• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.347-353
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• 2016

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relation between key strike forces and musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS). Moreover, this study presents a key strike force measurement method to be used in a workplace setting. The correlation between key strike force characteristics and MSS was previously studied, but the measurement methods used either a single-key switch or force platforms applied under the keyboard. Most of the studies were conducted in a laboratory setting. The uniqueness of measurement methods in the current study is their ability to measure forces applied to a specific key in a workplace setting and to provide more information about specific key strike forces during typing. Methods: Twenty-four healthy computer workers were recruited for the study. The demographic questionnaire, and self-reported questionnaires for psychosocial status (General Nordic Questionnaire for Psychological and Social Factors at Work) and for detecting MSS were filled up, which later helped in dividing the participants into two groups (12 participants with pain and 12 without pain). Participants typed a predetermined text that utilized the instrumented keys multiple times. The dynamic forces applied to the keys were recorded and collected, using four thin and flexible force sensors attached to the preselected keys according to their location. Results: The results demonstrated that participants with high levels of MSS, specifically in the back and neck, in the last year exerted significantly higher key strike forces than those with lower levels of symptoms (p < 0.005). Conclusion: The key strike force exerted while typing on a keyboard may be a risk factor for MSS, and should therefore be considered in ergonomic evaluations and interventional programs.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• 제11권9호
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• pp.3161-3167
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• 2010

Hall sensors of BLDC(brushless DC) motor are used to detect a position information for a control mechanism, which implements an algorithm for velocity and position control. Actual azimuth and altitude were measured to evaluate a control precision. The measurement revealed comparatively good accuracy that the measured values were $2.02^{\circ}$ and $1.01^{\circ}$ respectively, and the maximum error falls within $1.86^{\circ}$. The developed monitoring system of photovoltaic generation plants is a LCU(Local Control Unit) based on an integrated monitoring system which supports 1:N method for multiple simultaneous connections, remote control and real-time system state monitoring.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.128-133
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• 2014

This paper is the study of BNWAS based on TLC. The functionality of BNWAS and its operations are investigated through its international standard. But the BNWAS to be used currently in the ship have difficulty in monitoring. Several kinds of data are generated from many equipments in BNWAS, such as NMEA-0183 data or NMEA-2000. Although these data are mainly used for the safe navigation of ship, their usability may be enhanced if they are managed to control the BNWAS equipment with sensors. The purpose of this system is prevent the marine accidents on sailing voyages due to drowsiness of watchers. On Night sailing, watcher is collected the navigation information from multiple devices and he determines the safe operation of the ship through continuous monitoring.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• 제13권8호
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• pp.1713-1720
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• 2009

An local area weather condition monitoring system to minimize many disasters from the sudden change of weather condition in local and mountain ales is proposed. Firstly, the comparison of present state of the related monitoring systems and the possibility of realization with some merits are investigated. Moreover, this paper present direction of local area weather condition monitoring system based on integration of wireless sensor network and CDMA network following some case study. The sensor node for wireless sensor network and an interface dongle are fabricated for the system. The stand-alone software in cellular phone is also developed. Through the efficient integration of both networks, the measured weather condition data from sensors can be transmitted to the server or mobile to monitor with high reliability. The proposed monitoring system will guide new type of project in wireless sensor network and support alarm service of the sudden change of weather condition to mobile user from central official regulations.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.207-216
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• 2010

Rockfall monitoring systems generally used in the country are mainly based on the detection of tension of protection wire or tilting of protection post due to rock fall. However, rock fall protection net must be installed prior to the monitoring system and continual maintenance work after each rock fall event is required for a normal operation of these detection systems. To solve these problems, we suggested and implemented a non-contact rock fall detection system using multiple photo sensors and additional camera. After a laboratory experiment and field application, we can conclude that this system is effective and reliable for detecting, collecting and analyzing the rock fall information. In addition, lighten and difference operations on two captured images were able to yield rough estimation of size and direction of rock fall.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.363-373
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• 2016

This study aims to develop an all-fabric integrated smart jacket in order to create a temperature-regulating system based on a user experience design. For this research, previous research technologies of a textile switch interface and a temperature-regulating system were utilized and a unifying technology for the all-fabric integrated smart jacket was developed which can provide the appropriate temperature environments to the human body. A self-heating textile was applied at the areas of the back and hood in the final tested jacket, and an embroidery circuit was developed in the form of a rectangle in the back and in both ears of the hood, taking into account the pattern of the jacket part where it was be applied and the embroidery production method. The textile switch interface was designed in a three-layer structure: an embroidery circuit line in a conductive yarn, an interval material, and a conductive sensing material, and it was made to work with the input and output sensors through the multiple input method. After the all-fabric integrated smart jacket was produced according to the pattern, all of the textile band lines for transmission were gathered and connected with a miniature module for controlling temperature and then integrated into the inside of the left chest pocket of the jacket. After the users put on this jacket, they were asked to assess the wearing satisfaction. Most of them reported a very low level of irritation and discomfort and said that the jacket was as comfortable as everyday clothing.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• 제39권5호
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• pp.517-526
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• 2015

This paper presents the results of study for improving the reliability of quadrotor attitude control by applying a multi-sensor along with a data fusion algorithm. First, a mathematical model of the quadrotor dynamics was developed. Then, using the quadrotor mathematical model, simulations were performed using the improved reliability multi-sensor data as the inputs. From the simulation results, we designed a Gimbal-equipped quadrotor system. With the quadrotor in a hover state, we performed experiments according to the angle change of the user's specifications. We then calculated the attitude control data from the actual experimental data. Furthermore, with additional simulations, we verified the performance of the designed quadrotor attitude control system with multiple sensors.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.87-94
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• 2008

Blood pressure (BP), one of the most important vital signs, is used to identify an emergency state and reflects the blood flow characteristics of the cardiovascular system. The conventional noninvasive method of measuring BP is inconvenient because patients must wear a cuff on their arm and the measurement process takes time. This paper proposes an algorithm for estimating the BP using the pulse transit time (PTT) of the photoplethysmography (PPG) and pressure pulse from finger at the same time as a more convenient way to measure the BP. After recording the electrocardiogram (ECG), measuring the pressure pulse, and performing PPG, we calculated the PTT from the acquired signals. Then, we used a multiple regression analysis to measure the systolic and diastolic BP indirectly. Comparing the BP measured indirectly using the proposed algorithm and the real BP measured with a sphygmomanometer, the systolic pressure had a mean error of ${\pm}3.240$ mmHg and a standard deviation of 2.530 mmHg, while the diastolic pressure had a satisfactory result, i.e., a mean error of ${\pm}1.807$ mmHg and a standard deviation of 1.396 mmHg. These results are more superior than existing method estimating blood pressure using the one PTT and satisfy the ANSI/AAMI regulations for certifying a sphygmomanometer i.e., the measurement error should be within a mean error of ${\pm}5$ mmHg and a standard deviation of 8 mmHg. These results suggest the possibility of applying our method to a portable, long-term BP monitoring system.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.281-294
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• 2015

Bolted joint connection is the most commonly used connection element in structures and devices. The loosening due to external dynamic loads cannot be observed and measured easily and may cause catastrophic loss especially in an extreme requirement and/or environment. In this paper, an innovative Real-time Cross-Correlation Method (RCCM) for monitoring of the bolted joint loosening was proposed. We apply time reversal process on stress wave propagation to obtain correlation signal. The correlation signal's peak amplitude represents the cross-correlation between the loosening state and the baseline working state; therefore, it can detect the state of loosening. Since the bolt states are uncorrelated with noise, the peak amplitude will not be affected by noise and disturbance while it increases SNR level and increases the measured signals' reliability. The correlation process is carried out online through physical wave propagation without any other post offline complicated analyses and calculations. We implemented the proposed RCCM on a single bolt/nut joint experimental device to quantitatively detect the loosening states successfully. After that we implemented the proposed method on a real large structure (reaction wall) with multiple bolted joint connections. Loosening indexes were built for both experiments to indicate the loosening states. Finally, we demonstrated the proposed method's great anti-noise and/or disturbance ability. In the instrumentation, we simply mounted Lead Zirconium Titanate (PZT) patches on the device/structure surface without any modifications of the bolted connection. The low-cost PZTs used as actuators and sensors for active sensing are easily extended to a sensing network for large scale bolted joint network monitoring.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.83-102
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• 2011

As a testbed for various structural health monitoring (SHM) technologies, a super-tall structure - the 610 m-tall Guangzhou Television and Sightseeing Tower (GTST) in southern China - is currently under construction. This study aims to explore state-of-the-art wireless sensing technologies for monitoring the ambient vibration of such a super-tall structure during construction. The very nature of wireless sensing frees the system from the need for extensive cabling and renders the system suitable for use on construction sites where conditions continuously change. On the other hand, unique technical hurdles exist when deploying wireless sensors in real-life structural monitoring applications. For example, the low-frequency and low-amplitude ambient vibration of the GTST poses significant challenges to sensor signal conditioning and digitization. Reliable wireless transmission over long distances is another technical challenge when utilized in such a super-tall structure. In this study, wireless sensing measurements are conducted at multiple heights of the GTST tower. Data transmission between a wireless sensing device installed at the upper levels of the tower and a base station located at the ground level (a distance that exceeds 443 m) is implemented. To verify the quality of the wireless measurements, the wireless data is compared with data collected by a conventional cable-based monitoring system. This preliminary study demonstrates that wireless sensing technologies have the capability of monitoring the low-amplitude and low-frequency ambient vibration of a super-tall and slender structure like the GTST.