Interfaces avanzados aplicados a la interacción musical

The latest advances in human-computer interaction technologies have brought forth changes in the way we interact with computing devices of any kind, from the standard desktop computer to the more recent smartphones. The development of these technologies has thus introduced new interaction metaphors that provide more enriching experiences for a wide range of different applications. Music is one of most ancient forms of art and entertainment that can be found in our legacy, and conforms a strong interactive experience on itself. The application of new technologies to enhance music computer-based interaction paradigms can potentially provide all sorts of improvements: providing low-cost access to music rehearsal, lowering knowledge barriers in regard to music learning, virtual instrument simulation, etc. Yet, surprisingly, there has been rather limited research on the application of new interaction models and technologies to the specific field of music interaction in regard to other areas. This thesis aims to address the aforementioned need by presenting a set of studies which cover the use of innovative interaction models for music-based applications, from interaction paradigms for music learning to more entertainment-oriented interaction interfaces, such as virtual musical instruments, ensemble conductor simulation, etc. The main contributions of this thesis are: · It is shown that the use of signal processing techniques on the music signal and music information retrieval techniques can create enticing interfaces for music learning. Concretely, the research conducted includes the implementation and experimental evaluation of a set of different learning-oriented applications which make use of these techniques to implement inexpensive, easy-to-use human-computer interfaces, which serve as support tools in music learning processes. · This thesis explores the use of tracking systems and machine learning techniques to achieve more sophisticated interfaces for innovative music interaction paradigms. Concretely, the studies conducted have shown that it is indeed feasible to emulate the functionally of musical instruments such as the drumkit or the theremin. In a similar way, it is shown that more complex musical roles can also be recreated through the use of new interaction models, such as the case of the ensemble conductor or a step-aerobics application. · The benefits in using advanced human-computer interfaces in musical experiences are review and assessed through experimental evaluation. It is shown that the addition of these interfaces contributes positively to user perception, providing more satisfying and enriching experiences overall. · The thesis also illustrates that the use of machine learning algoriths and signal processing along with new interaction devices provides an effective framework for human gesture recognition and prediction, and even mood estimation

Adventures in software engineering : plugging HCI & acessibility gaps with open source solutions

There has been a great deal of research undertaken in the field of Human-Computer Interfaces (HCI), input devices, and output modalities in recent years. From touch-based and voice control input mechanisms such as those found on modern smart-devices to the use of touch-free input through video-stream/image analysis (including depth streams and skeletal mapping) and the inclusion of gaze tracking, head tracking, virtual reality and beyond - the availability and variety of these I/O (Input/Output) mechanisms has increased tremendously and progressed both into our living rooms and into our lives in general. With regard to modern desktop computers and videogame consoles, at present many of these technologies are at a relatively immature stage of development - their use often limited to simple adjuncts to the staple input mechanisms of mouse, keyboard, or joystick / joypad inputs. In effect, we have these new input devices - but we're not quite sure how best to use them yet; that is, where their various strengths and weaknesses lie, and how or if they can be used to conveniently and reliably drive or augment applications in our everyday lives. In addition, much of this technology is provided by proprietary hardware and software, providing limited options for customisation or adaptation to better meet the needs of specific users. Therefore, this project investigated the development of open source software solutions to address various aspects of innovative user I/O in a flexible manner. Towards this end, a number of original software applications have been developed which incorporate functionality aimed at enhancing the current state of the art in these areas and making that software freely available for use by any who may find it beneficial.Doctor of Philosoph

Sonic Interactions in Virtual Environments

This open access book tackles the design of 3D spatial interactions in an audio-centered and audio-first perspective, providing the fundamental notions related to the creation and evaluation of immersive sonic experiences. The key elements that enhance the sensation of place in a virtual environment (VE) are: Immersive audio: the computational aspects of the acoustical-space properties of Virutal Reality (VR) technologies Sonic interaction: the human-computer interplay through auditory feedback in VE VR systems: naturally support multimodal integration, impacting different application domains Sonic Interactions in Virtual Environments will feature state-of-the-art research on real-time auralization, sonic interaction design in VR, quality of the experience in multimodal scenarios, and applications. Contributors and editors include interdisciplinary experts from the fields of computer science, engineering, acoustics, psychology, design, humanities, and beyond. Their mission is to shape an emerging new field of study at the intersection of sonic interaction design and immersive media, embracing an archipelago of existing research spread in different audio communities and to increase among the VR communities, researchers, and practitioners, the awareness of the importance of sonic elements when designing immersive environments

Sonic Interactions in Virtual Environments

This open access book tackles the design of 3D spatial interactions in an audio-centered and audio-first perspective, providing the fundamental notions related to the creation and evaluation of immersive sonic experiences. The key elements that enhance the sensation of place in a virtual environment (VE) are: Immersive audio: the computational aspects of the acoustical-space properties of Virutal Reality (VR) technologies Sonic interaction: the human-computer interplay through auditory feedback in VE VR systems: naturally support multimodal integration, impacting different application domains Sonic Interactions in Virtual Environments will feature state-of-the-art research on real-time auralization, sonic interaction design in VR, quality of the experience in multimodal scenarios, and applications. Contributors and editors include interdisciplinary experts from the fields of computer science, engineering, acoustics, psychology, design, humanities, and beyond. Their mission is to shape an emerging new field of study at the intersection of sonic interaction design and immersive media, embracing an archipelago of existing research spread in different audio communities and to increase among the VR communities, researchers, and practitioners, the awareness of the importance of sonic elements when designing immersive environments