Professor Simon Lucas

Professor and Head of School
Email: eecs-head@qmul.ac.ukTelephone: +44 20 7882 5989Room Number: Peter Landin, CS 311
Teaching
Game Design (Postgraduate)
The module examines the nature of fun and engagement in the context of game design, and includes the study of how to integrate narrative into gameplay and how to criticise game design. The module also covers how to design and deploy objective measures of player experience and how to apply these to analyse game logs in a number of case studies. The effects of game AI on player experience are also considered. The module also aims to include guest lectures from designers and developers of published games and / or academic game AI researchers.
Research
Research Interests:
Find me on:
The main focus of my research is AI and Games ? both using games an ideal test-bed for AI research, and in using AI to make better game-playing agents, generating new games and optimising game content and game parameters. This leads on to studying various types of machine learning, with particular emphasis on reinforcement learning and evolutionary algorithms.
I am the director of the Game AI Research Group at Queen Mary University of London and am also the Queen Mary lead for the EPSRC funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent Games and Game Intelligence (IGGI).
Research includes novel approaches to General Video Game AI.
Games are a natural source of noisy optimisation algorithms, and in our group we have developed an efficient approach to this that combines evolutionary algorithms with combinatorial bandit algorithms. It is called the N-Tuple Bandit Evolutionary Algorithm and will soon be made open-source: more details available on request.
Publications
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GAINA R, LUCAS S, PEREZ-LIEBANA D (2019). Tackling Sparse Rewards in Real-Time Games with Statistical Forward Planning Methods. AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence
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Lucas SM (2018). Game AI Research with Fast Planet Wars Variants. nameOfConference
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Gaina RD, Lucas SM, Perez-Liebana D (2018). General Win Prediction from Agent Experience. nameOfConference
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Bravi I, Perez-Liebana D, Lucas SM et al. (2018). Shallow Decision-Making Analysis in General Video Game Playing. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Liu J, Perez-Liebana D (2018). The N-Tuple Bandit Evolutionary Algorithm for Game Agent Optimisation. nameOfConference
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Rohlfshagen P, Liu J, Perez-Liebana D et al. (2018). Pac-Man Conquers Academia: Two Decades of Research Using a Classic Arcade Game. nameOfConference
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Volz V, Lucas SM, Schrum J et al. (2018). Evolving Mario levels in the latent space of a deep convolutional generative adversarial network. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Liu J, Perez-Liebana D (2018). Efficient noisy optimisation with the multi-sample and sliding window compact genetic algorithms. nameOfConference
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Sironi CF, Liu J, Perez-Liebana D et al. (2018). Self-adaptive MCTS for General Video Game Playing. nameOfConference
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Gaina RD, Couetoux A, Soemers D et al. (2017). The 2016 Two-Player GVGAI Competition. nameOfConference
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Perez-Liebana D, Stephenson M, Gaina RD et al. (2017). Introducing real world physics and macro-actions to general video game ai. nameOfConference
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Gaina RD, Lucas SM, Perez-Liebana D (2017). Rolling horizon evolution enhancements in general video game playing. nameOfConference
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Liu J, Perez-Liebana D, Lucas SM (2017). Bandit-based Random Mutation Hill-Climbing. nameOfConference
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Walton-Rivers J, Williams PR, Bartle R et al. (2017). Evaluating and modelling Hanabi-playing agents. nameOfConference
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Liu J, Togelius J, Perez-Liebana D et al. (2017). Evolving Game Skill-Depth using General Video Game AI agents. nameOfConference
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Kunanusont K, Lucas SM, Perez-Liebana D (2017). General Video Game AI: Learning from screen capture. nameOfConference
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Gaina RD, Lucas SM, Perez-Liebana D (2017). Population seeding techniques for Rolling Horizon Evolution in General Video Game Playing. nameOfConference
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Kunanusont K, Gaina RD, Liu J et al. (2017). The N-Tuple bandit evolutionary algorithm for automatic game improvement. nameOfConference
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Agapitos A, O Neill M, Kattan A et al. (2017). Recursion in tree-based genetic programming. nameOfConference
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Gaina RD, Pérez-Liébana D, Lucas SM (2017). General video game for 2 players: Framework and competition. nameOfConference
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Gaina RD, Liu J, Lucas SM et al. (2017). Analysis of vanilla rolling Horizon evolution parameters in general video game playing. nameOfConference
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Samothrakis S, Fasli M, Perez D et al. (2016). Default policies for global optimisation of noisy functions with severe noise. nameOfConference
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Perez-Liebana D, Mostaghim S, Lucas SM (2016). Multi-objective tree search approaches for general video game playing. nameOfConference
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Perez-Liebana D, Samothrakis S, Togelius J et al. (2016). The 2014 General Video Game Playing Competition. nameOfConference
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Khalifa A, Perez-Liebana D, Lucas SM et al. (2016). General video game level generation. nameOfConference
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Samothrakis S, Perez D, Lucas SM et al. (2016). Predicting Dominance Rankings for Score-Based Games. nameOfConference
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Perez D, Mostaghim S, Samothrakis S et al. (2015). Multiobjective Monte Carlo Tree Search for Real-Time Games. nameOfConference
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Williams PR, Walton-Rivers J, Perez-Liebana D et al. (2015). Monte Carlo Tree Search applied to co-operative problems. nameOfConference
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Samothrakis S, Perez-Liebana D, Lucas SM et al. (2015). Neuroevolution for General Video Game Playing. nameOfConference
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Runarsson TP, Lucas SM (2015). On imitating Connect-4 game trajectories using an approximate n-Tuple evaluation function. nameOfConference
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Perez D, Dieskau J, Hünermund M et al. (2015). Open loop search for general video game playing. nameOfConference
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Perez D, Togelius J, Samothrakis S et al. (2014). Automated map generation for the physical traveling salesman problem. nameOfConference
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Runarsson TP, Lucas SM (2014). Preference learning for move prediction and evaluation function approximation in Othello. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Samothrakis S, Pérez D (2014). Fast evolutionary adaptation for Monte Carlo Tree Search. nameOfConference
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Perez D, Samothrakis S, Lucas S (2014). Knowledge-based fast evolutionary MCTS for general video game playing. nameOfConference
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Samothrakis S, Roberts SA, Perez D et al. (2014). Rolling horizon methods for games with continuous states and actions. nameOfConference
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Perez D, Powley EJ, Whitehouse D et al. (2014). Solving the physical traveling salesman problem: Tree search and macro actions. nameOfConference
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Perez D, Powley E, Whitehouse D et al. (2014). The 2013 Multi-objective Physical Travelling Salesman Problem Competition. nameOfConference
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Roberts SA, Lucas SM (2013). Measuring interestingness of continuous game problems. nameOfConference
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Perez D, Samothrakis S, Lucas S (2013). Online and offline learning in multi-objective Monte Carlo Tree Search. nameOfConference
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Alhejali AM, Lucas SM (2013). Using genetic programming to evolve heuristics for a Monte Carlo Tree Search Ms Pac-Man agent. nameOfConference
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Perez D, Samothrakis S, Lucas SM et al. (2013). Rolling horizon evolution versus tree search for navigation in single-player real-time games. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Mateas M, Preuss M et al. (2013). Dagstuhl Manifesto. nameOfConference
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Samothrakis S, Lucas S, Runarsson TP et al. (2013). Coevolving game-playing agents: Measuring performance and intransitivities. nameOfConference
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Sombat W, Rohlfshagen P, Lucas SM (2012). Evaluating the enjoyability of the ghosts in Ms Pac-Man. nameOfConference
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Roberts SA, Lucas SM (2012). Evolving spaceship designs for optimal control and the emergence of interesting behaviour. nameOfConference
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Ashlock D, Ashlock W, Samothrakis S et al. (2012). From competition to cooperation: Co-evolution in a rewards continuum. nameOfConference
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Runarsson TP, Lucas SM (2012). Imitating play from game trajectories: Temporal difference learning versus preference learning. nameOfConference
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Peña L, Ossowski S, Peña JM et al. (2012). Learning and evolving combat game controllers. nameOfConference
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Perez D, Rohlfshagen P, Lucas SM (2012). Monte Carlo Tree Search: Long-term versus short-term planning. nameOfConference
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Perez D, Rohlfshagen P, Lucas SM (2012). The physical travelling salesman problem: WCCI 2012 competition. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Rohlfshagen P, Perez D (2012). Towards more intelligent adaptive video game agents: A computational intelligence perspective. nameOfConference
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Perez D, Rohlfshagen P, Lucas SM (2012). Monte-Carlo tree search for the physical travelling salesman problem. nameOfConference
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Browne CB, Powley E, Whitehouse D et al. (2012). A survey of Monte Carlo tree search methods. nameOfConference
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Jaimez-Gonzalez CR, Lucas SM, Lopez-Ornelas EJ (2011). Easy XML serialization of C# and Java objects. nameOfConference
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Robles D, Rohlfshagen P, Lucas SM (2011). Learning non-random moves for playing Othello: Improving Monte Carlo Tree Search. nameOfConference
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Abdullahi AA, Lucas SM (2011). Temporal difference learning with interpolated n-tuples: Initial results from a simulated car racing environment. nameOfConference
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Alhejali AM, Lucas SM (2011). Using a training camp with genetic programming to evolve Ms Pac-Man agents. nameOfConference
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Rohlfshagen P, Lucas SM (2011). Ms Pac-Man versus Ghost Team CEC 2011 competition. nameOfConference
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Samothrakis S, Lucas S (2011). Approximating n-player behavioural strategy Nash equilibria using coevolution. nameOfConference
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Samothrakis S, Robles D, Lucas S (2011). Fast approximate max-n Monte Carlo tree search for Ms Pac-Man. nameOfConference
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Alhejali AM, Lucas SM (2010). Evolving diverse Ms. Pac-Man playing agents using genetic programming. nameOfConference
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Samothrakis S, Lucas SM (2010). Planning using online evolutionary overfitting. nameOfConference
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Abdullahi AA, Lucas SM (2010). Temporal difference learning with interpolated N-tuple networks: Initial results on pole balancing. nameOfConference
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Samothrakis S, Robles D, Lucas SM (2010). A UCT agent for Tron: Initial investigations. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM (2010). Estimating learning rates in evolution and TDL: Results on a simple grid-world problem. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM (2010). Grammatical inference and games: Extended abstract. nameOfConference
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Albakour MD, Kruschwitz U, Lucas S (2010). Sentence-level attachment prediction. nameOfConference
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Ghanbari S, Woods JC, Lucas SM (2010). Object-based semi-automatic tool for content retrieval. nameOfConference
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Robles D, Lucas SM (2009). A simple tree search method for playing Ms. Pac-Man. nameOfConference
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Burrow P, Lucas SM (2009). Evolution versus temporal difference learning for learning to play Ms. Pac-Man. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM (2009). Temporal difference learning with interpolated table value functions. nameOfConference
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Ghanbari S, Woods JC, Lucas SM (2009). BPT using multi-dimensional information for semi-automatic content retrieval. nameOfConference
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Ghanbari S, Woods JC, Lucas SM (2009). Multi-dimensional BPTs for content retrieval. nameOfConference
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Theodoridis T, Agapitos A, Hu H et al. (2009). Mechanical feature attributes for modeling and pattern classification of physical activities. nameOfConference
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Foullon-Pérez A, Lucas SM (2009). Orientational features with the SNT-Grid. nameOfConference
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Ghanbari S, Woods JC, Lucas SM (2009). Semi-automatic BPT for image retrieval. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM (2009). Computational intelligence and AI in games: A New IEEE transactions. nameOfConference
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Agapitos A, Togelius J, Lucas SM et al. (2008). Generating diverse opponents with multiobjective evolution. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM (2008). Investigating learning rates for evolution and temporal difference learning. nameOfConference
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Togelius J, Lucas S, Thang HD et al. (2008). The 2007 IEEE CEC simulated car racing competition. nameOfConference
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Loiacono D, Togelius J, Lanzi PL et al. (2008). The WCCI 2008 simulated car racing competition. nameOfConference
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Ghanbari S, Woods JC, Rabiee HR et al. (2008). Wavelet domain Binary Partition Trees for image segmentation. nameOfConference
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Theodoridis T, Agapitos A, Hu O et al. (2008). Ubiquitous robotics in physical human action recognition: A comparison between dynamic ANNs and GP. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM (2008). Computational intelligence and games: Challenges and opportunities. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM (2007). A statistically aligned recombination operator for finite state machines. nameOfConference
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Togelius J, Burrow P, Lucas SM (2007). Multi-population competitive co-evolution of car racing controllers. nameOfConference
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Agapitos A, Togelius J, Lucas SM (2007). Multiobjective techniques for the use of state in genetic programming applied to simulated car racing. nameOfConference
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Lo MY, Lucas SM (2007). N-gram fitness function with a constraint in a musical evolutionary system. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Runarsson TP (2007). Temporal difference learning versus co-evolution for acquiring Othello position evaluation. nameOfConference
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Ghanbari S, Woods JC, Rabiee HR et al. (2007). Wavelet domain binary partition trees for semantic object extraction. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Togelius J (2007). Point-to-point car racing: An initial study of evolution versus temporal difference learning. nameOfConference
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Marques H, Togelius J, Kogutowska M et al. (2007). Sensorless but not senseless: Prediction in evolutionary car racing. nameOfConference
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Togelius J, De Nardi R, Lucas SM (2007). Towards automatic personalised content creation for racing games. nameOfConference
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Agapitos A, Togelius J, Lucas SM (2007). Evolving controllers for simulated car racing using object oriented genetic programming. nameOfConference
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Togelius J, De Nardi R, Marques H et al. (2007). Nonlinear dynamics modelling for controller evolution. nameOfConference
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Galvan-Lopez E, Togelius J, Lucas S (2007). Towards understanding the effects of neutrality on the sudoku problem. nameOfConference
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Togelius J, Lucas SM, De Nardi R (2007). Computational intelligence in racing games. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Reynolds TJ (2007). Learning finite-state transducers: Evolution versus heuristic state merging. nameOfConference
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Downton A, He J, Lucas S (2007). User-configurable OCR enhancement for online natural history archives. nameOfConference
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Agapitos A, Lucas SM (2006). Learning recursive functions with object oriented genetic programming. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Kendall G (2006). Evolutionary computation and games. nameOfConference
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Runarsson TP, Lucas SM (2005). Coevolution versus self-play temporal difference learning for acquiring position evaluation in small-board go. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Cho KT (2005). Fast convolutional OCR with the scanning N-tuple grid. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM (2005). ICDAR 2005 text locating competition results. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Panaretos A, Sosa L et al. (2005). ICDAR 2003 robust reading competitions: Entries, results, and future directions. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Reynolds TJ (2005). Learning deterministic finite automata with a smart state labeling evolutionary algorithm.. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Huang TK (2004). Sequence recognition with scanning N-tuple ensembles. nameOfConference
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Downton AC, Lucas SM, Patoulas G et al. (2003). Computerising natural history card archives. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Patoulas G, Downton AC (2003). Fast lexicon-based word recognition in noisy index card images. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Panaretos A, Sosa L et al. (2003). ICDAR 2003 robust reading competitions. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Reynolds TJ (2003). Learning DFA: Evolution versus evidence driven state merging. nameOfConference
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Lucas S (2002). Evolving spring-mass models: A test-bed for graph encoding schemes. nameOfConference
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Lucas S (2001). Efficient graph-based dictionary search and its application to text-image searching. nameOfConference
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Downton AC, Tarns AC, Wells GJ et al. (2001). Constructing Web-based legacy index card archives-architectural design issues and initial data acquisition. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Tams AC, Cho SJ et al. (2001). Robust word recognition for museum archive card indexing. nameOfConference
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Lucas S (2000). Specifying intrinsically adaptive architectures. nameOfConference
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Downton AC, Lucas SM, Du L (1999). Lazy evaluation for best-first contextual handwriting recognition. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM (1998). Continuous n-tuple classifier and its application to real-time face recognition. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM (1997). Continuous n-tuple classifier and its application to face recognition. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM (1996). Rapid best-first retrieval from massive dictionaries. nameOfConference
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Lucas S, Amiri A (1996). Statistical syntactic methods for high-performance OCR. nameOfConference
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Lucas S, Amiri A (1995). Recognition of chain-coded handwritten character images with scanning n-tuple method. nameOfConference
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Lucas S, Zhao Z, Cawley G et al. (1993). On decomposing MLPS. nameOfConference
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Lucas S, Zhao Z, Cawley G et al. (1993). Pattern recognition with the decomposed multilayer perceptron. nameOfConference
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Lucas SM, Damper RI (1990). Syntactic Neural Networks. nameOfConference