OverView

   This project was funded as part of NASA EPSCoR at the University of Vermont. The principle idea of this project was to use "beacons" to identify otherwise difficult to extract features from an image. (i.e. if a user is looking at a wall switch, a beacon can be used to identify the switch and control it's properties with X-10 or similar interfaces). Another application is that beacons are used to identify objects in a room full of different appliances. As each beacon associated with the particular appliance is identified, meaningful information about the appliance can be extracted. This vital information can be used to assist in equipment maintenance,  troubleshooting, testing or installation. These beacons may also be used to determine the position of the viewer. Mobile Robots can make use of beacons to identify their location relative to areas of interest. (i.e. doors, corners, power outlets, obstacles and other mobile robots).