Context:
You are designing an auditory display to allow a user to monitor the activity of a potentially dynamic system.
Problem:
You need to allow the user to perform other tasks and still be continuously and sufficiently aware of the state of the system.
Forces:
- It is likely that the user's primary attention will be on other tasks.
- Whenever a change occurs, the user will need to know what part of the system has altered state, and by how much.
Solution:
Sonify various processes within the system. Systems that are working perfectly/desirably should exhibit familiar, non-annoying sounds. To indicate undesirable status of processes, one might use lower tones, dissonance, out-of-time rhythm, minor scales, etc.
Rationale:
People can listen to a sonification while performing other tasks. It is usually possible to detect minor changes in frequency, dissonance, rhythm, musical key, etc.
For Example:
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Hermann, T., Niehus, C. and Ritter, H. 'Interactive Visualization and Sonification for monitoring Complex Processes', in Proceedings of the International Conference on Auditory Display ICAD 2003, Boston, July 6-9, 2003.
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Kazem, M., Noyes, J. and Lieven, N. 'Design Considerations for a Background Auditory Display to Aid Pilot Situation Awareness.', in Proceedings of the International Conference on Auditory Display ICAD 2003, Boston, July 6-9, 2003.
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Malandrino, D., Mea, D., Negro, A.,Palmieri, G. and Scarano, V. 'NeMoS: Network Monitoring with Sound', in Proceedings of the International Conference on Auditory Display ICAD 2003, Boston, July 6-9, 2003.
Interesting. I've been toying with the idea of making a server room sound like an aviary for several years now. -- JohnDuncan
See also UseSound, BeepInterface, BeepSpeek, SituationalAwareness, [http://www.transferpod.com iPod Transfer to Computer]