Yannis Deliyannis

Multimedia presentation of dynamic rheological experimental and simulated data sets is a complex process, due to the dynamic interrelation of the data and the synchronisation difficulties. Our previous work tackled data presentation and synchronisation problems using computer-game technologies and multimedia databases. We now address the problem of direct data interaction, focusing particularly on the case where the application has to dynamically handle changes at runtime. The proposed interactivity relies on visual metadata representations, which are directly related to the underlying system-graph, formally describing content-connectivity. It supports discussion-based data combinations, user-driven scenarios and can trigger automated simulation execution to generate missing data. Under this content a novel user-interaction structure (Multi-Menu) is introduced, allowing valid-only data comparison across the vast number of possible results combinations. To demonstrate system-flexibility, an industrially based multimedia case study is presented, featuring experimental and simulation dough-kneading data sets.

The increased interest for developing new representation techniques and tools for proving and demonstrating basic mathematical propositions and concepts is the forefront of educational research worldwide in the area of e-learning for mathematics. Although many novel ideas have been proposed for illustrating basic mathematical (i.e. geometrical) concepts, currently there is a lack of effective methods to dynamically reproduce an alternative representation of the underlying concepts. The proposed approach introduces valuable explanatory tools for efficiently supporting the learning objectives, enabling students to reach the core of each notion. In this work, a digital multimedia methodology is presented which implements the above dynamic representation approach. Recent, state-of-the-art trends in multimedia technology related to modern two or three-dimensional (2D or 3D) object modelling are utilised in order to efficiently reproduce a virtual mathematical environment in which selected mathematical concepts. Apart from the time-dependent dynamic representation, advanced user interaction features are also supported for determining various representation parameters (such as the view and lighting position, as well as the time resolution / speed). Additionally, accurate 3D sound projection techniques are employed in cases that the spatial sound information enhances the illustrated perceptual effect. For convenient access of the multimedia content, the proposed methodology includes a web interface and a multimedia database, offering advanced searching capabilities. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed multimedia framework, a number of geometrical concepts are selected and applied for the instruction of corresponding high-school and university courses and will be presented in detail. The application of the proposed multimedia approach in these courses has shown that it achieves high student learning rates, even to non- mathematically-literate students, while it allows the teacher / lecturer to explain basic concepts that are otherwise difficult to introduce using conventional media.

In this work, a professional audio mastering / mixing software platform is presented which employs stateof- the-art binaural technology algorithms for efficient and accurate sound source positioning. The proposed mixing platform supports high-quality audio (typically 96kHz/24bit) for an arbitrary number of sound sources, while room acoustic analysis and simulation models are also incorporated. All binaural calculations and audio signal processing/mixing are performed in real-time, due to the employment of an optimized binaural 3D Audio Engine developed by the authors. Moreover, all user operations are performed through a user-friendly graphical interface allowing the efficient control of a large number of binaural mixing parameters. It is shown that the proposed mixing platform achieves subjectively high spatial impression, rendering it suitable for high-quality professional audio applications.

Despite the recent advantages on multichannel audio coding and playback technologies, 3D audio positioning is frequently required to be performed over legacy stereo loudspeaker setups, due to certain application limitations and restrictions mainly presented in portable and low cost systems. In this work, a 3D audio platform is introduced which allows the real-time conversion of any stereo audio signal to a high-quality immersive audio stream using binaural technology. Due to a number of advanced binaural processing algorithms and features, the proposed conversion platform demonstrates perceptually improved 3D audio spatialization, rendering it suitable for implementing high-quality immersive audio applications.

The Makaton Vocabulary Development Project is a widely used communication system designed for individuals with speech and communication disabilities. It enables educators to teach students how to communicate alternatively through selection and combination of ...