Parallel earcons: reducing the length of audio messages

Brewster, S.A. , Wright, P.C. and Edwards, A.D.N. (1995) Parallel earcons: reducing the length of audio messages. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 43(22), pp. 153-175. (doi: 10.1006/ijhc.1995.1039)

Abstract

This paper describes a method of presenting structured audio messages, earcons, in parallel so that they take less time to play and can better keep pace with interactions in a human-computer interface. The two component parts of a compound earcon are played in parallel so that the time taken is only that of a single part. An experiment was conducted to test the recall and recognition of parallel compound earcons as compared to serial compound earcons. Results showed that there are no differences in the rates of recognition between the two groups. Non-musicians are also shown to be equal in performance to musicians. Some extensions to the earcon creation guidelines of Brewster, Wright and Edwards are put forward based upon research into auditory stream segregation. Parallel earcons are shown to be an effective means of increasing the presentation rates of audio messages without compromising recognition rates.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Brewster, Professor Stephen
• Authors: Brewster, S.A., Wright, P.C., and Edwards, A.D.N.
• Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science; Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Computer software
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• Journal Name: International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• ISSN: 1071-5819
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 1995 Elsevier
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Human-Computer Studies 43(22):153-175
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher