The thesis describes theoretical fundamentals of optics and problems of ray-tracing method, ray-triangle intersection computation included. Next section describes concept of three different camera models for ray-tracing method - plain camera, pinehole camea and spherical camera (fish-eye). The thesis comparse properties and capabilities of camera models and their effect to projected image of a scene. The program for raytracing was implemented for purposes of the thesis including implementation of camera models described in the thesis.

This research proposes a novel approach for improving autonomous mobile system navigation in dynamic and potentially occluded environments. The research introduces a tracking framework that combines data from stationary sensing units and on-board sensors, addressing challenges of computational efficiency, reliability, and scalability. The work innovates by integrating spatially-distributed LiDAR and RGB-D Camera sensors, with the optional inclusion of on-board IMU-based dead-reckoning, forming a robust and efficient coordination framework for autonomous systems. Two key developments are achieved. Firstly, a point cloud object detection technique, "Generalized L-Shape Fitting”, is advanced, enhancing bounding box fitting over point cloud data. Secondly, a new estimation framework, the Distributed Edge Node Switching Filter (DENS-F), is established. The DENS-F optimizes resource utilization and coordination, while minimizing reliance on on-board computation. Furthermore, it incorporates a short-term predictive feature, thanks to the Adaptive-Constant Acceleration motion model, which utilizes behaviour-based control inputs. The findings indicate that the DENS-F substantially improves accuracy and computational efficiency compared to the Kalman Consensus Filter (KCF), particularly when additional inertial data is provided by the vehicle. The type of sensor deployed and the consistency of the vehicle's path are also found to significantly influence the system's performance. The research opens new viewpoints for enhancing autonomous vehicle tracking, highlighting opportunities for future exploration in prediction models, sensor selection, and precision coordination. / Denna forskning föreslår en ny metod för att förbättra autonom mobil systemsnavigering i dynamiska och potentiellt skymda miljöer. Forskningen introducerar ett spårningsramverk som kombinerar data från stationära sensorenheter och ombordssensorer, vilket hanterar utmaningar med beräkningsefektivitet, tillförlitlighet och skalbarhet. Arbetet innoverar genom att integrera spatialt distribuerade LiDAR- och RGB-D-kamerasensorer, med det valfria tillägget av ombord IMU-baserad dödräkning, vilket skapar ett robust och efektivt samordningsramverk för autonoma system. Två nyckelutvecklingar uppnås. För det första avanceras en punktmolnsobjektdetekteringsteknik, “Generaliserad L-formig anpassning”, vilket förbättrar anpassning av inneslutande rutor över punktmolnsdata. För det andra upprättas ett nytt uppskattningssystem, det distribuerade kantnodväxlingsfltret (DENSF). DENS-F optimerar resursanvändning och samordning, samtidigt som det minimerar beroendet av ombordberäkning. Vidare införlivar det en kortsiktig prediktiv funktion, tack vare den adaptiva konstanta accelerationsrörelsemodellen, som använder beteendebaserade styrentréer. Resultaten visar att DENS-F väsentligt förbättrar noggrannhet och beräknings-efektivitet jämfört med Kalman Consensus Filter (KCF), särskilt när ytterligare tröghetsdata tillhandahålls av fordonet. Den typ av sensor som används och fordonets färdvägs konsekvens påverkar också systemets prestanda avsevärt. Forskningen öppnar nya synvinklar för att förbättra spårning av autonoma fordon, och lyfter fram möjligheter för framtida utforskning inom förutsägelsemodeller, sensorval och precisionskoordinering. / Questa ricerca propone un nuovo approccio per migliorare la navigazione dei sistemi mobili autonomi in ambienti dinamici e potenzialmente ostruiti. La ricerca introduce un sistema di tracciamento che combina dati da unità di rilevazione stazionarie e sensori di bordo, afrontando le sfde dell’effcienza computazionale, dell’affdabilità e della scalabilità. Il lavoro innova integrando sensori LiDAR e telecamere RGB-D distribuiti nello spazio, con l’inclusione opzionale di una navigazione inerziale basata su IMU di bordo, formando un robusto ed effciente quadro di coordinamento per i sistemi autonomi. Vengono raggiunti due sviluppi chiave. In primo luogo, viene perfezionata una tecnica di rilevazione di oggetti a nuvola di punti, “Generalized L-Shape Fitting”, migliorando l’adattamento del riquadro di delimitazione sui dati della nuvola di punti. In secondo luogo, viene istituito un nuovo framework di stima, il Distributed Edge Node Switching Filter (DENS-F). Il DENS-F ottimizza l’utilizzo delle risorse e il coordinamento, riducendo al minimo la dipendenza dal calcolo di bordo. Inoltre, incorpora una caratteristica di previsione a breve termine, grazie al modello di movimento Adaptive-Constant Acceleration, che utilizza input di controllo basati sul comportamento del veicolo. I risultati indicano che il DENS-F migliora notevolmente l’accuratezza e l’effcienza computazionale rispetto al Kalman Consensus Filter (KCF), in particolare quando il veicolo fornisce dati inerziali aggiuntivi. Si scopre anche che il tipo di sensore impiegato e la coerenza del percorso del veicolo infuenzano signifcativamente le prestazioni del sistema. La ricerca apre nuovi punti di vista per migliorare il tracciamento dei veicoli autonomi, evidenziando opportunità per future esplorazioni nei modelli di previsione, nella selezione dei sensori e nel coordinamento di precisione.

<p dir="ltr">Asset traceability systems support sustainable value creation. Use case scenarios include the transition from a linear to a circular economy (CE) and legislative initiatives in Europe and North America. Traceability systems are needed to consistently link physical assets with the corresponding digital life cycle data. However, there is a lack of system architectures for consistent asset life cycle traceability. Therefore, the work proposes a traceability system architecture using digital product passports (DPPs) and fingerprint (FP) technology. By providing asset related data, DPPs increase the transparency across value chain partners. The system architecture uses the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) to create interoperable and standardized DPPs. Besides, consistent product identification (ID) and unique (single occurrence) identifiers are a prerequisite for effective traceability systems. Using natural markers to identify assets can enhance consistent asset traceability in sustainable supply chains. When using FP technology, the inherent surface structure of an asset is captured by an imaging system and then compressed into a digital asset fingerprint. Since assets are not artificially marked, the work investigates the use of Bounding Symbols (BSs) to locate an asset’s fingerprint Region of Interest (ROI). Furthermore, four fingerprint creation algorithms are compared and evaluated regarding their feasibility for asset life cycle traceability. The research validates the proposed system architecture in an experimental setup by using aluminum raw castings (medallions) as the investigated asset type. Key findings include the successful identification of 80 medallions with a 100% success rate. The related fingerprint information was stored in a DPP as an AAS submodel.</p>

This thesis proposes a novel approach to extracting pose information from image sequences. Current state of the art techniques focus exclusively on the image space occupied by the body for pose and action recognition. The method proposed here, however, focuses on the negative spaces: the areas surrounding the individual. This has resulted in the colour-coded negative space approach, an image preprocessing step that circumvents the need for complicated model fitting or template matching methods. The approach can be described as follows: negative spaces surrounding the human silhouette are extracted using horizontal and vertical scanning processes. These negative space areas are more numerous, and undergo more radical changes in shape than the single area occupied by the figure of the person performing an action. The colour-coded negative space representation is formed using the four binary images produced by the scanning processes. Features are then extracted from the colour-coded images. These are based on the percentage of area occupied by distinct coloured regions as well as the bounding box proportions. Pose clusters are identified using feedback from an independent action set. Subsequent images are classified using a simple Euclidean distance measure. An image sequence is thus temporally segmented into its corresponding pose representations. Action recognition simply becomes the detection of a temporally ordered sequence of poses that characterises the action. The method is purely vision-based, utilising monocular images with no need for body markers or special clothing. Two datasets were constructed using several actors performing different poses and actions. Some of these actions included actors waving their arms, sitting down or kicking a leg. These actions were recorded against a monochrome background to simplify the segmentation of the actors from the background. The actions were then recorded on DV cam and digitised into a data base. The silhouette images from these actions were isolated and placed in a frame or bounding box. The next step was to highlight the negative spaces using a directional scanning method. This scanning method colour-codes the negative spaces of each action. What became immediately apparent is that very distinctive colour patterns formed for different actions. To emphasise the action, different colours were allocated to negative spaces surrounding the image. For example, the space between the legs of an actor standing in a T - pose with legs apart would be allocated yellow, while the space below the arms were allocated different shades of green. The space surrounding the head would be different shades of purple. During an action when the actor moves one leg up in a kicking fashion, the yellow colour would increase. Inversely, when the actor closes his legs and puts them together, the yellow colour filling the negative space would decrease substantially. What also became apparent is that these coloured negative spaces are interdependent and that they influence each other during the course of an action. For example, when an actor lifts one of his legs, increasing the yellow-coded negative space, the green space between that leg and the arm decreases. This interrelationship between colours hold true for all poses and actions as presented in this thesis. In terms of pose recognition, it is significant that these colour coded negative spaces and the way the change during an action or a movement are substantial and instantly recognisable. Compare for example, looking at someone lifting an arm as opposed to seeing a vast negative space changing shape. In a controlled research environment, several actors were instructed to perform a number of different actions. After colour coding the negative spaces, it became apparent that every action can be recognised by a unique colour coded pattern. The challenge is to ascribe a numerical presentation, a mathematical quotation, to extract the essence of what is so visually apparent. The essence of pose recognition and it's measurability lies in the relationship between the colours in these negative spaces and how they impact on each other during a pose or an action. The simplest way of measuring this relationship is by calculating the percentage of each colour present during an action. These calculated percentages become the basis of pose and action recognition. By plotting these percentages on a graph confirms that the essence of these different actions and poses can in fact been captured and recognised. Despite variations in these traces caused by time differences, personal appearance and mannerisms, what emerged is a clear recognisable pattern that can be married to an action or different parts of an action. 7 Actors might lift their left leg, some slightly higher than others, some slower than others and these variations in terms of colour percentages would be recorded as a trace, but there would be very specific stages during the action where the traces would correspond, making the action recognisable.In conclusion, using negative space as a tool in human pose and tracking recognition presents an exiting research avenue because it is influenced less by variations such as difference in personal appearance and changes in the angle of observation. This approach is also simplistic and does not rely on complicated models and templates