Radu Vasiu

• BSc, MS, PhD
• Managing Director at Polytechnic University of Timişoara

The paper has the main aim to present the experience of the Politehnica University of Timișoara in the context of its participation to one of the European Universities Alliances consortium over the last 4 years. The main subjets addressed regarding co-creation principles in teaching, learning and research are presented. Another key issue addressed...

Recognition and identification of urban landmarks is not a facile task and naturally blends several research topics like image signal processing, computer vision, augmented reality. In this paper we introduce TMBuD-v2 - Timişoara Building Dataset - a multi-purpose dataset for urban landmark recognition. The TMBuD-v2 building dataset contains 1360 i...

The Automotive Industry is at a pivotal moment, transitioning from traditional vehicles to fully autonomous systems. To ensure the safety of autonomous vehicles, standards such as those from the ISO (International Organization for Standardization), IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) are enforc...

In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the EU's vision for a high-quality, inclusive digital education landscape, this paper presents an in-depth analysis of integrating Verifiable Credentials (VCs) within the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) utilizing Politehnica University of Timisoara's (UPT) Moo...

Narrowband Power Line Communication (NB-PLC) involves transmitting data by overlaying a high frequency low amplitude signal (ranging from 9 kHz to 500 kHz) onto the low-frequency high amplitude signal (50 Hz to 60 Hz) of the power grid. While using the existing power grid for communication is convenient, it was not originally designed for this purp...

Digital imaging is omnipresent nowadays due to the expansion of the mobile device industry and its use cases. However, the diversity of sensors and hardware limitations often lead to images not meeting desired quality standards. To counteract this, significant research has been invested in image de-noising and sharpening to enhance the quality of c...

NB-PLC (narrowband power line communication) is a method of data communication that involves superimposing a relatively high-frequency signal (9 kHz to 500 kHz), which contains data, onto the power grid’s low frequency (50 to 60 Hz) signal. While using the existing power grid as a transmission medium is convenient, the power grid was not designed f...

The paper presents the complex pedological framework where the high-precision sensors from the meteorological stations are tested in order to remotely transmit the soil parameters with express reference to the NPK content and the water content of the soil. In the context of climate change, the interest in continuous, "in situ" knowledge of soil moi...

Urban landmarks detection systems represent a research topic that is continuously pursued in the Computer Vision domain. These systems play an important role in tourism and cultural heritage storytelling augmented reality applications in urban environments. In this paper, we propose a system that aims to recognize landmarks from urban scenarios usi...

Urban landmarks detection systems represent a research topic that is continuously pursued in the Computer Vision domain. These systems play an important role in tourism and cultural heritage storytelling augmented reality applications in urban environments. In this paper, we propose a system that aims to recognize landmarks from urban scenarios us...

Digital photography is growing in the mobile device industry. Due to considerable variety of sensors used for images capture and hardware limitations the quality of obtained images is not always the desired one. A large amount of research has been done in the field of image de-noising and sharpening in order to compensate this effect. Encouraged by...

Digital photography is growing in the mobile device industry. Due to considerable variety of sensors used for images capture and hardware limitations the quality of obtained images is not always the desired one. A large amount of research has been done in the field of image de-noising and sharpening in order to compensate this effect. Encouraged by...

Edges are a basic and fundamental feature in image processing that is used directly or indirectly in huge number of applications. Inspired by the expansion of image resolution and processing power, dilated-convolution techniques appeared. Dilated convolutions have impressive results in machine learning, so naturally we discuss the idea of dilating...

Building recognition and 3D reconstruction of human made structures in urban scenarios has become an interesting and actual topic in the image processing domain. For this research topic the Computer Vision and Augmented Reality areas intersect for creating a better understanding of the urban scenario for various topics. In this paper we aim to intr...

Content based image retrieval systems are an active research topic in the Computer Vision domain. These systems are important when dealing with urban environment augmented reality applications like building landmarks recognition, tourism storytelling, cultural heritage and so on. In this paper we propose a content-based image retrieval system that...

Content based image retrieval systems are an active research topic in the Computer Vision domain. These systems are important when dealing with urban environment augmented reality applications like building landmarks recognition, tourism storytelling, cultural heritage and so on. In this paper we propose a content-based image retrieval system that...

Digital storytelling platforms have proven to be a great way of bringing cultural heritage closer to people. What lacks is a deeper understanding of the user experience of such systems, especially in multi-platform digital storytelling. For the last three years, we have been developing a project called Spotlight Heritage Timisoara, which is at its...

Building detection in urban street view scenarios is becoming an important aspect of Computer Vision applications. In this paper we present an analysis of EDLine and Edge Drawing algorithms in a streetview dataset scenario when changing the first order derivative operator used inside the algorithms. To do so, we focused firstly on the general use c...

Building recognition and 3D reconstruction of human made structures in urban scenarios has become an interesting and actual topic in the image processing domain. For this research topic the Computer Vision and Augmented Reality areas intersect for creating a better understanding of the urban scenario for various topics. In this paper we aim to intr...

Parameter choosing in classical edge detection algorithms can be a costly and complex task. Choosing the correct parameters can improve considerably the resulting edge-map. In this paper we present a version of Edge Drawing algorithm in which we include an automated threshold choosing step. To better highlight the effect of this additional step we...

Building detection in urban street view scenarios is becoming an important aspect of Computer Vision applications. In this paper we present an analysis of EDLine and Edge Drawing algorithms in a street-view dataset scenario when changing the first order derivative operator used inside the algorithms. To do so, we focused firstly on the general use...

Building recognition and 3D reconstruction of human made structures in urban scenarios has become an interesting and actual topic in the image processing domain. For this research topic the Computer Vision and Augmented Reality areas intersect for creating a better understanding of the urban scenario for various topics. In this paper we aim to intr...

Parameter choosing in classical edge detection algorithms can be a costly and complex task. Choosing the correct parameters can improve considerably the resulting edge-map. In this paper we present a version of Edge Drawing algorithm in which we include an automated threshold choosing step. To better highlight the effect of this additional step we...

—Parameter choosing in classical edge detection algorithms can be a costly and complex task. Choosing the correct parameters can improve considerably the resulting edge-map. In this paper we present a version of Edge Drawing algorithm in which we include an automated threshold choosing step. To better highlight the effect of this additional step we...

Augmented Reality is an environment-enhancing technology, widely applied in many domains, such as tourism and culture. One of the major challenges in this field is precise detection and extraction of building information through Computer Vision techniques. Edge detection is one of the building blocks operations for many feature extraction solutions...

Computer Vision is a cross-research field with the main purpose of understanding the surrounding environment as closely as possible to human perception. The image processing systems is continuously growing and expanding into more complex systems, usually tailored to the certain needs or applications it may serve. To better serve this purpose, resea...

Although virtual reality (VR) was initially created as an entertainment medium way back over 70 years ago, it has developed beyond its scope and we are now using it for many other purposes, like education, training and medicine. When it comes to an amazing VR experience, what glues everything together is the level of interactivity and the usability...

Computer Vision is a cross research field with the main purpose of understanding the surrounding environment as closely as possible to human perception. In addition to research on techniques and algorithms that enhance the capabilities of a Computer Vision system, research on the architecture and design of such systems is also important. In this pa...

Computer Vision is a cross research field with the main purpose of understanding the surrounding environment as closely as possible to human perception. Parallel to research done upon the techniques and algorithms that enach the capabilities of a Computer Vision system, research on the architecture and design of such systems was equally important....

The use of MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses) has become very popular in the past few years. Such courses can teach a large variety of skills, including the basics of virtual mobilities, both for students and teachers. The Open VMLH (Virtual Mobility Learning Hub) is an innovative multilingual environment which was created as part of the Erasmus+...

Augmented Reality is an environment-enhancing technology, widely applied in many domains, such as tourism and culture. One of the major challenges in this field is precise detection and extraction of building information through Computer Vision techniques. Edge detection is one of the building blocks operations for many feature extraction solutions...

The usability evaluation plays a crucial role in the human-computer interaction. It is one of the basic elements used to verify the user interface quality and also, the quality of the system, as a whole. The goals of usability testing can vary by study, but usually they include: identifying problems in the design of a product or service, uncovering...

Augmented Reality is an environment-enhancing technology, widely applied in many domains, such as tourism and culture. One of the major challenges in this field is precise detection and extraction of building information through Computer Vision techniques. Edge detection is one of the building blocks operations for many feature extraction solutions...

UniCampus, online learning environment started in 2014, as an attempt to provide the first Romanian language MOOC-like Massive Open Online Courses. For the development of the DigiCulture project we decided to extend the existing UniCampus platform with a new DigiCulture theme. This paper presents the technical development, based on the Moodle frame...

How can we engage and enable our time-pressured teachers design rich blended and online courses (modules)? Today's education system needs to design future-looking, digitally rich, flexible courses (module), mobile-ready and attuned to students' expectations for engaging, professionally related learning experiences (UK Open University "Innovating Pe...

With the interest and attention that the Blockchain and the Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) have recently demanded, the technology is advancing at a very high rate. With investors and applications in a wide variety of fields, a lot of funding and efforts are being driven into bringing the technology to everyday use. The community and compani...

The ”BELLA: Blockchain Ecosystem for DecentraLized and QuaLity EducAtion, connecting University - Economy – Community” project aims to create an extendable and sustainable Blockchain Ecosystem, which will connect universities with economy, industries and communities. The project will research and develop education and entrepreneurial opportunities...

With the interest and attention that the Blockchain and the Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) have recently demanded, the technology is advancing at a very high rate. With investors and applications in a wide variety of fields, a lot of funding and efforts are being driven into bringing the technology to everyday use. The community and companie...

This paper presents and analyze the impact of some of initiatives performed in recent years by our university, Politehnica University of Timisoara as to increase the quality and academic retention in STEM Higher education. Based on a profound analyze of the existing situation, actions involving the ecosystem Professors – Companies – Students are in...

Public space art, usually placed outside and accessible to all, is a proper target for the exploitation of transformative and immersive technologies such as augmented and virtual reality. In the recent years, artists and technology developers have collaborated to make physical art more expressivein the digital world, taking advantage of the democra...

Smart cities function on the premises of efficiency and transparency. One of the key requests of smart citizens is to be informed, through modern, digital and personalized means, of issues that might affect them: utility cut-offs, changes in public transportation, exceeding levels of pollutants and so on. In this research, we implement an extension...

Electronic and smart electricity meters traditionally use as user interface liquid crystal displays due to low cost and proven technology. This paper presents the integration of a flexible electrophoretic display on a smart meter and the possible use cases of such a display. The two main benefit of EPD displays are image retention which can be used...

During the last years, the worldwide education has been challenged and innovated by the online and blended learning approaches, and the openness towards Social Media (SM), Open Educational Resources (OERs) and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). University Politehnica of Timisoara, Romania is one of the pioneering higher education institution in t...

Wireless mobile telecommunications are of growing importance and an enabler for the Internet of Things. Most networks are IP based or moving to an IP based infrastructure, including the latest 4G LTE and the future 5G networks. Understanding and being able to predict the behavior and performance of such networks in various scenarios and conditions...

Wireless mobile telecommunications are of growing importance and an enabler for the Internet of Things. Most networks are IP based or moving to an IP based infrastructure, including the latest 4G LTE and the future 5G networks. Understanding and being able to predict the behavior and performance of such networks in various scenarios and conditions...

The project m-commerce focuses on the training of staff and employees of Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in order to facilitate the further development and expansion of m-commerce activities. The m-commerce training course, a holistic approach, includes economic, legal and technical topics that are necessary for the switch to m-commerce....

While open government data published by central and local authorities worldwide is considered to be the new oil that fuels society, it is only truly useful when it is processed, interlinked and used in applications to increase the smartness of the environment. It is also the case of building permits, a well-regarded dataset in every city, and which...

Data profiling is an important step in understanding the nature of the datasets that belong to the Web of Data. In this paper, we plan to analyze the appropriateness of exploiting this type of data in an augmented reality application to be used by tourists in smart environments. We build on top of previous work and we analyze the data used in a cas...

This paper presents concepts and experiences of the flipped classroom method based on integrating OER and MOOCS into traditional higher education in Romania. Different concepts on OER integration in engineering courses in electronics, computer science and mechanics are introduced and evaluated based on the students experience. Three study cases on...

In the recent years, the globalization and massification of video education offer involved more and more eLearning scenarios within universities. This article refers to interactive video and proposes an overview of it. We analyze the background information, regarding the eLearning campus used in virtual universities around the world, the MOOC movem...

It is essential to regularly test the usability of a learning management system, in order to ensure a fast adoption by new users and rapidly shift the focus from the platform to the content and the learning experience. Quantitative testing yields the most reliable results due to the large number of data points acquired, but lacks the in-depth analy...

Measuring the impact of image based web technologies in educational communication is part of a larger theses, aimed to determine the overall impact of image based web 2.0 technologies in visual communication. In this particular chapter, we try to monitor the impact of these technologies in social progress through visual communication of academic ed...

Our research is highly connected to open education, higher education, online resources and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). We decided to see the opinion of Romanian teachers about the above mentioned areas. For this we created an online survey which was distributed over various media ways to teachers, mainly involved in higher education. The s...

This paper presents the findings of a pilot to implement a blended learning model by merging content from MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) into a traditional higher education Masters Course. The main objective of the pilot was to examine how a MOOC based flipped classroom model might improve student learning and skills acquisition in a tradition...

Increased usage of information technologies in educational tasks resulted in a high volume of data that can be exploited to offer practical insight in the learning process. In this paper, we proposed a system architecture of integrating learning analytics techniques into an educational platform. To test the approach, three analysis scenarios were i...

As teachers we have the responsibility to assist students in understanding the basic concepts and details (when necessary) upon a subject. We must offer them the possibility to hear, to try, to see and the suitable materials for achieving the information. In our study, conducted in Politehnica University of Timisoara environment, we chose our targe...

A semantic web is one of the most emerging research areas nowadays. Ontology is a formal specification of the particular domain that describes a set of objects and properties that the objects might have. The development of learning objects for integrated learning environments based on semantic web services (SWS) are still at a very early stage. The...

4 th Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) networks are about to become the standard in mobile communications. These networks' backhaul transport for the LTE user and signaling traffic needs to operate in various environments and over a wide variety of networks built on a mix of technologies and equipments. All network elements of such a network...

Testing the usability of a Moodle-based learning platform has been done many times before. Countless case-studies have identified weak points in the ever popular open-source system and sometimes, found solutions. Comparisons were made with other popular learning management systems (LMS), either commercial or free and open-source, with mixed results...

4 th Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) networks are in commercial service in most countries around the globe, or about to be launched into commercial service. Given that LTE is about to become the global wireless technology of choice, these networks have to operate in any conceivable environment. In doing so, their backhaul transport is serve...

Predicting student failure is an important task that can empower educators to counteract the factors that affect student performance. In this paper, a part of the bigger problem of predicting student failure is addressed: predicting the students that do not complete their assignment tasks. For solving this problem, real data collected by our univer...

This paper presents concepts and experiences on integrating MOOCS into traditional higher education in Romania. Three study cases on integrating MOOCs in courses at undergraduate and Master level present and discuss the opportunities in different pedagogical concepts as flipped classroom. These activities require the acquisition of new skills by st...

IP based networks are on the rise, with a majority of current networks being IP based. This brings an increased interest in the behavior of these networks in various conditions and environments, to be able to understand and even predict their performance in various deployment scenarios. The latest generation of commercially deployed telecommunicati...

In this article, we present an alternative approach to enable Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) based streaming services with Quality of Service (QoS) over 4th generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile networks. Specifically, we present a proof-of-concept architecture that is more cost effective, easier and more simple to implement than ex...

Detection of moving objects has been widely used in many computer vision applications like video surveillance, multimedia applications, optical motion capture and video object segmentation. The key steps in detecting the moving objects are the background subtraction and the foreground detection. To handle these processes, we need to classify the co...

In this paper we develop a model and implement a prototype that integrates user-generated linked open data and open government data in a mobile augmented reality tourism application that works in the browser of the mobile device. We present some challenges met in this endeavour and solutions to overcome them, as well as propose further issues that...

Lately, the globalization and massification of higher education offer involved more and more e-learning techniques inside universities. The article brings a perspective on our analyses of different trends in online education, especially MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). Our research raised some questions, which are answered in this article, such...

The increased usage of information technologies in educational tasks resulted in high volume of data, exploited to build analytical systems that can provide practical insight in the learning process. In this paper, we propose a method of running social network analysis on multiple data sources (academic years, communication tools). To achieve this,...

The chapter present the current European Union policy regarding Smart Cities, according to the Digital Agenda for Europe and the contribution of the Politehnica University of Timisoara, Romania in accomplishing this policy. After presenting the visions of Smart City in the ICT Era, the author defines Open data Application and their importance in im...

Using Open Educational Resources (OER) provides opportunities for collaboration both in the classroom and beyond. Started in 2008 and gathering momentum over the past two years, now an online phenomenon, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) reunite different perspectives over a globalized online learning. The paper analyses the use of OER and MOOCs...

The emergence of MOOCs has been compared with a tsunami and has been considered the most disruptive event in the education of the last decades. MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) are implemented in the vast majority of large and popular universities. Some of them opt for participating in existing platforms such as Coursera, edX, Udacity or FutureL...

Started in 2008 and gathering momentum over the past two years, now an online phenomenon, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) reunite different perspectives over a globalized online learning. The ‘pure’ and initial ones integrate the connectivity of social networking, the facilitation of an acknowledged expert in a field of study, and a collection...

There is a vast amount of linked open data published nowadays on the web, ranging from user-generated data to government public data. This data needs visualization and exploration tools which people can use to make sense of the data and turn it into useful and used information. Several such tools have been proposed in the past, but they are designe...

Mobile devices are currently the most popular way of delivering ubiquitous augmented reality experiences. Traditionally, content sources for mobile augmented reality applications can be seen as isolated silos of information, being designed specifically for the intended purpose of the application. Recently, due to the raising in popularity and usage...

Mobile augmented reality applications have seen tremendous growth in recent years and tourism is one of the fields in which this set of technologies has been proved to be a natural fit. Augmented reality has the potential of enhancing the surroundings of the tourist in a meaningful way. In order to provide personalized and rich content for the augm...

Interdisciplinarity will become more and more not just a way of restructuring content, but also a new method of organizing the teaching process. The need of reusing video data or parts of it in the context or content of diverse courses is often imposed. Successful management of large video data implies using the results obtained on queries based on...