Special Sessions

This year, on top of the main conference tracks, we are featuring the following four special sessions:

• SS1: Transportonics Engineering
• SS2: Photonic Display and Lighting Engineering
• SS3: Entertainment Engineering
• SS4: Computer Assisted Medical Diagnostic Systems

 

Important Dates

Abstracts due: March 16, 2008
Notification of acceptance: End of April, 2008
Registration due: May 15, 2008
Camera-ready papers: June 6, 2008

SS1: Transportonics Engineering

Transportronics (Transportation + Electronics) is an emerging need in the area of transportation whereas the application of electronics, microprocessors and communication technologies is essential to the safe and efficient operation of transportation systems. Here are only a few examples of how transportronics is used in transportation applications. In the area of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), traffic management relies heavily on the use of sensors and communication systems to monitor in real-time the current conditions of traffic. This information gets processed electronically so that traffic control strategies involving devices such as Variable Message Signs (VMS), Highway Advisory Radio (HAR), and in-vehicle instruments can be deployed to improve traffic conditions. Another example involves the use of environmental sensors which monitor weather variables such as temperature and humidity to control de-icing actuators automatically. Vehicle control systems involve intelligent driver assistance, adaptive cruise control, and passive, semi-active and active collision avoidance systems. Transportronics technology is also involved in commercial vehicle operations for tracking vehicles using GPS and other transponders, and then managing the system by database integration. Transit management systems can become highly efficient by using transportronics for monitoring the health of vehicles, and performing real-time demand based routing and scheduling. Other uses include applications in the area of bridge monitoring, surveying instrument technology, arterial traffic control, pedestrian traffic, etc.

Papers covering any area of transportronics are invited for this session.

Special Session Organizers:

A. Reed Gibby
Nevada DOT
1263 South Stewart Street - Room 118
Carson City, NV 88712
Phone: +1 775 888 71 92
Fax: +1 775 888 72 03
email: agibby(_at_)dot(_dot_)state(_dot_)nv(_dot_)us

Pushkin Kachroo
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89154-4026
email: pushkin(_at_)vt(_dot_)edu
Homepage: http://www.ece.vt.edu/pushkin

SS2: Photonic Display and Lighting Engineering

It addresses all aspects related to concepts, theory, implementations and applications of photonics and display engineering.

Topics:

• Various display systems (LED, LCD, plasma)
• Control systems for displays
• Electronic systems for display
• Lighting systems for commercial and personal applications
• Novel concepts relating to lighting and displays

Special Session Organizer:

Rama Venkat
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89154-4026
email: venkat(_at_)ee(_dot_)unlv(_dot_)edu

SS3: Entertainment Engineering

The smooth operation of interacting engineered systems, e.g. structural, motion, lighting audio, and effects, is key to the success of modern entertainment productions. This session is a forum for researchers and practitioners performing work on systems engineering topics related to all aspects of the entertainment industry, including i) theatrical and film productions, ii) theme parks, iii) hotel and casino operations, iv) cruise ships, v) gaming, vi) entertainment venue design, vii) digital audio and video production and distribution, and viii) special effects.

Topics:

• Automation and control of motion, video, audio, effects and environmental (HVAC) systems
• Security and surveillance systems issues
• Real-time control of systems used in entertainment venues
• Analysis and design of structural systems such as thrill rides, people movers, and stages
• Modeling the design of multi-component entertainment systems
• Case studies that focus on the design and implementation of entertainment systems

Special Session Organizers:

Daniel P. Cook
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89154-4027
email: daniel.p.cook(_at_)unlv(_dot_)edu

Pushkin Kachroo
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89154-4026
email: pushkin(_at_)vt(_dot_)edu
Homepage: http://www.ece.vt.edu/pushkin

Program Committee:
Daniel P. Cook, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA
Pushkin Kacheroo, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA
Gino Yu, Hong Kong Polytechnic, China

SS4: Computer Assisted Medical Diagnostic Systems

Includes engineering concepts, theory, implementations and applications, including instrumentation , algorithms and software supporting computer assisted diagnostic and diagnostic prompting systems.

Topics:

• Medical imaging: new instruments, programming support and clinical studies
• Image processing methods and algorithms; classification schemes for CAD
• Expert systems, data bases, learning and training tools
• Embedded systems and specialized hardware

Special Session Organizer:

Emma E. Regentova
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89154-4026
email: regent(_at_)egr(_dot_)unlv(_dot_)edu

Program Committee:
Jun Zheng, City University of New York, Queens College, USA
Igor Aizenberg, Texas A&M University – Texarkana, USA
Gopalkrishna Veni, Nevada Cancer Institute, USA
H. Michael Gach, Nevada Cancer Institute, USA