Much of the research work into artificial intelligence (AI) has been focusing on exploring various potential applications of intelligent systems with successful results in most cases. In our attempts to model human intelligence by mimicking the brain structure and function, we overlook an important

Much of the research work into artificial intelligence (AI) has been focusing on exploring various potential applications of intelligent systems with successful results in most cases. In our attempts to model human intelligence by mimicking the brain structure and function, we overlook an important aspect in human learning and decision making: the emotional factor. While it currently sounds impossible to have "machines with emotions," it is quite conceivable to artificially simulate some emotions in machine learning. This paper presents a modified backpropagation (BP) learning algorithm, namely, the emotional backpropagation (EmBP) learning algorithm. The new algorithm has additional emotional weights that are updated using two additional emotional parameters: anxiety and confidence. The proposed "emotional" neural network will be implemented to a facial recognition problem, and the results will be compared to a similar application using a conventional neural network. Experimental results show that the addition of the two novel emotional parameters improves the performance of the neural network yielding higher recognition rates and faster recognition time.

Wikipedia is an example of the collaborative, semi-structured data sets emerging on the Web. These data sets have large, non-uniform schema that require costly data integration into structured tables before visualization can begin. We present Vispedia, a Web-based visualization system that reduces t

Wikipedia is an example of the collaborative, semi-structured data sets emerging on the Web. These data sets have large, non-uniform schema that require costly data integration into structured tables before visualization can begin. We present Vispedia, a Web-based visualization system that reduces the cost of this data integration.
Users can browse Wikipedia, select an interesting data table, then use a search interface to discover, integrate, and visualize additional columns of data drawn from multiple Wikipedia articles. This interaction is supported by a fast path search algorithm over DBpedia, a semantic graph extracted from Wikipedia's hyperlink structure. Vispedia can also export the augmented data tables produced for use in traditional visualization systems. We believe that these techniques begin to address the "long tail" of visualization by allowing a wider audience to visualize a broader class of data. We evaluated this system in a first-use formative lab study. Study participants were able to quickly create effective visualizations for a diverse set of domains, performing data integration as needed.

Telepresence, the perception of presence within a physically remote or simulated site, has been identified as a design ideal for synthetic environments. However, confusion exists within the literature about the precise definition of telepresence. Furthermore, there is a need for a plausible and pars

Telepresence, the perception of presence within a physically remote or simulated site, has been identified as a design ideal for synthetic environments. However, confusion exists within the literature about the precise definition of telepresence. Furthermore, there is a need for a plausible and parsimonious model of telepresence. This paper identifies three types of telepresence extant in the literature: simple telepresence, cybernetic telepresence, and experiential telepresence. The third definition is the most interesting. This paper reviews the origins of experiential telepresence and the theoretical approaches commonly used to explain it. One can term these technological approaches, which emphasize the role of control/display technology, and psychological approaches, which identify experiential telepresence with known psychological phenomena. Finally, the paper presents and discusses an integrative approach to telepresence featuring a structured attentional resource model. Actual or potential applications of this research include the design of future human-machine interfaces for teleoperated robots and virtual reality systems.

Immersive Virtual Telepresence (IVT) tools are virtual reality environments combined with wireless multimedia facilities--real-time video and audio--and advanced input devices--tracking sensors, biosensors, brain-computer interfaces. For its features IVT can be considered an innovative communication

Immersive Virtual Telepresence (IVT) tools are virtual reality environments combined with wireless multimedia facilities--real-time video and audio--and advanced input devices--tracking sensors, biosensors, brain-computer interfaces. For its features IVT can be considered an innovative communication interface based on interactive 3D visualization, able to collect and integrate different inputs and data sets in a single real-like experience. In this paper we try to outline the current state of research and technology that is relevant to the development of IVT in medicine. Moreover, we discuss the clinical principles and possible advantages associated with the use of IVT in this field.

In this paper, we discuss data transmission in telepresence environments for collaborative virtual reality applications. We analyze data streams in the context of networked virtual environments and classify them according to their traffic characteristics. Special emphasis is put on geometry-enhanced

In this paper, we discuss data transmission in telepresence environments for collaborative virtual reality applications. We analyze data streams in the context of networked virtual environments and classify them according to their traffic characteristics. Special emphasis is put on geometry-enhanced (3D) video. We review architectures for real-time 3D video pipelines and derive theoretical bounds on the minimal system latency as a function of the transmission and processing delays. Furthermore, we discuss bandwidth issues of differential update coding for 3D video. In our telepresence system-the blue-c-we use a point-based 3D video technology which allows for differentially encoded 3D representations of human users. While we discuss the considerations which lead to the design of our three-stage 3D video pipeline, we also elucidate some critical implementation details regarding decoupling of acquisition, processing and rendering frame rates, and audio/video synchronization. Finally, we demonstrate the communication and networking features of the blue-c system in its full deployment. We show how the system can possibly be controlled to face processing or networking bottlenecks by adapting the multiple system components like audio, application data, and 3D video.

Virtual reality is the multi-dimensional sensorial environment produced by the computer, Users can play a part in this virtual environment by particular tools. This technology, possessing the characteristics of being lifelike, interactive and imaginative, plays more and more important part in the me

Virtual reality is the multi-dimensional sensorial environment produced by the computer, Users can play a part in this virtual environment by particular tools. This technology, possessing the characteristics of being lifelike, interactive and imaginative, plays more and more important part in the medical field. For example, in medical training, in physical and psychological treatments, this technology is of great value.

In this paper we investigate the issues of user attention management in the context of the changes of underlying metaphors in human-computer interface design. After the introductory part, we discuss the problems of staying focused as well as reconstructing the context of an interrupted task while wo

In this paper we investigate the issues of user attention management in the context of the changes of underlying metaphors in human-computer interface design. After the introductory part, we discuss the problems of staying focused as well as reconstructing the context of an interrupted task while working in some computer environment. We highlight the problems with current interfaces and the desktop metaphor in particular, we propose that the mind-prosthesis metaphor may be better suited for the design of future, attention aware systems, and we put forward some guidelines for interface design that follow from our analysis.