This paper proposes a fast method for car-license-plate detection (CLPD) and presents three main contributions. The first contribution is that we propose a fast vertical edge detection algorithm (VEDA) based on the contrast between the grayscale values, which enhances the speed of the CLPD method. After binarizing the input image using adaptive thresholding (AT), an unwanted-line elimination algorithm (ULEA) is proposed to enhance the image, and then, the VEDA is applied. The second contribution is that our proposed CLPD method processes very-low-resolution images taken by a web camera. After the vertical edges have been detected by the VEDA, the desired plate details based on color information are highlighted. Then, the candidate region based on statistical and logical operations will be extracted. Finally, an LP is detected. The third contribution is that we compare the VEDA to the Sobel operator in terms of accuracy, algorithm complexity, and processing time. The results show accurate edge detection performance and faster processing than Sobel by five to nine times. In terms of complexity, a big-O-notation module is used and the following result is obtained: The VEDA has less complexity by K2 times, whereas K2 represents the mask size of Sobel. Results show that the computation time of the CLPD method is 47.7 ms, which meets the real-time requirements.

Lighting systems are one of the highest energy consumptions specifically in buildings. Thus, by designing energy efficient systems, it would contribute much to buildings energy savings. Therefore, this paper motivation is to review a number of lighting systems designs applied to many types of buildings. It is then so important to discover what methods and systems which have been proposed to save energy in buildings in term of lighting. By finding out what proposed systems are for different types of buildings, designers and respective researchers e.g., buildings engineers would find possibility and applicability of such lighting systems for certain types of buildings to achieve higher energy savings than some other systems when applied to the same types of buildings. Such a relation between reviewed lighting systems with types of buildings would be helpful for many researchers from different fields. There exist numerous factors that play an important role in achieving higher energy savings rate on which efficient energy lighting systems rely. This paper aims to review several types of lighting systems designs applied to different types of buildings. Additionally, performance(s) of lighting systems might vary depending on the design of the lighting system to achieve higher buildings' energy savings. In this review paper, several past studies that utilized Information and Communication Technology (ICT) from the perspective of energy Informatics for a smart lighting system that efficiently achieves energy savings have been considered. This paper has considered different types of lighting systems and types of buildings. Cited papers in this review paper are derived from six digital libraries which are: IEEE Xplore Digital Library, ScienceDirect, MDPI, Emerald Insight, ACM DL, and Taylor & Francis Online. INDEX TERMS Lighting systems, buildings energy savings, daylight systems, occupancy-based lighting systems, large scale buildings, sky view factor, rural buildings, ICT for energy informatics.

Edge detection is a very important process for many image processing applications, especially in Car License Plate Detection and Recognition Systems(CLPDRS). The need to distinguish the desired details is a very important pre-process in order to give good results in short time processing. We proposed a new and fast vertical edge detection algorithm (VEDA) which is based on the contrast between the gray scale values. Once, input gray image was binarized by using adaptive threshold, unwanted lines elimination algorithm (ULEA) was proposed and applied. After that, a VEDA was applied for experimental images. Then, implementation on the application is performed and discussed in order to confirm that VEDA is robust for highlighting license plate details easily. The results revealed accurate edge detection performance and demonstrated the great efficiency of using VEDA in order to highlight license plate details. Finally, VEDA showed that it is faster than Sobel operator by about 7-9 times.

Metaverse is a vision enabling to constitute an environment in which someone could see real and virtualized worlds. The Metaverse is a product (or something similar as we do not yet know its final form) of such technologies. In this circumstance, when applications that utilize the Metaverse are used, there seem to be no transportation charges, and there is no cap on amounts of individuals, users, players, learners, or trainee who can take part. Hence, and due to such a feature, the Metaverse has attracted various researchers from different fields where it has been exploited by them to contribute to those fields and research areas. As for example, it is possible to teach various target audiences by offering different events and classes from any location in the globe. In order for a participant to utilize the Metaverse, there are necessary conditions to be considered as well as other settings to be initialized. In line of this, virtual reality, augmented reality, availability of required sensors, smart glasses, headsets, and few others are considered some examples of such conditions and settings that the Metaverse requires. Despite the advantages that Metaverse offers us, there are a number of considerations that must be taken into account while developing it by interested researchers. One of these concerns is the Metaverse privacy regarding the participants (represented as avatars inside the Metaverse environment). Another issue is that since the Metaverse is still in its early stages, many attempts have to be made from interested researchers who engage to develop it to enhancing it. This review aims to survey related articles that concern the Metaverse and its development providing a review of the chronological stages throughout the history of the development of Metaverse. It aims also to list a number of recent technological advances allowing the Metaverse. Besides, Metaverse's definitions, properties, and architecture, and applications have been discussed and listed in this review. The novelty of this article is that it has suggested a framework to a number of issues that are still paid attention for potential solutions by researchers aiming to contribute to researchers and designers to consider such an issue and its corresponding solution for future research works and enhancement. Challenges faced by researchers and other relevant concerned issues related to Metaverse have been in detail discussed and highlighted. Besides, future trends have been clarified.

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