Collaborative Multimedia Systems: Synthesis of Media Objects

When a group I_1,... ,I_n of individuals wishes to collaboratively construct a complex multimedia document, the first requirement is that they be able to manipulate media-objects created by one another. For instance, if individual I_j wishes to access some media objects present at participant I_k's site, he must be able to; (1) retrieve this object from across the network, (2) ensure that the object is in a form that is compatible with the viewing/editing resources he has available at his node, and (3) ensure that the object has the desired quality (such as image size and resolution). Furthermore, he must be able to achieve these goals at the lowest possible cost. In this paper, we develop a theory of media objects, and present optimal algorithms for collaborative object sharing/synthesis of the sort envisaged above. We then extend the algorithms to incorporate quality constraints (such as image size) as well as distribution across multiple nodes. The theoretical model is validated by an experimental implementation that supports the theoretical results. (Also cross-referenced as UMIACS-TR-96-8

Dynamic enterprise modelling: a methodology for animating dynamic social networks

PhD ThesisSince the introduction of the Internet and the realisation of its potential companies have either transformed their operation or are in the process of doing so. It has been observed, that developments in I.T., telecommunications and the Internet have boosted the number of enterprises engaging into e-commerce, e-business and virtual enterprising. These trends are accompanied by re-shaping, transformation and changes in an enterprise's boundaries. The thesis gives an account of the research into the area of dynamic enterprise modelling and provides a modelling methodology that allows different roles and business models to be tested and evaluated without the risk associated with committing to a change

Consistency Algorithms and Protocols for Distributed Interactive Applications

The Internet has a major impact not only on how people retrieve information but also on how they communicate. Distributed interactive applications support the communication and collaboration of people through the sharing and manipulation of rich multimedia content via the Internet. Aside from shared text editors, meeting support systems, and distributed virtual environments, shared whiteboards are a prominent example of distributed interactive applications. They allow the presentation and joint editing of documents in video conferencing scenarios. The design of such a shared whiteboard application, the multimedia lecture board (mlb), is a main contribution of this thesis. Like many other distributed interactive applications, the mlb has a replicated architecture where each user runs an instance of the application. This has the distinct advantage that the application can be deployed in a lightweight fashion, without relying on a supporting server infrastructure. But at the same time, this peer-to-peer architecture raises a number of challenging problems: First, application data needs to be distributed among all instances. For this purpose, we present the network protocol RTP/I for the standardized communication of distributed interactive applications, and a novel application-level multicast protocol that realizes efficient group communication while taking application-level knowledge into account. Second, consistency control mechanisms are required to keep the replicated application data synchronized. We present the consistency control algorithms “local lag”, “Timewarp”, and “state request”, show how they can be combined, and discuss how to provide visual feedback so that the session members are able to handle conflicting actions. Finally, late-joining participants need to be initialized with the current application state before they are able to participate in a collaborative session. We propose a novel late-join algorithm, which is both flexible and scalable. All algorithms and protocols presented in this dissertation solve the aforementioned problems in a generic way. We demonstrate how they can be employed for the mlb as well as for other distributed interactive applications

<b>Message Journal, Issue 3</b>: What is the topography of the contemporary graphic design / communication landscape in relation to art practice? What occupies the space between disciplines?

In Message journal issue 3 the refereed submissions explore further the boundaries between contemporary graphic design/communication and art, as well as examining what is occupied within the space between the disciplines. Authors, through written and illustrated submissions, question and investigate the broad nature of graphic design and communication practice and its relationship to art, in relation to both historical and contemporary contexts. The edition debates and illustrates how graphic design/communication can be seen as imaginative, intuitive and creative self (or group) expression – a form of artistic composition – in the same way that we recognise much of art practice. The edition examines practice outside of the conventional boundaries of contemporary graphic design/communication and considers how this space is occupied. Graphic Affect – Spencer Roberts, University of Huddersfield. Indisciplinarity as Social Form: Challenging the Distribution of the Sensible in the Visual Arts – Richard Miles, Leeds College of Art. The Halsburgs: Alter Egos and Disciplinary Sidesteps - Andrew Spackman, Coventry University and Craig Barber, Norwich University of the Arts. Critical Design Practice: Mapping a New Territory for the Discipline (or Are We Nearly There Yet?) – Cathy Gale, Kingston University. Graphic Design as an Artistic Practice for the Unraveling of the Everyday – Zachary Kaiser, Michigan State University. Elements of Interrogative Style: The Applied Art of Critical Practice – Daniel Jasper, University of Minnesota. </ol

Beyond game worlds: Story-ing storied space & the hope-full endeavour

This thesis explores the entangled stories in software artefacts and design. An apparently simple problem of participation in a digital approach to telling cross-cultural stories and communicating identity through use of game making software reveals potential dilemmas in the wider fields of participatory culture and new literacies, participatory design and contemporary approaches to designing. The thesis weaves a research narrative around six publications. By questioning the possibilities of crafting digital environments, that genuinely keep, tell, and reflect the experience of diverse cultural groups, the research demonstrates that the way design tells stories about itself is an increasingly important object of study

Seventh Annual Workshop on Space Operations Applications and Research (SOAR 1993), volume 1

This document contains papers presented at the Space Operations, Applications and Research Symposium (SOAR) Symposium hosted by NASA/Johnson Space Center (JSC) on August 3-5, 1993, and held at JSC Gilruth Recreation Center. SOAR included NASA and USAF programmatic overview, plenary session, panel discussions, panel sessions, and exhibits. It invited technical papers in support of U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Department of Energy, NASA, and USAF programs in the following areas: robotics and telepresence, automation and intelligent systems, human factors, life support, and space maintenance and servicing. SOAR was concerned with Government-sponsored research and development relevant to aerospace operations. More than 100 technical papers, 17 exhibits, a plenary session, several panel discussions, and several keynote speeches were included in SOAR '93

Second Annual Workshop on Space Operations Automation and Robotics (SOAR 1988)

Papers presented at the Second Annual Workshop on Space Operation Automation and Robotics (SOAR '88), hosted by Wright State University at Dayton, Ohio, on July 20, 21, 22, and 23, 1988, are documented herein. During the 4 days, approximately 100 technical papers were presented by experts from NASA, the USAF, universities, and technical companies. Panel discussions on Human Factors, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Space Systems were held but are not documented herein. Technical topics addressed included knowledge-based systems, human factors, and robotics

I-Centric Communications

Diese Arbeit beschreibt die Vision I-centric Communications ein neues Paradigma für zukünftige Telekommunikationssysteme. Das Hauptziel dieses Ansatzes ist es das menschliche Kommunikationsverhalten und nicht die Technologien die typischerweise zur Kommunikation eingesetzt werden, als Ausgangsbasis für den Entwurf von Telekommunikationssystemen zu benutzen. Daher konzentriert sich diese Arbeit auf die konzeptionelle Integration aller für I-centric Communications notwendigen Aspekte. Untersucht man das Kommunikationsverhalten von Menschen näher, wird klar, dass Menschen regelmäßig mit einer bestimmten Menge von Objekten in ihrer Umgebung interagieren um ihre täglichen Probleme zu lösen. Diese Erkenntnis kann als Grundlage für den Entwurf von Telekommunikationssystemen dienen. Der Entwurf stützt sich dabei nicht auf spezifische Telekommunikationstechnologien sondern auf die Analyse individueller Kommunikationsräume. Das Resultat eines solchen Entwurfs ist ein Telekommunikationssystem, dass sich an die individuellen Anforderungen eines jeden Menschen anpasst (I-centric). Das Kommunikationssystem agiert im Sinne des Benutzers, protokolliert wiederkehrende Aktionen, um sich selbst den Bedürfnissen des Benutzers weiter anzupassen. Die beschriebene Funktionalität erfordert eine intelligente Diensterbringung im Hinblick auf die Personalisierung von Diensten, der Adaption an situationsbedingte oder umgebungsabhängige Einflüsse, und der Überwachung bzw. Steuerung von individuellen Kommunikationsräumen. Kommunikationssysteme die dieser Idee folgen müssen individuelle Kommunikationsräume modellieren und verwalten um sich an die persönlichen Interessen, Umgebungen und Präferenzen anpassen zu können. Diese Arbeit beginnt mit der Vorstellung der Vision I-centric Communications , gefolgt von der Entwicklung eines entsprechenden Referenzmodells. Im Anschluss wird auf der Basis des Referenzmodells eine Architektur zur Implementierung von I-centric Kommunikationssystemen entwickelt. Die Vorstellung einer der Architektur folgenden Implementierung schließt diese Arbeit ab. Die Forschungsarbeit im Bereich I-centric Communications wurde in Kooperation zwischen dem Lehrstuhl für Offene Kommunikationssysteme (OKS) der Technischen Universität Berlin (TUB) und dem Fraunhofer Institut FOKUS durchgeführt. Die Vision sowie das Referenzmodell für I-centric Communications , die in der vorliegenden Arbeit vorgestellt werden, sind Ergebnisse dieser Kooperation. Die Forschungsschwerpunkte der Kooperation zwischen TUB und FOKUS waren das Generelle Modell für I-centric Dienste , die Dienstplattform für I-centric Dienste sowie die Interaktion zwischen Nutzern und I-centric Diensten . Die vorliegende Arbeit konzentriert sich auf das generische Model für I-centric Dienste und entsprechende Dienstplattformen. Aspekte der individuellen Benutzerinteraktion werden nicht betrachtet. Diese Aspekte wurden in einer zweiten Dissertation von Stephan Steglich, TUB, analysiert und ausgearbeitet. Die Ergebnisse dieser Dissertation wurden in verschiedenen nationalen und internationalen Forschungsprojekten (BMBF: LiveFutura, VHE-UD, PI-AVIda, IST: WSI, WWRI), Standardisierungsgremien (OMG, WWRF), Konferenzpapieren sowie Zeitschriften eingebracht, um die Vision von I-centric Communications einem größeren Auditorium vorzustellen.This thesis describes the vision of I-centric communications a new paradigm for future telecommunication systems. The main objective of this approach is to consider the human communication behavior, not the technologies that support communication, as the starting point for the design of telecommunication systems. The focus of this thesis is on the conceptual integration of all aspects of I-centric communications. Looking at the communication behavior of human, it is obvious, that human beings frequently interact with a set of objects in their environment. Following this view, a new approach is not to build communication systems based on specific technologies, but on the analysis of the individual communication space. The result is a communication system that adapts to the demands of each individual (I-centric). The communication system will act on behalf of human s demands, reflecting recent actions to enable self-adaptation. I-centric Services adapt to individual communication spaces and situations. In this context I means I, or individual, Centric means adaptable to I requirements and the individual s environment. The rationales above require intelligence in service provisioning in order to personalize, adapt to situational and environmental conditions, to monitor and to control the individual communication space. An I-centric communications system will provide the intelligence required for modeling the communication space of each individual adapting to its interests, environment, and preferences. The thesis introduces the vision of I-centric communications, followed by the development of a reference model for I-centric communications. Since both, the vision and the reference model, are general, an architectural framework for I-centric communications is introduced later on. This framework is used to design and implement an I-centric communications system. The work in the area of I-centric communications was carried out in cooperation of the Department for Open Communication Systems (OKS) at the Technical University Berlin (TUB) and the Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS. The vision and the reference model, introduced in this thesis, are the results of this cooperation. The main research directions for the cooperation between TUB and FOKUS have been a general model for I-centric Services, the service platform for I-centric Services, and an approach for the interaction of users with I-centric Services. This thesis focuses on I-centric Services and according communication system. The aspects of user interaction are out of scope of this thesis. Nevertheless, these aspects have been analyzed by Stephan Steglich, researcher at the TUB, in a second PhD thesis in parallel. The results of this thesis have been contributed to different national and international projects (BMBF: LiveFutura, VHE, PI-AVIda, IST: WSI, WWRI), standardization bodies (OMG, WWRF), conference papers, and journals by introducing the vision of I-centric communications to a larger auditorium, and by exploiting parts of the developed I-centric systems