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Using a touchscreen mobile device while walking in sunlight glare limits the visual attention. This situational visual impairment could affect the usability of these devices. This work focuses on the user interaction in situational visual impairment regarding touch gestures and no-visual feedbacks. We performed two user studies. In the first study, we modified the user interface of the two most used applications, phone calling and text messaging, using touch gesture and audio feedback while these features were not used before. Then a user study performed to extract the user preferences of modified applications in visual impairment situation. Our findings indicate that participants preferred gestures, but did not clearly indicate a preference for audio feedback. In the second study, we employed the computational evaluation to explore the distinctions between the made gestures by individuals in two different situations: with and without visual impairment. The outcomes show that in situations with visual impairment: (1) the people draw bigger and broader gestures, (2) there is higher error in features related to geometric shape, (3) familiarity of the user with gestures changes the speed and time for drawing them, and (4) there is not a critical distinctive conduct in how to apply strokes. The user interaction in situational visual impairment could be improved using touch gesture without audio feedback. This situation needs a wider area to make the gestures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Machine Tool & Hydraulics is the property of Guangzhou Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (GMERI) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Previous work using visually guided reaches to localize landmarks on a hidden hand has suggested that proprioceptive acuity for hand targets is low and representation of hand dimensions is highly distorted (e.g., hand width estimated to be 60% wider than actual hand width). We re-examined these issues using a pure proprioceptive task in which 20 blindfolded subjects reached in a single movement without terminal corrections to touch the right index-tip to landmarks of the left hand placed in various locations in 3D space. Subjects were also tested with vision allowed to estimate minimal errors. Based on previous reports of high proprioceptive acuity for some hand landmarks, we hypothesized that the proprioceptive representation of the hand was much less distorted than described previously and that errors were not correlated with target hand location. Mean distance errors in proprioceptively guided reaches to the landmarks averaged less than 3 cm and were only 0.5–1.3 cm larger than when vision was allowed. Errors were not correlated with hand location in most subjects. Distortions of hand width averaged less than 20% wider than actual width and were not correlated with hand location in most subjects. We conclude that relatively accurate proprioceptive awareness of locations of hand/digit structures and dimensions is available for use in control of hand movements, which are executed largely subconsciously. Studying acuity of proprioception using conscious perceptual tasks and involving vision may not provide accurate measures of proprioceptive acuity as used by the motor system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facing the shortage of special building materials packaging machinery with thermal insulation and low intelligence, this paper designs a set of mechanical and electrical integration packaging unit control system to reduce the risk of material transportation for different stakeholders. According to risk management tools, the system takes Mitsubishi PLC as the control core and combines with communication module, servo motor drive system and touch screen man–machine interface to realize the risk simulation and automatic control of the packaging unit. The simulation results of PID control model show that the parameters such as speed and torque can be stabilized in a relatively short period of time when the load is suddenly changed within 1.5 s. Theoretical verification of the system has small steady-state error, rapid response, and good control effect. The man–machine interface design was carried out and the actual corresponding test experiment was carried out. The experimental results showed that the overall operation rate of the packaging unit system reached 98.15%, the pass rate was 99.03%, and the production capacity was about 9600 packs/hour, which met the production requirements. The control system of the building material packaging unit designed in this paper realizes the equipment intelligence, has a high degree of automation, and shows good potential application value in the aspects of building information, reduction of construction risks and manufacturing intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) and smart home technologies has driven the need for speech recognition-based solutions. This demand stems from the quest for more intuitive and natural interaction between users and smart devices in their homes. Speech recognition allows users to control devices and perform everyday actions through spoken commands, eliminating the need for physical interfaces or touch screens and enabling specific tasks such as turning on or off the light, heating, or lowering the blinds. The purpose of this study is to develop a speech-based classification model for recognizing human actions in the smart home. It seeks to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of using machine learning techniques in predicting categories, subcategories, and actions from sentences. A dataset labeled with relevant information about categories, subcategories, and actions related to human actions in the smart home is used. The methodology uses machine learning techniques implemented in Python, extracting features using CountVectorizer to convert sentences into numerical representations. The results show that the classification model is able to accurately predict categories, subcategories, and actions based on sentences, with 82.99% accuracy for category, 76.19% accuracy for subcategory, and 90.28% accuracy for action. The study concludes that using machine learning techniques is effective for recognizing and classifying human actions in the smart home, supporting its feasibility in various scenarios and opening new possibilities for advanced natural language processing systems in the field of AI and smart homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the degree of baking automation of dryer, and realize the feeding and hot processing of sunflower seeds, a control system for double layer sunflower seeds dryer with PLC as the core processor and touch screen as the man-machine interface was designed. The control of the double layer sunflower seeds dryer was realized by connection with the actuating and sensing components in combination with electric design. The system can realize the functions such as setting and adjustment of process parameters, monitoring of running state, recording of historical data. The average score of subjective evaluation of quality and efficiency is 43.74 points, which is much higher than 38.26 points of the single-layer oven. The experiment shows that the system is simple and its running is stable, and the subjective score is improved by 11% compared with the comparison equipment. It is suitable for the control of double layer sunflower seeds dryer. The research provides reference for ensuring high-quality sunflower seeds baking process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wireless touch network is a distributed, self-organizing network of multiple sensors and actuators in combination with multiple sensors and a radio channel. Also, the security area of such a network can be several meters to several meters. The main difference between wireless sensor networks from traditional computer and telephone networks is the lack of a fixed infrastructure owned by a specific operator or provider. Each user terminal in a touch network is capable of acting as a terminal device only. Despite the long history of sensor networks, the concept of building a sensor network is not finally imposed and expressed in some software and hardware (platform) solutions. In this paper, the design and analysis of multicluster model of the sensor nodes in wireless sensor network with the help of solar energy. This proposed model provides the required energy to transmit the information between two end nodes in different cluster. The communication between the end to end clusters was increased based on this design. The implementation of sensory networks at the current stage depends largely on the specific needs of the industrial problem. The architecture, software, and hardware implementation technology is at an intensive development stage, attracting the attention of developers looking for a technological niche of future makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by cyber-physical vulnerabilities in precision manufacturing processes, there is a need to externally examine the operational performance of computer numerically controlled (CNC) manufacturing systems. The overarching objective of this work is to design and fabricate a proof-of-concept CNC machine evaluation device, ultimately re-configurable to the mill, lathe, and 3D printing machine classes. This device will assist in identifying potential cyber-physical security threats in manufacturing systems by identifying perturbations outside the expected variations of machining processes and comparing the desired command inputted into the numerical controller and the actual machine performance (e.g., tool displacement, frequency). In this paper, a requirement-driven prototype device design method is presented and tested, and the results will be used to improve future iterations of the design. The first design iteration is tested on a Kuka KR 6 R700 series robotic arm, and machine movement comparisons are performed ex situ using Keyence laser measurement sensors. Data acquisition is performed with a Raspberry Pi 4 microcomputer, controlled by custom, cross-platform python code, and includes a touch screen human-computer interface (HCI). A device design adapted for a CNC mill is also presented, and the Haas TM-2 is used as a case study, which can be operated by CNC operators to assess machine performance, as needed, before a critical manufacturing process. This research will enable the broader goal of recognizing repeating advanced manufacturing performance deviations, which occur outside of a machine's normal variability, that could signal a malicious "attack.". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smartphones are widely accessed by all genders, ages, and statuses with the increasing use rate of older adults. When people grow up to older adults, they meet physical declines such as blurred vision, tremor in hands, and arms, slowness of movement, or postural of a humpback. These age-related conditions affect how they live and use the smartphone. However, some seldom go out for older adults' activities due to their physical impairment and diseases. They might have lower competencies than normal older adults. In this article, the test was conducted on 26 homebound older adults. The current investigation was concerned with their competencies of vision, hearing, touching, and memorizing to find appropriate average results for them. We found the scores value regarding font size, color contrast, icon size, a touching point on each button on the screen, keyboard's size, scrolling area, etc., which they can perform effectively on the smartphone. The main findings render a significant and unique contribution to the design community to use it as a guideline or standard for every designer who wants to design assisted technology by using a touch screen interface for homebound older adults to conveniently access and efficiently use. Further, it also helps to improve the quality of life among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seeding amount determines the distribution density of plants in the field, thereby posing a significant impact on the final yield of crops. Real-time detection of sowing amount is an inevitable trend in precise agriculture. However, the current technology is difficult to rapidly identify overlapping seeds for the total amount of wheat precision seeding. In this study, an accurate detection system with an interpolation sensor was developed to control the seeding amount in a wheat precision planter with a wide seedling strip. Infrared radiation LEDs were used as the sensitive elements, and the 24-bit ADS1256 as the high-precision sampling module. The sampling frequency of the system was determined to be 1×103 Hz. The process of seed falling was analyzed, where the seeds were sampled at least three times when the sensor was scanning over the detection areas. The sampling voltage of one seed, two seeds, and three seeds were obtained when the sensor passed through. Two sampling threshold divisions were set using the peak and the mean value, according to the sampling voltage. In the peak, 489 was the threshold value for 1 and 2 seeds while 616 for 2 and 3 seeds. In the mean, 277 was the threshold value for 1 and 2 seeds while 330 for 2 and 3 seeds. A detection system of precision seeding was realized to integrate with the interaction interface of touch screen personal-computer and drive control of a stepper motor. A field experiment of planter under static state was carried out to verify the detection accuracy of the system, the adaptability for different varieties of wheat and seeding frequency, and further to evaluate the two-threshold division. Three types of wheat were selected as the research objects, including Heng-Guan 35, Ji-Mai 22, and Cun-Mai 11. It was found that the peak detection was optimal, due to the low detection error and good adaptability to different wheat varieties. The peak detection was further revised, where the correction coefficient was 7.08%. A field experiment was also carried out to further verify the performance of the detection system under dynamic conditions. It was found that the absolute detection error of the system ranged from 1.12%~5.63%, and the mean absolute error was 3.12%, indicating a high detection accuracy for the high requirements under various sowing rates and operation speeds, as well as a high resistance to sunlight and dust interference. The finding can provide potential technical support for the design of seed tube sensor, and the rapid detection of seeding amount in the process of precision wheat sowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays management of large number of patients at hospitals is a significant challenge in smoothing out medical care services. The fundamental idea discussed in this paper is on how to reduce the long waiting and trouble faced by patients for booking tokens. This automated token booking system helps hospitals to improve outpatient flow at hospitals that enables management to efficiently organize staff, resources and patient queues so that patients receive the right care at the right time in a comfortable and hassle free environment. In the proposed system patients can book their token through a Graphical User Interface touch screen implemented at hospital. Our system is controlled by Raspberry pi that is compatible with python IDLE and is linked to the database server website. Here the database is designed using My Structured Query Language. During token booking, patient details are compared with prerecorded My Structured Query Language patient database and token is generated once the details are matched. After each booking token number is updated in the server website. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To eliminate the problems associated with leftover tank mixture in pesticide applications, a premixing in-line injection system was designed as an attachment to a laser-guided variable-rate orchard sprayer. The primary components of the system consisted of a chemical metering pump, a water pump, a two-stage static mixer, a premixing tank, a buffer tank, an electric shut-off valve, a chemical container, electronic control boards, a graphical user interface, and an embedded computer with a touch screen. Liquid level sensors were mounted in all tanks and the chemical container to control the fluid discharge and prevent overflows. The graphical user interface on the touch screen was designed for operators to communicate with the system and monitor the system status. During spray applications, the system performed with automatic loops in dispensing, mixing, and transferring the desired amounts of water and chemical concentrates to maintain the spray mixture at a constant concentration for use with variable-rate nozzles. The system was rinsed automatically when the spray application task was completed. Test results showed that simulated pesticide and water could be accurately delivered into the injection line and could be mixed well in the buffer tank before the spray mixture was discharged to the nozzles. The premixing in-line injection system is a potential technique to further reduce pesticide waste and improve environmental stewardship for both conventional and precision variable-rate orchard sprayers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND: Given the challenges of collecting reliable Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) data in the field, this study compared a 3-min PVT on a hand-held device and wrist-worn device vs. a standardized laptop. METHODS: The experiment utilized a randomized, repeated-measures design. Subjects (N = 36) performed the PVT on a touchscreen, hand-held device (HHD), a wrist-worn device (WWD), and a standardized laptop (L). Sleep was assessed using wrist-worn actigraphy. RESULTS: Compared to the L, the HHD was slower on average (--50% longer reaction times; --34% slower response speeds; --600% more lapses in attention combined with false starts) and introduced a proportional bias that decreased the range of response speeds by 60%. Compared to the L, the WWD with the backlight on was faster on average (reaction time: --6%; response speed: --13%), but equivalent in lapses combined with false starts, and introduced a proportional bias that increased the range of responses by 60%. DISCUSSION: Compared to the L PVT, using a hand-held, touch screen interface to collect PVT data may introduce a large constant bias and a proportional bias that decreases the range of response speed. However, performance on the WWD closely mirrors performance on the L PVT and the proportional bias tends to be in favor of detecting individuals with slower responses. Researchers should avoid comparing PVT metrics between different device types. Reliability of PVT data from a WWD or HHD may be degraded when used in an operational setting with unpredictable environmental movement (such as a surface maritime setting). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report the first observation of active waveguide of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) in single crystalline molecular wires self‐assembled from cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes, namely tris(1‐phenylisoquinoline‐C2, N) (Ir(piq)3). Under dark conditions, the molecular wires deposited on the electrode surface can act as both ECL emitters and active waveguides. As revealed by ECL microscopy, they exhibit the typical characteristics of optical waveguides, transmitting ECL and generating much brighter ECL emission at their terminals. Moreover, self‐generated ECL can be confined inside the molecular wire and propagates along the longitudinal direction as far as ≈100 μm to the terminal out of touch with the electrode. Therefore, this one‐dimensional crystalline molecular wire‐based waveguide offers the opportunity to switch the electrochemically generated ECL to remote light emission in non‐conductive regions and is promising for contactless electrochemical analysis and study of (bio)chemical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]