The Laboratory of Video Information Input
e-mail: alexeev@newman.bas-net.by
telephone: +(375 17) 284-21-60
LABORATORY IN BRIEF
The IEC has been dealing with automation of video information input
practically since the moment of its establishing (1965). From the very
beginning Prof., D.Sc. Peter N.Chegolin had been leading research in this
field, he was the head of the laboratory of reading automates. Some of
the first automatic reading devices (MASK, ASMO) were created under his
leadership. Alexander Rasskazov was an employee of this laboratory who
first in the world (in 1967) proposed the fruitful idea of using electromagnetic
induction effect for reading information. The first model of plane-table
coder - the predecessor of modern digitizers - was created on the base
of this idea.
A number of people developed the problem mentioned above should be
called. Here are some of them: V.Savenkov, Ph.D., E.Leonovich, Ph.D., D.Sc.
G.Alexeyev, V.Sych, Ph.D., B.Zhevelev, Ph.D., V.Zenin, V.Maslyukov, A.Grenov,
D.Gorokhovik, V.Milman, S.Korolik.
From 1979 till 1990 the institute had been collaborating with other
institutions and enterprises in the field of automation of video information
input. At this period a research group headed by G.Alexeyev, Ph.D. within
the Laboratory of Ergatic Systems carried out some research and technological
projects which were industrially implemented at the Central Design Bureau
of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Ulyanovsk Industrial Amalgamation
COMETA (Planset-R, Planset-RA digitizers), Vitebsk plant EVISTOR (EM-7029
predisplay tablet), Experimental Industrial Enterprise of the Scientific
and Technological Society of the Academy of Sciences of USSR (UVG-01, UVG-02
digitizers).
Planset-R, Planset-RA digitizers were awarded at All-Union Exhibitions
of Economic Achievements of USSR (1st degree Diplomas, Golden Medals).
Good results obtained in that period became the base for creation of
the Laboratory of Video Information Input (LVII) in 1989.
STAFF
Since the day of the LVII establishing D.Sc. Gert I.Alexeyev has been
leading the laboratory. The laboratory staff also includes 2 leading scientists
with Ph.D. degree V.Sych, and M.Samoshkin.
RESEARCH FIELDS
The laboratory carries out research activity in the following two directions:
-
· development of the theory and creation of perspective technical solutions
of electromagnetic plane-table tools for graphic information input;
-
· automation of coordinate measurement of 3D (spatial) objects.
PROJECTS
Since the laboratory was created the following basic results were obtained:
The set of mathematical models of induction systems of graphic input
devices was developed. This set allows to compute and optimize such systems.
Within these models the analytical solution of the problem of computing
and optimizing the coordinate pointer constructive parameters was obtained.
Such problems had only experimental or numeral solutions before.
The principle of building the plane-table devices for graphic information
input with pivotal pointer, nonsensitive to inclination of pointer axis,
was proposed.
The software technique was developed for increasing the precision and
stability of spatial coordinate measurement. Software tools for measurement
processing, methods of correcting drivers creation were developed.
The problem of processing graphic information obtained from digitizer
was investigated. A new approach of multi-dimensional interpolation was
proposed. The proposed approach is based on generalization of 1st-degree
splines in multi-dimensional case. The approach was mathematically grounded.
Algorithms for increasing precision and stability of spatial coordinate
measurement by means of 3D acoustic digitizer were developed. Acoustic
method of 3D information input was not investigated experimentally because
of absence of orders.
A parametric row of precision electromagnetic plane-table devices for
graphic information input, including plane-tables of A0, A1, A2, A3 formats,
was built on the base of scientific research. Here are the typical properties
of these devices:
- unified for all formats, electronic unit with a small number of electronic
cells;
- standard driver which supports the possibility of input coordinate
correction;
- coordinate input precision with software correction is 0,1 mm.
Theoretic elements, hardware and software tools developed by the LVII
correspond the modern level of theory and technology of automated input
and processing graphic and spatial information. Results of this job are
used at the enterprises of Belarus, Russia, Ukraine in the fields of machine-building,
instrument building, cartography, etc.
At present the LVII
-
· fulfills the industrial test the first in the world digitizer for graphic
information input from a metal non-magnetic carrier;
-
· has fundamental research project from the Academy of Sciences of Belarus
in the field of input and recognition of handwriting characters.
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY
During 1995 the LVII scientists established links with Chinese R&D
Institutes. As a result the contract on delivery of hardware/software complex
for map digitizing is being prepared.
TRAINING
One D.Sc. (G.Alexeyev) and one Candidate Sciencies (V.Labovkin) were
prepared. A lectural course in "Basis of computers and information technology"
was delivered at the Institute of Retraining in Minsk (1991-1993).