Stephen R. Gulliver

Defining user perception of distributed multimedia quality

This article presents the results of a study that explored the human side of the multimedia experience. We propose a model that assesses quality variation from three distinct levels: the network, the media and the content levels; and from two views: the technical and the user perspective. By facilitating parameter variation at each of the quality levels and from each of the perspectives, we were able to examine their impact on user quality perception. Results show that a significant reduction in frame rate does not proportionally reduce the users understanding of the presentation independent of technical parameters, that multimedia content type significantly impacts user information assimilation, user level of enjoyment, and user perception of quality, and that the device display type impacts user information assimilation and user perception of quality. Finally, to ensure the transfer of information, low-level abstraction (network-level) parameters, such as delay and jitter, should be adapted; to maintain the users level of enjoyment, high-level abstraction quality parameters (content-level), such as the appropriate use of display screens, should be adapted.

The Perceptual and Attentive Impact of Delay and Jitter in Multimedia Delivery

In this paper we present the results of a study that examines the users perception-understood as both information assimilation and subjective satisfaction-of multimedia quality, when impacted by varying network-level parameters (delay and jitter). In addition, we integrate eye-tracking assessment to provide a more complete understanding of user perception of multimedia quality. Results show that delay and jitter significantly affect user satisfaction; variation in video eye path when either no single/obvious point of focus exists or when the point of attention changes dramatically. Lastly, results showed that content variation significantly affected user satisfaction, as well as user information assimilation.

Stars in their eyes: what eye-tracking reveals about multimedia perceptual quality

Perceptual multimedia quality is of paramount importance to the continued take-up and proliferation of multimedia applications; users will not use and pay for applications if they are perceived to be of low quality. While traditionally distributed multimedia quality has been characterized by quality-of-service (QoS) parameters, these neglect the user perspective of the issue of quality. In order to redress this shortcoming, we characterize the user multimedia perspective using the quality-of-perception (QoP) metric, which encompasses not only a users satisfaction with the quality of a multimedia presentation, but also his/her ability to analyze, synthesize, and assimilate informational content of multimedia. In recognition of the fact that monitoring eye movements offers insights into visual perception, as well as the associated attention mechanisms and cognitive processes, this paper reports on the results of a study investigating the impact of differing multimedia presentation frame rates on user QoP and eye path data. Our results show that provision of higher frame rates, usually assumed to provide better multimedia presentation quality, do not significantly impact upon the median coordinate value of eye path data. Moreover, higher frame rates do not significantly increase the level of participant information assimilation, although they do significantly improve overall user enjoyment and quality perception of the multimedia content being shown.

Mulsemedia: State of the Art, Perspectives, and Challenges

Mulsemedia—multiple sensorial media—captures a wide variety of research efforts and applications. This article presents a historic perspective on mulsemedia work and reviews current developments in the area. These take place across the traditional multimedia spectrum—from virtual reality applications to computer games—as well as efforts in the arts, gastronomy, and therapy, to mention a few. We also describe standardization efforts, via the MPEG-V standard, and identify future developments and exciting challenges the community needs to overcome.

Pervasive and standalone computing: The perceptual effects of variable multimedia quality.

Abstract The introduction of multimedia on pervasive and mobile communication devices raises a number of perceptual quality issues; however, limited work has been done examining the three-way interaction between use of equipment, quality of perception and quality of service. Our work measures levels of informational transfer (objective) and user satisfaction (subjective) when users are presented with multimedia video clips at three different frame rates, using four different display devices, simulating variation in participant mobility. Our results will show that variation in frame rate does not impact a users level of information assimilation, however, does impact a users’ perception of multimedia video ‘quality’. Additionally, increased visual immersion can be used to increase transfer of video information, but can negatively affect the users’ perception of ‘quality’. Finally, we illustrate the significant affect of clip-content on the transfer of video, audio and textual information, placing into doubt the use of purely objective quality definitions when considering multimedia presentations.

Introduction to special issue on eye-tracking applications in multimedia systems

A mounting arrangement for attaching a toilet seat and cover to a toilet bowl is disclosed which facilitates installation without the use of conventional hand tools. The arrangement includes a base having a hinge post for hingedly connecting the seat and cover thereto. The base further includes a downwardly depending stem having a longitudinal bore which is adapted to be positioned within the mounting hole on the toilet bowl. A fastener assembly is provided which includes a bolt positioned within the longitudinal bore of the stem which may be readily rotated by hand. An expandable nut is threaded to the lower end of the bolt, with the entire mounting arrangement being insertable into the mounting hole of the bowl from the seat side thereof. As the bolt is rotated to draw the nut toward the base of the arrangement, at least one of the stem and expandable nut are urged into engagement with the periphery of the mounting hole, thereby providing securement of the mounting arrangement to the toilet bowl, while accommodating use of the mounting arrangement on toilet bowls having mounting holes of varying diameters.

How level and type of deafness affect user perception of multimedia video clips

Our research investigates the impact that hearing has on the perception of multimedia, with and without captions, by discussing how hearing loss, captions and deafness type affect user quality of perception (QoP). QoP encompasses both the user’s level of satisfaction and their ability to assimilate informational content of multimedia.Experimental results show that hearing has a significant effect on participants’ ability to assimilate information, independent of video type or use of captions. It is shown that captioned video does not necessarily provide deaf users with a greater level of information but changes user QoP, providing a greater level of video contextualisation.

Multiple Sensorial Media Advances and Applications: New Developments in MulSeMedia

George Ghinea received the B.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons) degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics, in 1993 and 1994, respectively, and the M.Sc. degree in Computer Science, in 1996, from the Universityof the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; he then received the Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from the University of Reading, United Kingdom, in 2000. He is a Reader in the School of Information Systems, Computing and Mathematics at Brunel University, United Kingdom. Dr Ghinea has over 100 refereed publications and currently leads a team of 8 research students in his fields of interest, which span perceptual multimedia, semantic media management, human computer interaction, and network security. He has co-edited three books including Digital Multimedia Perception and Design for IGI. George Ghinea (Brunel University, UK), Frederic Andres (National Institute of Informatics, Japan) and Stephen Gulliver (University of Reading, UK)

Categorizing users in behavior change support systems based on cognitive dissonance

Most developers of behavior change support systems (BCSS) employ ad hoc procedures in their designs. This paper presents a novel discussion concerning how analyzing the relationship between attitude toward target behavior, current behavior, and attitude toward change or maintaining behavior can facilitate the design of BCSS. We describe the three-dimensional relationships between attitude and behavior (3D-RAB) model and demonstrate how it can be used to categorize users, based on variations in levels of cognitive dissonance. The proposed model seeks to provide a method for analyzing the user context on the persuasive systems design model, and it is evaluated using existing BCSS. We identified that although designers seem to address the various cognitive states, this is not done purposefully, or in a methodical fashion, which implies that many existing applications are targeting users not considered at the design phase. As a result of this work, it is suggested that designers apply the 3D-RAB model in order to design solutions for targeted users.

Cognitive style and personality: impact on multimedia perception

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between cognitive style, user personality and perceived multimedia quality.Design/methodology/approach – This paper used Cognitive Style Analysis and an adapted Myers‐Briggs questionnaire to assess cognitive style and user personality respectively. It also used an adapted Quality of Perception metric to assess user‐perceived multimedia quality.Findings – The research shows that personality type and user cognitive style affects information assimilation, self‐perceived achievement and student level of confidence.Practical implications – This work suggests a number of practical recommendations to support the consideration of personality and cognitive style in preparation of educational multimedia material.Originality/value – This paper provides consideration of personality and cognitive style, and the impact that they have on user multimedia perception.