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Undergraduate Thesis Project Database: Search Results (9 records found)
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| ID: |
FCN01 |
| Title: |
3-D object reconstruction using structured lighting |
| Description: |
By projecting a light grid onto a 3-D object and observing the curvature of the lines with a camera, the shape of the object can be reconstructed. The aim of this project is to develop a general-purpose reconstruction system using a video camera and a standard digital video projector as a light source.
Using a video projector as a light source gives one a high degree of flexibility, and raises the possibility of changing the light pattern over time to resolve ambiguities and other difficult cases. This project therefore has considerable scope for imaginative investigation. |
| Deliverables: |
A working prototype and a set of techniques for doing the reconstruction. |
| Skills/requirements: |
A good understanding of geometry, particularly in 3-D. Ability to contend with fairly advanced mathematical problem formulations. |
| Extra: |
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| Area: |
Image and video processing, computer vision. |
| ID: |
FCN02 |
| Title: |
Vibratory feeder analysis and control |
| Description: |
We are working together with Debeers on building a diamond-sizing machine,
which uses multiple cameras and computer vision techniques to obtain particle
size estimates. For correct operation the diamonds must be dropped through
one at a time, at rates of up to 20 per second. Currently it is envisaged that diamonds will be fed into the system using a
vibratory feeder. The feeder takes the form of a V-shaped channel that holds
the diamonds in a long line. Vibration causes the particles to migrate down
this channel, until they fall off the end and enter the machine.
The camera hardware requires that diamonds enter the system at fairly regular
time intervals. For this reason we would like to control the feed-rate by
varying the vibration amplitude. Actual feed rates can be measured either
using photodetectors, a light curtain, or a peripheral camera system. The aim of this project is to investigate and analyse methods for
controlling the particle feed into the system, and come up with a
configuration and implementation that meets the requirements. We will have
a vibratory feeder on loan to us for the duration of the project. |
| Deliverables: |
A working prototype and a control strategy |
| Skills/requirements: |
Knowledge of control theory, ability/aptitute to interface signals to
digital (probably PC) hardware |
| Extra: |
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| Area: |
Control and instrumentation, possibly image processing |
| ID: |
FCN03 |
| Title: |
Robot soccer vision system |
| Description: |
UCT's robot soccer team is reaching maturity. However, a fast and robust vision system is required to provide
information regarding the positions of the robot players and the ball on the
field. Last year we developed a rudimentary algorithm that should meet the
requirements - what remains is to bed down the implementation, optimise
the speed, and minimise the error rates in the reported positions.
The system is computationally demanding - position estimates for
each of the 10 robots on the field are required at least 15 times per second
(and preferably 30 times per second). To achieve this type of performance
on a PC-based system requires using the SSE instruction set on the Pentium
processor. These are a low-level set of instructions that facilitate parallel
and highly pipelined computation on large quantities of data. Fortunately,
Intel have released a moderately high-level set of C libraries that make using
this functionality quite easy.
We would also like to consider the possibility of using a separate high frame-
rate camera to locate the position of the ball. |
| Deliverables: |
A working vision system, and an evaluation of its performance |
| Skills/requirements: |
A good working knowledge of C and Matlab, and an understanding of fairly low-level computer hardware and peripherals. This project is not suitable for someone with only moderate programming skills. |
| Extra: |
Intel has SSE performance libraries for image and video processing, signal
processing, and basic math operations. If ever you plan to implement high-
performance algorithms, there is a huge amount of value in becoming conversant
with these libraries. |
| Area: |
Basic image processing and pattern recognition, networking, high-performance
computing |
| ID: |
FCN04 |
| Title: |
Froth height/texture measurement and lighting investigation |
| Description: |
The mining industry makes extensive use of froth flotation for mineral
extraction. Currently the only way to control the flotation process
involves visually inspecting the froth, and obtaining measurements which
are subsequently used for control purposes.
UCT has developed an industrial package for making certain froth
measurements using a camera. However, some measurements are difficult to
make using the current system. We would therefore like to investigate
alternative measurements that can be obtained by illuminating the froth
with a laser line, and measuring the resulting light pattern with a
camera. In principle such structured lighting can provide froth height
and texture information. The extent of the scattering may also indicate
froth composition.
Many mineral processing plants are being built without roofs, which
introduces a problem of shadows and sunlight on the froth surface. We
would therefore also like to investigate the use of narrowband light
sources and matching camera filters to minimise this effect. |
| Deliverables: |
|
| Skills/requirements: |
Some appreciation for 3-D geometry |
| Extra: |
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| Area: |
Image processing, computer vision, elementary physics |
| ID: |
FCN05 |
| Title: |
Sensor and actuator hardware platform |
| Description: |
PCs are excellent computing platforms, even for high-performance industrial
applications. However, their capability for dealing with accurate timing and
synchronisation is quite limited. These tasks are commonly assigned to a
microprocessor or microcontroller subsystem, which can communicate with the
host but essentially acts independently.
The aim of this project is to design and test a microprocessor subsystem
for dealing with sensors and actuators required in industrial machine vision
systems. Typical sensors include rotary encoders and various
types of photodetectors, while the actuators are needed to control the
switching of lights and ejectors. Some measure of feedback control
functionality is also often required to keep various motor and conveyor
components synchronised.
The system will probably take the form of a high-end PIC microprocessor,
and we would like to have USB connectivity to the host PC. |
| Deliverables: |
A hardware platform designed according to the requirements, and software
routines for performing common IO tasks. |
| Skills/requirements: |
A reasonable understanding of microprocessor and computer systems |
| Extra: |
|
| Area: |
Hardware and software for embedded systems |
| ID: |
FCN06 |
| Title: |
Hyperspectral imagery using an imaging spectroscope |
| Description: |
We will soon be acquiring an imaging spectroscope from the Finnish company
SpecIm (www.specim.fi). This is a very interesting piece of equipment - instead
of just measuring red, green, and blue components of the light colour at a camera
pixel, it measures the complete spectrum of the light over all optical wavelengths.
There is considerably more information in this complete spectrum - two colours
we perceive as the same shade of green, for example, may appear very different
under a spectroscope.
We would like to connect this device to a CMOS camera, and use it for both
industrial and scientific purposes. The intention of this project is therefore
to explore different ways of using the spectroscope in these types of
applications. One specific problem involves calibrating the system to permit
quantitative measurements to be made. Other applications involve mineral
identification and classification, which has relevance to some projects we are
currently running with Debeers and Anglo Platinum. |
| Deliverables: |
Methods and ideas for using the spectroscope for typical applications |
| Skills/requirements: |
Some knowledge and appreciation of physics and physical principles |
| Extra: |
To generate a complete image from this imaging spectroscope requires
pushbroom scanning. A computer-controlled conveyor belt would be useful for
general application, and we may choose to construct one during the project |
| Area: |
Physics, imaging, image processing |
| ID: |
FCN07 |
| Title: |
3-D diamond shape classification and value estimation |
| Description: |
We are working together with Debeers on building a diamond-sizing machine,
which uses multiple cameras and computer vision techniques to obtain particle
size estimates. However, the solution we have developed provides far more than
just a volume estimate - accurate 3-D representations of the diamonds are generated
as part of the procedure.
The aim of this project is to develop methods of classifying and identifying
particular diamonds from this 3-D information. This has a number of applications,
ranging from estimating diamond value to detecting diamond theft. The project will
involve coming up with features for describing 3-D shape, and applying fairly
classical pattern recognition methods to these features. |
| Deliverables: |
A specified set of features and estimates of the classification performance |
| Skills/requirements: |
Aptitude for 3-D geometry, some probability theory |
| Extra: |
|
| Area: |
Computer vision, pattern recognition |
| ID: |
FCN08 |
| Title: |
Motion estimation for particle handling |
| Description: |
Diamond breakage is a big problem in the diamond mining industry. Debeers are therefore involved in a set of projects to formulate diamond breakage models, and validate them against actual data. In many cases these models relate to high-grade streams of liberated diamonds.
One of the diamond breakage models currently under investigation takes as parameters quantities such as velocity and density of particles. We have available some very high speed video footage (~250fps) of diamonds in free-fall after coming off of a conveyor. The aim of this project is to analyse this data and obtain motion estimates for diamonds at different locations in the particle stream. Some very preliminary investigation indicates that block motion and optical flow techniques may be suitable. |
| Deliverables: |
A motion estimation algorithm, and an evaluation of its performance. |
| Skills/requirements: |
Matlab will be required, and knowledge of C may be desirable. |
| Extra: |
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| Area: |
Image and video processing |
| ID: |
FCN09 |
| Title: |
Detecting TB in microscope images |
| Description: |
The Department of Human Biology at medical school have constructed a microscope which can automatically acquire colour images of TB sputum samples. The aim of this project is to use image processing and pattern recognition techniques to automatically identify TB bacilli in the images. |
| Deliverables: |
A working algorithm |
| Skills/requirements: |
An interest in medical imaging |
| Extra: |
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| Area: |
Image processing, pattern recognition |