• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.116-128
• /
• 2011

In this paper, we propose the structure of a high-performance face-detection engine that responds well to facial rotating changes using rotation transformation which minimize the required memory usage compared to the previous face-detection engine. The validity of the proposed structure has been verified through the implementation of FPGA. For high performance face detection, the MCT (Modified Census Transform) method, which is robust against lighting change, was used. The Adaboost learning algorithm was used for creating optimized learning data. And the rotation transformation method was added to maintain effectiveness against face rotating changes. The proposed hardware structure was composed of Color Space Converter, Noise Filter, Memory Controller Interface, Image Rotator, Image Scaler, MCT(Modified Census Transform), Candidate Detector / Confidence Mapper, Position Resizer, Data Grouper, Overlay Processor / Color Overlay Processor. The face detection engine was tested using a Virtex5 LX330 FPGA board, a QVGA grade CMOS camera, and an LCD Display. It was verified that the engine demonstrated excellent performance in diverse real life environments and in a face detection standard database. As a result, a high performance real time face detection engine that can conduct real time processing at speeds of at least 60 frames per second, which is effective against lighting changes and face rotating changes and can detect 32 faces in diverse sizes simultaneously, was developed.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.381-387
• /
• 2012

The planetary exploration rover executes various missions after moving to the target point in an unknown environment in the shortest distance. Such missions include the researches for geological and climatic conditions as well as the existence of water or living creatures. If there is any obstacle on the way, it is detected by such sensors as ultrasonic sensor, infrared light sensor, stereo vision, and laser ranger finder. After the obtained data is transferred to the main controller of the rover, decisions can be made to either overcome or avoid the obstacle on the way based on the operating algorithm of the rover. All the planetary exploration rovers which have been developed until now receive the information of the height or width of the obstacle from such sensors before analyzing it in order to find out whether it is possible to overcome the obstacle or not. If it is decided to be better to overcome the obstacle in terms of the operating safety and the electric consumption of the rover, it is generally made to overcome it. Therefore, for the purpose of carrying out the planetary exploration task, it is necessary to design the proper suspension system of the rover which enables it to safely overcome any obstacle on the way on the surface in any unknown environment. This study focuses on the design of the new double 4-bar linkage type of suspension system applied to the Korea Aerospace Research Institute rover (a tentatively name) that is currently in the process of development by our institute in order to develop the planetary exploration rover which absolutely requires the capacity of overcoming any obstacle. Throughout this study, the negative moment which harms the capacity of the rover for overcoming an obstacle was induced through the dynamical modeling process for the rocker-bogie applied to the Mars exploration rover of the US and the improved version of rocker-bogie as well as the suggested double 4-bar linkage type of suspension system. Also, based on the height of the obstacle, a simulation was carried out for the negative moment of the suspension system before the excellence of the suspension system suggested through the comparison of responding characteristics was proved.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.1036-1043
• /
• 2022

This paper discusses about the development of a visual sensor that can be installed in an automatic mooring device to detect the berthing condition of a vessel. Despite controlling the ship's speed and confirming its location to prevent accidents while berthing a vessel, ship collision occurs at the pier every year, causing great economic and environmental damage. Therefore, it is important to develop a visual system that can quickly obtain the information on the speed and location of the vessel to ensure safety of the berthing vessel. In this study, a visual sensor was developed to observe a ship through an image while berthing, and to properly check the ship's status according to the surrounding environment. To obtain the adequacy of the visual sensor to be developed, the sensor characteristics were analyzed in terms of information provided from the existing sensors, that is, detection range, real-timeness, accuracy, and precision. Based on these analysis data, we developed a 3D visual module that can acquire information on objects in real time by conducting conceptual designs of LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) type 3D visual system, driving mechanism, and position and force controller for motion tilting system. Finally, performance evaluation of the control system and scan speed test were executed, and the effectiveness of the developed system was confirmed through experiments.

• International Journal of Ocean System Engineering
• /
• v.2 no.3
• /
• pp.185-194
• /
• 2012

A Macroscopic combination of two or more distinct materials is commonly referred to as a "Composite Material", having been designed mechanically and chemically superior in function and characteristic than its individual constituent materials. Composite materials are used not only for aerospace and military, but also heavily used in boat/ship building and general composite industries which we are seeing increasingly more. Regardless of the various applications for composite materials, the industry is still limited and requires better fabrication technology and methodology in order to expand and grow. An example of this is that the majority of fabrication facilities nearby still use an antiquated wet lay-up process where fabrication still requires manual hand labor in a 3D environment impeding productivity of composite product design advancement. As an expert in the advanced composites field, I have developed fabrication skills with the use of machinery based on my past composite experience. In autumn 2011, the Korea government confirmed to fund my project. It is the development of a composite sanding machine. I began development of this semi-robotic prototype beginning in 2009. It has possibilities of replacing or augmenting the exhaustive and difficult jobs performed by human hands, such as sanding, grinding, blasting, and polishing in most often, very awkward conditions, and is also will boost productivity, improve surface quality, cut abrasive costs, eliminate vibration injuries, and protect workers from exposure to dust and airborne contamination. Ease of control and operation of the equipment in or outside of the sanding room is a key benefit to end-users. It will prove to be much more economical than normal robotics and minimize errors that commonly occur in factories. The key components and their technologies are a 360 degree rotational shoulder and a wrist that is controlled under PLC controller and joystick manual mode. Development on both of the key modules is complete and are now operational. The Korean government fund boosted my development and I expect to complete full scale development no later than 3rd quarter 2012. Even with the advantages of composite materials, there is still the need to repair or to maintain composite products with a higher level of technology. I have learned many composite repair skills on composite airframe since many composite fabrication skills including repair, requires training for non aerospace applications. The wind energy market is now requiring much larger blades in order to generate more electrical energy for wind farms. One single blade is commonly 50 meters or longer now. When a wind blade becomes damaged from external forces, on-site repair is required on the columns even under strong wind and freezing temperature conditions. In order to correctly obtain polymerization, the repair must be performed on the damaged area within a very limited time. The use of pre-impregnated glass fabric and heating silicone pad and a hot bonder acting precise heating control are surely required.