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RESEARCH



RESEARCH AREAS:
  • Pattern recognition and Machine learning in Computer Vision and Robotics
  • Video analysis and stereo perception
  • Haptic Interface and human perception
  • Sensation and Perception in cognitive psychology

    • PROJECTS:

    [ VISION ]

  • Geometrical configuration of single image
    • Single image depth reconstruction is an interesting but ill-posed problem, we attempt to bridge two schools of thoughts by combining bottom-up statistical techniques such as machine learning based on large collections of pictorial image features with top-down view of scene configuration based on coarse geometrical configurations. Existing work by other researchers has verified the potential of both approaches, the strength of both side could potentially be combined.
  • Stereo video disparity estimate and perceptual impact in 3DTV
    • We explore the effect of disparate video quality on human perception in stereo visualization. Video data was coded using different bit rate for the left and right channel separately then we perform a sequence of user evaluation for subjective measurement regarding 3D quality.
  • Alert-II. Robotic pet In this project we built a robot that mimics the behavior of small animals like a pet. Utilizing multiple sensing devices including camera, microphone, digital compass and sonar to actively perceive the world, determine internal state and make decisions such as movement and panning/tilting the camera. My main contribution is optimizing the video streaming and applying simple face detection algorithm with unstable data coming in from an analog camera transmitted via wireless network.(with Byron Lahey)

    • [ HAPTICS ]

  • Systematic non-isotropic deviation in human perception of tactile graphics
    • For visually impaired people, braille used to be the only way they can read. This tiny window is openning up as technologies such as image tactilization become prevalent. Image tactilization essentially converts images into Relief type of media representing pictorial information according to their true appearance. (versus braille which either describes certain concepts by words or transcribe the appearance by is has very limited capacity due to its mechanism) The key question here is, do people perceive things as they look? When it comes to the sense of touch, does a circle truly feel like a circle or an ellipse? Researcher had discovered similar illusions on haptic sensation similar to visual illusions such as the muller-lyer illusion, our perspective is that systematic bias may exist and dominate the perception. We conducted a series of study and found that such bias indeed exist in both blind and blind folded sighted groups. (with Baoxin Li, Barry Hughes who is from University of Auckland, New Zealand)
  • Structural reconstruction of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Images and haptic rendering
    • To better assist physicians make the diagnosis, visual representation as well as haptic simulation is explored to accompany endoscopic sessions.
  • Multi-resolution Haptic Map System
    • Combining high level street navigation with Detailed geometrical information of building entities.

    [ OTHER ]

  • Virtual Scientific Community We constructed the prototype of a smart social network to encourage scientific collaboration and interaction. Incorporating the advance Web2.0 technology we are aiming at enhancing interactions between individual and groups in the scientific community to assist project management and events organization. (With Rick Chimera, Pat Langley)
  • Movement sensing and activity flow visualization in office environment. This project focus on using computer vision and other sensing techniques to acquire everyday activity patterns. The system contains a sensor array, an on-line media repository(in joint effort), and a zoomable interface with a visual tracking based simple tangible user interface. (with Winslow Burleson) Spring 2007
  • A visual tracking based tangible user interface for audio navigation. A visual tracking based system measuring user manipulation of illuminant tangible objects to enable navigation on a table to explore several sound events . (with Hari Sundaram) Fall 2006
  • Automatic Movie scene detection and analysis. Comparison among ML/K-means and machine learning (SVM) featuring perform difference upon various datasets.

    • PUBLICATIONS:

  • X.Zhang, B.Li. Retrieving Images of Similar Geometrical Configuration 6th International Symposium on Visual Computing (ISVC10). (to appear)
  • X.Zhang, B.Li, Adaptive Haptic Exploration of Geometrical Structures in Map Navigation for People with Visual Impairment. IEEE International Symposium on Haptic Audio Visual Environments and Games (HAVE 2010)
  • X.Zhang, B.Li, Impact of disparate video quality in stereo channels duo to compression on stereo perception. Fourth International Workshop on Video Processing and Quality Metrics for Consumer Electronics (VPQM 2010)
  • X.Zhang, J.Ball, L.Kockmanski, C.Granier, S.D.Howe. Nuclear thermal rocket (NTR) mission assessment I. Evaluate the potential performance of a NTR for interception of a massive low-period comet inbound to Earth. Journal of Aerospace Engineering, Proc. IMechE Vol. 224 2010 Part G: J. Aerospace Engineering
  • X.Zhang, J. Zhou, B. Li. Robust Two-view External Calibration by Combining Lines and Scale Invariant Point features. 4th International Symposium on Visual Computing (ISVC08).
  • X.Zhang, J. Zhou, B. Li Stereoscopic Visualization and Haptic Virtual Exploration of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Images for Improved Diagnosis. (MMVR16 2007)
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