This book presents research trends on computer vision, especially on application of robotics, and on advanced approachs for computer vision (such as omnidirectional vision). Among them, research on RFID technology integrating stereo vision to localize an indoor mobile robot is included in this book. Besides, this book includes many research on omnidirectional vision, and the combination of omnidirectional vision with robotics. This book features representative work on the computer vision, and it puts more focus on robotics vision and omnidirectioal vision. The intended audience is anyone who wishes to become familiar with the latest research work on computer vision, especially its applications on robots. The contents of this book allow the reader to know more technical aspects and applications of computer vision. Researchers and instructors will benefit from this book.

The goal of this book is to introduce the visional application by excellent researchers in the world currently and offer the knowledge that can also be applied to another field widely. This book collects the main studies about machine vision currently in the world, and has a powerful persuasion in the applications employed in the machine vision. The contents, which demonstrate that the machine vision theory, are realized in different field. For the beginner, it is easy to understand the development in the vision servoing. For engineer, professor and researcher, they can study and learn the chapters, and then employ another application method.

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and disseminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Oata Analysis and Synthesis (CINOAS) * at Purdue. University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dissemination phases of the activity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all con cerned if the printing and distribution of the volumes were handled by an interna tional publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Cor poration of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 33 (thesis year 1988) a total of 13,273 theses titles from 23 Canadian and 1 85 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base for these titles reported will greatly enhance the value of this important annual reference work. While Volume 33 reports theses submitted in 1988, on occasion, certain univer sities do report theses submitted in previous years but not reported at the time.

The Oxford University Robotics Research Group has been working for several years to improve the ability of automated guided vehicles. This book brings together much of the key research work on sensors and planning that was inspired by an industrial vehicle donated by a factory automation division in GEC, GEC-FAST, together with background material to provide a basic but up-to-date reference guide to autonomous vehicle research. The book includes work on control, sensing technologies, sensor management and data-fusion, different styles of path planning suited for off-line or online plans and task planning. It is designed to act both as a reference for the robotics professional, and as a text for university-level courses.

Machine Vision systems combine image processing with industrial automation. One of the primary areas of application of Machine Vision in the Industry is in the area of Quality Control. Machine vision provides fast, economic and reliable inspection that improves quality as well as business productivity. Building machine vision applications is a challenging task as each application is unique, with its own requirements and desired outcome. A Guide to Machine Vision in Quality Control follows a practitioner’s approach to learning machine vision. The book provides guidance on how to build machine vision systems for quality inspections. Practical applications from the Industry have been discussed to provide a good understanding of usage of machine vision for quality control. Real-world case studies have been used to explain the process of building machine vision solutions. The book offers comprehensive coverage of the essential topics, that includes: Introduction to Machine Vision Fundamentals of Digital Images Discussion of various machine vision system components Digital image processing related to quality control Overview of automation The book can be used by students and academics, as well as by industry professionals, to understand the fundamentals of machine vision. Updates to the on-going technological innovations have been provided with a discussion on emerging trends in machine vision and smart factories of the future. Sheila Anand is a PhD graduate and Professor at Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai, India. She has over three decades of experience in teaching, consultancy and research. She has worked in the software industry and has extensive experience in development of software applications and in systems audit of financial, manufacturing and trading organizations. She guides Ph.D. aspirants and many of her research scholars have since been awarded their doctoral degree. She has published many papers in national and international journals and is a reviewer for several journals of repute. L Priya is a PhD graduate working as Associate Professor and Head, Department of Information Technology at Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai, India. She has nearly two decades of teaching experience and good exposure to consultancy and research. She has delivered many invited talks, presented papers and won several paper awards in International Conferences. She has published several papers in International journals and is a reviewer for SCI indexed journals. Her areas of interest include Machine Vision, Wireless Communication and Machine Learning.