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Dr Sergio Velastin

Director, Kingston University's Digital Imaging Research Centre.

Dr Sergio Velastin Areas of expertise

Find out more about Dr Sergio Velastin

Overview

Sergio is the Director of the university's Digital Imaging Research Centre, one of the biggest groups of its type in the UK and Europe. Staff here conduct research into the processing of images and video for a range of applications including visual surveillance (CCTV), medical imaging and intelligent spaces.

In most applications it is desirable to demonstrate results in real-time - Sergio therefore has a special interest in embedded systems especially for the processing, transmission and display of digital media.

Sergio's Faculty recently launched a new MSc course on Embedded Systems, involving close consultation with industrial partners such as NXP Semiconductors, BAe Systems, BT and Kane Computing.

Qualifications

Year gained Subject
1979 - 1981 PhD: Digital Processes Group, Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, UMIST.
1978 - 1979 MSc. (Research): Digital Processes Group, Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, UMIST.
1975 - 1978 BSc. in Electronics, Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, UMIST.

Career Highlights

Year Position held
2007 - Director, Digital Imaging Research Centre, Kingston University.
2001 - Reader, Digital Imaging Research Centre, Faculty of Computing, Information Systems and Mathematics, Kingston University.
1990 - 2001 Lecturer, Department of Electronic Engineering, King's College, London.
1989 - 1990 Software Manager, Rosand Precision Ltd.
1988 - 1989 Senior Systems Engineer, Terrafix Ltd.
1986 - 1987 Senior Scientific Officer, Clinical Psychology Department, North Staffordshire Health Authority.
1985 - 1986 Professor, Institute of Informatics, Universidad Austral de Chile (UACH), Valdivia, Chile.
1982 - 1984 Research Fellow in Robotics, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Surrey.

Research

Monographs and Edited Books

  1. S Lian, S.A. Velastin, H.T. Sencar, N Nikolaidis, "Intelligent Multimedia Analysis for Security Applications" Springer-Verlag, (2009)
  2. S.A. Velastin, P. Remagnino, "Intelligent Distributed Surveillance Systems" The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE), ISBN/ISSN 0-86341-504-0 (2005) abstract

Journal Papers

  1. F. Yin, D. Makris, S.A. Velastin, J. Orwell, "Quantitative Evaluation of Different Aspects of Motion Trackers under Various Challenges" in 'BMVA Annals', (5) pp. 1-11. (2010) abstract download
  2. N. Buch, J. Orwell, S.A. Velastin, "Urban Road User Detection and Classification using 3D Wire Frame Models" in 'IET Computer Vision Journal', (2009) abstract download
  3. S.A. Velastin, "Editorial, Special Issue on Visual Information Engineering" in 'IET Computer Vision Journal', IET Proceedings 2(2) IET, June, pp. 35-36. ISBN/ISSN 1751-9632 (2008)
  4. F. Yin, D. Makris, S.A. Velastin, "Time efficient ghost removal for motion detection in visual surveillance systems" in 'IET ELECTRONICS LETTERS', 44(23) Institution of Engineering and Technology, Nov, pp. 1351-1353. ISBN/ISSN 0013-5194 (2008) abstract
  5. B. Zhan, D.N. Monekosso, P. Remagnino, S.A. Velastin, L Xu, "Crowd Analysis: a Survey" in 'Machine Vision and Applications', Computer Science 19(5-6) Springer, October, pp. 345-357. ISBN/ISSN 0932-8092 (2008) abstract
  6. H.M. Dee, S.A. Velastin, "How close are we to solving the problem of automated visual surveillance? A review of real-world surveillance, scientific progress and evaluative mechanisms" in 'Machine Vision and Applications', Special Issue on Video Surveillance Research in Industry and Academic 19(5-6) Springer, pp. 329-343. ISBN/ISSN 0932-8092 (2008) abstract
  7. V Leung, A. Colombo, J. Orwell, S.A. Velastin, "Modelling Periodic Scene Elements for Visual Surveillance" in 'IET Computer Vision Journal, Special Issue on Visual Information Engineering', IET Proceedings 2(2) IET, June, pp. 88-98. ISBN/ISSN 1751-9632 (2008) abstract download
  8. P. Remagnino, S.A. Velastin, G. Foresti, M Trivedi, "Novel Concepts and challenges for the next generation of video surveillance" in 'Machine Vision and Applications', 18(3-4) pp. 135-137. (2007)
  9. S.A. Velastin, BA Boghossian, MA Vicencio-Silva, "A motion-based image processing system for detecting potentially dangerous situations in underground railway stations" in 'Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies', 14(2) Elsevier, April, pp. 96-113. (2006)
  10. P. Remagnino, D.N. Monekosso, S.A. Velastin, "Ambient Intelligence" in 'Journal of Japan Society for Fuzzy Theory and Systems', 18(1) February, pp. 67. (2006)
  11. L.M. Fuentes, S.A. Velastin, "People tracking in surveillance applications" in 'Image and Vision Computing', 24(11) November, pp. 1165-1171. (2006) abstract
  12. S.A. Velastin, BA Boghossian, B Lo, J. Sun, MA Vicencio-Silva, "PRISMATICA: Toward Ambient Intelligence in Public Transport Environments" in 'IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics - Part A', 35(1) IEE, January, pp. 164-182. (2005) abstract
  13. M. Valera Espina, S.A. Velastin, "Intelligent distributed surveillance systems: A Review" in 'IEE Proceedings - Vision, Image and Signal Processing', 152(2) IEE, April 2005, pp. 192-204. ISBN/ISSN 1350-245X (2005) abstract
  14. L.M. Fuentes, S.A. Velastin, "Tracking-based event detection for CCTV systems" in 'Pattern Analysis and Applications', 7(4) Springer, ISBN/ISSN 1433-755X (2005) abstract
  15. A.C. Davies, S.A. Velastin, "Progress in computational intelligence to support CCTV surveillance systems" in 'International Scientific Journal of Computing', 4(3) pp. 76-84. ISBN/ISSN 1727-6209 (2005)
  16. S.A. Velastin, B Lo, J. Sun, "A flexible communications protocol for a distributed surveillance system" in 'Journal of Network and Computer Applications', 27(4) Elsevier, pp. 221-253. (2004) abstract
  17. L.M. Fuentes, S.A. Velastin, "Vigilancia Avanzada: Del Tracking a la Detección de Sucesos" in 'Transactions IEEE América Latina', 2(3) IEEE, September, ISBN/ISSN 1548-0992 (2004) download
  18. E. Corvee, S.A. Velastin, G.A. Jones, "Occlusion Tolerent Tracking using Hybrid Prediction Schemes" in 'Acta Automatica Sinica', Special Issue on Visual Surveillance of Dynamic Sc 23(3) pp. 356-369. (2003) abstract download
  19. B Lo, J. Sun, S.A. Velastin, "Fusing Visual and Audio Information in a Distributed Intelligent Surveillance System for Public Transport Systems" in 'Acta Automatica Sinica', 29/3, May, pp. 393-407. (2003) abstract
  20. S.A. Velastin, MA Vicencio-Silva, B Lo, J. Sun, L Khoudour, "A DISTRIBUTED SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING SECURITY IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORKS" in 'Measurement + Control', 35(8), Institute of Measurement and Control, September, September, pp. 209-213. ISBN/ISSN 0020-2940 (2002) abstract download
  21. BA Boghossian, S.A. Velastin, "Image Processing System for Pedestrian Monitoring using Neural Classification of Normal Motion Patterns" in 'Measurement + Control', 32/9, pp. 261-264. (1999)
  22. A.N. Marana, S.A. Velastin, L. da F. Costa, R.A. Lotufo, "Automatic estimation of crowd occupancy using texture and NN classification" in 'Safety Science', 28(3) pp. 165-175. (1998)
  23. F Xia, S.A. Velastin, A.C. Davies, "Evaluation of the Data Interaction Architecture Demonstrator by means of a multiple mobile robot workspace simulation" in 'Microprocessors and Microsystems', 19(1) pp. 23-33. (1995)
  24. A.C. Davies, J.H. Yin, S.A. Velastin, "Crowd Monitoring using Image Processing" in 'IEE Electronic and Communications Engineering Journal', 7(1) IEE, February, pp. 37-47. (1995)
  25. D Indyk, S.A. Velastin, "Survey of Range Vision Systems" in 'Mechatronics', 4(4) June, pp. 417-449. (1994)
  26. S.A. Velastin, "Modular Programming in C: An approach suitable for teaching" in 'Int. J. of Electrical Engineering Education', 29(3) July, pp. 243-254. (1992)

Chapters in Books

  1. B. Zhan, P. Remagnino, D.N. Monekosso, S.A. Velastin, Chapter "The Analyss of Crowd Dynamics: from Observations to Modeling" in 'Computational Intelligence: Collaboration, Fusion and Emergence', Edited by Mumford, Christine. L.; Jain, Lakhmi C., Springer, pp. 464-483. ISBN/ISSN 978-3-642-01798-8 (2009)
  2. B. Zhan, D.N. Monekosso, S. Rush, P. Remagnino, S.A. Velastin, Chapter "Augmenting Professional Training, an Ambient Intelligent Approach" in 'Intelligent Environments, Methods, Algorithms and Applications', Advanced Information and Knowledge Processing Edited by D.N.Monekosso, P.Remagnino and Y.Kuno, Springer, (2008)
  3. P. Remagnino, H Hagras, D.N. Monekosso, S.A. Velastin, Chapter "Ambient Intelligence a gentle introduction" in 'Ambient Intelligence a Novel Approach', Edited by Remagnino, Paolo; Foresti, Gian Luca; Ellis, Tim, Springer, ISBN/ISSN 0-387-22990-6 (2005)
  4. L.M. Fuentes, S.A. Velastin, Chapter "Assessment of Image Processing as a means of Improving Personal Security in Public Transport" in 'Video-Based Surveillance Systems, Computer Vision and Distributed Processing', Edited by Paolo Remagnino, Graeme A. Jones, Nikos Paragios and Carlo S. Regazzoni, Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 159-166. ISBN/ISSN 0-7923-7632-3 (2001)

Media Highlights

Sergio has been interviewed for a number of puiblications, including:

"Robot cameras will predict crimes before they happen", Independent on Sunday 21st April  (what year??)

ABC Radio National (Australia, 28th Aug 2005), http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/bbing/stories/s1445120.htm

BBC Radio 4: "The Material World" programme, 21-Aug-2003

CCTV a valuable spy in the fight against crime and terrorism, The Guardian, 18 Aug 2005, p.15

CCTV Image 2008 "Dr Sergio Velastin talks about video analytics"

CCTV Image June 2008: "Dr Sergio Velastin talks about video analytics" (part 2)

Kamerorna polisens viktigaste vapen, Dagens Nyheter, Sweeden 12 July 2005

Nature (06.March.2003): "Crime prevention: The lab arm of the law"

New Scientist (9.July.2003): "Smart software linked to CCTV can spot dubious behaviour".

He is also a reviewer for nearly 20 journals, an associate editor of SPIE (the Journal of Optical Engineering) and IET (Journal of Computer Vision). He is a book editor for the following two publications:

"Intelligent Distributed Surveillance Systems" The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE), ISBN/ISSN 0-86341-504-0 (2005)

"Intelligent Multimedia Analysis for Security Applications", Springer, Due out March 2010. 

Conference Highlights

Sergio is a much-in-demand and accomplished conference presenter, key-note speaker and organiser who has spoken on his subject around the world.

Professional Body Membership

Sergio is a member of the following organisations:

Elected member of the Board of Governors IEEE Intelligent Transportation Society.

Executive Committee, IEE Visual Information Engineering Professional Network, Elected by peers (chair from Apr 2006).

IEE (Institute of Electrical Engineers).

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).

UITP (International Union of Public Transport).

 

 

 

 

 

Major Research Collaborations

INRIA (French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control)

INRETS (French National Institute for Transport Research)

UCL (Transport Studies)

University of Reading (Computer Vision)

University of Los Andes, Chile (Transport Studies)

University of Zaragoza, Spain (Computer Vision)

IDIAP (Switzerland)

University of Brno (Czech Republic)

Transport for London

ATAC (Rome Transport)

Roke Manor Research

Thales France (Communications, Transport, Security)

BARCO (Belgium)

British Aerospace

British Transport Police

Ipsotek Ltd, of which he is a co-founder

Press Office contacts

Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 3034
Out of hours: 07771977768
Email: press@kingston.ac.uk12

Kingston University

Room 2, River House
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey KT1 1LQ

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