SIPPRE

Assistant Professor @ECE UoP

Creality K1C 3D Printer Joins the SIPPRE Lab!

/ / Equipment

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of the Creality K1C 3D Printer in the SIPPRE Lab! This state-of-the-art device adds a new dimension to our research and teaching capabilities, bringing advanced 3D printing technology to our projects and coursework.

The Creality K1C opens up incredible opportunities for students and researchers alike:

  • In Diploma Thesis Projects: Students can now design and prototype custom components for innovative applications, from biomedical devices to creative engineering solutions.
  • In Semester Projects: Courses like Digital Image Processing and Sound and Music Processing can leverage the printer for hands-on learning experiences.

This new tool empowers us to turn concepts into tangible creations, bridging the gap between theory and practice. We’re looking forward to seeing how students and researchers use the K1C to push the boundaries of their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Let’s get printing!

Creality K1C 3D Printer Joins the SIPPRE Lab! Read More »

Sound and Music Processing Workshop

/ / Lab News

We are thrilled to announce the Sound and Music Processing Workshop, that will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024, in Room K0.04. The workshop will showcase the exceptional projects created by students for the course Sound and Music Processing, under the supervision of Prof. Athanasios Koutras.

The presentations will cover a diverse range of innovative topics, including:

  • Emotion-based music playlist creation.
  • Heart function issue detection using heartbeat recordings.
  • Analysis of binaural sounds and their effects on brain activity through EEG recordings.
  • AI-driven digital assistants for text reading and tourism.
  • Speech synthesis and recognition using NVIDIA’s RIVA system.
  • Platforms for song feature extraction and visualization from Spotify data.

We are proud to share that all workshop papers, source code, and presentation files will be available in the SIPPRE Lab’s repository and the Lab’s GitHub page, enabling further exploration and learning for the broader community.

Congratulations to all the students for their outstanding creativity and dedication in developing these remarkable projects. These achievements reflect the spirit of innovation and collaboration fostered within the SIPPRE Lab.

Stay tuned for updates and access to the workshop materials!

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Presentation of Diploma Theses by Georgios Mataragas and Panagiotis Milopoulos

/ / Thesis Presentations

We are thrilled to announce the successful completion and presentation of two innovative diploma theses by Georgios Mataragas and Panagiotis Milopoulos, showcasing the exciting work happening in the SIPPRE Lab.

Georgios Mataragas:
Δημιουργία εφαρμογής εικονικής πραγματικότητας για την εκπαίδευση στη χρήση συσκευών διεπαφής εγκεφάλου
Design and Implementation of an Application for Training Users on BCI Devices Using VR Technologies

Georgios developed a virtual reality environment to train users on Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) devices. The project focused on real-time feedback and user performance improvement, paving the way for more effective and personalized BCI training systems.

Panagiotis Milopoulos:
Ανάπτυξη και υλοποίηση σοβαρού παιχνιδιού για την εκπαίδευση χρηστών στη χρήση συσκευών διεπαφής εγκεφάλου μηχανής
Design and Development of a Serious Game for Training in Brain-Computer Interface Applications

Panagiotis designed a serious game that integrates gaming elements with educational goals, allowing users to interactively train on BCI systems. This engaging approach combines entertainment and skill-building, enhancing the effectiveness of BCI learning.

We are excited to announce that both Georgios and Panagiotis will continue as members of the SIPPRE Lab, contributing their expertise to the design of BCI-controlled games, virtual reality environments, and computer game development. Their ongoing work aims to push the boundaries of BCI technology and its integration with gaming and VR platforms.

Congratulations to Georgios Mataragas and Panagiotis Milopoulos for their outstanding achievements and dedication to advancing this innovative field!

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Presentation of Diploma Thesis by Ioannis Theotokatos

/ / Thesis Presentations

We are pleased to announce the successful completion and presentation of the diploma thesis by Ioannis Theotokatos, titled:

“Διερευνητική ανάλυση και σύγκριση ειδών metal μουσικής από περιοχές της Ευρώπης, της Αμερικής και της Ασίας”
(“Exploratory Data Analysis of Different Metal Music Genres from Europe, America, and Asia”)

This thesis focused on analyzing and comparing the musical characteristics of metal songs from three major regions—Europe, America, and Asia. Key aspects of the project include:

  • Building a comprehensive database of metal music tracks from various subgenres.
  • Developing algorithms and methodologies to extract core acoustic features using music information retrieval tools.
  • Applying exploratory data analysis techniques to statistically compare the extracted features across the regions.
  • Visualizing the results through graphical representations to highlight the differences and commonalities among the studied areas.

The work successfully combines technical expertise with a passion for music, offering valuable insights into the diversity and structure of metal music worldwide.

The thesis will be presented on September 13, 2024, via teleconference, under the supervision of Associate Professor Athanasios Koutras.

Congratulations to Ioannis Theotokatos for this excellent achievement and contribution to the field of music analysis and data science!

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Prof. Athanasios Koutras Joins IEEE EMBS SAC Student Mentoring Program

/ / Lab News

We are delighted to announce that Prof. Athanasios Koutras, Associate Professor at the University of Peloponnese, is participating as a mentor in the IEEE EMBS SAC Student Mentoring Program (SMP) 2024.

Prof. Koutras is guiding Dimitris Fotopoulos, a PhD student and researcher, in an innovative project aimed at developing a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) game. The project focuses on creating a gamified application that uses EEG data to train users in recognizing imaginary movements, incorporating real-time ERD/ERS feedback.

Project Highlights:

  • Objective: Develop an interactive training environment to advance user proficiency in BCI systems.
  • Tools: Python, MNE Tools, Brainflow, and PyGame.
  • Features: A real-time feedback mechanism, calibration phases, and intuitive game scenarios to guide users through various imaginary movement tasks.
  • Goal: Deliver a fully functional BCI game by February 2025.

Prof. Koutras’s involvement in this program underscores his commitment to advancing BCI research and mentoring the next generation of researchers. Congratulations to Prof. Koutras and Dimitris Fotopoulos for embarking on this exciting journey!

Stay tuned for updates as this project progresses.

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Presentation of Diploma Thesis by Ioannis Frouzis and Dimitrios Volakis

/ / Thesis Presentations

We are excited to announce the successful completion and presentation of the diploma thesis by Ioannis Frouzis and Dimitrios Volakis, titled:

“Μελέτη και ανάπτυξη συστήματος αναγνώρισης συναισθήματος τραγουδιών με χρήση τεχνικών μηχανικής μάθησης”
(“Song Emotion Recognition Using Machine Learning Techniques”)

This groundbreaking work involved the creation of a system capable of automatically recognizing emotions in songs using advanced machine learning techniques. A major highlight of the project was the development of the first-ever database of traditional Greek songs from various regions across Greece, a valuable resource for future research in this domain.

The students employed pre-trained neural networks and classifiers, leveraging diverse acoustic features to build a robust emotion recognition system. Their innovative approach not only advances the field of music analysis but also highlights the emotional depth and cultural significance of Greek traditional music.

We are proud to share that Ioannis and Dimitrios will continue their work as members of the SIPPRE Lab, further refining and expanding this important project. Their efforts exemplify the lab’s commitment to integrating technology with cultural preservation and innovation.

Congratulations to Ioannis Frouzis and Dimitrios Volakis for their exceptional contributions! We look forward to seeing how this research evolves in the future.

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Call for Participants – Binaural Sounds and EEG Activity Study

/ / Experiments

We are inviting participants to take part in an exciting research project exploring the effects of binaural sounds on brain activity, conducted by the SIPPRE Lab. This study, supervised by Prof. Athanasios Koutras, involves recording EEG signals while listening to binaural audio to investigate how different sound frequencies influence brain rhythms and physiological responses.

About the Study

The study aims to understand how binaural sounds—acoustic illusions created by presenting slightly different frequencies to each ear—affect brainwave patterns and overall brain function. This research is a part of our ongoing efforts to advance knowledge in auditory neuroscience and its applications.

Participant Information

  • Duration: Approximately 1 hour.
  • Activities: Participants will listento audio clips with varying frequencies while their brain activity is recorded using non-invasive EEG equipment. Rest periods are included to ensure comfort throughout the session.
  • Eligibility: Healthy adults aged 18–35 with normal or corrected-to-normal hearing.

What to Expect

The session will include:

  • Baseline EEG Recording: A few minutes of resting EEG recording.
  • Audio Listening: Participants will listen to carefully selected binaural sounds.
  • Feedback: An optional post-experiment questionnaire to share your experience.

Study Highlights

This project is part of the innovative work by George Patsakos and Konstantinos Anestopoulos, members of the SIPPRE Lab. Their efforts aim to push the boundaries of auditory neuroscience, combining EEG recordings with binaural sound analysis.

Join Us

If you’re interested in contributing to groundbreaking research, please contact us to schedule your session. All data will be anonymized, and participation is voluntary.

We look forward to your involvement in advancing this fascinating area of science! For further details or to sign up, please reach out via email [koutras-at-uop.gr].

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New Addition to the SIPPRE Lab: Eno Enophones

/ / Equipment

We are excited to announce the acquisition of Eno Enophones, a unique combination of high-quality headphones and EEG sensors, now available in the SIPPRE Lab. These cutting-edge devices allow us to conduct simultaneous audio-based experiments and brain activity monitoring, opening new avenues for research and student projects.

The Enophones will be utilized in various projects focused on hearing experiments and studies, including:

  • Emotion Recognition During Music Listening: Investigating how different musical genres and compositions evoke emotional responses, analyzed through EEG data.
  • Auditory Attention Studies: Exploring how the brain processes and responds to auditory stimuli, providing insights into focus and distraction in complex auditory environments.
  • Cognitive Engagement with Soundscapes: Evaluating brain activity during immersive audio experiences to understand neural responses to designed auditory environments.
  • Speech Perception and Processing: Studying the neural mechanisms involved in understanding spoken language and its relationship to cognitive load and mental states.
  • Music Therapy Research: Examining the therapeutic effects of music on emotional well-being and cognitive performance using real-time brain monitoring.

These projects will provide students with hands-on experience in neuroscience, auditory signal processing, and machine learning, using this innovative technology to bridge sound and brain research.

Stay tuned for updates on how the Enophones are driving advancements in auditory research and student-driven innovation in our lab!

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New Book Publication by Prof. Athanasios Koutras and Co-Authors

/ / Publications

We are excited to announce the publication of the new undergraduate textbook:

“Audio, Speech, and Music Processing and Analysis”

Authored by Prof. Athanasios Koutras, along with co-authors Chrisoula Alexandraki, Thomas Zarouchas, Panagiotis Zervas, and Panagiotis Chatziantoniou, this book provides a comprehensive exploration of signal processing techniques as they apply to audio, speech, and music.

Written in Greek and published by Kallipos, Open Academic Editions, the textbook is an invaluable resource for students and professionals, covering topics such as:

  • Audio Signal Processing: Fundamentals of digital sound, psychoacoustics, and room acoustics.
  • Speech Processing: Speech recognition, speaker identification, and text-to-speech synthesis.
  • Music Processing: Music Information Retrieval (MIR) and algorithmic problems in music analysis.
  • Lab Exercises: Practical projects to apply the concepts covered in the book.

With a focus on both theoretical concepts and practical applications, the book spans 304 pages and features detailed discussions on digital sound effects, audio descriptors, speech synthesis, and music analysis.

ISBN: 978-618-228-115-4
DOI: 10.57713/kallipos-347
Language: Greek

We congratulate Prof. Koutras and his collaborators on this remarkable contribution to the academic community. The book is freely available through the Kallipos repository, and we encourage everyone interested in these fields to explore this excellent resource.

For more information and access to the book, visit here.

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Presentation of Forecasting Book at the 51st Book Festival

/ / Lab News

We are excited to share that Prof. Athanasios Koutras and Prof. Ioannis Nikas presented their Greek translation of the book “Forecasting: Principles and Practice” by George Athanasopoulos and Rob J. Hyndman at the prestigious 51st Book Festival in Athens.

📅 Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2023
🕒 Time: 21:30–22:30
📍 Location: Maria Polydouri Stage, Pedion tou Areos

This event was part of the cultural activities at Greece’s largest book celebration, featuring over 210 publishers, 275 booths, and 180 cultural events. The presentation focused on the book’s essential insights into forecasting methodologies, their practical applications, and its role as a vital resource for professionals and students alike.

We thank the University of Patras Publications and the organizers of the 51st Book Festival for the opportunity to highlight this important work.

Stay tuned for more updates on our ongoing contributions to the academic and literary community!

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