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4.2. A SURVEY OF EMERGING INTEGRATED APPLICATIONS

The author's review of research and development reports, journal articles, conference proceedings, workshops, and other sources identifies a number of instances in which ES, MM, and HM have been successfully integrated in one application. Table 4 lists 30 integrated ES/MM applications that have been categorized and identified by model form number (Figure 5), application acronym or name, user/developer/sponsor, function, media used, and reference source. Because of the dynamic nature of these applications, their status (prototype, under development, or operational) has not been identified.

Table 4 applications were limited to PC and rule-based systems where enough information existed to identify model forms and system descriptions. In some cases, developers were contacted to corroborate information. Excluded from this survey were (1) systems based primarily on semantic networks, frames, natural language, or virtual reality and (3-D) designs (few of which exist), (2) Phase 1 -- Separate Systems (e.g., individual ES and MM system) that are abundant, and (3) Phase 4 -- IM integrated systems that are yet to be fully developed.

Even with these exclusions, the number and variety of identified systems demonstrate the interest in integrated ES/MM systems. The review revealed that system developers and users reported numerous instances where integration provided benefits greater than those possible with separate, independent systems. Also noted was the fact that synergy and potential benefits of such systems are just now being realized. In some cases (for example, operational systems), quantitative cost/benefit data are being collected and analyzed. Table 4 lists a variety of public and private sector applications and users. However, help desk and other forms of equipment diagnostics appear to be the dominant application, consistent with the findings of Szuprowicz (1991). Text, data, and graphics are the predominant media forms; not unexpectedly so since these media forms are used by most computer users accustomed to word processors, spreadsheets, and database applications. Still images and motion are growing in use, while animation and audio are not as widely used.

The integration of ES or knowledge-based systems in the form of intelligent agents and MM (including virtual reality) presently remains virtually unexplored. Numerous application categories and visual perspectives exist. They include: MM information access and management, collaboration in which users work together on shared media forms using personal video-conferencing, Internet electronic commerce to match buyer needs and provider goods and services, and more adaptive user interfaces. Requirements for such virtual systems are beginning to evolve (see Stuart, 1996; Machover, 1996). Numerous other possibilities are yet to be identified and developed.

5. RESEARCH ISSUES

This chapter discussion and applications survey indicate that ES/MM integration offers opportunities to produce innovative applications that should appeal to a large number of users. However, various research issues must be addressed if ES/MM integration is to be accepted more readily by system developers and application users. Design/development and implementation issues and tasks include the following.

Design/development

  • Developing more robust integration tools for applications design, development, and use.
  • Identifying criteria for the use of alternative knowledge representation (frames, semantic nets, etc.) and user interface systems (e.g., natural language, virtual reality).
  • Developing a more formalized method for matching software architectures, orientations, and integration models (loose, embedded, tight, complementary, and full integration) to application domains and types.
  • Investigating improved methods of multiple media dynamic coordination, coherent textural and graphical generation, and automatic design of graphic systems.
  • Developing the means to extend hyperlinks to virtually unlimited and varied MM information and knowledge sources.
  • Continuing to investigate the concepts and various forms of IM.
  • Determining through empirical means what resolution and color pixel depth combinations are best suited to various applications and user needs. Considerations for visual display systems in virtual environments includes spatial resolution, depth resolution, system responsiveness, field of view, storage and refresh rate, and color (Stuart, 1996)


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