- / The present study aims to establish the level of diagnostic reliability provided by the transmission of a videolaryngoscopy by videoconference (VC), evaluating the quality of the transmitted images and its impact on diagnoses. Two DVDs with 60 laryngoscopy (30 fiberscopies and 30 telescopies) images, corresponding to 30 original and 30 transmitted by VC, were evaluated by 6 laryngologists who answered a questionnaire on the quality of the selected images (scores from 0 to 3) and on the diagnoses of the related disease. A third DVD with 26 pairs of images, an original and a VC, or two original, was also analyzed by the examiners who had to select which image presented the best quality, which corresponded to the VC image, and the possible impact of such differences on the quality of diagnoses. A high level of agreement (K = 0.911) was found among the examiners in relation to the identification of the VC (96,15% of accuracy) and to the best quality of the original image (K = 0,850). Although a partial agreement has been found among the examiners (K = 0,371), diagnoses was not jeopardized by the quality of the VC image in 75,64% of the cases. Original videotelescopy images (83,33% very good) showed the best quality and videofiberscopy VC the worst (36,66% very good and good). A high degree of correctness was found for the diagnoses by VC images (86,67% by fiberscopy and by telescopy). Consequently, the use of a VC to transmit videolaryngoscopy images has proved to be efficient for the remote diagnoses of larynx diseases

- / The present study aims to establish the level of diagnostic reliability provided by the transmission of a videolaryngoscopy by videoconference (VC), evaluating the quality of the transmitted images and its impact on diagnoses. Two DVDs with 60 laryngoscopy (30 fiberscopies and 30 telescopies) images, corresponding to 30 original and 30 transmitted by VC, were evaluated by 6 laryngologists who answered a questionnaire on the quality of the selected images (scores from 0 to 3) and on the diagnoses of the related disease. A third DVD with 26 pairs of images, an original and a VC, or two original, was also analyzed by the examiners who had to select which image presented the best quality, which corresponded to the VC image, and the possible impact of such differences on the quality of diagnoses. A high level of agreement (K = 0.911) was found among the examiners in relation to the identification of the VC (96,15% of accuracy) and to the best quality of the original image (K = 0,850). Although a partial agreement has been found among the examiners (K = 0,371), diagnoses was not jeopardized by the quality of the VC image in 75,64% of the cases. Original videotelescopy images (83,33% very good) showed the best quality and videofiberscopy VC the worst (36,66% very good and good). A high degree of correctness was found for the diagnoses by VC images (86,67% by fiberscopy and by telescopy). Consequently, the use of a VC to transmit videolaryngoscopy images has proved to be efficient for the remote diagnoses of larynx diseases

Este trabalho apresenta uma ferramenta para conferência de áudio 3D (espacial) implementando conceitos de Realidade Aumentada (RA). O objetivo desta ferramenta é aprimorar a sensação de presença e melhorar a interatividade entre seus participantes remotos, por meio de benefícios proporcionados pela utilização de técnicas de áudio espacial (implementadas em avatares de áudio) pela: maior facilidade de concentração e atenção em um único participante e pelos efeitos positivos na memorização dos conteúdos pelos participantes como conseqüência da melhor inteligibilidade e compreensão. A motivação desta implementação reside em sua utilização como ferramenta de comunicação síncrona no ambiente de aprendizagem eletrônica Tidia-Ae, auxiliando na realização de atividades colaborativas e, possivelmente, nos processos de ensino e aprendizagem à distância. A ferramenta implementada foi integrada ao sistema Tidia-Ae e os resultados dos experimentos realizados demonstraram sua efetividade com relação às melhorias proporcionadas pelo processamento de áudio espacial. / This work presents a 3D (spatial) audio conference tool implementing Augmented Reality (AR) concepts. The main intent of this tool is to enhance the sense of presence and increase the interactivity among remote participants, by implementing spatial audio techniques in audio avatars. The use of such techniques facilitates focusing the attention on anyone specific participant of the conference and enables a positive effect on memory retention, resulting in a better intelligibility and comprehension. The motivation of this implementation lies on its appliance as a synchronous communication tool within the Tidia-Ae e-Learning system, thus aiding on collaborative activities realization and, possibly, on teaching and learning processes. The results of the experiments showed the effectiveness provided by the spatial audio processing when applied in such environment.

Sistemas de teleconferência e telepresença são ferramentas de comunicação cada vez mais comuns. Partindo da existência de um canal de comunicação de alta capacidade, busca-se permitir visualização tridimensional realista, sensível ao ponto de vista do usuário e que mantenha a estrutura física da cena sem conhecimento prévio de sua estrutura, por meio de câmeras estéreo. A partir de pares de imagens temporalmente coerentes são sintetizadas visões intermediárias da cena alvo, de modo que um usuário rastreado tenha a ilusão de estar vendo a cena real através de uma janela. O sistema implementado baseia-se em dispositivos que provejam melhor qualidade visual no componente de geração de imagens intermediárias e procura maximizar a facilidade de uso na parte de visualização, empregando dispositivos domésticos e dispensando procedimentos complexos de calibração. / Teleconference and telepresence systems are increasingly common. Based on the existence of a high capacity communication channel, it is aimed to provide user\'s point of view sensible realistic 3D visualization without physical distortion or any prior knowledge about the structure of the scene, using stereo cameras. Pairs of temporally coherent images are used to generate intermediary view of the target scene so that a tracked user will have the illusion of posing in front so the real scene. The implemented system is based on high visual quality components on the side of views generation and tries to maximize ease of use in the visualization part by using commodity components and being free so complex calibration procedures.

Este trabalho apresenta uma ferramenta para conferência de áudio 3D (espacial) implementando conceitos de Realidade Aumentada (RA). O objetivo desta ferramenta é aprimorar a sensação de presença e melhorar a interatividade entre seus participantes remotos, por meio de benefícios proporcionados pela utilização de técnicas de áudio espacial (implementadas em avatares de áudio) pela: maior facilidade de concentração e atenção em um único participante e pelos efeitos positivos na memorização dos conteúdos pelos participantes como conseqüência da melhor inteligibilidade e compreensão. A motivação desta implementação reside em sua utilização como ferramenta de comunicação síncrona no ambiente de aprendizagem eletrônica Tidia-Ae, auxiliando na realização de atividades colaborativas e, possivelmente, nos processos de ensino e aprendizagem à distância. A ferramenta implementada foi integrada ao sistema Tidia-Ae e os resultados dos experimentos realizados demonstraram sua efetividade com relação às melhorias proporcionadas pelo processamento de áudio espacial. / This work presents a 3D (spatial) audio conference tool implementing Augmented Reality (AR) concepts. The main intent of this tool is to enhance the sense of presence and increase the interactivity among remote participants, by implementing spatial audio techniques in audio avatars. The use of such techniques facilitates focusing the attention on anyone specific participant of the conference and enables a positive effect on memory retention, resulting in a better intelligibility and comprehension. The motivation of this implementation lies on its appliance as a synchronous communication tool within the Tidia-Ae e-Learning system, thus aiding on collaborative activities realization and, possibly, on teaching and learning processes. The results of the experiments showed the effectiveness provided by the spatial audio processing when applied in such environment.

Sistemas de teleconferência e telepresença são ferramentas de comunicação cada vez mais comuns. Partindo da existência de um canal de comunicação de alta capacidade, busca-se permitir visualização tridimensional realista, sensível ao ponto de vista do usuário e que mantenha a estrutura física da cena sem conhecimento prévio de sua estrutura, por meio de câmeras estéreo. A partir de pares de imagens temporalmente coerentes são sintetizadas visões intermediárias da cena alvo, de modo que um usuário rastreado tenha a ilusão de estar vendo a cena real através de uma janela. O sistema implementado baseia-se em dispositivos que provejam melhor qualidade visual no componente de geração de imagens intermediárias e procura maximizar a facilidade de uso na parte de visualização, empregando dispositivos domésticos e dispensando procedimentos complexos de calibração. / Teleconference and telepresence systems are increasingly common. Based on the existence of a high capacity communication channel, it is aimed to provide user\'s point of view sensible realistic 3D visualization without physical distortion or any prior knowledge about the structure of the scene, using stereo cameras. Pairs of temporally coherent images are used to generate intermediary view of the target scene so that a tracked user will have the illusion of posing in front so the real scene. The implemented system is based on high visual quality components on the side of views generation and tries to maximize ease of use in the visualization part by using commodity components and being free so complex calibration procedures.

[pt] Em um sistema de teleconferência desenvolvido em um ambiente de redes locais com integração de dados, o mecanismo de controle de acesso é responsável por determinar, a cada instante, o usuário com o direito de acessar as diversas mídias do sistema. O objetivo desta dissertação é a implementação de tal mecanismo através de um esquema de detecção de silêncio, tendo como base o sistema LANBRETA-GCS. Para atingir esta meta final, são tratados os seguintes tópicos: a) mecanismos de detecção de silêncio; b) a questão da transmissão da voz em rede, com ênfase ao problema da compensação da variação estatística dos retardados; c) a especificação de um device driver genérico para uma placa de voz; e finalmente, d) o mecanismo para controle de acesso. / [en] In a teleconference system developed on an integrated Voice/Data networking environment, the Access control mechanism is responsible for determining which user hás the right of accessing each of the system media in a given moment. This dissertation focuses the implementation of such a mechanism based on silence detection. To achieve this goal, the following issues are treated: a) silence detection mechanism; b) voice transmission over LAN (emphasizing the delay statistical variation issue); c) a generic voice board device driver specification; and d) the access control mechanism.

This case study examined three listservs as follow-up activities for STARLINK® (State of Texas Academic Resources Link) satellite teleconferences for community college faculty development during the 1993-94 season. Purposes included determining through self report and other data: (a) appropriateness of listservs as follow-up activities for teleconferences, (b) if combining video satellite teleconferences with a listserv satisfied perceived needs, (c) purposes of accessing a listserv and if listservs facilitated changes in the performance of work, were supportive of teaching, and provided resources beyond teleconferences' content, (d) what aspects of listservs are helpful or not helpful to participants.

The thesis deals with the issues of communication in the context of organization functioning. It explains the distinction between external and internal communication. The focus is on the internal communication, its types and means. Further we identify the competencies and roles of the line manager in the hierarchy of an organization and also the specific features of his performance in the area of internal communication. At the same time, we stress the role of the line manager in using the means of formal oral communication, such as a department meeting, a company-wide conference and a teleconference. The empirical analysis of the thesis focuses on the role of line managers at meetings, company-wide conferences and teleconferences in a particular company. Semi- structured interviews with line managers and enquiry questionnaires among subordinate employees offer an insight and assessment of the role of the line manager at the above mentioned formal meetings in this company.