• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

In this paper, we propose a method to recognize the braille blocks for embedded devices in real time through deep learning. First, a deep learning model for braille block recognition is trained on a high-performance computer, and the learning model is applied to a lightweight tool to apply to an embedded device. To recognize the walking information of the braille block, an algorithm is used to determine the path using the distance from the braille block in the image. After detecting braille blocks, bollards, and crosswalks through the YOLOv8 model in the video captured by the embedded device, the walking information is recognized through the braille block path discrimination algorithm. We apply the model lightweight tool to YOLOv8 to detect braille blocks in real time. The precision of YOLOv8 model weights is lowered from the existing 32 bits to 8 bits, and the model is optimized by applying the TensorRT optimization engine. As the result of comparing the lightweight model through the proposed method with the existing model, the path recognition accuracy is 99.05%, which is almost the same as the existing model, but the recognition speed is reduced by 59% compared to the existing model, processing about 15 frames per second.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2014

Objective: The objective of the study is to develop a portable assistance device to help elderly users reduce strain on the knee and leg muscle while the elderly are standing up. Background: The pose of standing up from a chair is a basic movement, but the elderly often have difficulty standing up due to their weak muscles. We focus on designing a solution that helps the elderly reduce physical problems and support them standing up. Method: This study consists of three parts. Part I explores the way to reduce the refrain of leg muscle while standing up from a chair. In the process of structural development, we found that the moment is minimized when user pushes down the armrests due to a decrease in the force acting on the center of mass. In part II, a user test of 20 participants was carried out to rank the order of comfort of two stimuli: the chair with fixed armrests and the chair with the four-link mechanism that we created-in three different ways; (1) to stand up without touching armrests, (2) to stand up by pushing down on fixed armrests, and (3) to stand up by pushing down on armrests and being supported by the mechanism. To examine the statistically significant differences among the rank means, a Friedman test was conducted. In part III, we analyze the results of the user test and interview feedbacks, focusing on establishing a design strategy from UPO and visualizing it in 1:1 scale. Results: In part I, we decided to develop the four-link mechanism. The bottom is lifted up as the link rises. In part II, based on the rank data, we empirically found that UPO was assessed as the most comfortable during the stimuli. The thigh angle is smaller and the bottom of UPO is separated from a seat. In part III, after assessing the results and feedbacks, we created a visualization strategy for UPO: light, friendly, and novel. Conclusion: The portable and non-mechanical UPO comprises a four-link system that lifts the user's hips while standing. It can help users avoid knee and leg muscle strain. Its universal design considers the elderly's difficulties. Application: In a future study, combining light and durable material in UPO is expected to increase its usability. And this study is an opportunity to design various types of standing assistance devices.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.217-226
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• 2010

The lower limb orthosis with a pneumatic rubber actuator, which is intended for the assistance and the enhancement of muscular activities of lower limbs was developed in this study. Compared to other knee extension assistive devices being developed by other researchers, our device is designed especially for the elderly people and intended only for slight assistance so that the subjects can keep their muscular strength. For the effectiveness of system, muscular activities of major muscles in lower limbs during sit-to-stand (STS) and squat motion were measured and analyzed. Subjects were performed the STS and squat motion with and without lower limb orthosis. We made comparison muscular activities between with and without lower limb orthosis. Lower limb orthosis was controlled using muscular stiffness force feedback that is controlled by muscular activities of the measured muscle from force sensor. For analysis of muscular activities, electromyography of the subjects was measured during STS and squat motion, and these were measured using MP 150(BIOPAC Systems, Inc.). Muscles of interest were rectus femoris(RF), vastus lateralis(VL), vastus medialis(VM) and vastus intermedius(VI) muscles in lower limbs of the right side. A biodex dynamometer was used to measure the maximal concentric isokinetic strength of the knee extensors of wearing and not wearing orthosis on right side. The test were performed using the concentric isokinetic mode of test with the velocity set at 60°/s for muscles around the knee joints. The experimental result showed that muscular activities in lower limbs wearing orthosis using muscular stiffness force of a vastus medialis muscle was reduced and knee extension torque of an knee joint wearing lower limb orthosis was increased. With this, we confirmed the effectiveness of the developed lower limb orthosis.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.14-26
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• 2019

For bus drivers' safe driving, a policy that analyzes the causes of the drivers' traffic accidents and then assists their safe driving is required. Therefore, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport set up its plan to gradually expand the equipping of commercial vehicles with FCWS (Forward Collision Warning System) and LDWS(Lane Departure Warning System), from the driver-supporting ADAS(Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). However, there is not much basic research on the analysis of bus drivers' traffic accidents in Korea. As such, the time is appropriate to research what is the most necessary ADAS for bus drivers going forward to prevent bus accidents. The purpose of this research is to analyze how serious the accidents were in the different bus routes and whether the accidents were repetitive, and to give recommendations on how to support ADAS for buses, as an improvement. A model of ordered logit was used to analyze how serious the accidents were and as a result, vehicle to pedestrian accidents which directly affected individuals were statistically significant in all of the models, and violations of regulations, such as speeding, traffic signal violation and violation of safeguards for passengers, were indicated in common in several models. Therefore, the pedestrian-sensor system and automatic emergency control device for pedestrian should be installed to reduce bus accidents directly affecting persons in the future, and education for drivers and ADAS are to be offered to reduce the violations of regulations.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.329-336
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• 2008

Nowadays with advancement in technology and aging society, the number of disabled citizens is increasing. The disabled citizens always need a caretaker for daily life routines especially for mobility. In future, the need is considered to increase more. To reduce the burden from the disabled, various devices for healthcare are introduced using computer technology. The power wheelchair is an important and convenient mobility device. The demand of power wheelchair is increasing for assistance in mobility. In this paper we proposed a robotic wheelchair for mobility aid to reduce the burden from the disabled. The main issue in an autonomous wheelchair is the automatic detection and avoidance of obstacles and going to the pre-designated place. The proposed algorithm detects the obstacles and avoids them to drive the wheelchair to the desired place safely. By this way, the disabled will not always have to worry about paying deep attention to the surroundings and his path.

• 한국HCI학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.02a
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• pp.584-589
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• 2008

The in put system using the touch screen directly makes the input signals by the contact on the screen without the assistance of peripherals such as a pen or hands. These kinds of input systems using the flexible hands is maximizing suppleness and intuition of the input rather than those systems using a keyboard or a mouse which are moving a cursor or typing a word. However, using hands for an input may give rise to a mistake in control. And there are few interfaces utilizing the touch screen. Incorrectness and insufficiency of the interface are the weak point of the touch screen systems. In this paper, we propose the dial menu user interface for the mobile devices using touch screen for an efficient input. In this method, it consists of 2 states(Inactive states, Active states) and 4 actions(Rotation, Zoom in, and Zoom out, and Click). The intuitive control utilizing the suggested method overcomes the incorrect pointing, weak point of the touch screen system, and boosts the searching menu by utilizing the drag function of the touch screen.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2005.05b
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• pp.44-51
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• 2005

Water flow in rivers during flood season can be 10 to 100 fold higher than normal seasons (low precipitation) in Japan and predicting flood runoff is essential for operating reservoirs with discharging gates. Abundant experiences and knowledge are requisites for operators to be able to make efficient decisions at work. This research investigated a method to transfer technical knowledge by acquiring skills and knowledge from actual dam operators and by using the information to construct an educational training system. The purpose of the research was to enable the execution of a secure and rational reservoir operation during flood period. The educational training system for reservoir operation was developed with the focuses on acquiring knowledge on hydraulics and hydrology and learning about decision making related to the reservoir operation as well as the timing of control. The system is capable of conducting education that corresponds to individual levels in each location. Of the educational training methods, a lecture method that uses textbooks is effective for the understanding of basic knowledge and concepts while a training method that uses a simulation device is essential for the practice of advanced and specialized procedures in specific fields. Simulation devices are used in operational training for airplane flight and driving cars and trains. The educational system presented here was designed to provide further assistance to those who have acquired basic knowledge and concepts through textbooks and also to at low them to perform the satisfactory operation of dam equipment. Our research proposes a method which can realize a system to acquire technical skills-the skills which are the foundation of technical knowledge and operation.

• 한국HCI학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.02a
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• pp.673-676
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• 2009

In this paper, we describe CAMAR Companoin, a context-aware mobile AR system that provides a user-adaptive assistance with an augmented picture according to the user's context in smart space. It recognizes physical objects and tracks the movement of those objects with a camera embodied to a mobile device. CAMAR Companion observes a mobile user's context, which is sensed by various kinds of sensors in environments, and infers user preference for the content in the situation. It recommends multimedia content relevant to the user's context. It overlays selected content over associated physical objects and enables the user to experience the content in a user-centric manner. Furthermore, we have developed the prototype to illustrate how our system could be used for a mobile user's well-being care applications in smart home environments. In this application, we found that our system could perceive a user preference even though a user's context is changed dynamically, and then adapt the multimedia content with respect to the user's context effectively. As such, the proposed user-adaptive system has the potential to play an important role in developing customized user interfaces in mobile devices.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.277-287
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of enhancing deficient interdental papilla with hyaluronic acid gel injection by assessing the radiographic anatomical factors affecting the reconstruction of the interdental papilla. Methods: Fifty-seven treated sites from 13 patients (6 males and 7 females) were included. Patients had papillary deficiency in the upper anterior area. Prior to treatment, photographic and periapical radiographic standardization devices were designed for each patient. A 30-gauge needle was used with an injection-assistance device to inject a hyaluronic acid gel to the involved papilla. This treatment was repeated up to 5 times every 3 weeks. Patients were followed up for 6 months after the initial gel application. Clinical photographic measurements of the black triangle area (BTA), height (BTH), and width (BTW) and periapical radiographic measurements of the contact point and the bone crest (CP-BC) and the interproximal distance between roots (IDR) were undertaken using computer software. The interdental papilla reconstruction rate (IPRR) was calculated to determine the percentage change of BTA between the initial and final examination and the association between radiographic factors and the reconstruction of the interdental papilla by means of injectable hyaluronic acid gel were evaluated. Results: All sites showed improvement between treatment examinations. Thirty-six sites had complete interdental papilla reconstruction and 21 sites showed improvement ranging from 19% to 96%. The CP-BC correlated with the IPRR. More specifically, when the CP-BC reached 6 mm, virtually complete interdental papilla reconstruction via injectable hyaluronic acid gel was achieved. Conclusions: These results suggest that the CP-BC is closely related to the efficacy of hyaluronic acid gel injection for interdental papilla reconstruction.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.207-237
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• 2009

One of the main problems in Korea's public assistance program, the NBLS (National Basic Livelihood Security), is that the loophole of welfare system is continuously growing. Living wage program is the largest sub-program of the NBLS, and the most important determinant of amount of living wage for each beneficiary is the level of reported income. Therefore, accurate and effective income detection is essential in improving policy effects and furthermore reducing the leakage of wage expenditure as beneficiaries always have an incentive to underreport their income. Since most of them do not pay income tax, the welfare authority should exert an independent effort to effectively detect their income. Considering that living wage is a special kind of income tax of which marginal tax rate is -1, one can apply a classical theory of tax evasion to understand illegal or excessive receipt of living wage caused by income underreporting. Utilizing a classical theory given by Alingham and Sandmo (1972), this paper provides a theoretical analysis of the optimal income reporting of the beneficiary. Then an optimization problem is constructed from the government's viewpoint to derive optimal income detecting device (auditing). This paper proves that cut-off discriminated auditing outperforms random auditing and cut-off auditing which implies if the government assigns a positive audit probability to every reported income less than a certain level and the probability is inversely proportional to the level of reported income, it can minimize underreporting and then gradually reduce the leakage of wage expenditure.