Noise Reduction for Mobiles Can Save Lives
Developed under the European Commission's IST programme, the ANITA system uses innovative software to reduce background noise in real time to allow emergency service workers to communicate more clearly with each other and with their headquarters even in the most acoustically challenging conditions."Fire fighters, for example, have to communicate with engine, road and wind noise while driving, with sirens in the background and with water pumps in operation. All of this can lead to them not being able to understand commands," explains Mirko Masi, the project manager at Tradia in Spain. "By filtering out background noise they are able to communicate more effectively, something that in certain circumstances would reduce the hazards for them and could save lives."The ANITA project partners developed two prototypes of the system, one for use inside vehicles and another for handsets for use on the street. In the first case the system is hardware and software based, employing speakers and a microphone array inside the vehicle to capture and emit the speakers' voices. In the second, the software is incorporated into the mobile handset."Though the set up of the two prototypes is different the algorithms are the same.
They work by recognising a human speaker's voice and reducing or eliminating other sounds," Masi says.The system was tested over Tradia's two Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) networks TETRA and Tetrapol used by fire fighters, paramedics and police in Catalonia in both laboratory and field trials.????"In both the objective and subjective evaluations we saw a significant improvement in the clarity of communications," Masi says. "Better communication means emergency services are more efficient and can respond better and faster to emergency situations."Though designed for use over PMR networks with emergency and security services in mind, the ANITA system could also be employed in other sectors, and even on public mobile systems."It could be used inside factories, for example, or even for in-car mobile systems using public networks, in fact anywhere where background noise is an issue," Masi notes.Since the end of the project, which was coordinated by EADS, the partners are continuing to develop various components of the system, a commercial variant of which is likely to be launched in the future.Please mention IST Results as the source of this story and, if publishing online, please hyperlink to: http://istresults.cordis.lu/Contact: Tara Morris, +32-2-2861985, e-mail protected from spam bots.
Last Chance to Sign Up For the CIO Symposium, April 29th 2005
One of the most unusual features of the second CIO Symposium to be held Friday, April 29, 2005 in London will be a "rate your shop" open discussion involving Chief Information Officers of blue chip companies in attendance and the speakers at the event.
Among the key topics expected to be aired include staff evaluation procedures, salaries, promotions, project management, and use of "best practices" to improve IT function performance. A faculty of internationally recognized information technology leaders will headline the CIO Symposium to be held at the Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, London.
The speakers at this one-day seminar will address the leading challenges facing Chief Information Officers and Directors of information technology.
The speakers will include:Dr.
Bill McColl of Oxford University??? ???Jose Eiras, CIO, General Motors Europe Nigel Arkwright, IT Director, Parcel Force???Joe McMakin, CIO, Air Products Intl.Tony Salvaggio, CEO, CAI...
Last Chance to Sign Up For the CIO Symposium, April 29th 2005
Speakers > Last Chance to Sign Up For the CIO Symposium, April 29th 2005
Plasma Entertainment Centers
Plasma TVs are fast growing in popularity as the myths around their short life span gradually dissipate, more and more people are now enjoying the fruits of this latest technology.
Studies indicate that that you can increase the viewing life span of plasma TVs by the way you install them. This has ushered in an era of plasma TV entertainment centers whose designs and features specially cater to increasing the length of usage of the plasma TV.
In fact, plasma TV centers are the perfect way to show off your plasma TV. Not only are they sturdy but their designs and finish compliment the over all impact of your TV.
You can mount your plasma TV on any wall of your home. For example, if you wish to install your TV over the fireplace, you can consider the flat wall mount entertainment centers. These entertainment solutions are not only space saving but you also get the added benefit of getting the full impact of the image display.
Another option...
Speakers > Plasma Entertainment Centers
GarageGames Announces Speakers and Sessions for IndieGamesCon 2005
(ContentDesk) August 23, 2005 -- GarageGames has announced the session highlights and speakers for the fourth annual Independent Games Conference.
IndieGamesCon '05 (IGC) runs October 7-9, 2005.
This year's conference is a fun, informal and informative gathering of independent game developers featuring a keynote address, "The State of the Revolution", by Mark Frohnmayer, GarageGames President.
If you've caught the incurable desire to make games commercially, or even as a hobbyist, this is a community gathering of like-minded individuals you will not want to miss.IGC provides connections and content for programmers, artists and indie entrepreneurs.
Planned presentations include Melv May on 2D game design, Ill Clan on machinima, John Welsh and Dave Nixon on the casual gaming industry, Thomas Buscaglia on legal issues, Ageia on the future of game physics, Ryan Gordon on Mac OS X game development, Microsoft on Xbox development and many more industry veterans.IGC...
Speakers > GarageGames Announces Speakers and Sessions for IndieGamesCon 2005
Music and Art Meet - Vision Acoustics Bridges the Gap Between Form and Function with Modern,Innovative Designs That Add an Air of Sophistication to Any Room
Vision Acoustics believes that speakers are more than just components of a good home or office sound system, such as your home theater system, which is why each speaker is a unique
functional work of art. They are designed to add an architectural dimension with crisp clear sound that will bring life to music, movies and even video games. Instead of trying to disguise ordinary speakers that don't fit in with your home decor. Vision Acoustics designs speakers that are built to last and reflect your personal style, which is why various color choices, sizes, and shapes are offered. In addition to carefully executed designs, your speakers now play an integral part of home or office decor without having to camouflage them.Vision Acoustics speakers are the embodiment of sophistication with clean simple lines that project an understated elegance equally suited for casual or formal decor.
Your speakers no longer need to be seen as an accessory but part of your room decor. Also...
Music and Art Meet - Vision Acoustics Bridges the Gap Between Form and Function with Modern,Innovative Designs That Add an Air of Sophistication to Any Room
Speakers > Music and Art Meet - Vision Acoustics Bridges the Gap Between Form and Function with Modern,Innovative Designs That Add an Air of Sophistication to Any Room