EUROMEDIA'2015, April 27-29, 2015, IST, Lisbon, Portugal, Tutorial



Conference Tutorial

Image quality assessment for global illumination methods based on machine learning.

André BIGAND
Littoral University, Calais, France
Docteur en Electronique
Habilité à Diriger des Recherches en Sciences
Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale

Abstract

Unbiased global illumination methods based on stochastical techniques provide photorealistic images. They are however prone to noise that can only be reduced by increasing the number of computed samples. The problem of finding the number of samples that are required in order to ensure that most of the observers cannot perceive any noise is still open since the ideal image is unknown.

In this tutorial we address this problem focusing on visual perception of noise. But rather than use known perceptual models we investigate the use of machine learning approaches classically used in the Artificial Intelligence area as full-reference and reduced-reference metrics. We propose to use such approaches to create a machine learning model based on Learning Machines as SVM, RVM, in order to be able to predict which image highlights perceptual noise. We also investigate the use of soft computing approaches based on fuzzy sets as no-reference metric. Learning is performed through the use of an example database which is built from experiments of noise perception with human users. These models can then be used in any progressive stochastic global illumination method in order to find the visual convergence threshold of different parts of any image.

This tutorial is structured as a half day presentation (3 hours). The goals of this course
are to make students familiar with the underlying techniques that make this possible
(machine learning, soft computing).

About the Speaker

André Bigand (IEEE Member) received the Ph.D. Degree in 1993 from the University
Paris 6 and the "HDR" degree in 2001 from the Université du Littoral of Calais (ULCO, France). He is currently senior associate professor in ULCO since 1993. His current research interesst include uncertainty modeling and machine learning with applications to image processing and synthesis (particularly noise modeling and filtering). He is currently with the LISIC Laboratory (ULCO). He is author and co-author of 120 scientific papers in international journals and books or communications to conferences with reviewing committee.

He has 33 years experience teaching and lecturing. He is a visiting professor at
UL - Lebanese University- where he teaches "machine learning and pattern recognition"
in research master STIP.

Slides of the tutorial can be viewed here

Robotic Assisted and Computer-Integrated Surgery

Paulo Goncalves
IST, Lisbon,
Portugal

Abstract

Robotic surgeries, are performed by classical techniques, purely mechanical and its success essentially depends on the surgeon's experience. However, surgeons are increasingly receptive to new technologies and search new tools that help them improve their performance. Increasing advances in robotics have allowed the emergence of new systems dedicated to surgery, which began to be a valid option in surgical aid. The computer-assisted surgery (CAS) and particularly the robot-assisted surgery, improves accuracy and precision of procedures, allowing more reliable and reproducible outcomes, minimizing the invasiveness of surgical procedures and to improve patient outcomes, by reducing complications and improving patient safety, compared with conventional techniques. The increasing evolution of surgical robotic systems has also been accompanied for significant evolution in surgical navigation systems. Actual systems, commonly used in the operating room, employ markers placed on the human for tracking bones or other body parts. Ultrasound images are on the rise, and under strong development for use in surgeries, allowing low-cost and non-invasive real-time navigation systems. These navigation systems will be used in the near future in CAS and robotic surgery. The tutorial will review the current approaches in robotic surgery, where image based navigation is used, with a special care on orthopedics.

About the Speaker

Paulo J.S. Gonçalves is an Associate Professor (Professor Coordenador) of Electrotechnical and Industrial Engineering with the School of Technology in the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Portugal. He is also a researcher at LAETA, IDMEC, Center of Intelligent Systems (CSI). Dr. Gonçalves was trained in Mechanical Engineering, achieving the Licenciatura degree in 1995. He earned the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1998 and 2005, respectively.
Dr. Paulo Gonçalves (P.J.S. Gonçalves) presented more than 100 contributions in robotics, vision and computational intelligence.