Dr. James M. Coughlan

Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, 2318 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States of America.
Tel: +1 415 345 2000
Email: coughlan@ski.org
Web: www.ski.org/rehab/coughlan_lab/

Interests

James Coughlan's research interests include Bayesian probability methods in computer and human vision, particularly the use of graphical models and belief propagation for visual search and segmentation; Applications of computer vision for blind and visually impaired persons, including guidance at traffic intersections, hazard detection for blind wheelchair users and wayfinding using machine-readable signage and psychophysical modeling of visual search, eye movements and integration of foveal and peripheral information.

Current projects

Wayfinding for the Blind & Visually Impaired Using Passive Environmental Labels

Publications

Coughlan, J. & Manduchi, R. (2009) A mobile phone wayfinding system for visually impaired users. To appear in Proceedings of AAATE 2009: Inclusion between past and future - AT from adapted equipment to inclusive environments, 31 August - 2 September 2009, Florence, Italy.

Ivanchenko, V., Coughlan, J. & Shen, H. (2009) Staying in the crosswalk: a system for guiding visually impaired pedestrians at traffic intersections. To appear in Proceedings of AAATE 2009: Inclusion between past and future - AT from adapted equipment to inclusive environments, 31 August - 2 September 2009, Florence, Italy.

Ivanchenko, V., Coughlan, J., Gerrey, B. & Shen, H. (2008) Computer vision-based clear path guidance for blind wheelchair users. Proceedings of 10th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2008), 12-15 October 2008, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Ivanchenko, V., Coughlan, J., Gerrey, B. & Shen, H. (2008) Crosswatch: a camera phone system for orienting visually impaired pedestrians at traffic intersections. Proceedings of 11th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs (ICCHP '08), 9-11 July 2008, Linz, Austria.

Manduchi, R., Coughlan, J. & Ivanchenko, V. (2008) Search strategies of visually impaired persons using a camera phone wayfinding system. Proceedings of 11th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs (ICCHP '08), 9-11 July 2008, Linz, Austria.

Coughlan, J. & Shen, H. (2007) Terrain analysis for blind wheelchair users: computer vision algorithms for finding curbs and other negative obstacles. Proceedings of Conference and Workshop on Assistive Technology for People with Vision and Hearing Impairments (CVHI '07), 28-31 August 2007, Granada, Spain.

Coughlan, J. & Manduchi, R. (2007) Functional assessment of a camera phone-based wayfinding system operated by blind users. Proceedings of International IEEE-BAIS Symposium - Research on Assistive Technologies (RAT-07), 16-17 April 2007, Ohio, USA.

Coughlan, J., Manduchi, R. & Shen. H. (2006) Computer vision-based terrain sensors for blind wheelchair users. Proceedings of 10th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs (ICCHP ’06), 12-14 July 2006, Linz, Austria.

Coughlan, J., Manduchi, R. & Shen. H. (2006) Cell phone-based wayfinding for the visually impaired. Proceedings of 1st International Workshop on Mobile Vision, in conjunction with ECCV 2006, 13 May 2006, Graz, Austria.