Semi-automatic Control Research Articles

Quality control of 10-min air temperature data at RMI

Abstract. In the '90s, the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) of Belgium started to replace its conventional ''manual'' meteorological network by automated weather stations (AWSs). The meteorological measurement network is now fully automated. RMI counts 18 AWSs that made automated observations centrally available in our headquarters in Uccle, Brussels to internal as well as external users. Due to the large increase in the data amount associated with the automation, quality assurance (QA) procedures are being automated. However, human operators continue to play an essential role in the data validation processes. This contribution describes our newly developed semi-automatic quality control (QC) of 10-min air temperature data. After an existence test, the data are checked for limits consistency, temporal consistency and spatial consistency. At the end of these automated checks, a decision algorithm attributes a flag to each particular data. Each day the QC staff analyzes the preceding day observations in the light of the quality flags assigned by automated QA procedures during the night. It is the human decision whether or not a value is accepted.

Investigation of the Alternative Way of an Aircraft Flight SemiAutomatic Control

The approach to formation of the semi-automatic control circuit is presented in this paper. The offered way of semi-automatic flight control is named here as “command”. There is the flight director system (FDS), which furnishes for a pilot the steering commands necessary to obtain and hold a desired path. It is the widely applied way of a semi-automatic aircraft flight control. The “command” way of the flight control has the other distribution of duties between the pilot and the automatic devices: commands on a correction of flight path are given out by the pilot, and automatics execute these commands. It can be assumed that the suggested method may be useful for remote control of the unmanned aerial vehicles. Under the proposed approach the algorithms for semi-automatic flight control units were developed. The results of studies, which have been carried out on the flight simulator, are shown

METHOD FOR THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF A HEARING DEVICE, AND A CORRESPONDING HEARING DEVICE

The object is to take better account of subjective perceptions when setting a hearing device or a communication system, especially a hearing aid. Therefore, an automatic setting of the hearing device by automatically analyzing the hearing situation in which the hearing device is located, and automatic setting of a parameter of the signal processing device of the hearing device relative to the hearing situation in a first parameter range is provided. In addition, manual setting of the parameter of the signal processing device to a value in a second parameter range outside the first parameter range takes place, with the automatic setting in the first parameter range being ended by this. With this semi-automatic control, the user can find an individual compromise between effectiveness and artifacts of a signal processing.

Development of the electric wheelchair hands-free semi-automatic control system using the surface-electromyogram of facial muscles

The goal of Human---Computer Interface (or called Human---Robot interface) research is to provide humans with a new communication channel that allows translating people's intention states via a computer into performing specific actions. This paper presents a novel hands-free control system for controlling the electric wheelchair, which is based on Bio-signals just as surface electromyogram signals. The Bioelectric signals are picked up from facial muscles, then the Bio-signals are passed through an amplifier and a high pass filter. Motion control commands (Forward, Left, Right, Forward to the Right, Forward to the left and Stop) are classified by simple rule, and these commands are used for controlling the electric wheelchair. However, it is difficult to realize safety control and fine control using the biological signal only. In addition, we introduce the semi-automatic control system using the laser range scanner. In this paper, we report the introduction of our proposal systems and our experimental results.

Semi-automatic Quality Control of Topographic Data Sets

The usefulness and acceptance of geo-information systems are mainly depends on the quality of the underlying geo-data. This paper describes a novel system for semiautomatic quality control of existing topographic geo-spatial data via automatic image analysis. The goal is to reduce the manual effort for quality control of a GIS database to a minimum. The core of the system is a semantic network in which different image analysis operators can be included. The image analysis operators are created for specific applications, i.e., the quality control of specific object classes which are most relevant. Images which can be used in the system are aerial images, high-resolution satellite imagery, and low-resolution satellite imagery. A prototype of the system has been in use for several years at public mapping organizations. From the experience gained during this time, we give a detailed report on the system performance and an evaluation of the results.

Quality control procedures at Euskalmet data center

Abstract. The Basque Country Mesonet measures more than 130 000 observations daily from its 85 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS). It becomes clear that automated software is an indispensable tool for quality assurance (QA) of this mesoscale surface observing network. This work describes a set of experimental semi-automatic quality control (QC) routines that is applied at Euskalmet data center. It has paid special attention to level validation design and associated flags, as well as to the system outputs, which are used by meteorologist and maintenance staff.

Thermoluminescence of zirconium oxide nanostructured to mammography X-ray beams

In the present work thermoluminescent (TL) response of zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nanostructured induced by mammography X-ray radiation was investigated. Measurements were made of the response per unit air kerma of ZrO2 with mammography equipment parameters (semiautomatic exposure control, 24kVp and 108mAs). The calibration curves were obtained by simultaneously irradiating ZrO2 samples and ion chamber. Samples of ZrO2 showed a linear response as a function of entrance skin air kerma. The observed results in TL properties suggest that ZrO2 nanostructured could be considered as an effective material for X-ray beams dosimetry if appropriate calibration procedures are performed.

Mobile system for in-situ imaging of cultural objects

Non-invasive analytical techniques recently developed with the Timepix pixel detector have shown great potential for the inspection of objects of cultural heritage. We have developed new instrumentation and methodology for in-situ X-ray transmission radiography and X-ray fluorescence imaging and successfully tested and evaluated a mobile system for remote terrain tasks. The prototype portable imaging device comprises the radiation source tube and the spectral sensitive X-ray camera. Both components can be moreover mounted on independent motorized positioning systems allowing adaptation of irradiation geometry to the object shape. Both parts are placed onto a pair of universal portable holders (tripods). The detector is placed in a shielded box with exchangeable entrance window (beam filters and pinhole collimator). This adjustable setup allows performing in-situ measurements for both transmission and emission (XRF) radiography. The assembled system has been successfully tested in our laboratory with phantoms and real samples. The obtained and evaluated results are presented in this paper. Future work will include successive adaptation of the current system for real in-situ utilization and preparation of software allowing semi-automatic remote control of measurements.

Stabilising agent design for the control of interconnected systems

This article presents a new control design strategy for stabilising large-scale interconnected systems operating in semi-automatic control modes. The large-scale system is modelled by subsystems connected to each other in an arbitrary configuration. Each subsystem is regulated by a dedicated multivariable controller that also allows for a manual control mode. The notion of asymptotically positive realness constraint (APRC) is introduced and applied for deriving the interconnection stabilisability condition in the time domain. The interactions between subsystems are taken into consideration in the stability condition. The APRC is subsequently employed in the so-called stabilising agent to accommodate the closed-loop control and man-in-the-loop coexistence. The multipliers of the APRC quadratic supply rate are updated on-the-fly to ensure that the constraint satisfaction of stabilising agents is recursively feasible. The stabilising agents are developed independently from the control law under the same auspice controller. Due to this independence, operational errors from the manual control adjustments, that may destabilise the control systems, can be avoided. The decentralised agents render stabilising bounds for the manipulated variables in the automatic control mode, and at the same time, provide warning signals and manipulation guidance for the operators to prevent possible plant-wide destabilisation in the manual control mode. Our main results are illustrated through numerical simulations for an industrial modular system.

Petri Nets and Ladder Logic for Fully-Automating and Programmable Logic Control of Semi-Automatic Machines and Systems

Problem statement: Automating semi-automatic dynamic machines and complex systems, where some functionalities are already automated bu t the machine doesn't run fully in automatic mode, represents another challenge to automating dy namic and manual complex systems. This study deals with a special case of this general problem, where the system's semi-automatic and automatic functionalities run separately in a sequence with e ither automatic and/or semi-automatic functionality running at any point of time, but not both. Approach: Petri-nets can successfully represent the operations of both the semi-automated and fully-au tomated functionalities of such dynamic systems. Three roles for the programmable logic controllers were suggested: (a) Ignoring the presence of the semi-automatic part, (b) simulating the semi-automa tic part and recognizing discrepancies and(c) simulating the semi-automatic functionalities and s upporting it, where the last choice was most costl y and most reliable. Results: This study presents a case study for a PVC mixing dynamic process to illustrate the three suggested controller design po ssibilities, where a Petri net model and related l adder logic program were developed to show these three controller design options. In this respect, the semi- automatic functionality is an intermediate step bet ween the two automated functionalities, within whic h an important decision should be made to end the pre vious automatic step and to begin the next automati c step. Conclusion/Recommendations: The automation method that was introduced in this s tudy is applicable to a large number of machines within ind ustrial and mechanical systems that were built usin g older semi-automatic control systems. Various decis ion analyses {DA1, DA2, DA3} were shown to produce basic choices for such types of application s. Petri-nets and ladder logic in this respect can successfully represent the operations of both the s emi-automated and fully-automated functionalities, where a Petri net model and the consequent ladder logic program, used to program the utilized programmable logic controller, are developed to sho w three possible controller designs, where the choi ce between three designs depend on the designers obje ctive of cost, reliability and fault tolerance.

Semiautomatic quality control of topographic reference datasets

The usefulness and acceptance of spatial information systems are mainly dependent on the quality of the underlying geodata. This paper describes a system for semiautomatic quality control of existing geospatial data via automatic image analysis using aerial images, high-resolution satellite imagery (IKONOS and RapidEye) and low-resolution satellite imagery (Disaster Monitoring Constellation, DMC) with monoand multi-temporal approaches focusing on objects which cover most of the area of the topographic dataset. The goal of the developed system is to reduce the manual efforts to a minimum. We shortly review the system design and then we focus on the automatic components and their integration in a semiautomatic workflow for verification and update. A prototype of the system has been in use for several years. From the experience gained during this time we give a detailed report on the system performance in its application as well as an evaluation of the results.

Kylančių oro srautų lokalizavimas ir maksimalios kilimo zonos nustatymo, panaudojant dirbtinių neuronų tinklus, modeliavimo aspektai

Thermal localization and their strongest zone centering by artificial neural networks (ANN), and it are used by the automatic or semiautomatic control system of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Artificial neural network take input data from aircraft avionics. Actual thermal model of space and its value’s correlation with other factors are researched as well. Article in Lithuanian. Kylančių oro srautų lokalizavimas ir maksimalios  kilimo zonos nustatymo, panaudojant dirbtinių  neuronų tinklus, modeliavimo aspektai Santrauka. Nagrinėtas kylančių oro srautų lokalizavimas ir maksimalaus kilimo zonos centro nustatymas, pasitelkus dirbtinius neuroninius tinklus, skirtas nepilotuojamų orlaivių automatinėms bei pusiau automatinėms valdymo sistemoms. Dirbtinis neuroninis tinklas gauna įėjimo duomenis iš orlaivio elektronikos prietaisų ir sumodeliuoja galimą kylančio oro srauto struktūrą. Taip pat nagrinėtas aktualus modeliuojamų parametrų zonos dydis ir šio dydžio sąveika su kitais veiksniais. Reikšminiai žodžiai: kylantys oro srautai, dirbtinių neuronų tinklai, prognostika, orlaivis.

Semi-automatic e-chartering through multi-agent systems and satellite IP networks

This paper proposes a semi-automatic e-chartering in maritime markets though distributed multi-agent infrastructure over satellite IP networks. Using a distributed Multi-Agent system for Internet Virtual Chartering Markets (MAVCM) in each maritime port and the satellite information from participating vessels, we propose a mechanism for semi-automatic control and creation of e-chartering contracts services. The MAVCM system applies for business-to-business transactions in maritime markets, and provides mechanisms for Internet-based chartering informational and transactional services. The proposed system is based on Shipowners and shippers maritime contracts through the MAVCM infrastructure, services and satellite monitoring of the vessels.

Design, Development and Applications of PC-based Process Control Trainer for Automation

Initially, Process Control was typically done in the analog domain using continuous-time signals with analog systems. However, as the complexity of the control function increased, it became very costly, and, at times,unfeasible to use only analog elements. The rapid evolution of digital computers caused a major shift to digital technologies, and led to the control action being done in the digital domain using discrete-time signals with digital systems.The main motive behind designing and developing the PC-Based Process Control Trainer (PCT) for automation is to have a system which is versatile, easy to use, interactive, intelligent, and quickly developed. Physical variables like temperature, fluid flow and levels at various points in the system are monitored and control action is provided to various heaters, stirrers, valves and pumps. One utilizes LABTECH’s LT/CONTROL software package which reads the inputs from the standard data acquisition and control add-on cards. It performs various calculations as per the requirement and the results are used in the control strategy. It provides real-time data logging, data storage and realtime display control panel for the user interface with multiple display screens to view the system. The PCT is built,tested and found to work satisfactorily. About twenty experiments are set up and performed on it. These check various devices in the system, help in studying various types of control actions and automate the trainer for particular processes.The PCT has varied applications for automation. On the educational front, it can be used as a basic control laboratory. New experimental setups can be configured to study open loop and closed loop control systems for temperature, flow and level control. Automation of different processes with a choice of control actions can be done.From the industrial point of view, it provides an insight to industrial control; prototypes of process control systems can be built and used as a stepping stone to change the present manual or semi-automatic control to complete automation.

Feedback control of instability waves in a transitional flat-plate boundary layer

A semi-automatic and active control of T-S waves and oblique waves in a transitional flat plate boundary layer is carried out in a wind-tunnel experiment and a numerical simulation. An array of piezo-ceramic actuators attached on a surface is used to generate counter waves that cancel the incoming instability waves. The actuator's operating amplitudes and phases are successively updated using the velocity fluctuations monitored downstream by a rake of hotwires. Experimental results show that the system is effective in weakening these waves when their inclination angles are less than 15 degrees. However, the system encountered difficulty in controlling the waves of large inclination angles. In the numerical simulation, it is shown that the control can be accomplished much easier. The numerical results show that controllability of the large inclination angle waves can be improved by shortening the spanwise length each actuator piece. The danger of pursuing this kind of research solely by a numerical simulation is pointed out.

Water-Rescue Robot Vehicle with Variably Configured Segmented Wheels

The highly maneuverable water-rescue robot vehicle we propose has variably configured segmented wheels (VCSW) that propel it over rough or muddy terrain, on water, or even underwater. The VCSW consist of six segments, a hub and spokes, and a drive wheel. The ends of segments are supported by the drive wheel and are pushed and towed by the spokes and eccentric hub based on wheel rotation. The direction and maximum deployment of segments are controlled by an eccentric vector of the hub, which is controlled by the combination of rotational angles of duplicate eccentric shafts. This motion catches on a slippery surface, e.g., a wet road, and produces a strong thrust on and under water. Under water, the vehicle must control forward and reverse speed, direction, depth, and inclination. The newly designed semiautomatic control automatically controls depth and inclination via the feedback of pressure and inclination information, and speed and direction are controlled manually by joysticks. Data required for control is acquired, calculated, and converted by a computer to rotation speed and eccentric vectors for each VCSW.

1P1-E36 翼車輪ビークルの水中3次元移動制御

A high maneuverability rescue robot vehicle for water disaster is proposed. A prototype underwater vehicle with variable configuration segmented wheels (VCSW) has been tested successfully. The six segments of a VCSW are deployed and retrieved periodically according to the wheel rotation. This motion under water produces a thrust force to propel the vehicle. The newly designed semiautomatic control system is enables depth and inclination control automatically by feedback of pressure information and inclination information, and other control items are controlled manually by joysticks. The experimental results revealed that the vehicle is capable of various motions under water.

Development of road stripe removing equipment using high-pressure water jet

Removal of road stripes is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. Currently, the work is manual and is accomplished using grinding equipment. During this process, traffic jams and accidents lead to dangerous road conditions for workers. Furthermore, the current grinding methods used cause unacceptable air pollution, as well as the risk of explosive accidents by using propane gas. In this paper, we study the development of a road stripe removing equipment that uses a high-pressure water jet system and a semi-automatic control system. The water jet system consists of an intensifier and nozzles to focus a high-pressure water injection on the stripes. The semi-automatic control system is composed of rotary actuator using a DC-geared motor controlled by a lever. In this paper, we analyze the characteristics of road stripes and investigate current removing methods in the field. Moreover, we discuss the development of automatic removing equipment, and perform a basic experiment to find out the optimal injection conditions such as the injection distance, injection angle and injection pressure. Finally, in order to examine the performance of the equipment, the whole system is evaluated, and the economic efficiency and marketability are also analyzed.

YODA++: A proposal for a semi-automatic space mission control

YODA++ is a proposal for a semi-automated data handling and analysis system for the PAMELA space experiment. The core of the routines have been developed to process a stream of raw data downlinked from the Resurs DK1 satellite (housing PAMELA) to the ground station in Moscow. Raw data consist of scientific data and are complemented by housekeeping information. Housekeeping information will be analyzed within a short time from download (1 h) in order to monitor the status of the experiment and to foreseen the mission acquisition planning. A prototype for the data visualization will run on an APACHE TOMCAT web application server, providing an off-line analysis tool using a browser and part of code for the system maintenance. Data retrieving development is in production phase, while a GUI interface for human friendly monitoring is on preliminary phase as well as a JavaServerPages/JavaServerFaces (JSP/JSF) web application facility. On a longer timescale (1–3 h from download) scientific data are analyzed. The data storage core will be a mix of CERNs ROOT files structure and MySQL as a relational database. YODA++ is currently being used in the integration and testing on ground of PAMELA data.

Machine vision in conjunction with a knowledge-based system for semi-automatic control of a gravure printing process

Machine vision in conjunction with a knowledge-based system for semi-automatic control of a gravure printing process