The Computerization of Digital Audio Broadcasting Receivers and the Demand for Empathic Interface Solutions

The aim of this paper is twofold: This paper presents a summary of our recent efforts for the enhancement of a computer-assisted Digital Audio Broadcasting Receiver with several alterations such as a personalization, service scanning, integration of podcasting into broadcasting, and a speech-based interfaces with an information retrieval system. The prototype is based on the mandatory features of WorldDMB’s Digital Radio Receiver Profile 3 and is based on a flexible Java framework as well. From these new features and recently introduced standards it follows that new paradigms of interface design are necessary which are discussed subsequently. INTRODUCTION We observe worldwide a clear trend to enjoy audio contents independent from temporal and geographical constraints. Now, the audience expects those properties from all media devices or they turn away from an outdated radio. However, the digital radio is still in a growing state of penetration and has yet a huge potential for various and still unknown applications [1]. The Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) system possesses a well-standardized and powerful system layout for several media formats and applications. Based on the general DAB standard additional specifications are given to define the basics of the implementation of digital audio receivers. Both audio and data services can be received using the same equipment. In addition to the given standards, more detailed rules and guidelines were developed fortunately. In recent years much effort has gone into the advancement of standards for innovative applications. Under the roof of the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) were created specifications for well-structured and partially machine-readable text formats for electronic program guides (EPG), for an informing running text simultaneously broadcast with an audio signal (dynamic label plus, DL [9]), and news formats such as Intellitext and Journaline. Furthermore there are provisions for speech-based applications and proposals for a middleware architecture, presumably based on [2]. Recent initiatives are the Internet Media Device Alliance [3] and the RadioDNS [4]. These new capabilities can be used now to provide a better and more complete user experience. The DAB system is likely to turn from a classic only-audio receiver into a more enhanced multimedia platform as a part in symbiotic embedded systems such as multifunctional cell phones and sophisticated car entertainment systems as well. By doing so, radio can overcome its restrictions in content, presentation format and time and will be able to offer more comprehensive and contemporary choices. However, preconditions are among other things: forwardlooking computer-based specifications of metadata, an adequate processor performance, a huge storage volume, a powerful screen etc. Further improvements in hardware can be expected for many years to come. Further, we think, a new set of applications could be introduced to provide increased usability and user friendliness towards an universal audio manager. Hence, it is necessary to look beyond the delivery of improved quality of audio content and to use primarily datacasting applications [5]. The initial point of our developments is an advanced DAB multimedia receiver architecture, as mentioned in [1] supporting WorldDMB’s profiles 1 ... 3, see Figure 1. broadcasting periodically DAB Transmitter DAB Receiver Carousel .rss .mpx .rss .mpx .txt .mp2 Audio Data Services, EPG Multiplexer Demultiplexer