Computer vision methods for capturing and interpreting human motion

Antonis Argyros

Computer Science Department
University of Crete, Greece

Abstract:
In this talk, we provide an overview of our work on computational methods for tracking human motion and for the semantic interpretation of human activities, based on unobtrusive computer vision techniques that rely on the processing and analysis of markerless visual data. We focus on tracking the 3D position, orientation and full articulation of the human body and human body parts and we show how this is employed to solve problems of varying complexity, ranging from 3D tracking of a hand (possibly in interaction with objects) up to action recognition, gesture interpretation and intention prediction. Finally, we show how our work can support the development of vision systems aiming at intuitive human-robot interaction and human-robot collaboration as well as the development of interactive exhibits in the context of smart environments.

Biography:
Antonis Argyros is a Professor of Computer Science at the Computer Science Department (CSD), University of Crete (UoC) and a researcher at the Institute of Computer Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Since 1999, as a member of the Computational Vision and Robotics Laboratory (CVRL) of ICS-FORTH, he has been involved in several European and national RTD projects on computer vision, pattern recognition, image analysis and robotics. His current research interests fall in the areas of computer vision and pattern recognition, with emphasis on the analysis of humans in images and videos, human pose analysis, recognition of human activities and gestures, 3D computer vision, as well as image motion and tracking. He is also interested in applications of computer vision in the fields of robotics and smart environments. In these areas, he has published several research papers in scientific journals and refereed conference proceedings and has delivered invited talks in international events, universities and research centers. Antonis Argyros has served in the organizing and program committees of several international vision, graphics and robotics conferences and in the editorial boards of computer vision, image analysis and robotics journals.

Recent Progress in Invasive and Noninvasive Brain-Computer Interfaces

Dean J. Krusienski

Department of Biomedical Engineering
Virginia Commonwealth University, USA

Abstract:
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and related neuroprosthetics are systems that decode and provide real-time feedback of ongoing brain activity. Such technologies can be used in assistive, rehabilitative, augmentative, diagnostic, or therapeutic applications. This lecture will highlight recent progress in invasive and noninvasive BCI research in humans, including speech decoding from intracranial signals and EEG-based neurofeedback for immersive virtual reality.

Biography:
Dean J. Krusienski received the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA. He conducted postdoctoral research in the Brain-Computer Interface Laboratory, Wadsworth Center of the New York State Department of Health. He is currently a Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond, VA, USA, where he directs the Advanced Signal Processing in Engineering and Neuroscience (ASPEN) Lab. His research interests include brain–computer interfaces, neural signal analysis, machine-learning, and applications to virtual/augmented reality. His lab has received support from NSF, NIH, and NIA/NASA.

Our Experience with New Technology for Brain Stimulation of Patients with Cognitive Decline

Magda Tsolaki

Department of Neurology, Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Makedonia, Greece/p>

Abstract:
Research is the only way for new Knowledge. We started working with new technologies and patients with cognitive problems since 2005 with the 1st program Long Lasting Memories (LLM) under the umbrella of FP6 EE invitation: Consortium activities and Partners provided the opportunity to validate the LLM deployment potential in three (3) different perspectives: technological, scientific and business (http://www.longlastingmemories.eu). The first 7 programs have finished and we use the results of them in every day clinical praxis. A 2nd national program (ENNOISIS) started in 2009 (http://www.ennoisis.gr/ennoisis/) which had as target an Ambient Intelligence System (depth cameras and environmental sensors) for the Monitoring, Empowerment and Disease Evolution Prediction for Patients with Μild cognitive impairment. Α project funded by the Greek Government and the European Union. The best result of this program was the Virtual Supermarket which was translated in 6 different languages, has a high sensitivity and specificity for the discrimination of Mild Cognitive Impairment from Healthy age and education-matched controls and also can be used not only for screening of cognitive impairment but also for cognitive empowerment. A 3rd program was also a national program entitled Augmentation of the Support of Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and their caregivers (ASPAD/2875)”, which is materialized by the Special Account of the Research Committee at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The project was funded by the European Union (European Social Fund) and the Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs in the context of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF, 2007-2013). It was the first time we communicated with caregivers in areas far away from big cities. Α 4th program “Cognitive Brain signal Processing lab – CBP” is a project funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT), under the call ARISTEIA, ESPA 2007-2013. (http//www.cbp.iti.gr) It was the first time we tried to analyse Elecrtoenchephalogram (EEG) with a machine with 256 electrodes. The 5th program was an EU FP7 project Dem@Care: Dementia Ambient Care – Multi-Sensing Monitoring for Intelligent Remote Management and Decision (http://www.demcare.eu) which helped our patients at home and smart homes to have a more active life. A 6th program entitled as “A global ecosystem for the independent and healthy living of elder people with mild cognitive impairments” (ehcoBUTLER) is a Pilot-based, multidisciplinary, collaborative study designed to test the socio-economic benefits from the deployment of several innovative and user led ICT pilot projects based on different business models in order to be able to translate promising results into scalable practice across Europe. (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/643566). The 7th program was an Erasmus (+) project entitled : “Development of a Training Program for the Improvement of Quality of Life of Persons with Alzheimer through “Serious Games” AD-GAMING” (http://adgaming.ibv.org/. The 8th program was a European program entitled «Dementia Early Screening and Disease Progression Tracking in the clinical practice by means of ALTOIDA MedTech - ALTOIDA AR». The last two programs are running now. The 9th program is entitled as “Remote Assessment of Disease and Relapse- Alzheimer΄s Disease” (RADAR-AD). It is a European project to assess the use of Remote Monitoring Technology in detection of impairments in functional components of tasks of daily living that occurred below the threshold of clinical scale detection or disability questionnaires in patients in various stages of AD. https://www.radar-ad.org/. And the 10th program entitled as “Bridge” project is a European innovative intergenerational approach using Serious Games for people with dementia. The aims of this project are to develop a set of prototypes Serious Games (SGs) (physical, digital or phygital) acting on cognitive and behavioral symptoms of dementia, involving also younger and older people. (https://projectbridge.eu/)

Biography:
Magda Tsolaki was born in Thessaloniki, Greece and studied Medicine and Theology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh). Afterwards, she initiated her collaboration with AUTh in 1982 as scientific collaborator and a year later received her specialty as a Neuropsychiatrist and her PhD. She has been a Professor of Neurology since 2010, and currently she was the Head of the 1st University Department of Neurology (2017-2020) where she was committed to her clinical, educational and research work.Since November 2020 she is working also at Euromedica General Clinic. In 2004, she was invited as a visiting professor at the Boston University, Massachusetts, USA. She has founded the Greek Alzheimer Association in 1995 and the Greek Federation of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in 2007, in which she is up to today the Chair, while also being the scientific director of two Public Dementia Units (founded by her in 2007 and 2009) for outpatients with Neurodegenerative diseases and their caregivers. The last five years she was invited to join as a member the Greek National Observatory for Dementia. She has given more than 656 lectures throughout Greece. She has participated in more than 60 funded research programmes and 31 funded clinical trials. In total, she has received 73 awards. Dr. Magda Tsolaki has been the main author of many Books (60), many abstracts in Greek (531) and International (489) Conferences, she is the first author or co-author in many Papers in Greek (285) and International Journals (496 - 403 in PubMed), (h-index=80 and more than 30.000 Citations in Google Scholar). She has participated as invited speaker in more than 105 meetings-conferences in English and 256 in Greek Language. Furthermore, she has been a reviewer for Conferences and Journals (430) and has organised 27 national and 5 international conferences on AD. Finally, she was one of the three or seven advisory members for 32 doctoral theses-completed. Pr. Tsolaki is married with four children and ten grandchildren.