Special Sections on Interaction and Intelligent Systems
1. T. Inoue, T. Furuhashi, H. Maeda, M. Takaba, "A proposal of combined method of evolutionary algorithm and heuristics for nurse scheduling support system," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 833- 838, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : The nurse scheduling problem (NSP) is a combinatorial optimization problem. There is a growing demand for practical automatic nurse scheduling systems. We have a developed a nurse scheduling support system using the interactive evolutionary algorithm. The nurse-in-chief can modify/fix parts of candidate schedules. The system reschedules the parts that need improvement. The proposed system is required to produce high-quality schedules with a short computation time for good human-machine interaction. This paper presents a method that combines heuristics with genetic operations for generating good schedules quickly, especially for satisfying the equality among nurses. This paper clarifies the effects of the proposed heuristics and also studies effects of a combination of the proposed method and the conventional mutation operation. Experiments are conducted to demonstrate these effects.
2. Z. Stejic, Y. Takama, K. Hirota, "Relevance feedback-based image retrieval interface incorporating region and feature saliency patterns as visualizable image similarity criteria," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 839- 852, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : Region and feature saliency pattern (RFSP) is proposed as: (1) a new image similarity model; and (2) a new, visualizable representation of the image similarity criteria. RFSP, coupled with the proposed genetic-algorithm (GA)-based relevance feedback mechanism, is incorporated in the image retrieval interface. By capturing the two fundamental properties of the human visual system-region and feature saliencies-in a context-dependent sense, RFSP more accurately approximates the human similarity perception. By representing the image similarity criteria as a "pattern of feature combinations distributed over the image regions, each having a different importance," RFSP enables the visualization-in a concise form-of the complex, low-level similarity criteria associated with each query image. None of the representative image similarity models captures both region and feature saliencies in a context-dependent sense. Furthermore, very few of the representative works-dealing with the relevance feedback in image retrieval-consider the visualization of the similarity criteria, as a user interface aspect. Also, this paper presents one of the first applications of GAs to the relevance feedback mechanism in the image retrieval field. The retrieval performance of the RFSP, coupled with the proposed GA-based relevance feedback mechanism, is evaluated on five test databases, with around 2500 images, covering 62 semantic categories. Compared with 11 of the representative image similarity models, including three which employ relevance feedback, RFSP brings in average between 6%-30% increase in the retrieval precision. The relevance feedback-based retrieval interface incorporating RFSP is demonstrated as well. Experiment results suggest that: (1) capturing the region and feature saliencies in a context-dependent sense improves the retrieval performance; whereas (2) visualizing the similarity criteria makes the relevance feedback-based image retrieval interface more user friendly, aiding the user in the understanding and expression of the information needs.
3. H. Murakoshi, M. Saito, T. Yamaguchi, "A picture reference system with visual interface for cyber art gallery," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 853- 859, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : This paper proposes a picture reference system for a cyber art gallery. The picture reference system is a client-server system on the Internet and consists of the associative picture database (server) and the visual user interface (client). The implementation by client-server system enables us to implement a distributed cyber art gallery. The associative picture database searches pictures by using conceptual fuzzy sets. The conceptual fuzzy sets are implemented by bidirectional associative memory and Hopfield neural network. The visual user interface without keyboard and mouse, captures user's movement and informs it to the system as a command. To show pictures attractively, the visual user interface provides some visual-effect functions. We implement and evaluate the picture reference system.
4. T. Murata, "Visualizing the structure of Web communities based on data acquired from a search engine," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 860- 866, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : Discovery of Web communities, groups of Web pages sharing common interests, is important for assisting users' information retrieval from the Web. This paper describes a method for visualizing Web communities and their internal structures. visualization of Web communities in the form of graphs enables users to access related pages easily, and it often reflects the characteristics of the Web communities. Since related Web pages are often co-referred from the same Web page, the number of co-occurrences of references in a search engine is used for measuring the relation among pages. Two URLs are given to a search engine as keywords, and the value of the number of pages searched from both URLs divided by the number of pages searched from either URL, which is called the Jaccard coefficient, is calculated as the criteria for evaluating the relation between the two URLs. The value is used for determining the length of an edge in a graph so that vertices of related pages will be located close to each other. Our visualization system based on the method succeeds in clarifying various genres of Web communities, although the system does not interpret the contents of the pages. The method of calculating the Jaccard coefficient is easily processed by computer systems, and it is suitable for visualization using the data acquired from a search engine.
5. T.-H.S. Li, Shih-Jie Chang, Yi-Xiang Chen, "Implementation of human-like driving skills by autonomous fuzzy behavior control on an FPGA-based car-like mobile robot," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 867- 880, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : In this paper, the concepts of car maneuvers, fuzzy logic control (FLC), and sensor-based behaviors are merged to implement the human-like driving skills by an autonomous car-like mobile robot (CLMR). Four kinds of FLCs, fuzzy wall-following control, fuzzy corner control, fuzzy garage-parking control, and fuzzy parallel-parking control, are synthesized to accomplish the autonomous fuzzy behavior control (AFBC). Computer simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control schemes. The setup of the CLMR is provided, where the implementation of the AFBC on a field-programmable gate array chip is also addressed. Finally, the real-time implementation experiments of the CLMR in the test ground demonstrate the feasibility in practical car maneuvers.
6. T. Yamaguchi, E. Sato, Y. Takama, "Intelligent space and human centered robotics," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 881- 889, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : The robot has emerged as a factor in the daily lives of humans, taking the form of a mechanical pet or similar source of entertainment. A robot system that is designed to coexist with humans, i.e., a coexistence-type robot system, is important. "It exists in various environments together with the humans: the robot system which interacts with a physical, informational emotion with the humans, etc., must be valued." When studying the impact of intimacy on the human/robot relationship, we have to examine the problems that can arise as a result of physical intimacy (coordination of safety on the hardware side and a software side). Furthermore, we should also consider the informational aspects of intimacy (recognition technology and information transport and sharing). This paper reports the interim results of the research of a system configuration that enhances the physical intimacy relationship in the symbiosis of the human and the robot.
7. Joo-Ho Lee, H. Hashimoto, "Controlling mobile robots in distributed intelligent sensor network," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 890- 902, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : Mobile robots need sufficient sensors and information on the environment in order to navigate. In this paper, we propose a system of mobile robots, which is controlled in a distributed intelligent sensor network. In such a networked space, the environment is divided by distributed sensors. Each area is monitored by a distributed sensor device, which connects with other distributed sensor devices and robots throughout the network. As a result, the mobile robots are able to accomplish tasks simply by following orders from the sensor devices in the networked environment, although the mobile robots are not self-contained with information on the environment and sensors for self-positioning and control. We test several situations to verify the proposed system.
8. T. Sawaragi, T. Kudoh, "Self-reflective segmentation of human bodily motions using recurrent neural networks," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 903- 911, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : For realizing a naturalistic collaboration between the human and the robot, we have to establish the intention sharing from the series of motion data that are observed and exchanged between the human and the machine. In a word, this is a problem to detect "meanings" out of the digitized data stream. In this paper, we propose a novel approach based on semiosis, and present a method of interpreting bodily motions using recurrent neural networks called Elman networks. We made some experiments using the raw data acquired while a human performs a simple task of fetching objects by stretching and folding his/her arm, and demonstrate that the network can learn invariant features of the generalized motion concepts, classify the motion by referring to self-organized memory structure, and understand a task structure of the observed human bodily motion. These capabilities are essential for machine intelligence to establishing the human-robot shared autonomy, a new style of human-machine collaboration proposed in the area of robotics.
Drive Control
9. M. Hasegawa, S. Furutani, S. Doki, S. Okuma, "Robust vector control of induction motors using full-order observer in consideration of core loss," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 912- 919, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : This paper proposes a method for designing a robust full-order observer for vector-controlled induction motors taking core loss into account. Although conventional research focuses on parameter identification, global stability of the identification remains questionable. Therefore, robustness against some parameters is required. This paper describes the design of a robust full-order observer which takes core loss into account, using both the gain-scheduled H/sub /spl infin// control and the linear matrix inequality technique. This design always results in a stable controller. The robustness of the proposed method against variations of resistances is evaluated by experiments.
10. Rong-Jong Wai, Wei-Kuo Liu, "Nonlinear control for linear induction motor servo drive," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 920- 935, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : This paper describes a newly designed nonlinear control strategy to control a linear induction motor servo drive for periodic motion. Based on the concept of the nonlinear state feedback theory and optimal technique, a nonlinear control strategy, which is composed of an adaptive optimal control system and a sliding-mode flux observation system, is developed to improve the drawbacks in previous works concerned with complicated intelligent control. The control and estimation methodologies are derived in the sense of Lyapunov theorem so that the stability of the control system can be guaranteed. The sliding-mode flux observation system is implemented using a digital signal processor with a high sampling rate to make it possible to achieve good dynamics. Computer simulations and experimental results have been conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme under the occurrence of possible uncertainties and different reference trajectories. The merits of the proposed control system are indicated in comparison with a traditional optimal control system.
11. Mo-Yuen Chow, Y. Tipsuwan, "Gain adaptation of networked DC motor controllers based on QoS variations," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 936- 943, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : Connecting a complex control system with various sensors, actuators, and controllers as a networked control system by a shared data network can effectively reduce complicated wiring connections. This system is also easy to install and maintain. The trend is to use networked control systems for time-sensitive applications, such as remote DC motor actuation control. The performance of a networked control system can be improved if the network can guarantee quality-of-service (QoS). Due to time-varying network traffic demands and disturbances, QoS requirements provided by a network may change. In this case, a network has to reallocate its resources and may not be able to provide QoS requirements to a networked control application as needed. Therefore, the application may have to gracefully degrade its performance and perform the task as best as possible with the provided network QoS. This paper proposes a novel approach for networked DC motor control systems using controller gain adaptation to compensate for the changes in QoS requirements. Numerical and experimental simulations, and prototyping, are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed adaptation scheme to handle network QoS variation in a control loop. The effective results show the promising future of the use of gain adaptation in networked control applications.
12. Yaolong Tan, Jie Chang, Hualin Tan, "Adaptive backstepping control and friction compensation for AC servo with inertia and load uncertainties," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 944- 952, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : An adaptive backstepping control with friction compensation scheme is presented. A third-order linear dynamic model is used for the AC motor control system design while the LuGre dynamic friction model with nonuniform friction force variations characterizes the friction force. Nonlinear adaptive control laws are designed to compensate the unknown system parameters and disturbances. System robustness and asymptotic position tracking performance are shown through simulation and experimental results.
Power Electronics
13. Chunhua Yang, G. Deconinck, Weihua Gui, "An optimal power-dispatching control system for the electrochemical process of zinc based on backpropagation and Hopfield neural networks," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 953- 961, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : This paper describes an optimization problem to minimize the cost of power consumption for the electrochemical process of zinc (EPZ) depending on varying prices of electrical power. A series of conditional experiments was conducted to obtain enough data, which reflect the complex relationships among the factors influencing power consumption. Two backpropagation neural networks are used to build a process model that describes these relationships. An equivalent Hopfield neural network is constructed to solve this nonlinear optimization problem with technological constraints, a penalty function is introduced into the network energy function to meet the equality constraints, and inequality constraints are removed by altering the sigmoid function. An optimal power-dispatching control system (OPDCS) has been developed to provide an optimal power-dispatching scheme and keep the EPZ running economically. Since the OPDCS was put into service in a smeltery, the cost of power consumption has decreased significantly, and it also contributes to balancing the power grid load.
14. B. Singh, B.N. Singh, A. Chandra, K. Al-Haddad, A. Pandey, D.P. Kothari, "A review of single-phase improved power quality AC-DC converters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 962- 981, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : Solid-state switch-mode rectification converters have reached a matured level for improving power quality in terms of power-factor correction (PFC), reduced total harmonic distortion at input AC mains and precisely regulated DC output in buck, boost, buck-boost and multilevel modes with unidirectional and bidirectional power flow. This paper deals with a comprehensive review of improved power quality converters (IPQCs) configurations, control approaches, design features, selection of components, other related considerations, and their suitability and selection for specific applications. It is targeted to provide a wide spectrum on the status of IPQC technology to researchers, designers and application engineers working on switched-mode AC-DC converters. A classified list of more than 450 research publications on the state of art of IPQC is also given for a quick reference.
15. J. Dixon, Y. del Valle, M. Orchard, M. Ortuzar, L. Moran, C. Maffrand, "A full compensating system for general loads, based on a combination of thyristor binary compensator, and a PWM-IGBT active power filter," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 982- 989, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : A full compensating system for distribution networks, able to eliminate harmonics, correct unbalanced loads, and generate or absorb reactive power, is presented. The system is based on a combination of a thyristor binary compensator (TBC), and a pulsewidth-modulation insulated gate bipolar transistor active power filter (APF) connected in cascade. The TBC compensates the fundamental reactive power and balances the load connected to the system. The APF eliminates the harmonics and compensates the small amounts of load unbalances or power factor that the TBC cannot eliminate due to its binary condition. The TBC is based on a chain of binary-scaled capacitors and one inductor per phase. This topology allows, with an adequate number of capacitors, a soft variation of reactive power compensation and a negligible generation of harmonics. The capacitors are switched on when the line voltage reaches its peak value, avoiding inrush currents generation. The inductor helps to balance the load, and absorbs reactive power when required. The APF works measuring the source currents, forcing them to be sinusoidal. The two converters (TBC and APF) work independently, making the control of the system simpler and more reliable. Simulations show that the system is able to respond to many kinds of transient perturbations in no more than a couple of cycles. The paper analyzes the circuit proposed, the way it works and shows some experimental results obtained under operation.
16. J. Chatzakis, K. Kalaitzakis, N.C. Voulgaris, S.N. Manias, "Designing a new generalized battery management system," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 990- 999, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : Battery management systems (BMSs) are used in many battery-operated industrial and commercial systems to make the battery operation more efficient and the estimation of battery state nondestructive. The existing BMS techniques are examined in this paper and a new design methodology for a generalized reliable BMS is proposed. The main advantage of the proposed BMS compared to the existing systems is that it provides a fault-tolerant capability and battery protection. The proposed BMS consists of a number of smart battery modules (SBMs) each of which provides battery equalization, monitoring, and battery protection to a string of battery cells. An evaluation SBM was developed and tested in the laboratory and experimental results verify the theoretical expectations.
17. Young-Gook Jung, Woo-Yong Kim, Young-Cheol Lim, Seung-Hak Yang, F. Harashima, "The algorithm of expanded current synchronous detection for active power filters considering three-phase unbalanced power system," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 1000- 1006, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : A new algorithm for three-phase active power filters is proposed, which is expanded current synchronous detection (ECSD) theory. It can detect the active or the fundamental reactive currents in each phase symmetrically and equally, based on the decomposition of the fundamental reactive component and the harmonics under unbalanced power condition. Nonlinear load is composed of a 2-hp three-phase squirrel-cage-type induction motor and motor drives (inverter). To prove the validity of the proposed ECSD algorithm, some experiments were performed in steady states and transient states under 15% unbalanced power system. A stand-alone-type TMS320C31 digital signal processor (60 MHz) board is employed to calculate and to decompose the power and the current components of nonlinear load. The experimental results show that the active and the fundamental reactive components detected by the proposed theory were balanced and equal in each phase despite an unbalanced power source.
18. G. Poddar, A. Joseph, A.K. Unnikrishnan, "Sensorless variable-speed controller for existing fixed-speed wind power generator with unity-power-factor operation," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 1007- 1015, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : A variable-speed controller, for an existing 225 kW fixed-speed wind power generator, is presented in this paper. A sensorless direct torque control algorithm-based controller is proposed for the squirrel-cage induction generator. Generator torque reference is derived based on sensorless maximum power tracking mode algorithm, up to the base speed of the generator. A three-phase front-end converter is used here to deliver the generated power to the grid with unity-power-factor operation at all wind speeds. This algorithm is based on direct active and reactive power control. The experimental waveforms from the actual installation site are presented in this paper with a comparison of the existing fixed-speed system. An interpretation of the results is also presented here.
Robotics and Vision
19. A.B. Rad, P.T. Chan, Wai Lun Lo, C.K. Mok, "An online learning fuzzy controller," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 1016- 1021, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : A fuzzy controller with online learning capability is reported in this paper. The controller learns from a standard proportional plus derivative (PD) controller. It is implicitly assumed that the tuning parameters of the PD controller are already known. The learning is realized via Wang's table lookup scheme. The controllers are applied successfully to control an open-loop unstable system, i.e., the ball and plate system. Experimental studies have demonstrated the performance of the proposed controller.
20. Eun-Jun Rhee, Myeong-Kwan Park, S. Oshima, R. Yamane, "A study on autobalancing of a casing oscillator using feedback control," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 1022- 1029, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : The casing oscillator used for basic construction of buildings, factories, and bridges is a construction machine which rotates and rolls the casing to insert it into the ground. It is very important that the casing is retained at a perpendicular position to sea level regardless of the slope of ground. In this paper, we present a new casing oscillator that does need not to be level to the ground for the casing insertion to work. The kinematic analysis for work space of a casing oscillator is presented and carried out with autobalancing of the casing oscillator using feedback control.
Signal Processing
21. Q.P. Ha, H. Trinh, H.T. Nguyen, H.D. Tuan, "Dynamic output feedback sliding-mode control using pole placement and linear functional observers," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 1030- 1037, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : This paper presents a methodological approach to design dynamic output feedback sliding-mode control for a class of uncertain dynamical systems. The control action consists of the equivalent control and robust control components. The design of the equivalent control and the sliding function are based on the pole-placement technique. Linear functional observers are developed to implement the sliding function and the equivalent control. Stability of the resulting system under the proposed control scheme is guaranteed. A numerical example is given to demonstrate its efficacy.
22. Kyusung Kim, A.G. Parlos, R. Mohan Bharadwaj, "Sensorless fault diagnosis of induction motors," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 1038- 1051, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : Early detection and diagnosis of incipient faults is desirable for online condition assessment, product quality assurance, and improved operational efficiency of induction motors. In this paper, a speed-sensorless fault diagnosis system is developed for induction motors, using recurrent dynamic neural networks and multiresolution or Fourier-based signal processing for transient or quasi-steady-state operation, respectively. In addition to nameplate information required for the initial system setup, the proposed fault diagnosis system uses only motor terminal voltages and currents. The effectiveness of the proposed diagnosis system in detecting the most widely encountered motor electrical and mechanical faults is demonstrated through extensive staged faults. The developed system is scalable to different power ratings and it has been successfully demonstrated with data from 2.2, 373 and 597 kW induction motors.
23. A. Consoli, G. Scarcella, A. Testa, "Using the induction motor as a flux sensor: new control perspectives for zero-speed operation of standard drives," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 1052- 1061, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : Although sensorless techniques are among the preferred topics of many researchers around the world, the challenge they represent in terms of finding a robust and effective solution for sensor elimination in AC machine drives has not yet been completely solved. This is especially true for induction motor (IM) drives that still remain the "drive choice" for most of the lowand medium-performance applications. This paper discusses how standard control methods of IM drives can be improved by adopting a sensorless flux estimation procedure.
Letter to the Editor
24. A. Fernandez, J. Sebastian, F.F. Linera, A. Ferreres, "Single-stage AC-to-DC converter with self-driven synchronous rectification that complies with EN61000-3-2 regulations," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 1062- 1064, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : When low output voltage and EN61000-3-2 compliance are put together, not too many options can be used, especially if the power range is between 300-600 W. This paper presents one of the best solutions to comply with both specifications at the same time: the use of a single-stage topology to comply with the low-frequency harmonic limits combined with a half-bridge converter with complementary control, which is a very good option to obtain low output voltages with high efficiency.
25. Kyeong-Hwa Kim, Hyun-Soo Kim, Myung-Joong Youn, "An improved stationary-frame-based current control scheme for a permanent-magnet synchronous motor," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 1065- 1068, Oct. 2003. Full Text Link
Abstract : An improved stationary-frame-based current control scheme for a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is presented. To improve the current control performance in the stationary frame, the disturbance is estimated using the time-delay control. The proposed scheme is implemented on a PMSM using digital signal processor TMS320C31 and the effectiveness is verified through the comparative experiments.