Hing Cheng

Research Associate
Director of Math Research, Imaging Informatics

Educational Background:

• Ph.D. candidate, City University of Hong Kong, 1991-1995, in Optimization, Computational Geometry and Artificial Intelligence, (research completed, but candidacy terminated due to immigration)
• M.Phil. candidate, City University of Hong Kong, 1990-1991, in Operational Research Transferred to Ph.D. candidacy
• B.Sc.(Hons) University of Hong Kong, 1970, in Mathematics and Physics

Postgraduate course in Multi-Agent System, University of Calgary, 1997

Graduate Diploma in Computer Science, University of Melbourne, 1988-1990

11 Advanced Postgraduate Certificate courses in computers, University of Hong Kong, 1986-1990

Current & Future Research Areas:

- Time-frequency analysis in 1D and 2D with Stockwell Transform (ST)

- Compression and speedup for 1D and 2D ST

- Spectral Visualization for medical images

- Texture analysis and segmentation with ST

- Hidden Markov Model and Conditional Random Field on medical images

- Deformable co-registration of medical images with outliers

- Abnormality identification and labeling in medical images

- Normal atlas creation

- Dimensionality raising

- Classifiers and machine learning by Neural Network and Support Vector Machine

- Linear Algebra and Artificial Intelligent techniques in optimization

Patents:

- Patent on low-contrast edge detection (e.g. detecting the hairline of black hair against black backdrop)

- Patent pending on multi-set simultaneous tie point matching and alignment for 3D modelling.

- Patent pending on high-density 3D imaging for stationary and moving objects

Publications:

"Linearizing Binary Products in Binary Programming Problems", in Journal of Mathematics Sciences 4, No. 2, (1993)

"Cutting Stock Problem - a Survey", International Journal of Production Economics 36 (1994)

"Mathematical Programming Approaches to the Linear Complementary Problem", in Journal of Mathematical Science 6, No. 2, (1995)

Previous Industrial Research Projects:

- Knowledge based AI system for BOM coding and process routing (paper products company, Hong Kong)

- Plant facility layout design (manufacturing company in China)

- Moulding machine capacity planning and JIT scheduling system (plastic tooling and injecting moulding company, Calgary)

- Mould flow simulation in injection moulding (Calgary)

- 3D Rectification and Registration: design of rect-reg object and invention of innovative math technique for rect-reg (Laser imaging company in Calgary, using Biris scanner from National Research Council)

- Intelligent Scheduling of Furnace and Casters for Steelmaking (Precarn project, for steelmaker in Dallas)

- E-business Readiness Assessment (ERA) knowledge base system, and Strategic Planning with Impact Network (SPIN) (engineering consulting company, Missisauga)

- Negotiation system for oilsand truck operation and maintenance (Fort McMurray)

- Optimal Shipment Planning for rail car transportation (mainly for cement transportation in Texas & California)

- Supply Chain Performance metrics by statistical techniques (Calgary technologies company)

- Object recognition for partially buried and dirt-covered objects (engineering company in Japan)

- 3D imaging and modelling for potrarit crystal engraving (US and Canada)

- Multi-image mesh and texture stitching, trimmed nurbs patching, mesh reparametrization and segmentation for various applications (Calgary)

- Image processing and 3D geometric modelling for large-object reverse engineering (for hot-tub and other manufacturers in U.S. and Canada)

- Texture analysis for hole inspection in stamped metal sheets (American automobile parts manufacturer)

- Fuzzy parameter-setting expert system in XML; leading edge by Neural Network (Calgary)

- 3D imaging for moving objects and people mainly for movie industry (U.S.)

- Image processing and photogrammetry systems for 3D applications (many countries)

Previous Medical Research Projects:

- Automatic Landmark Identification for prosthetics by AI (Prosthetics and orthotics laboratory, Calgary)

- Alignment of surface and X ray images for Scoliosis Patients (University of Calgary and Alberta Children Hospital)

- Patient positioning for radiotherapy (Princess Margaret Hospital with University of Toronto)

- Breathing compensation for radiotherapy (Canadian universities)

- Ultrasound probe tracking and registration (a U.S. company)

- Image analysis for skull deformation in babies (a US company)

Previous Academic Research Projects:

- Irregular Cutting Stock Problem: how to cut a sheet into pieces of irregular shape to minimize loss, using mixed integer programming, combinatorics, computational geometry, simulated annealing, tabu search and Boltzmann Engine (Hong Kong)

- Research in techniques of mathematical programming (Hong Kong)

- Various mathematical programming projects, e.g. Production Scheduling, Container Loading, Material Planning by Data Envelopment Analysis, Distribution Node Location, Transfer Batch Sizing, Printer Sequencing (joint research project with universities and manufacturing companies in Hong Kong.)

- Research assistant on feature-based product modelling using multi-intelligent-agent systems for a manufacturing (University of Calgary)

Leadership in Community Services:

- Manager and Advisor of a free evening school for 22 years for factory workers who were deprived of proper schooling (as education in 1960's Hong Kong was scarce).

- Leader in youth social services groups for 25 years, providing regular projects for the poor children, the blind, the elderly, and the physically and mentally challenged, as well large-scale projects on social actions.

- Committee Member in community campaigns, and in mathematics & computer education.