Enhancing User Experience for Networked Multimedia Systems

As networked multimedia systems have evolved over the recent years, sophisticated multimedia applications have emerged. Through this, a revolution in the transmission of multimedia information over wired and wireless communication technologies has transpired. Society is now becoming more dependent on such technologies, and these are used in almost every aspect of our daily lives, including: communications, entertainment, education, marketing, research, health and medicine. To provide the user with effective experience in using these networked multimedia applications, it is imperative that optimum Quality of Service (QoS) is delivered. This requires innovative solutions for QoS management. These solutions need to employ better Human Computer Interaction (HCI) techniques and bridge the current gap between the user requirements and the system functionality. In our research, we have developed a Three Layer Quality of Service (TRAQS) model and defined a framework for QoS management of networked multimedia systems. A novel interface called the Quality Cost and Temporal Triangle (QCTT) has been implemented to provide the user with the ability to control the QoS in real-time. Furthermore, we have conducted a usability study in the application of the QCTT model for specifying and managing QoS. This paper articulates the need for developing novel QoS management models; presents the results of usability study carried out on one such model, i.e. the Quality Cost and Temporal Triangle; and discusses the benefits that can flow towards more effective deployment of networked multimedia applications.