email: woodjt@essex.ac.uk tel: +44 (0) 1206 872795

Dr John Charles Woods B.Eng, Ph.D. MIEE MIEEE

• I am a Senior lecturer within the Computer Science and Electronic Engineering Department, having studied for my Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees at Essex.
• I am part of the Image Processing and Networks Research Group
• I am a member of the Robotics group
• My main research interests are: Image and signal processing, model based coding, transport of multimedia & its coded stream interaction, autonomous robots, low bitrate short range coms, MPEG IV, MPEG VII, image segmentation, range, bearing and topology determination , emergent behaviour augmented sporting environments, environmental engineering, telecommunication cost modelling, renewable energy systems and intelligent domestic appliances.
• I used to be the Proctor of the University, for 4 years; dealing with the naughty students so I saw the good and the bad in everyone.
• I have been involved in a number of EPSRC and EU funded research projects.
• I have supervised a number of PhD students in: segmentation, tracking, traffic modelling and image coding.
• I have recently been involved in an autonomous flying vehicles project where we have made some flying drones
• I have been involved in the provision of augmented sports information in the MELISA project which is looking into the provision of augmented sports
• I am a founder member of the gridswarm project, visit: http://www.gridswarms.essex.ac.uk
• I have developed a robotic ship and am working on a robotic sailing boat as  part of a sensor network research application
• I am the proud owner of a 32’(10m) yacht and am currently enjoying sailing the east coast and its backwaters.
• I was responsible for the introduction of a new degree in Renewable Energy Systems, which is on offer in the 2010 prospectus.
• I am a radio amateur M3PUC – Mike Three Papa Uniform Charlie
• I am currently involved in the deployment of intelligent plugs in the domestic environment, the e-Clips project.
• I have recently made a series of high voltage electrical machines, more soon on my Tesla Coil

My undergraduate projects this year include:

• a virtual 3D desktop
• autonomous software robots
• network transport of coded video
• a programmable egg incubation machine
• range and bearing determination in ad hoc networks
• segmentation from video using prior knowledge
• determination of topology from range information alone
• Tracking and archiving of football player motion for PDA and mobile display devices

I am offering the following undergraduate projects for the coming academic year:

• computer interfaced remote control of a model helium airship (blimp)
• autonomous software robots to evaluate collective behaviour and queuing
• modelling of human full-body motion
• model-based synthesis of the human face
• evaluation of the interactions between coded multimedia streams in a bandwidth scarce environment
• range and bearing detection in add hoc networks
• region space analysis of images
• embedded information in clothing for security and video augmentation
• topological determination in wireless networks
• An investigation into presence effects of stereo telephony
• Development of a simple autopilot
• An autonomous robotic boat
• Intelligent plugs

My MSc projects this year are:

• an evaluation of range and bearing determination techniques for autonomous robotics
• QoS and QoE for the networked transport of multimedia
• MPEG IV insertion into Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) for economic advertisement
• region space analysis of images

• My hobbies (which are often rudely interrupted by my two children) include: aeromodelling, paragliding, sailing, cricket, rugby, squash, fishing, metalwork engineering, robotics, fish breeding and gardening to mention but a few.

My son’s web page is here:

Here are some of my (campus only) notes for the year 2009/10 :

CE123 Computer Systems and Networks

CE264 Digital Systems Design

EE305 Digital Systems Design

Here is a list of my recent publications

Publication list for Dr John Charles Woods, last updated 4/11/10

Conference:

(i) Yusof, K.M.; Woods, J.; Fitz, S, "Frequency Scanning Using Software Defined Radio for Localised Range Estimation," Sensor Technologies and Applications, 2009. SENSORCOMM '09. Third International Conference on , vol., no., pp.181-186, 18-23 June 2009

(ii) Samanta, S. K. Price Regulation of Telecom Services Based on Infrastructure Cost Model, Technology Management and Policy Graduate Consortium Workshop, June 16-18, 2004, Cambridge, UK.

(iii) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. Asymmetric pricing to increase MMS revenue, 8^th Annual INFORMS Revenue Management and Pricing Section Conference, June 18-20, 2008, Montreal, Canada.

(iv) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. Network Design and Interconnection Pricing in a Heterogeneous Terrain, IEEE Conference, IST 2008 International Symposium on Telecommunications, August 27-28, 2008, Teheran, Iran.

(v) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. Future Mobile Billboard, 2009 IEEE Sarnoff Symposium, March 30-April 1, 2009, Princeton, New Jersey, USA.

(vi) Samanta, S. K. Developing a model to predict the price sensitivity to subscription rates, revenue and profit margins across 6 diverse geographical markets, IIR Telecoms Pricing Conference, October 1-5, 2007, Vienna, Austria.

(vii) Samanta, S. K. Examining the parametric cost model and its application on telecom networks. IIR Telecoms Cost Allocation & Profitability Analysis, 1st - 4th December 2009, London, UK.

(viii) S. Ghanbari, J. C. Woods, H. R. Rabiee and S. M. Lucas, “Wavelet Domain Binary Partition Trees for Image Segmentation”, 6th International Workshop on Content-Based Multimedia Indexing, CBMI-2008, London, pp. 302 – 307, 18-20 June 2008

(ix) S. Ghanbari, J C. Woods, and S M. Lucas, “Semi-Automatic BPT for Image Retrieval”, 7th International Workshop on Content-Based Multimedia Indexing, CBMI-2009, Athens, pp. 33 – 37, 3-5 June 2009

(x) S. Ghanbari, J C. Woods, and S M. Lucas, “BPT Using Multi-Dimensional Information For Semi-Automatic Content Retrieval”, The 6th European Conference on Visual Media Production,  CVMP 2009, British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank, London, November 2009

(xi) “Active Discarding Packet Mechanisms for Video Transmission,” Victorio Robles, Mario Siller and John Woods, IEEE International Conference on Service-Oriented System Engineering (SOSE), San Antonio Texas, USA, April 2007. IEEE Catalog Number: 07EX1758C ISBN: 1-4244-1160-2 Library of Congress: 2007923136

(xii) "An Ontology for the Quality of Experience Framework" Edson Gallo, Mario Siller, John Woods, IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics (SMC 2007), October  2007, Montreal Canada.

(xiii) Callaghan V, Woods J, Fitz S, Dennis T, Hagras H, Colley M, Henning I, "The Essex iDorm: A Testbed for Exploring Intelligent Energy Usage Technologies in the Home", Proceeding of the 3rd International Conference on Intelligent Green and Energy Efficient Building & New Technologies, International Convention Centre, Beijing China, 26th-28th March 20007

(xiv) H. Lu, M. Ghanbari, and J. C. Woods, “A platform for region space analysis in binary partition trees,” Applied computing 2007, pp. 197-204, Slamanca, Spain, February 2007.

(xv) H. Lu, M. Ghanbari, and J. C. Woods, “Establishing object correspondences by utilizing surrounding information,” in Proceedings IEEE International Conference on Image Processing (ICIP) 2006, pp. 1813–1816, (Atlanta, USA), October 2006.

(xvi) Owen Holland, John Woods, Renzo De Nardi, and Adrian Clark. A Swarm of Miniature Aerial Vehicles. Proceedings of the 21^st Bristol International UAV Systems Conference, April 2006.

(xvii) Owen Holland, John Woods, Renzo De Nardi, and Adrian Clark. Beyond Swarm Intelligence: The Ultraswarm. Proceedings of the IEEE Swarm Intelligence Symposium (SIS2005), eds. P. Arabshahi and A. Martinoli, IEEE, June 2005

(xviii) E. L. Andrade, J. C. Woods, H. Lu I. Henning and M. Ghanbari, “Generic object registration using multiple hypotheses testing in partition trees”, Proceedings of the European workshop on the integration of knowledge, semantics and digital media technology, Knowledge-based media analysis for self-adaptive and agile multimedia technology, pp. 23-30, November 25-26, 2004, London.

(xix) M Siller and J Woods, "Using Quality of Experience and Objective Network metrics feedback to control Quality of Service in Conventional and Active Packet Networks", IEE EWIMT 2004 Proceedings, pp. 197-204, European Workshop on Integration of Knowledge, Semantic and Digital Media Technologies, London, UK, November 2004.

(xx) Ernesto Luiz Andrade Neto, John Charles Woods, and Mohammed Ghanbari. “Automatic Marker Propagation in Partition Trees for Segmentation of Semantic Objects”. International Conference on “Multi-platform e-Publishing”
November 11, 2004 , Intracom Amphitheatre, Athens , GREECE

(xxi) Ernesto L. Andrade Neto, John C. Woods, and Mohammed Ghanbari, “Segmentation Reliability Using Temporal Analysis for Outlier Removal in Player Identification”, IWSSIP 2004 Poland, September 2004, pp 215-218.

(xxii) "An Archiving Mechanism for Real Time Video Transmission Emulation in Packet Networks”, M Siller and J Woods, IADIS 2004 Proceedings, Volume II, pp. 1005-1008, IADIS International Conference e-Society, Avila Spain, July 2004.

(xxiii) E. L. Andrade Neto, J. C. Woods and M. Ghanbari, “Segmentation Reliability Using Temporal Analysis for Outlier Removal in Player Identification”, IWSSIP 2004.

(xxiv) E. L. Andrade Neto, J. C. Woods and M. Ghanbari, “Outlier Removal for Player Identification in Interactive Sport Scenes Using Region Analysis”, (WIAMIS 2004), IST, April, 2004, Lisbon, Portugal, pp 129-132.

(xxv) Ernesto L. Andrade Neto, John C. Woods, Ekram Khan, and Mohammed Ghanbari, "Techniques for Segmentation and Tracking", Web site conference, http://www.mediatech/2003.com/conference/papers.

(xxvi) E. L. Andrade Neto, E. Khan, J. C. Woods and M. Ghanbari, “Player Classification in Interactive Sport Scenes Using Prior Information Region Space Analysis and Number Recognition”, IEEE International Conference on Image Processing (ICIP) 2003, September 2003, Barcelona, Spain, vol. III, pp 129-132..

(xxvii) Woods J.C., 2003, “Spatial and Temporal Stability of Hierarchically Segmented Regions for Use as Conjugate Pairs in the Estimation of Depth and Tracking”, IASTED MIC, Innsbruck, Austria, JC Woods pp 501-506.

(xxviii) E. L. Andrade Neto, E. Khan, J. C. Woods and M. Ghanbari, “Player identification in interactive sport scenes using region space analysis prior information and number recognition”, IEE Visual Information Engineering (VIE) 2003, July, 2003, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK, pp 57-61.

(xxix) Mercy Mbise, John Woods, “Arbitration by Selective Removal of Temporally Dependent Redundancies”, International Conference on Visual Information Engineering, 7-9 July 2003, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK, Conference Publication 495, pp. 9-12

(xxx) “QoS Arbitration for improving the QoE in Multimedia Transmission”, M Siller and J Woods, IEE VIE 2003 Proceedings, pp. 238-241, Visual Information Engineering International Conference, Guildford, UK, July 2003.

(xxxi) Mercy Mbise, John Woods, “Development of Quality of Experience Metric using Application and Network Level QoS Considerations”, Proceedings of World Multiconference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, Orlando Florida, USA, July 2003 (full details not available yet)

(xxxii) ”QoE in Multimedia Services Transmission”, M Siller and J Woods, SCI 2003 Proceedings, Volume VII, pp. 74-76, 7^th World Multiconference on Systemics Cybernetics and Informatics, Orlando Florida, USA, July 2003.

(xxxiii) E. L. Andrade Neto, E. Khan, J. C. Woods and M. Ghanbari, “Segmentation and tracking using region adjacency graphs, picture trees and prior information”, IEE Visual Information Engineering (VIE) 2003, July, 2003, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK, pp 45-48.

(xxxiv) "QoE Improvement of Multimedia Transmission”, M Siller and J Woods, IADIS 2003 Proceedings, Volume II, pp. 821-825, IADIS International Conference e-Society, Lisbon Portugal, June 2003.

(xxxv) Mercy Mbise, John Woods, “Application and Network level Arbitration for Development of Quality of Experience Metric”, IADIS 2003 Proceedings, IADIS International Conference on e-Society, 3-6 June 2003, Lisbon Portugal

(xxxvi) “Improving Quality of Experience in Multimedia services Transmissions”, M Siller and J Woods, EPSRC PREP 2003 Proceedings (Oral Presentations), pp. 29-30, Postgraduate Research Conference in Electronics Photonics Communications and Software, Exeter, UK, April 2003.

(xxxvii) Mercy Mbise, John Woods, “Multimedia Interaction and a Quality of Experience Metric based on Application and Network Level Considerations”, International Conference on Packet Video, 28-29 April 2003, Nantes, France

(xxxviii) "Improving Quality of Experience for Multimedia Services by QoS Arbitration on a QoE Framework", M Siller and J Woods, IEEE PV 2003 Proceedings, 13^th Packet Video Workshop, Nantes, France, April 2003.

(xxxix) Mercy Mbise, John Woods, “Multimedia Stream Interaction: Arbitration of Video Latency Effects Caused by Long-term Bursts”, In Proc. Picture Coding Symposium, PCS 2003, 23-25 April 2003, Saint Malo, France, pp.107-110

(xl) “A Quality of Experience Framework for Audio and Video Transmission”, M Siller and J Woods, IEE WIAMIS 2003 Proceedings, pp. 288-293, 4^th European Workshop on Image Analysis for Multimedia Interactive Services, London, UK, April 2003.

(xli) E. L. Andrade Neto, E. Khan, J. C. Woods and M. Ghanbari, “Segmentation and Tracking For Interactive Sport Scenes Using Region Space Analysis and a Priori Information”, WIAMIS 2003, Queen Mary University, April, 2003, London, UK, pp 214-219.

(xlii) E. L. Andrade Neto, E. Khan, J. C. Woods and M. Ghanbari, “Segmentation and tracking for interactive sport scenes using region adjacency graphs, picture trees and prior information”, Picture Coding Symposium (PCS) 2003, April 2003, Saint Malo, France, pp 353-358.

(xliii) Mercy Mbise, John Woods, “Development of End-user Quality of Experience Metric Based on Network and Application Level QoS Metrics”, EPSRC Postgraduate Conference, Exeter University, UK, April 2003

(xliv) Mercy Mbise, John Woods, “Evaluation of Latency Effects of a Long-term Burst for Selective Removal of Dependant Packets”, In Proc. 4^th European Workshop on Image Analysis for Multimedia Interactive Services, London, UK, April 2003, pp. 500-505

(xlv) Mercy Mbise, John Woods, “Development of Arbitration Policy by Examination of Stream Interaction”, Proceedings of World Multiconference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, July 2002, Orlando Florida, USA, Vol. IX, pp. 448-454

(xlvi) Mercy Mbise, John Woods, “Evaluation of Stream Interaction of Coded Multimedia for Videoconference and Distance Learning”, EPSRC Postgraduate Conference, Nottingham University, UK, April 2002

(xlvii) JC Woods, “Outlier Removal Algorithm for Model-Based Coded Video” ICIP 2001 Thessaloniki Greece.

(xlviii) JC Woods, “Fast Calculation of Motion Fields for Model-Based and Object Orientated Environments”, VLBV 2001, Athens Greece.

(xlix) Mercy Mbise, John Woods, “Evaluation of Factors Governing Optimisation of Coded Multimedia for Best Virtual Presence”, EPSRC Postgraduate Conference, Keele University, UK, April 2001.

(l) J.C. Woods, S. Ramanan and D.E. Pearson,  “A Video Coder for Very Low Bit-rate Applications”. IPA conference Manchester 1999 pp 605-609.

(li) J.C. Woods, S. Ramanan and D.E. Pearson, “Sensitivity of Model-based Coded Video to Packet Losses”, ICIP Chicago Illinois1998.

Journals:

(i) Yusof, K.M.; Woods, J.; Fitz, S.; "LFFSR: Localised Frequency Scanning Short Range Estimation for Wireless Sensor Networks", International Journal of Communication Networks and Information Security : Special Issue on Recent Advances in Wireless Networks, vol.2, no. 3, Dec. 2010

(ii) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (2008). A Parametric Cost Model for Interconnection Service Price Determination, International Journal of Services and Standards, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 453-470.

(iii) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (2008). Impact of price on mobile subscription and revenue, Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp.370–383.

(iv) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (2009). Tariff balancing for increased subscription and revenue in a mobile network, International Journal of Mobile Communications, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 213-231.

(v) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (2009). Special Delivery: An Increase in MMS Adoption, IEEE Potentials. Vol. 28, No. 1, January-February 2009, pp.12-16.

(vi) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (2009). Asymmetric pricing and change in delivery to increase MMS revenue, International Journal of Revenue management, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 408-231.

(vii) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (2009). Application of Parametric Cost Estimation Model to Telecommunication Networks, International Journal of Interdisciplinary Telecommunications and Networking, Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 42-61.

(viii) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (2009). MMS to Improve Mobile Advertising Acceptance and Replace Billboard, International Journal of Mobile Marketing, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 61-67.

(ix) Samanta, S. K., Achilleos, A., Moiron, S. R. F., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (2010).Automatic language translation for mobile SMS, International Journal of Information Communication Technologies and Human Development, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 43-58.

(x) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (2010). A business model for mobile commerce applications using Multimedia Messaging Service, International Journal of Business Information System, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 418-439.

(xi) Samanta, S. K., Pan, H., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (2010). Internet Pricing: A Two Sided Market Perspective, International Journal of Economics and Business Research, accepted for publication.

(xii) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (2010). Automatic Language Translation: an Enhancement to the Mobile Messaging Services, International Journal of Technology and Human Interaction, accepted for publication.

(xiii) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (2010). Modeling the Demand for Mobile Phone Subscription- A Progress Report, Journal of Telecommunications Management, accepted for publication.

(xiv) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. A Parametric Cost Model for Interconnection Service Price Determination, International Journal of Services and Standards, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 453-470, 2008.

(xv) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (2008). Impact of price on mobile subscription and revenue, Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, (2008) 7, 370–383. doi:10.1057/rpm.2008.15; published online 2 May 2008.

(xvi) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (Forthcoming). Tariff balancing for increased subscription and revenue in a mobile network, International Journal of Mobile Communications.

(xvii) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (Forthcoming). Special Delivery: An Increase in MMS Adoption, IEEE Potentials.

(xviii) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. (Forthcoming). Asymmetric pricing and change in delivery to increase MMS revenue, International Journal of Revenue management.

(xix) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. Application of Parametric Cost Estimation Model to Telecommunication Networks, submitted to International Journal of Interdisciplinary Telecommunications and Networking.

(xx) Samanta, S. K., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. Introduction of new applications and pricing through improved MMS delivery, submitted to International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia.

(xxi) Shirin Ghanbari, John C. Woods, Hamid R. Rabiee, and Simon M. “Wavelet Domain Binary Partition Trees for Semantic Object Extraction”, Lucas Electronic Letters. Volume 43 Issue 22 October 25 2007. ISSN 0013-5194.

(xxii) IADIS International Journal on Computer Science and Information Systems. A Platform for Region Space Analysis in Binary Partition Trees, ISBN 1646-3692  pp 96-110, 2007.

(xxiii) H. Lu, J. C. Woods, and M. Ghanbari, “Binary partition tree based on region evolution and its application to tree simplification,” IEEE Transactions on Image Processing pp 1131- 1138 ISSN: 1057 – 7149 Volume number 16, No. 4 April 2007

(xxiv) H. Lu, J. C. Woods, and M. Ghanbari, “Binary partition tree for semantic object extraction and image segmentation,” IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology, pp. 378-383, vol. 17, no. 3, March 2007.

(xxv) JC Woods, M Siller, “Using an Agent Based Platform to Map Quality of Service to Experience in Conventional and Active Networks” IEE Communications, Vol. 153, issue 6, pp. 828-840, 2006.

(xxvi) H. Lu, J. C. Woods, and M. Ghanbari, “Image segmentation by binary partition tree,” Electronics Letters, vol. 42, pp. 966-967, August 2006.

(xxvii) H. Lu, E. L. Andrade, J. C. Woods, M. Ghanbari, and I. Henning, Generic object registration using multiple hypotheses testing in partition trees, IEE Proceedings Vision, Image & Signal Processing, Vol. 153, No. 3, pp. 323 - 330 (June, 2006).

(xxviii) Ernesto L. Andrade Neto, John C. Woods, Ekram Khan, and Mohammed Ghanbari , “Region Based Analysis and Retrieval for Tracking of Semantic Objects and Provision of Augmented Information in Interactive Sport Scenes”, IEEE Transaction on Multimedia. Vol 7, No. 6 December 2005, pp 1084 – 1097

(xxix) M. Paredes-Farrera, M. Fleury, M. Mbise, M. Ghanbari JC Woods. “Best Packetisation scheme for H263 Internet Video Communication”. Electronics Letters 11 November 2004 Volume 40, Issue 23, p. 1476-1478

(xxx) E. L. Andrade Neto, E. Khan, J. C. Woods and M. Ghanbari, “Description based object tracking in region space using prior information”, IEE Electronics Letters, Volume: 39, Issue: 7, Year: 3, April 2003, pp 600-602.

(xxxi) J.C. Woods, S. Ramanan and D.E. Pearson , “Selective Macroblock Level Switching for Model-based Coded Video”  Electronic Letters 4th March 1999 vol 35 No. 5 pp 388-389.

Book Chapter:

(i) S. Ghanbari, J C. Woods, and S M. Lucas, “Multi Dimension Binary Partition Tree”, Recent Advances in Multimedia Signal Processing and Communications, M. Grgic et al. (Eds.), SCI 231, pp. 73–90, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2009.

(ii) J. Woods, Digital Video Transmission, The Cable and Telecommunications Professionals’ Reference, Volume 2, Transport Networks, pp.55-83 Focal Press, editor Goff Hill, 2008 Elsevier.

Invited Talk at International Business Conferences:

(i) Samanta, S. K, J Woods, Developing a model to predict the price sensitivity to subscription rates, revenue and profit margins across 6 diverse geographical markets, IIR Telecoms Pricing Conference, October 1-5, 2007, Vienna, Austria.

(ii) Samanta, S. K, J Woods, Examining the parametric cost model and its application on telecom networks. IIR Telecoms Cost Allocation & Profitability Analysis, 1st - 4th December 2009, London, UK.

Patent:

(i) Samanta, S. K., Achilleos, A., Moiron, S. R. F., Woods, J. and Ghanbari, M. Automatic transcoding/translation for multimedia communications between two entities.