Abstract

Abstract
This paper presents WAVE-a Virtual Audio Environment, which embraces the implementation of an immersive musical instrument model that uses three-dimensional (3D) sound techniques combined with visualisation and virtual reality technologies. This prototype environment aims to extend the idea of a musical instrument into a new musical/ audio system, incorporating traditional musical concepts side by side with actual music concepts, in order to progress one step further in the music/sound composing and performing approaches. The architecture of the system is based on low-cost hardware and open source software with affordable professional audio equipment to maintain an adequate sound quality. Also several applications of this virtual environment are discussed in the paper, including the way to satisfy at the same time composers, performers, music/audio students or even simple occasional users.

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract
Multimedia databases are extending the scope of traditional databases to handle the complex structure of multimedia objects. Models for multimedia information must include representations for the structure and content of several media in a form that allows flexibility in retrieval. Content-based retrieval is the main motivation behind recent research in multimedia databases. The task of searching in video and audio content is made hard by the nature of audiovisual data where, unlike text, there is no direct syntactic channel between the object and its meaning [1]-[3]. We propose a model for multimedia content storage and retrieval accounting for both context and content information and taking advantage of their dependencies for effective retrieval. We then describe a prototype multimedia database with a retrieval interface. It has been used as a workbench for testing the representation model and integrating tools for feature extraction, information interchange and retrieval. The workbench allows an easy inclusion of new tools for content analysis and new methods for context- and content-based retrieval while offering storage and access for both the actual digital content and its metadata.

Abstract
This paper describes an architecture which can be used to access geographic information from mobile devices with limited display and processing characteristics, such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) or Mobile Phones. The information may come from different sources leading to an interoperable solution. M-GIS obtains geographic information from sources described using Geogxraphy Markup Language (GML) from one or more Web Feature Servers allowing an access independent from its format or physical location, as long as the information is according to the specification. Using XSLT, GML is transformed to a graphical format in Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) which can then be manipulated in the mobile device. M-GIS follows a client/server architecture and the client application was developed using Java Mobile Information Device Profile technology. The results enable us to conclude that the mobile system, designed and developed with the use of open standards and representation formats to access geographic information, is a viable solution with some limitations. The main limitations of this approach have to do with the amount of information which the client can, at the moment, accommodate.