Research

Here you will find information on research topics studied at the PRC.

As per the goals of the PRC, research topics are multi-disciplinary, but all topics are related to technical perspective in one way or another.

Universal Knowledge Machine

A new philosophy for a Universal Knowledge Machine (World Brain) has been developed. We examine a technical prescription for a Universal Knowledge Machine (UKM)—or World-Brain—the same being a proposed global media system with the capability to encapsulate/organise/index—and provide user-friendly access to—all human knowledge.

Below you can see concept diagrams that we have developed whilst exploring our ideas on the World Brain. However, to be able to comprehend what these diagrams are conveying, read the associated texts.

A paper on the World Brain is here: UKM.pdf [2017 – 80 pages]

A book on the Universal Knowledge Machine is here: Self as Computer [2015]

Hypergrams

A new philosophy for a multi-perspectival media system has been developed.

Hypergrams and BAEM Images are an active research area at PRC: whereby we are developing designs for a practical and large-scale multi-perspectival media system. 

We introduce a general-purpose image data-embedding format; named the Branching Ascii Embedded Metadata (BAEM) Image; the same being a type of Hypergram—or performing presentation—which responds to user actions. Hypergrams are data-rich media that may be explored freely or queried in stylised ways; and that can be arranged, rearranged, and linked in multiple ways.

The BAEM specification is here: BAEM Open Specification [BETA – 2021]

Lookable User Interfaces and 3D

A new philosophy of user interface design has been developed.

Named the “Lookable User Interface”, or LUI, the approach is based on the concept of a Personal Reality (PR) system. Here the computer adapts to the user’s world view in a highly personalized way and according the individual’s specific requirements, behaviors and perceptive skills.

Typically a PR system creates and adjusts (in real-time) 3D perspective views of a data-set, including (potentially) the field of view of a scene, and the apparent distance and scale of objects, while also creating an aesthetic “eye-friendly” context for computing operations. 

A Lookable User Interface (LUI) is an interface that has been designed to afford the maximum degree of visual accessibility of digital content to the human user. We examine the results of testing a Lookable User Interface. Spectasia is one example of a Personal Virtual Reality (PVR) that can be used to visualize links between universals and particulars within digital worlds. 

A paper on the LUI is here: Lookable User Interfaces and 3D.pdf [2009]

Science of Cybersecurity

A new philosophy of Cybersecurity has been developed.

How can we characterise Cybersecurity? How do data breaches, hacks, system exploits and computer intrusions happen—and why? What occurs when Cybersecurity really works effectively, and can we systemise it? Or will the clever hacker always break into any networked device, sweeping all defences aside? 

On a quest for insightful answers in this ground-breaking book, Dr Alan Radley proceeds to completely deconstruct, rationally analyse, meticulously re-build and then sanely reassess the entire field of Communications Security. 

A rigorous scientific methodology is applied to networked system design, leading to a comprehensive new model—and accurate taxonomic-tree—of all possible types and classes of cyber attacks and associated countermeasures. The upshot is a wholly original, astute and fearlessly honest—yet practically-oriented—treatise on Cybersecurity. 

Noteworthy is that our book and associated treatise on the science of cybersecurity has been very well received; and has been positively reviewed by hundreds of cybersecurity experts. Plus, we believe in taking a visual approach to cybersecurity; and below you can see some of the concept diagrams that have been developed as part of this work.

The Science of Cybersecurity book is here: Science of Cybersecurity.pdf [2015]

Science of Smart Things (Synergetic Systems)

A new philosophy of Smart Things and synergetic design has been developed.

We examine a theoretical prescription for a Science of Smart Things—whereby it is claimed that within 20-30 years, over 1 billion Things will be connected to the Internet. Henceforth provided is a foundational framework for the entire field of: the Internet of Things (IoT); and through logical, integrated and holistic perspectives—combined with scientific method. 

However, the IoT has come to mean more than just connected Things—but rather relates to Things that are imbued—at the same time—with practical abilities surrounding the concept of ‘Smartness’ or with what is named here as ‘Situated and Distributed Intelligences’. 

Accordingly, we examine critical aspects of how to embed intelligence in the environment—both in a moving and in a stationary sense—and hence the developed theory is of interest to people going about their daily business in a wide range of contexts. 

A book on: The Science of Smart Things.pdf [2020]

A paper on the Science of Smart Things is here: Synergetic Technology.pdf [2019]

UKM Concept Diagrams