposed, which can be used to determine the stability of the controlled systems during the sliding motion. A new stability condition is obtained, which is easy to satisfy and verify. The parameters of the sliding-mode surface can be calculated by solving the non-negative constraints-based optimization problem defined in this article. Simulation examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness and advantages of the developed strategy.

Abstract: In this paper, a novel state machine for mobile robots is described that enables a direct use for exploration and inspection tasks. It offers a graphical user interface (GUI) to supervise the process and to issue commands if necessary. The state machine was developed for the open-source framework Robot Operating System (ROS) and can interface arbitrary algorithms for navigation and exploration. Interfaces to the commonly used ROS navigation stack and the explore_lite package are already included and can be utilized. In addition, routines for mapping and inspection can be added freely to adapt to the area of application. The state machine features a teleoperation mode to which it changes as soon as a respective command was issued. It also implements a software emergency stop and multiplexes all movement commands to the motor controller. To show the state machine's capabilities several simulations and real-world experiments are described in which it was used.

Abstract: In this paper, we have given the design and development of a new wearable device that assists visually impaired individuals to travel independently and confidently. The newly proposed device is based on range-based sensors and would work effectively in both indoor and outdoor conditions. It is constructed in the form of two separate modules; one module is designed such that it can be attached to the waist belt of the user, and the other module is designed to wear it on ankle of the user. Both the modules communicate with each other using wireless communication and can cover the full front environment of the user. The information about the front environment is transmitted to the user, via headphone, by sending a set of voice instructions, stored in a memory card added in the belt module. In order to use the device in crowd mode, appropriate networking techniques were also implemented in the prototype such that the interference of two or more devices in the close vicinity can be avoided. In the end, effectiveness of the device is analyzed and proved by conducting experiments and obtaining statistical results.

Abstract: Researchers around the world are now focused on to make our devices more interactive and trying to make the devices operational with minimal physical contact. In this research, we propose an interactive computer system which can operate without any physical keyboard and mouse. This system can be beneficial to everyone, especially to the paralyzed people who face difficulties to operate physical keyboard and mouse. We used computer vision so that user can type on virtual keyboard using a yellow-colored cap on his fingertip, and can also navigate to mouse controlling system. Once the user is in mouse controlling mode, user can perform all the mouse operations only by showing different number of fingers. We validated both module of our system by a 52 years old paralyzed person and achieved around 80% accuracy on average.

Abstract: For a class of nonlinear discrete-time networked systems with time-delay and communication constraints, this paper is concerned with the design of robust sliding mode observer (SMO), where only one sensor node is allowed to transmit information to remote observer. We focus on the design of SMO to guarantee the exponentially stable of estimation error system and have a desired H∞ disturbance attenuation level in presence of communication constraints. Firstly, a sensor selector is introduced such that only one sensor node is chosen and its measurement can be transmitted to remote SMO at each time instant. Then, a sufficient condition is derived by introducing a piece-wise Lyapunov functional and using the Jensen's Inequality, which ensures the prescribed performance of estimation error system in the sliding mode surface that we have defined. Moreover, the observer gain matrices can be obtained through solving some matrix inequalities given in the main results. Finally, a simulation study performed on the F404 aircraft engine state monitoring is introduced to validate the robust SMO design.

Abstract: Understanding holistic impact of planned transportation solutions and interventions on urban systems is challenged by their complexity but critical for decision making. The cornerstone for such impact assessments is estimating the transportation mode-shift resulting from the intervention. And while transportation planning has well-established models for the mode-choice assessment such as the nested multinomial logit model, an individual choice simulation could be better suited for addressing the mode-shift allowing to consistently account for individual preferences. In addition, no model perfectly represents the reality while the available ground truth data on the actual transportation choices needed to infer the model is often incomplete or inconsistent. The present paper addresses those challenges by offering an individual mode-choice and mode-shift simulation model and the Bayesian inference framework. It accounts for uncertainties in the data as well as the model estimate and translates them into uncertainties of the resulting mode-shift and the impacts. The framework is evaluated on the two intervention cases: introducing ride-sharing for-hire-vehicles in NYC as well the recent introduction of the Manhattan Congestion Surcharge. Being successfully evaluated on the cases above, the framework can be used for assessing mode-shift and resulting economic, social and environmental implications for any future urban transportation solutions and policies being considered by decision-makers or transportation companies.

Abstract: Wind energy has posed new challenges in both transmission and distribution systems owing to its uncertain nature. The effect of wind turbines (WTs) on the actual payments charged by upstream networks to distribution system companies (DISCOs) is one challenge. Moreover, when the grid-connected inverters of WT operate in the lead or lag modes, WTs absorb or inject reactive power from the system. This paper proposes an approach to assess the importance of operation modes of WTs to minimize the costs by DISCOs in the presence of system uncertainties. Accordingly, an optimization problem is formulated to minimize the costs to DISCO by determining the optimal locations and sizes of WTs in optimally reconfigured distribution systems. In addition, an improved vector-based swarm optimization (IVBSO) algorithm is proposed because it is highly suitable for vector-based problems. Two distribution systems are used in the simulations to evaluate the proposed algorithm. Firstly, the capabilities of the IVBSO algorithm to determine better solutions over other heuristic algorithms are confirmed using the IEEE 33-bus test system. Secondly, the Bijan Abad distribution system (BDS) is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed optimization problem. Accordingly, the distribution system model, cumulative distribution function of wind speed, and load profile are all extracted from the actual data of the BijanAbad region. Finally, the optimization problem is applied to BDS in both the lead and lag modes of WTs. Results indicate that the total costs of DISCO are lower when WTs operate in the lag mode than in the lead mode.

Abstract: Consider a supply chain consisting of one manufacturer and one retailer. The manufacturer may open direct channels through ex-ante or ex-post encroachment, and the retailer can provide consumers with ex-ante or ex-post service. We investigates the effects of encroachment and services on the optimal strategy for two members in three decision modes: MR mode (ex-ante encroachment), MRM mode (ex-post encroachment and ex-post service), and MRMR mode (ex-post encroachment and ex-ante service). The results show that in the MRM mode, both the wholesale and retail prices may become higher with encroachment. Improving the service efficiency may hurt the retailer, and increasing the operating cost for direct channels harms the retailer, while benefits the manufacturer. In addition, only in the MRM mode, the retailer maybe benefits from encroachment under certain conditions. We further study the equilibrium mode and the result shows as follows. The MR mode, widely adopted by the literature on manufacturer encroachment, always is worst for the manufacturer. Only when both the operating cost for direct channels and the service efficiency are low, the equilibrium decision mode is the MRMR mode, otherwise the MRM mode is the equilibrium decision mode.

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to design and create interactive learning machines for letters and numbers for early childhood. The machine designed is an interactive learning machine so that early childhood is interested in learning and can learn independently. Arduino Mega2560 is used as the main processor on this machine. On this machine, there are three modes, namely learning mode, question mode, and counting mode. In learning mode, Arduino will read every button input pressed, display on the LCD and make a sound through DF Player in accordance with the input received. In the question mode, Arduino will issue a question in the form of sound and wait for an answer via the input button found on the device. In arithmetic mode, Arduino will read the input of 10 LDR sensors covered by ice-cream sticks placed by young children and make sounds related to the amount. Questions on tools can be changed by using an android application designed in this study. Based on the test results, this tool has been running well where all modes can be run 100% whether it is learning mode, question mode, and counting mode. Keyword— Arduino, Early childhood, LCD, DF Player, Letters, and Numbers, Counting

Abstract: In this study, a user pairing scheme in mobility-aware device-to-device (D2D) communication system is proposed. One D2D user equipment (DUE) pair consists of a D2D transmitting user equipment and a D2D receiving user equipment. First of all, the network model, communication time model and moving model are presented. Then the mathematical characteristics of the capacities of DUEs in different moving mode are analysed. Based on the analysis above, a user pairing scheme in mobility-aware D2D communication system is proposed. Finally, simulation results show the capacity performance of the proposed scheme outperforms that of the other algorithms. This result can be applied into the deployment and optimisation of D2D communication system.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus for displaying pitch information in a live broadcasting room, and a storage medium, and belongs to the technical field of computers. The method includes:determining first human voice pitch information based on human voice of an anchor, acquired by an anchor terminal in the live broadcasting room; obtaining information of a song played by the anchor terminal and/or information of a song sung by the anchor; obtaining standard pitch information of the song based on the information of the song; and displaying the first human voice pitch information and the standard pitch information on spectator terminals of the live broadcasting room. According to the method and apparatus, and the storage medium, the problem of single display mode of the pitch information in the related technology is solved, and the method and apparatus can be used for displaying the pitch information in the live broadcasting room.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods allow a system to embed an item identifier into a content item. A first device can then play an audio trigger that is imperceptible to humans before playing the item identifier. A second device can go into an active listening mode after detecting the audio trigger and record an audio segment contain the embedded item identifier. A system can then decode the item identifier to determine an appropriate context for the second device. The second device can then receive a vocal command or query and respond according to the determined context. In one example, the first device can be a television, and the second device can be a digital assistant (e.g., Amazon Alexa) that detects advertisements played on the television via audio signals embedded in accompanying audio streams. Subsequent user interactions with the digital assistant can then be informed by the context of the recently-heard advertisements.

Abstract: The embodiment of the invention provides a medication guidance query method and device based on a knowledge graph, and belongs to the technical field of medical artificial intelligence. The method comprises the steps of pushing a corresponding interaction template to a user side in response to a query request sent by the user side; acquiring interaction information fed back by the user side through the interaction template, and generating a user portrait corresponding to the user side according to the interaction information; and generating medication information according to the user portraitand a pre-established drug knowledge graph, and feeding back the medication information to the user side. According to the technical scheme, the interaction information of a user is obtained throughthe interaction template to construct a user portrait of the user in real time, and based on the pre-established drug knowledge graph, the medication information is generated for the user portrait andrecommended to the user; the problem that a search mode based on word matching can only recommend a large drug candidate list due to the fact that the obtained user information is too little is effectively solved.

Abstract: An intelligent wheelchair prototype is presented, reusing old damaged equipment and incorporating low cost elements for repowering it. The system can be operated in manual mode (total user control) and semi-automatic depending on tasks to be performed and whether other secondary tasks are carried out (answering questions or picking up objects) as simulated in this experiment. When manual mode is executed, a coherence algorithm has been incorporated that allows the wheelchair to be guided with the eye movement and in the semi-automatic mode, system takes control when user do not execute a control action when an obstacle is about to crash with the chair. For a greater interaction between system and user, a basic, friendly and easy-to-use interface has been developed that empowers the performance of activities throughout this experiment. Participants selection, as well as the experimental tests performed are described in this document. The qualitative and quantitative results obtained allow to validate the efficiency of this system, as well as the satisfaction of the users through the respective tests.

Abstract: The embodiment of the invention provides a WeChat-applet-based medication guidance pushing method, device and equipment and belongs to the technical field of medical artificial intelligence. The method comprises the steps: obtaining prescription information of a user; generating a user portrait of the user; generating medication guidance information according to the prescription information, a user portrait and a pre-established medicine knowledge graph; generating an identification code corresponding to the medication guidance information and pushing the identification code to a user side; and in response to an acquisition request sent by the user side, pushing medication guidance information to the user, and displaying the medication guidance information through a WeChat applet. The medication guidance information is generated for the user based on the user prescription information, the user portrait and the drug knowledge graph and pushed to the user in a WeChat applet mode, so thatthe problems that the existing user cannot accurately obtain the medication guidance, the network search recommendation range is too large, and the accuracy is low are effectively solved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air supply method, an air supply device and an air conditioner. A voice control instruction is sent to the air supply device, the target direction is acquired through the sound source positioning, the target depth is acquired and a target dynamic motion track is obtained through the binocular camera technology, the air supply device automatically adjusts the air supplytemperature, the air supply speed and the air supply direction according to the target direction and the distance. The comfort degree of a user is improved, and the problem that the air supply mode ofthe air supply device cannot automatically adapt to user requirements after the user activity area is changed is solved.

Abstract: Deep learning-based video facial authentication has limitations when it comes to real-world applications, due to large mode variations such as illumination, pose, and eyeglasses variations in real-life situations. Many of existing mode-invariant facial authentication methods need labels of each mode. However, the label information could not be always available in practice. To alleviate this problem, we develop an unsupervised mode disentangling method for video facial authentication. By matching both disentangled identity features and dynamic features of two facial videos, our proposed method shows significant face verification and identification performances on three publicly available datasets, KAIST-MPMI, UVA-NEMO, and YTF.

Abstract: Virtual reality technology refers to the use of computer multi-body technology to simulate the environment from many aspects, such as human smell, vision, touch and hearing, so that people can have a sense of being in it in the virtual environment constructed by computer, and can obtain all kinds of information with the help of human-computer interaction.By combining virtual reality with somatosensory interaction using gesture recognition, speech recognition and other modes, this paper develops an immersive urban scene roaming system based on Unity3D multi-mode human-computer interaction, which gives users a near-real scene roaming and somatosensory interaction experience.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle problem troubleshooting system and method based on a remote equipment terminal. The system comprises a communication terminal TBox and a remote monitoring platform.The communication terminal TBox is used for collecting log information of all ECUs of a vehicle in a classified mode and storing the collected log information. The remote monitoring platform is used for sending a log request instruction to the communication terminal TBox and receiving log information sent by the communication terminal TBox; and the communication terminal TBox is also used for uploading log information corresponding to a log request instruction to the remote monitoring platform after receiving the log request instruction sent by the remote monitoring platform. According to themethod, the fault log required by remote equipment fault/problem analysis can be acquired remotely in real time as required, meanwhile, low-cost complete log acquisition can be realized, the operationis relatively simple, and background workers can complete the operation simply.

Abstract: The invention discloses an air outlet method and system based on regular wind sheltering of a target person in a multi-person scene through machine body swing blade linkage, and the method comprises the steps: indoor human body information is detected, a machine body of an air outlet assembly is adjusted according to the detected indoor human body information, and the air outlet direction of the air outlet assembly is enabled to completely cover an area where an indoor human body is located; the air outlet assembly blows air according to comfortable air, and the comfortable air is calculated through a comfort model according to detected environment data information and indoor human body information; and in the target person wind sheltering mode under the multi-person condition, the air outlet assembly is controlled to change the current state of an air outlet assembly machine body and change the current state of swing blades in the air outlet assembly at the same time when the air outlet direction is located in the target area according to the target person wind sheltering mode under the multi-person condition, so that the air outlet direction sweeps over the target area within settime. According to the invention, air outlet adjustment can be conducted on a user according to the indoor environment information, wind power adjustment and control can be conducted according to theself requirements of the user, and a comfortable air outlet environment is provided for the user.