Zapata, Mireya
Thumbnail Image
Preferred name
Zapata, Mireya
Main Affiliation
Quito
Email
mireyazapata@uti.edu.ec
ORCID
Scopus Author ID
56818703100

Research Output

Filters

1
29
Reset filters

Settings
Now showing 1 - 10 of 29
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Sensory Substitution in Music: Enhancing Deaf Perception Through Vibrotactile Feedback

2024 , Johann Jadán , Zapata, Mireya , Remache Vinueza, Byron

Music experienced through vibrotactile interfaces is a method of perceiving musical elements through the sense of touch, often involving vibrations. This technology functions by converting audio signals into physical sensations that can be sensed through the skin, typically via a wearable device like a wristband. Beginning with an initial audio file devoid of tactile feedback, the procedure entails altering it through sinusoidal modeling and, if necessary, implementing a Space-Fixed Audio transformation by utilizing the Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF). In this study, we successfully transformed sound files into tactile stereo vibrations using specialized hardware. This process was rigorously tested and validated through experimentation involving ten individuals. Our findings confirm that psychophysical sensations can indeed be perceptible. Notably, the most consistent responses were observed when applying the Vibrato and Tremolo effect, following an HRTF transformation. The Space-Fixed Audio transformation primarily introduced variations in azimuth, covering 360∘ in a clockwise direction. Consequently, this processing led to significant spectral changes, effectively rescaling and compressing the audio’s frequencies into lower equivalents. These modified spectral characteristics were subsequently transmitted through vibrotactile actuators, thereby transforming the essence of sound into a tactile experience. This innovative system creates a sensory replacement approach based on the psychophysical sensations perceived on the skin. It has proven to be exceptionally beneficial, particularly for individuals with hearing impairments who may not perceive music in the same way as individuals with typical hearing abilities.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Design and evaluation of a heuristic optimization tool based on evolutionary grammars using PSoCs

2020 , Vallejo Mancero B. , Zapata, Mireya , Topón-Visarrea L. , Malagón P.

Currently, the evolutionary computing techniques are increasingly used in different fields, such as optimization, machine learning, and others. The starting point of the investigation is a set of optimization tools based on these techniques and one of them is called evolutionary grammar [1]. It is a evolutionary technique derived from genetic algorithms and used to generate programs automatically in any type of language. The present work is focused on the design and evaluation of hardware acceleration technique through PSoC, for the execution of evolutionary grammar. For this, a ZYNQ development platform is used, in which the logical part is used to implement factory modules and independents hardware blocks made up of a soft-processor, memory BRAM, and a CORDIC module developed to perform arithmetic operations. The processing part is used for the execution of the algorithm. Throughout the development, the procedures and techniques used for hardware and software design are specified, and the viability of the implementation is analyzed considering the comparison of the algorithm execution times in Java versus the execution times in Hardware. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Real-time hardware emulation of neural cultures: A comparative study of in vitro, in silico and in duris silico models

2024 , Bernardo Vallejo-Mancero , Sergio Faci-Lázaro , Zapata, Mireya , Jordi Soriano , Jordi Madrenas

Biological neural networks are well known for their capacity to process information with extremely low power consumption. Fields such as Artificial Intelligence, with high computational costs, are seeking for alternatives inspired in biological systems. An inspiring alternative is to implement hardware architectures that replicate the behavior of biological neurons but with the flexibility in programming capabilities of an electronic device, all combined with a relatively low operational cost. To advance in this quest, here we analyze the capacity of the HEENS hardware architecture to operate in a similar manner as an in vitro neuronal network grown in the laboratory. For that, we considered data of spontaneous activity in living neuronal cultures of about 400 neurons and compared their collective dynamics and functional behavior with those obtained from direct numerical simulations (in silico) and hardware implementations (in duris silico). The results show that HEENS is capable to mimic both the in vitro and in silico systems with high efficient-cost ratio, and on different network topological designs. Our work shows that compact low-cost hardware implementations are feasible, opening new avenues for future, highly efficient neuromorphic devices and advanced human–machine interfacing.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Real-Time Adaptive Physical Sensor Processing with SNN Hardware

2023 , Madrenas J. , Vallejo-Mancero B. , Oltra-Oltra J.À. , Zapata, Mireya , Cosp-Vilella J. , Calatayud R. , Moriya S. , Sato S.

Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) offer bioinspired computation based on local adaptation and plasticity as well as close biological compatibility. In this work, after reviewing the Hardware Emulator of Evolving Neural Systems (HEENS) architecture and its Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) design flow, a spiking implementation of an adaptive physical sensor input scheme based on time-rate Band-Pass Filter (BPF) is proposed for real-time execution of large dynamic range sensory edge processing nodes. Simulation and experimental results of the SNN operating in real-time with an adaptive-range accelerometer input example are shown. This work opens the path to compute with SNNs multiple physical sensor information for perception applications. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Social Robots for Service Environments in Academia

2024 , Zapata, Mireya , Jorge Álvarez-Tello

The increase of social robots in services has generated academic interest in their design and development to enhance human-robot interaction across various contexts, from home assistance to educational and medical environments. Design criteria increasingly explore the software development aspect, but interdisciplinary focus on sustainability also pursues hardware improvement for human-robot interaction in contexts ranging from home assistance to medical environments. With this background, the research question arises: What key features should be considered for the development of a social robot in academia? A systematic metadata review according to PRISMA of 698 studies from the SCOPUS database was conducted, selecting 10 relevant ones to explore functions and applications that allow characterizing hardware and software in the design of social robots for development in academia. Preliminary results indicate a focus on creating smarter, safer, and more adaptable robots, utilizing advances in hardware and software such as flexible electronics and artificial intelligence. It is concluded that the balance between hardware and software proposes the prototyping of a robotic platform with LiDAR/ROS technology, flexible electronics, and ultralightweight material structure, for sustainable, low-power consumption, and low-cost developments. Collaboration among researchers, educators, and developers is crucial to create educational social robots that are both useful and accepted.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

A Virtual Learning Environments as Training Tools: An Experience with NEO LMS in Physics Teaching

2021 , Zapata, Mireya , Polo-Mantuano J.

This research shows the design and implementation of a Virtual Learning Environment in Physics at the graduate level developed in NEO LMS. This proposal presents an alternative solution to the pedagogical mediations in virtual training spaces. The objective was to create virtual teacher-student communication Scenario either synchronously and asynchronously where interactive, and self-learning are managed through multiple resources: chat, forums, readings, videos, and simulators. As a result of using this instrument, students showed more interest in resource interaction, elements that contributed to the improvement of motivation and academic performance. Moreover, critical thinking, argumentation, and learning culture were strengthened in the students. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Optimizing Agriculture with LoRaWAN and HCI: A Smart Approach to Sustainable Farming

2025 , Valencia-Aragón, Kevin , Zapata, Mireya , Cristopher Toapanta , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio

Modern agriculture faces challenges including water scarcity, excessive fertilizer use, and limited connectivity in rural areas, all exacerbated by climate change. This paper presents a smart agriculture system leveraging LoRaWAN technology and human-computer interfaces (HCI) to address these issues. The proposed system integrates low-cost sensors, a LoRaWAN-based network, and a user-friendly dashboard for real-time monitoring of critical variables such as soil moisture, ambient humidity and temperature. A proof-of-concept implementation demonstrates the system’s effectiveness in optimizing water and fertilizer use while maintaining scalability for large agricultural operations. The system operates reliably within rural environments without relying on traditional internet infrastructure, offering an affordable and sustainable solution. Field tests validate the system’s performance, highlighting its potential to enhance decision-making and resource efficiency in floriculture and beyond. Future work aims to expand the system’s capabilities with additional sensors, artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, and automated control mechanisms, further supporting sustainable farming practices

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Real-time execution of SNN models with synaptic plasticity for handwritten digit recognition on SIMD hardware

2024 , Bernardo Vallejo-Mancero , Jordi Madrenas , Zapata, Mireya

Recent advancements in neuromorphic computing have led to the development of hardware architectures inspired by Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) to emulate the efficiency and parallel processing capabilities of the human brain. This work focuses on testing the HEENS architecture, specifically designed for high parallel processing and biological realism in SNN emulation, implemented on a ZYNQ family FPGA. The study applies this architecture to the classification of digits using the well-known MNIST database. The image resolutions were adjusted to match HEENS' processing capacity. Results were compared with existing work, demonstrating HEENS' performance comparable to other solutions. This study highlights the importance of balancing accuracy and efficiency in the execution of applications. HEENS offers a flexible solution for SNN emulation, allowing for the implementation of programmable neural and synaptic models. It encourages the exploration of novel algorithms and network architectures, providing an alternative for real-time processing with efficient energy consumption.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Optimizing Agriculture with LoRaWAN and HCI: A Smart Approach to Sustainable Farming

2025 , Valencia-Aragón, Kevin , Zapata, Mireya , Cristopher Toapanta , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio

Modern agriculture faces challenges including water scarcity, excessive fertilizer use, and limited connectivity in rural areas, all exacerbated by climate change. This paper presents a smart agriculture system leveraging LoRaWAN technology and human-computer interfaces (HCI) to address these issues. The proposed system integrates low-cost sensors, a LoRaWAN-based network, and a user-friendly dashboard for real-time monitoring of critical variables such as soil moisture, ambient humidity and temperature. A proof-of-concept implementation demonstrates the system’s effectiveness in optimizing water and fertilizer use while maintaining scalability for large agricultural operations. The system operates reliably within rural environments without relying on traditional internet infrastructure, offering an affordable and sustainable solution. Field tests validate the system’s performance, highlighting its potential to enhance decision-making and resource efficiency in floriculture and beyond. Future work aims to expand the system’s capabilities with additional sensors, artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, and automated control mechanisms, further supporting sustainable farming practices.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Low-Cost Human–Machine Interface for Computer Control with Facial Landmark Detection and Voice Commands

2022 , Ramos, P. , Zapata, Mireya , Valencia, K. , Vargas, V. , Ramos Galarza, Carlos

Nowadays, daily life involves the extensive use of computers, since human beings are immersed in a technological society. Therefore, it is mandatory to interact with computers, which represents a true disadvantage for people with upper limb disabilities. In this context, this work aims to develop an interface for emulating mouse and keyboard functions (EMKEY) by applying concepts of artificial vision and voice recognition to replace the use of hands. Pointer control is achieved by head movement, whereas voice recognition is used to perform interface functionalities, including speech-to-text transcription. To evaluate the interface’s usability and usefulness, two studies were carried out. The first study was performed with 30 participants without physical disabilities. Throughout this study, there were significant correlations found between the emulator’s usability and aspects such as adaptability, execution time, and the participant’s age. In the second study, the use of the emulator was analyzed by four participants with motor disabilities. It was found that the interface was best used by the participant with cerebral palsy, followed by the participants with upper limb paralysis, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy. In general, the results show that the proposed interface is easy to use, practical, fairly accurate, and works on a wide range of computers. © 2022 by the authors.

View