SATNAC 2007 Conference Papers
Software
Title:
** An Information Filtering Agent for Customer Service Delivery Using
Single Authoring
Authors:
Michael O. Adeyeye (University of
Cape Town),
Neco Ventura (University of Cape Town), Atayero A. Aderemi (Covenant
University, Nigeria)
Abstract:
Many customers are displeased with the customer service responses given
by their service providers or product suppliers while there may not be
any response in some cases. In Human-to-Human interaction (H2H),
problems encountered by customers include delayed response time,
inconsistent solutions to enquires and inadequate access channels. A
Human-to-System (H2S) interaction is proposed here. This proposed
solution is a multi-channel application called Interactive Customer
Service Agent (ICSA). It will provide three media of interaction namely
phone, web and voice browsing with a customer service centre using
Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformation (XSLT); and it will
filter response based on Full-Text Search Technique.
Title:
An Investigation into the Hardware Abstraction Layer of the Plural Node
Architecture for IEEE 1394 Audio Devices
Authors:
Nyasha Chigwamba (Rhodes University),
Richard Foss (Rhodes University)
Abstract:
Yamaha Corporation introduced the concept of a music Local Area Network
(mLAN) which uses IEEE 1394 as its underlying network technology.
Second generation mLAN is based on the Plural Node Architecture which
splits connection management of audio devices over two nodes, namely a
Transporter and an Enabler. A client/server implementation exists which
enables mLAN connection management to be done via TCP/IP. The Open
Generic Transporter (OGT) specification was introduced to provide an
open interface between the Enabler and Transporter. This paper
describes how the current mLAN Transporter Hardware Abstraction Layer
(HAL) Application Programming Interface (API) has been modified to
exploit all the benefits introduced by the OGT concept while
maintaining backwards compatibility with Transporters based on the
current HAL API.
Title:
Development of a web-based interface for remote monitoring
long-distance power transmission overhead lines
Authors:
Sibukele Gumbo (University of Fort Hare),
Hyppolite Muyingi (University of Fort Hare)
Abstract:
The system described in this paper aims at acquiring, storing and
displaying data collected from a wireless sensor network. Various open
source tools have been used in the development and implementation of
the system for remote monitoring and reporting temporal changes of a
long distance power transmission line.
Title:
** Intelligent User Interfaces for Contact Centres
Authors:
Bronwin Anastasia Jason (Nelson Mandela Metroploitan
University),
Andre Calitz (Nelson Mandela Metroploitan University)
Abstract:
Contact centres have had a major impact on the way business is
conducted today and have become an important component in the service
industry. Researchers initially believed that contact centres
represented the first wave of electronic commerce i.e. conducting
business online. Companies are expecting higher productivity from their
contact centre personnel to remain competitive and reduce costs.
Contact centres must take advantage of the latest technological
advancements such as improved computer-user interfaces. Intelligent
User Interfaces can be considered the next wave of computer-user
interfaces. They aim to amplify the rate of information flow by
delivering interaction between the user and the computer that is
efficient, effective and natural. The focus of this research is to
develop and evaluate an intelligent user interface for a service desk
at the NMMU in order to determine if the interface could possibly be
extended to provide more efficient and effective contact centre
customer support.
Title:
A Requirements Metamodel Framework for Enhancing Product Adoption
Authors:
Salah Kemilembe Kabanda (University of Zululand),
Matthew Adigun (University of Zululand), Tarirai Chani (University of
Zululand)
Abstract:
The body of knowledge on Product Line Software Engineering is an
emerging paradigm alternative to developing software systems from
scratch. However, it will only be adopted if it helps enterprises
maximize their profits. Whether this investment results in greater
profit depends on the particular methodologies and strategy adopted. A
number of methodologies have been proposed, with most requiring a
requirement metamodel to be constructed as a basis for documenting
domain artifacts using three components, namely (i) functional
requirement; (ii) non functional requirement component; (iii) and a
variation component, which captures variation points. In this paper we
argue that a domain is not only comprised of these elements, but in
addition is a merger of those components with operating context such as
users, policies, and culture which affect product adoption and
acceptance rate. The paper proposes a requirement metamodel framework
that not only serves as a construct of the business sub process, but
also serves as a basis for understanding, interpreting and predicting
user’s views and adoption rate.
Title:
An Open-Source Forensics Platform
Authors:
Renico Koen (University of Pretoria),
Martin Olivier (University of Pretoria)
Abstract:
Digital forensics plays a crucial part in the investigation of crimes
involving electronic equipment. Masses of digital evidence collected at
a crime scene will have to be analyzed by digital forensics experts in
an attempt to discover how a digital crime was committed and by whom.
This is a labour-intensive and timeconsuming process which can be
improved using specially designed digital tools. This paper proposes an
open-source forensics platform that may be used as a base for other
digital forensics projects. The proposed forensics platform may be used
by researchers as a base to develop digital forensics research
prototypes and by industry to conduct digital investigations after it
has become apparent that a digital crime has been committed. This aim
of proposed platform project is enable researchers to develop forensic
prototypes more rapidly and help to ensure the quality of the forensics
tools making use of the platform.
Title:
Probabilistic Tracking of Moving Hands in Video Sequences with
Applications to Dynamic Gesture Recognition on Mobile Handsets
Authors:
Addmore Machanja (University of the
Western Cape),
Vladimir Bajic (South African National Bioinformatics Institute
(SANBI))
Abstract:
The ability for computers to visually recognize and track human hand
motion is important for a wide range of applications in the field of
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Though it is effortless for the human
eye to locate and track gesturing hands in video sequences, it is far
more complex for computers to achieve this tracking. Hand tracking
typically fails in the absence of perfect hand segmentation. Many hand
movement video-based segmentation algorithms have been proposed in the
literature. However, these algorithms remain largely inefficient,
imprecise and insufficient. This paper presents a robust segmentation
and tracking algorithm. The algorithm first extracts a small list of
candidate hand regions from the image data by combining edge, motion
and skin color information. The resulting skin-colored maps are usually
contaminated by noise, and hence morphological filtering techniques are
applied to alleviate the impact of noise. We implement an improved
bordertracing algorithm in order to isolate connected regions in the
output image. A statistical feature set that uniquely defines each
connected region is extracted. In each subsequent image frame, the
tracking algorithm aligns each segmented region with the best candidate
hand region from the previous set of hand candidates. This is achieved
by grouping together all regions with similar data patterns and
disposing of all regions with non-persistent data patterns. Simulation
results of our algorithm demonstrate improved segmentation and tracking
results.
Title:
Acquisition of a Symbian Smart phone's Content with an On-Phone
Forensic Tool
Authors:
Pontjho Matthew Mokhonoana (University of
Pretoria),
Martin Olivier (University of Pretoria)
Abstract:
A smart phone is a handheld device that combines the functionality of a
cellphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) and other information
appliances such a music player. These devices can however be used in a
crime and would have to be quickly analysed for evidence. This data is
collected using either a forensic tool which resides on a PC or
specialised hardware. This paper proposes the use of an on-phone
forensic tool to collect the contents of the device and store it on
removable storage. This approach requires less equipment and can
retrieve the volatile information that resides on the phone such as
running processes. The paper discusses the Symbian operating system,
the evidence that is stored on the device and contrasts the approach
with that followed by other tools.
Title:
Bridging the gap for Next Generation Services: Presence Services on
Legacy Devices
Authors:
Thamsanqa Moyo
(Rhodes University),
Mamello Thinyane (Rhodes University), Madeleine Wright (Rhodes
University), Barry Irwin (Rhodes University), Peter Clayton, (Rhodes
University), Alfredo Terzoli (Rhodes University)
Abstract:
Next generation services are provided by applications that leverage
packet-based domains. A challenge faced by such services is the support
for multiple devices, including legacy devices. Our paper examines a
strategy for the provision of next generation services on legacy
cellular network devices. We advocate that the provision of next
generation services via applications on the SIM card allows for the
deployment of such services on legacy devices. We demonstrate this
assertion through a proof of concept application, SIMPre, that resides
on a SIM card. SIMPre implements a presence service by leveraging Java
Card, the SIM Application Toolkit and the OMA IMPS standard. We show
that it is possible to provide a next generation service on the SIM
card such that it ubiquitously integrates with the
functionality
of a legacy device. We conclude through this demonstration that the SIM
card is a viable option for providing backward compatibility to legacy
devices in the implementation of next generation services.
Title:
Image Segmentation by Weighted Aggregation with Gradient Orientation
Histograms
Authors:
Rory Tait Neilson (University of
KwaZulu-Natal),
Bashan Naidoo (University of KwaZulu-Natal), Stephen McDonald
(University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Abstract:
This paper reviews the Segmentation by Weighted Aggregation (SWA) image
segmentation scheme developed and proposes the use of gradient
orientation histograms (GOH) to further differentiate between segment
textures. The SWA approach uses an Algebraic Multi-Grid inspired
technique to approximate regions that correspond to a minimum in a
normalised cuts cost function. The SWA scheme is a multi-scale
approach, decomposing an image into a hierarchical pyramid structure,
allowing the detection of segments of all scales. The SWA algorithm
allows the incorporation of a multitude of aggregate properties to
better discriminate segments. This paper outlines the use of
GOH’s in this respect as opposed to the traditional shape
moments.
Title:
Adapting Web Content for Telephone Users by transcoding XSLT
Authors:
Mduduzi Nxumalo (University of Cape Town),
Daniel Mashao (University of Cape Town)
Abstract:
The goal of ubiquitous computing is to make information access
available anytime, anywhere using any device. However, this comes at
the expense of hard work from developers, producing multiple variants
of the same information to cater for different user contexts. Different
transcoding techniques based on annotating HyperText Markup Language
(HTML) have been proposed. This paper proposes transcoding the
Extensible Style Sheet Language (XSLT) which transforms back-end
Extensible Markup Language (XML) documents into HTML or XHTML for
presentation on the Web, to produce the XSLT which transforms the same
XML documents to VoiceXML for presentation to telephone users.
Title:
Cold-Starting Collaborative Filtering Content Recommenders for Mobile
Phones
Authors:
Indika Piyasena (University of Cape Town),
Anthony Chan (University of Cape Town)
Abstract:
Mobile phones coupled with 3G technology can provide technologically
impoverished communities access to web services. Such access, however,
is impractical because mobile phone interfaces are cumbersome to use.
Hierarchical menus and search engines pose an interaction barrier to
the unfamiliar. In order to address both these issues, we design a
content recommender system to recommend relevant content to the user.
Collaborative filtering is a technique that passively gathers user
preferences, identifies users with similar interests, and then makes
predictions on unobserved items. A multitude of the algorithms have
been developed and have been evaluated for predictive accuracy. Yet,
they have not been evaluated in the coldstart scenarios with respect to
how quickly these algorithms can identify user preferences. Two user
based collaborative filtering algorithms were evaluated empirically on
the MovieLens dataset; Pearson correlation and vector similarity.
Vector similarity convincingly outperforms Pearson
correlation by
identifying preferred items ten times faster. This conclusion is to be
confirmed on other datasets. The success of the collaborative filtering
algorithms is attributed to a large density of user ratings. Further
research is to be required on how to ensure reliable recommendations
without the availability of such data.
Title:
Connection Management Applications for High-Speed Audio Networking
Authors:
Phathisile Sibanda (Rhodes University),
Greg Foster (Rhodes University), Richard Foss (Rhodes University)
Abstract:
Traditionally connection management pplications, also known as
patchbays, for highspeed audio networking have been predominantly
developed using third generation languages such as C++ and C. Due to
the rapid increase in distributed audio/video network usage in the
world today, connection management applications that control signal
routing over these networks have also evolved in complexity to
accommodate the required functionality. This has led to a need among
highspeed audio networking application developers for a tool that will
enable them to develop connection management pplications easily and
within the shortest possible time. In addition, this tool should
provide them with the reliability and flexibility required by
applications controlling signal routing in networks carrying realtime
data. Highspeed audio networks are used for various purposes that
include audio/video production and broadcasting. This paper presents an
investigation evaluating the possibility of using Adobe Flash for
developing connection management applications. Broadcast and Studio
were considered for this investigation. Findings indicate that complex
connection management applications can effectively be implemented with
the Flash IDE and ActionScript.
Title:
Designing an Intelligent User Interface for Contact Centres
Authors:
Akash Singh (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan
University),
Janet Wesson (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University)
Abstract:
Contact centres (CCs) are organisational units that aim to achieve an
elevated sense of loyalty and satisfaction from customers and employees
whilst keeping the operational cost at a minimum. Currently seventeen
percent of all calls received by CCs are not resolved on the first
call. This is due to the inability of the contact centre agents (CCAs)
to diagnose the problem and find an adequate solution. The aim of this
paper is to discuss the development of a model and prototype that
employs an intelligent user interface (IUI) in order to
improve
CC operations.
Title:
Reflection on three years of rural wireless Internet Protocol
communication research and fieldwork
Authors:
William D. Tucker (University of the Western
Cape),
Edwin H. Blake (University of Cape Town), Gary Marsden (University of
Cape Town), Murray Pearson (University of Waikato, New Zealand), Rudi
Westerveld (Delft University of Technology, Netherlands)
Abstract:
This paper reports on three years of research and fieldwork with a
rural wireless Internet Protocol communication project. We built a
long-range WiFi network and custom communication software to support a
rural telehealth project in the remote Eastern Cape. We report on our
work using cellular networks, devices and applications as reference
technologies because our users and beneficiaries are very comfortable
with them. Of most concern are the technological and contextual issues
affecting take up of the systems we designed. The paper intends to
provide a summary analysis of our experience so that others in the
field can learn from our successes and mistakes with respect to rural
Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) in a
South African context.
Title:
Development of a real-time face recognition system for access control
Authors:
Desmond van Wyk (University of the Western
Cape),
James Connan (University of the Western Cape)
Abstract:
Face recognition is an active field of research with many applications.
This paper discusses the development of a face recognition system that
operates in real-time. For our system we make use of Multi Layer
Perceptron Neural Networks and use the backpropagation weight update
rule for training. We train one network per person to perform face
recognition. Evaluation of our system is performed with respect to
false acceptance and false rejection errors to compute the equal error.
One of our goals was to perform as little image pre-processing as
possible and to still obtain a low equal error.
Title:
Tuning the Linux Kernel
Authors:
Long Yi
(University of the Western Cape),
James Connan (University of the Western Cape)
Abstract:
Linux continues to attract telecommunication industry attention.
Optimising the Linux kernel can improve system performance and reduce
system total costs. The Linux kernel has a large number of parameters
to fine-tune system performance available to the system administrator.
We focus on the kernel parameters that are most relevant to adjust for
improving performance for specific system classes. We optimise the
Linux kernel for two important applications: Web servers and Database
servers. The results show that our optimised GNU/Linux system running
the Kernel 2.4.29 achieves effective performance improvements.