annotate docs/SMC15/smc2015template.tex @ 1998:d877eea103b2

Paper: revision 'Architecture' section
author Brecht De Man <b.deman@qmul.ac.uk>
date Mon, 27 Apr 2015 20:43:08 +0100
parents 99efed249a52
children 5532010ecde5
rev   line source
b@1693 1 % -----------------------------------------------
b@1693 2 % Template for SMC 2012
b@1693 3 % adapted from the template for SMC 2011, which was adapted from that of SMC 2010
b@1693 4 % -----------------------------------------------
b@1693 5
b@1693 6 \documentclass{article}
b@1693 7 \usepackage{smc2015}
b@1693 8 \usepackage{times}
b@1693 9 \usepackage{ifpdf}
b@1693 10 \usepackage[english]{babel}
b@1693 11 \usepackage{cite}
b@1996 12 \usepackage{enumitem}
b@1996 13 \setitemize{noitemsep,topsep=0pt,parsep=0pt,partopsep=0pt}
b@1693 14
b@1672 15 \hyphenation{Java-script}
b@1672 16
b@1693 17 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Some useful packages %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
b@1693 18 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% See related documentation %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
b@1693 19 %\usepackage{amsmath} % popular packages from Am. Math. Soc. Please use the
b@1693 20 %\usepackage{amssymb} % related math environments (split, subequation, cases,
b@1693 21 %\usepackage{amsfonts}% multline, etc.)
b@1693 22 %\usepackage{bm} % Bold Math package, defines the command \bf{}
b@1693 23 %\usepackage{paralist}% extended list environments
b@1693 24 %%subfig.sty is the modern replacement for subfigure.sty. However, subfig.sty
b@1693 25 %%requires and automatically loads caption.sty which overrides class handling
b@1693 26 %%of captions. To prevent this problem, preload caption.sty with caption=false
b@1693 27 %\usepackage[caption=false]{caption}
b@1693 28 %\usepackage[font=footnotesize]{subfig}
b@1693 29
b@1693 30
b@1693 31 %user defined variables
b@1669 32 \def\papertitle{WEB AUDIO EVALUATION TOOL: A BROWSER-BASED LISTENING TEST ENVIRONMENT} %?
b@1698 33 \def\firstauthor{Nicholas Jillings}
b@1698 34 \def\secondauthor{Brecht De Man}
b@1693 35 \def\thirdauthor{David Moffat}
b@1693 36 \def\fourthauthor{Joshua D. Reiss}
b@1693 37
b@1693 38 % adds the automatic
b@1693 39 % Saves a lot of ouptut space in PDF... after conversion with the distiller
b@1693 40 % Delete if you cannot get PS fonts working on your system.
b@1693 41
b@1693 42 % pdf-tex settings: detect automatically if run by latex or pdflatex
b@1693 43 \newif\ifpdf
b@1693 44 \ifx\pdfoutput\relax
b@1693 45 \else
b@1693 46 \ifcase\pdfoutput
b@1693 47 \pdffalse
b@1693 48 \else
b@1693 49 \pdftrue
b@1693 50 \fi
b@1693 51
b@1693 52 \ifpdf % compiling with pdflatex
b@1693 53 \usepackage[pdftex,
b@1693 54 pdftitle={\papertitle},
b@1693 55 pdfauthor={\firstauthor, \secondauthor, \thirdauthor},
b@1693 56 bookmarksnumbered, % use section numbers with bookmarks
b@1693 57 pdfstartview=XYZ % start with zoom=100% instead of full screen;
b@1693 58 % especially useful if working with a big screen :-)
b@1693 59 ]{hyperref}
b@1693 60 %\pdfcompresslevel=9
b@1693 61
b@1693 62 \usepackage[pdftex]{graphicx}
b@1693 63 % declare the path(s) where your graphic files are and their extensions so
b@1693 64 %you won't have to specify these with every instance of \includegraphics
b@1693 65 \graphicspath{{./figures/}}
b@1693 66 \DeclareGraphicsExtensions{.pdf,.jpeg,.png}
b@1693 67
b@1693 68 \usepackage[figure,table]{hypcap}
b@1693 69
b@1693 70 \else % compiling with latex
b@1693 71 \usepackage[dvips,
b@1693 72 bookmarksnumbered, % use section numbers with bookmarks
b@1693 73 pdfstartview=XYZ % start with zoom=100% instead of full screen
b@1693 74 ]{hyperref} % hyperrefs are active in the pdf file after conversion
b@1693 75
b@1693 76 \usepackage[dvips]{epsfig,graphicx}
b@1693 77 % declare the path(s) where your graphic files are and their extensions so
b@1693 78 %you won't have to specify these with every instance of \includegraphics
b@1693 79 \graphicspath{{./figures/}}
b@1693 80 \DeclareGraphicsExtensions{.eps}
b@1693 81
b@1693 82 \usepackage[figure,table]{hypcap}
b@1693 83 \fi
b@1693 84
nickjillings@1988 85 %set up the hyperref package - make the links black without a surrounding frame
b@1693 86 \hypersetup{
b@1693 87 colorlinks,%
b@1693 88 citecolor=black,%
b@1693 89 filecolor=black,%
b@1693 90 linkcolor=black,%
b@1693 91 urlcolor=black
b@1693 92 }
b@1693 93
b@1693 94
b@1693 95 % Title.
b@1693 96 % ------
b@1693 97 \title{\papertitle}
b@1693 98
b@1693 99 % Authors
b@1693 100 % Please note that submissions are NOT anonymous, therefore
b@1693 101 % authors' names have to be VISIBLE in your manuscript.
b@1693 102 %
b@1693 103 % Single address
b@1693 104 % To use with only one author or several with the same address
b@1693 105 % ---------------
b@1693 106 %\oneauthor
b@1693 107 % {\firstauthor} {Affiliation1 \\ %
b@1693 108 % {\tt \href{mailto:author1@smcnetwork.org}{author1@smcnetwork.org}}}
b@1693 109
b@1693 110 %Two addresses
b@1693 111 %--------------
b@1693 112 % \twoauthors
b@1693 113 % {\firstauthor} {Affiliation1 \\ %
b@1693 114 % {\tt \href{mailto:author1@smcnetwork.org}{author1@smcnetwork.org}}}
b@1693 115 % {\secondauthor} {Affiliation2 \\ %
b@1693 116 % {\tt \href{mailto:author2@smcnetwork.org}{author2@smcnetwork.org}}}
b@1693 117
b@1698 118
b@1698 119
b@1698 120 % FIX!!!
b@1693 121 \fourauthors
b@1693 122 {\firstauthor} {%Affiliation1 \\
b@1698 123 {\tt \href{mailto:b.deman@qmul.ac.uk}{n.g.r.jillings@se14.qmul.ac.uk, }}}
b@1693 124 {\secondauthor} {%Affiliation2\\ %
b@1698 125 {\tt \href{mailto:n.g.r.jillings@se14.qmul.ac.uk}{\{b.deman,}}}
b@1693 126 {\thirdauthor} {%Affiliation3\\ %
b@1698 127 {\tt \href{mailto:d.j.moffat@qmul.ac.uk}{d.j.moffat, }}}
b@1693 128 {\fourthauthor} {%Affiliation4\\ %
b@1698 129 {\tt \href{mailto:joshua.reiss@qmul.ac.uk}{joshua.reiss\}@qmul.ac.uk}}}
b@1693 130
b@1693 131 % ***************************************** the document starts here ***************
b@1693 132 \begin{document}
b@1693 133 %
b@1693 134 \capstartfalse
b@1693 135 \maketitle
b@1693 136 \capstarttrue
b@1693 137 %
b@1693 138 \begin{abstract}
b@1998 139 Perceptual evaluation tests where subjects assess certain qualities of different audio fragments are an integral part of audio and music research. These require specialised software, usually custom-made, to collect large amounts of data using meticulously designed interfaces with carefully formulated questions, and play back audio with rapid switching between different samples.
b@1998 140 New functionality in HTML5 included in the Web Audio API allows for increasingly powerful media applications in a platform independent environment. The advantage of a web application is easy deployment on any platform, without requiring any other application, enabling multiple tests to be easily conducted across locations. In this paper we propose a tool supporting a wide variety of easily configurable, multi-stimulus perceptual audio evaluation tests over the web with multiple test interfaces, pre- and post-test surveys, custom configuration, collection of test metrics and other features. Test design and setup doesn't require programming background, and results are gathered automatically using web friendly formats for easy storing of results on a server.
nickjillings@1991 141 % Currently at 150, don't think anything more needs to be done here??
b@1669 142 %Place your abstract at the top left column on the first page.
b@1669 143 %Please write about 150-200 words that specifically highlight the purpose of your work,
b@1669 144 %its context, and provide a brief synopsis of your results.
b@1669 145 %Avoid equations in this part.\\
b@1669 146
b@1693 147 \end{abstract}
b@1977 148
b@1977 149 % TOTAL PAPER: Minimum 4 pages, 6 preferred, max. 8 (6 for demos/posters)\\
b@1693 150
b@1693 151 \section{Introduction}\label{sec:introduction}
b@1693 152
nickjillings@1676 153 %NICK: examples of what kind of audio applications HTML5 has made possible, with references to publications (or website)\\
nickjillings@1676 154
b@1996 155 Perceptual evaluation of audio plays an important role in a wide range of research on audio quality \cite{schoeffler2013impact,repp}, sound synthesis \cite{de2013real,durr2015implementation}, audio effect design \cite{deman2014a}, source separation \cite{mushram,uhlereiss}, music and emotion analysis \cite{song2013b,song2013a}, and many others \cite{friberg2011comparison}. % codec design?
b@1981 156
b@1996 157 %This work is based in part on the APE audio perceptual evaluation interface for MATLAB \cite{deman2014b}. An important drawback of this toolbox is the need to have MATLAB to create a test and even to run (barring the use of an executable generated by MATLAB), and limited compatibility with both earlier and newer versions of MATLAB, which makes it hard to maintain. On the other hand, a web application generally has the advantage of running in most browsers on most applications.
b@1979 158
b@1987 159 % IMPORTANT
b@1987 160 %[TO ADD: other interfaces for perceptual evaluation of audio, browser-based or not!] \\
b@1987 161 %BROWSER-BASED: \cite{song2013b,song2013a,beaqlejs} \\
b@1987 162 %MATLAB: \cite{whisper,mushram,scale}
b@1987 163 % to add: OPAQUE, Rumsey's repertory grid technique
b@1987 164
b@1994 165
b@1994 166 \begin{table}[htdp]
b@1996 167 \caption{Available audio perceptual evaluation tools}
b@1994 168 \begin{center}
b@1994 169 \begin{tabular}{|*{3}{l|}}
b@1994 170 % order?
b@1994 171 \hline
b@1994 172 \textbf{Name} & \textbf{Language} & \textbf{Ref.}\\
b@1994 173 \hline
b@1994 174 APE & MATLAB & \cite{deman2014b} \\
b@1994 175 BeaqleJS & HTML5/JS & \cite{beaqlejs}\\ % ABX, mushra
b@1994 176 %C4DM\footnote{http://isophonics.org/test - collection of listening tests developed by Gy\"{o}rgy Fazekas and Thomas Wilmering at Centre for Digital Music.} & JS & \cite{song2013a,song2013b}\\
b@1994 177 HULTI-GEN & Max & \cite{hulti-gen}\\
b@1994 178 MUSHRAM & MATLAB & \cite{mushram}\\ % type: mushra
b@1994 179 Scale & MATLAB & \cite{scale} \\
b@1994 180 WhisPER & MATLAB & \cite{whisper}\\
b@1994 181 \hline
b@1994 182 \end{tabular}
b@1994 183 \end{center}
b@1994 184 \label{tab:interfaces}
b@1994 185 \end{table}%
b@1994 186
b@1996 187 Various listening test design tools are already available, see Table \ref{tab:interfaces}. A few other listening test tools, such as OPAQUE \cite{opaque} and GuineaPig \cite{guineapig}, are described but not available to the public at the time of writing.
b@1996 188
b@1996 189 Many are MATLAB-based, useful for easily processing and visualising the data produced by the listening tests, but requiring MATLAB to be installed to run or - in the case of an executable created with MATLAB - at least create the test.
b@1996 190 Furthermore, compatibility is usually limited across different versions of MATLAB.
b@1994 191 Similarly, Max requires little or no programming background but it is proprietary software as well, which is especially undesirable when tests need to be deployed at different sites.
b@1994 192 More recently, BeaqleJS \cite{beaqlejs} makes use of the HTML5 audio capabilities and comes with a number of predefined, established test interfaces such as ABX and MUSHRA \cite{mushra}. %
b@1996 193
b@1996 194 A browser-based perceptual evaluation tool for audio has a number of advantages. First of all, it doesn't need any other software than a browser, meaning deployment is very easy and cheap. As such, it can also run on a variety of devices and platforms. The test can be hosted on a central server with subjects all over the world, who can simply go to a webpage. This means that multiple participants can take the test simultaneously, potentially in their usual listening environment if this is beneficial for the test. Naturally, the constraints on the listening environment and other variables still need to be controlled if they are important to the experiment. Depending on the requirements a survey or a variety of tests preceding the experiment could establish whether remote participants and their environments are adequate for the experiment at hand.
b@1996 195
b@1996 196 The Web Audio API is a high-level JavaScript Application Programming Interface (API) designed for real-time processing of audio inside the browser through various processing nodes\footnote{http://webaudio.github.io/web-audio-api/}. Various web sites have used the Web Audio API for creative purposes, such as drum machines and score creation tools\footnote{http://webaudio.github.io/demo-list/},
b@1996 197 others from the list show real-time captured audio processing such as room reverberation tools and a phase vocoder from the system microphone. The BBC Radiophonic Workshop shows effects used on famous TV shows such as Doctor Who, being simulated inside the browser\footnote{http://webaudio.prototyping.bbc.co.uk/}.
b@1996 198 Another example is the BBC R\&D personalised compressor which applies a dynamic range compressor on a radio station that dynamically adjusts the compressor settings to match the listener's environment \cite{mason2015compression}.
b@1996 199
b@1996 200
b@1994 201
b@1987 202 % [How is this one different from all these?] improve
b@1984 203
b@1994 204 % FLEXIBLE (reference (not) appropriate)
b@1996 205 In contrast with the tools listed above, we aim to provide an environment in which a variety of multi-stimulus tests can be designed, with a wide range of configurability, while keeping setup and collecting results as straightforward as possible. For instance, the option to provide free-text comment fields allows for tests with individual vocabulary methods, as opposed to only allowing quantitative scales associated to a fixed set of descriptors.
b@1994 206 % EASE OF USE: no need to go in the code
b@1994 207 To make the tool accessible to a wide range of researchers, we aim to offer maximum functionality even to those with little or no programming background. The tool we present can set up a listening test without reading or adjusting any code, provided no new types of interfaces need to be created.
b@1994 208
b@1996 209 % ENVIRONMENT %In this paper, we provide a listening test back end that allows for easy set up of a wide variety of listening tests, highly flexible yet very simple and not requiring any programming skills.
b@1996 210 Specifically, we present a browser-based perceptual evaluation tool from which any kind of multiple stimulus audio evaluation tool where subjects need to rank, rate, select, or comment on different audio samples can be built.
nickjillings@1988 211 We also include an example of the multiple stimulus user interface included with the APE tool \cite{deman2014b}, which presents the subject with a number of axes on which a number of markers, corresponding to audio samples, can be moved to reflect any subjective quality, as well as corresponding comment boxes.
b@1984 212 However, other graphical user interfaces can be put on top of the engine that we provide with minimal or no modifications. Examples of this are the MUSHRA test \cite{mushra}, single or multiple stimulus evaluation with a two-dimensional interface (such as valence and arousal dimensions), or simple annotation (using free-form text, check boxes, radio buttons or drop-down menus) of one or more audio samples at a time.
b@1996 213 In some cases, such as method of adjustment, where the audio is processed by the user, or AB test, where the interface does not show all audio samples to be evaluated at once \cite{bech}, the back end of the tool needs to be modified as well.
b@1994 214
b@1987 215 In the following sections, we describe the included interface in more detail, discuss the implementation, and cover considerations that were made in the design process of this tool.
b@1698 216
b@1994 217 %\section{Requirements}\label{sec:requirements}
b@1994 218 %???
b@1994 219 %
b@1994 220 %\begin{itemize}
b@1994 221 %\item
b@1994 222 %\end{itemize}
b@1994 223
b@1994 224
b@1981 225 \section{Interface}\label{sec:interface}
b@1698 226
b@1996 227 At this point, we have implemented the interface of the MATLAB-based APE (Audio Perceptual Evaluation) toolbox \cite{deman2014b}. This shows one marker for each simultaneously evaluated audio fragment on one or more horizontal axes, that can be moved to rate or rank the respective fragments in terms of any subjective property, as well as a comment box for every marker, and any extra text boxes for extra comments.
b@1996 228 The reason for such an interface, where all stimuli are presented on a single rating axis (or multiple axes if multiple subjective qualities need to be evaluated), is that it urges the subject to consider the rating and/or ranking of the stimuli relative to one another, as opposed to comparing each individual stimulus to a given reference, as is the case with e.g. a MUSHRA test \cite{mushra}. As such, it is ideal for any type of test where the goal is to carefully compare samples against each other, like perceptual evaluation of different mixes of music recordings \cite{deman2015a} or sound synthesis models \cite{durr2015implementation}, as opposed to comparing results of source separation algorithms \cite{mushram} or audio with lower data rate \cite{mushra} to a high quality reference signal.
b@1998 229
b@1998 230 The markers on the slider at the top of the page are positioned randomly, to minimise the bias that may be introduced when the initial positions are near the beginning, end or middle of the slider. Another approach is to place the markers outside of the slider bar at first and have the subject drag them in, but the authors believe this doesn't encourage careful consideration and comparison of the different fragments as the implicit goal of the test becomes to audition and drag each fragment in just once, rather than to compare all fragments rigorously.
b@1998 231
b@1996 232 See Figure \ref{fig:interface} for an example of the interface, with eleven fragments and one axis. %? change if a new interface is shown
b@1984 233
b@1998 234 %Most of these functions are specific to the APE interface design, for instance the AB test will need a different structure for the audio engine and loading of files, since multiple instances of the same file are required. % more generally these pertain to any typeof multi-stimulus test - not quite useful for AB tests, method of adjustment, ABX, and so on.
b@1998 235 %There are some areas of the design where certain design choices had to be made such as with the markers.
b@1998 236
b@1996 237 %For instance, the option to provide free-text comment fields allows for tests with individual vocabulary methods, as opposed to only allowing quantitative scales associated to a fixed set of descriptors.
b@1641 238
me@1986 239 \begin{figure*}[ht]
b@1979 240 \begin{center}
nickjillings@1993 241 \includegraphics[width=1.0\textwidth]{interface2.png}
nickjillings@1993 242 \caption{Example of interface, with 1 axis, 6 fragments and 1 extra comment in Chrome browser}
b@1979 243 \label{fig:interface}
b@1979 244 \end{center}
b@1979 245 \end{figure*}
me@1986 246
me@1986 247
b@1981 248 \section{Architecture}\label{sec:architecture} % or implementation?
b@1981 249
b@1998 250 The tool uses entirely client side processing utilising the new HTML5 Web Audio API, supported by most major web browsers. The API allows for constructing audio processing elements and connecting them together to produce a high quality, real time signal process to manipulate audio streams. The API supports multichannel processing and has an accurate playback timer for precise, scheduled playback control. The API is controlled through the browser JavaScript engine and is therefore highly configurable. Processing is all performed in a low latency thread separate from the main JavaScript thread, so there is no blocking due to real time processing.
nickjillings@1700 251
nickjillings@1700 252 The web tool itself is split into several files to operate:
nickjillings@1700 253 \begin{itemize}
nickjillings@1679 254 \item \texttt{index.html}: The main index file to load the scripts, this is the file the browser must request to load.
nickjillings@1991 255 \item \texttt{core.js}: Contains global functions and object prototypes to define the audio playback engine, audio objects and loading media files
b@1998 256 \item \texttt{ape.js}: Parses setup files to create the interface as instructed, following the same style chain as the MATLAB APE Tool \cite{deman2014b}.
nickjillings@1700 257 \end{itemize}
nickjillings@1700 258
nickjillings@1991 259 The HTML file loads the \texttt{core.js} file along with a few other ancillary files (such as the jQuery JavaScript extensions\footnote{http://jquery.com/}), at which point the browser JavaScript begins to execute the on-page instructions, which gives the URL of the test set up XML document (outlined in Section \ref{sec:setupresultsformats}). \texttt{core.js} parses this document and executes the functions in \texttt{ape.js} to build the web page. The reason for separating these two files is to allow for further interface designs (such as MUSHRA \cite{mushra} or AB tests \cite{bech}) to be used, which would still require the same underlying core functions outlined in \texttt{core.js}.
nickjillings@1700 260
b@1998 261 The \texttt{ape.js} file has several main functions but the most important are documented here. \textit{loadInterface(xmlDoc)} is called to decode the supplied project document in respect for the interface specified and define any global structures (such as the slider interface). It also identifies the number of pages in the test and randomises the order, if specified to do so. This is the only mandatory function in any of the interface files as this is called by \texttt{core.js} when the document is ready. \texttt{core.js} cannot 'see' any interface specific functions and therefore cannot assume any are available. Therefore \textit{loadInterface(xmlDoc)} is essential to set up the entire test environment. Because the interface files are loaded by \texttt{core.js} and because the functions in \texttt{core.js} are global, the interface files can `see' the \texttt{core.js} file and can therefore not only interact with it, but also modify it.
b@1984 262
b@1998 263 Each test page is loaded using \textit{loadTest(id)} which performs two major tasks: to populate the interface with the slider elements and comment boxes; and secondly to instruct the \textit{audioEngine} to load the audio fragments and construct the backend audio graph. \textit{loadTest(id)} also instructs the audio engine in \texttt{core.js} to create the \textit{audioObject}.
b@1998 264 These are custom audio nodes, one representing each audio element specified in each page.
b@1998 265 They consist of a \textit{bufferSourceNode} (a node which holds a buffer of audio samples for playback) and a \textit{gainNode}, both of which are Web Audio API Nodes. Various functions are applied, depending on which metrics are enabled, to record the interaction with the audio element. These nodes are then connected to the \textit{audioEngine} (itself a custom web audio node) containing a \textit{gainNode} (where the various \textit{audioObject}s connect to) for summation before passing the output to the \textit{destinationNode}, a permanent node of the Web Audio API created as the master output. Here, the browser then passes the audio information to the system sound device. % Does this now make sense?
nickjillings@1679 266 % audio object/audioObject/Audio Object: -- should always be audioObject if talking about the JavaScript object, otherwise should say audio element or audio fragment.
b@1984 267
b@1998 268 When an \textit{audioObject} is created, it is given the URL of the audio sample to load. This is downloaded into the browser asynchronously using the \textit{XMLHttpRequest} object, which downloads any file into the JavaScript environment for further processing. This is particularly useful for the Web Audio API because it supports downloading of files in their binary form for decoding. Once downloaded the file is decoded using the Web Audio API offline decoder. This uses the browser available decoding schemes to decode the audio files into raw float32 arrays, which are in turn passed to the relevant \textit{audioObject} for playback.
nickjillings@1679 269
nickjillings@1679 270 Once each page of the test is completed, identified by pressing the Submit button, the \textit{pageXMLSave(testId)} is called to store all of the collected data until all pages of the test are completed. After the final test and any post-test questions are completed, the \textit{interfaceXMLSave()} function is called. This function generates the final XML file for submission as outlined in Section \ref{sec:setupresultsformats}.
nickjillings@1679 271
nickjillings@1992 272
b@1998 273
b@1998 274 Browsers support various audio file formats and are not consistent in any format. Currently the Web Audio API is best supported in Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Safari. All of these support the use of the uncompressed WAV format. Although not a compact, web friendly format, most transport systems are of a high enough bandwidth this should not be a problem. Ogg Vorbis is another well supported format across the four supported major desktop browsers, as well as MP3 (although Firefox may not support all MP3 types) \footnote{https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/\\Supported\_media\_formats}. %https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/Supported_media_formats
nickjillings@1679 275 One issue of the Web Audio API is that the sample rate is assigned by the system sound device, rather than requested and does not have the ability to request a different one. % Does this make sense? The problem is across all audio files.
b@1998 276 As the sampling rate and the effect of resampling may be critical for some listening tests, the default operation when an audio file is loaded with a different sample rate to that of the system is to convert the sample rate. To provide a check for this, the desired sample rate can be supplied with the set up XML and checked against. If the sample rates do not match, a browser alert window is shown asking for the sample rate to be correctly adjusted.
nickjillings@1991 277 This happens before any loading or decoding of audio files so the browser will only be instructed to fetch files if the system sample rate meets the requirements, avoiding multiple requests for large files until they are actually needed.
b@1984 278
b@1984 279 %During playback, the playback nodes loop indefinitely until playback is stopped. The gain nodes in the \textit{audioObject}s enable dynamic muting of nodes. When a bar in the sliding ranking is clicked, the audio engine mutes all \textit{audioObject}s and un-mutes the clicked one. Therefore, if the audio samples are perfectly aligned up and of the same sample length, they will remain perfectly aligned with each other.
b@1984 280 % Don't think this is relevant anymore
b@1984 281
b@1998 282
b@1987 283 \section{Input and result files}\label{sec:setupresultsformats}
b@1984 284
nickjillings@1991 285 The set up and result files both use the common XML document format to outline the various parameters. The set up file determines which interface to use, the location of audio files, how many pages and other parameters to define the testing environment. Having one document to modify allows for quick manipulation in a `human readable' form to create new tests, or adjust current ones, without needing to edit multiple web files. An example of this XML document is presented in Figure~\ref{fig:xmlIn}% I mean the .js and .html files, though not sure if any better.
b@1984 286
b@1990 287 \subsection{Set up and configurability}
b@1984 288
me@1986 289 \begin{figure}[ht]
me@1986 290 \begin{center}
nickjillings@1997 291 \includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{XMLInput2.png}
me@1986 292 \caption{An Example Input XML File}
me@1986 293 \label{fig:xmlIn}
me@1986 294 \end{center}
me@1986 295 \end{figure}
b@1984 296
nickjillings@1991 297 The set up document has several defined nodes and structure which are documented with the source code. For example there is a section for general set up options where any pre-test and post-test questions and statements can be defined. Pre- and post-test dialogue boxes allow for comments or questions to be presented before or after the test, to convey listening test instructions, gather information about the subject, listening environment, and overall experience of the test. From the example in Figure~\ref{fig:xmlIn}, it can be seen that a question box should be generated, with the id 'location' and it is mandatory to answer. The question is in the PreTest node meaning it will appear before any testing will begin. When the result for the entire test is shown, the response will appear in the PreTest node with the id 'location' allowing it to be found easily. This outlines the importance of having clear and meaningful ID values.
b@1984 298
b@1987 299 We try to cater to a diverse audience with this toolbox, while ensuring the toolbox is simple, elegant and straightforward. To that end, we include the following options that can be easily switched on and off, by setting the value in the input XML file.
b@1984 300
me@1986 301 \begin{itemize} %Should have used a description list for this.
b@1984 302 \item \textbf{Snap to corresponding position}: When this is enabled, and a fragment is playing, the playhead skips to the same position in the next fragment that is clicked. If it is not enabled, every fragment is played from the start.
b@1984 303 \item \textbf{Loop fragments}: Repeat current fragment when end is reached, until the `Stop audio' or `Submit' button is clicked.
b@1984 304 \item \textbf{Comments}: Displays a separate comment box for each fragment in the page.
b@1984 305 \item \textbf{General comment}: One comment box, additional to the individual comment boxes, to comment on the test or a feature that some or all of the fragments share.
b@1984 306 \item \textbf{Resampling}: When this is enabled, tracks are resampled to match the subject's system's sample rate (a default feature of the Web Audio API). When it is not, an error is shown when the system does not match the requested sample rate.
b@1984 307 \item \textbf{Randomise page order}: Randomises the order in which different `pages' are presented. % are we calling this 'pages'?
b@1984 308 \item \textbf{Randomise fragment order}: Randomises the order and numbering of the markers and comment boxes corresponding with the fragments. This permutation is stored as well, to be able to interpret references to the numbers in the comments (such as `this is much [brighter] then 4').
b@1984 309 \item \textbf{Require playback}: Require that each fragment has been played at least once, if not in full.
b@1984 310 \item \textbf{Require full playback}: If `Require playback' is active, require that each fragment has been played in full.
b@1984 311 \item \textbf{Require moving}: Require that each marker is moved (dragged) at least once.
b@1984 312 \item \textbf{Require comments}: This option allows requiring the subject to require a comment for each track.
nickjillings@1988 313 \item \textbf{Repeat test}: Number of times test should be repeated (none by default), to allow familiarisation with the content and experiment, and to investigate consistency of user and variability due to familiarity. In the set up, each 'page' can be given a repeat count. These are all gathered before shuffling the order so repeated tests are not back-to-back if possible.
b@1984 314 \item \textbf{Returning to previous pages}: Indicates whether it is possible to go back to a previous `page' in the test.
b@1984 315 \item \textbf{Lowest rating below [value]}: To enforce a certain use of the rating scale, it can be required to rate at least one sample below a specified value.
b@1984 316 \item \textbf{Highest rating above [value]}: To enforce a certain use of the rating scale, it can be required to rate at least one sample above a specified value.
b@1984 317 \item \textbf{Reference}: Allows for a separate sample (outside of the axis) to be the `reference', which the subject can play back during the test to help with the task at hand \cite{mushra}.
b@1984 318 \item \textbf{Hidden reference}: Whether or not an explicit `reference' is provided, the `hidden reference' should be rated above a certain value \cite{mushra} - this can be enforced.
b@1984 319 \item \textbf{Hidden anchor}: The `hidden anchor' should be rated lower than a certain value \cite{mushra} - this can be enforced.
b@1994 320 \item \textbf{Show scrub bar}: Display a playhead on a scrub bar to show the position in the current fragment.
b@1994 321 \item \textbf{Drag playhead}: If scrub bar is visible, allow dragging to move back or forward in a fragment.
b@1984 322 \end{itemize}
b@1984 323
nickjillings@1988 324 When one of these options is not included in the set up file, they assume a default value. As a result, the input file can be kept very compact if default values suffice for the test.
b@1984 325
b@1984 326 % loop, snap to corresponding position, comments, 'general' comment, require same sampling rate, different types of randomisation
b@1984 327
b@1987 328 \subsection{Results}
b@1987 329
nickjillings@1988 330 The results file is dynamically generated by the interface upon clicking the `Submit' button. This also executes checks, depending on the set up file, to ensure that all tracks have been played back, rated and commented on. The XML output returned contains a node per audioObject and contains both the corresponding marker's position and any comments written in the associated comment box. The rating returned is normalised to be a value between 0 and 1, normalising the pixel representation of different browser windows. An example output file is presented in Figure~\ref{fig:xmlOut}
me@1986 331
me@1986 332 \begin{figure}[ht]
me@1986 333 \begin{center}
nickjillings@1997 334 \includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{XMLOutput2.png}
me@1986 335 \caption{An Example Output XML File}
me@1986 336 \label{fig:xmlOut}
me@1986 337 \end{center}
me@1986 338 \end{figure}
b@1984 339
nickjillings@1991 340 The results also contain information collected by any defined pre/post questions. These are referenced against the set up XML by using the same ID so readable responses can be obtained. Taking from the earlier example of setting up a pre-test question, an example response can be seen in Figure \ref{fig:xmlOut}.
b@1984 341
nickjillings@1991 342 Each page of testing is returned with the results of the entire page included in the structure. One `audioElement' node is created per audio fragment per page, along with its ID. This includes several child nodes including the rating between 0 and 1, the comment, and any other collected metrics including how long the element was listened for, the initial position, boolean flags if the element was listened to, if the element was moved and if the element comment box had any comment. Furthermore, each user action (manipulation of any interface element, such as playback or moving a marker) can be logged along with a the corresponding time code.
b@1987 343 Furthermore, we also store session data such as the browser the tool was used in.
b@1984 344
b@1987 345 We provide the option to store the results locally, and/or to have them sent to a server.
b@1984 346
nickjillings@1988 347 %Here is an example of the set up XML and the results XML: % perhaps best to refer to each XML after each section (set up <> results)
b@1984 348 % Should we include an Example of the input and output XML structure?? --> Sure.
b@1984 349
me@1986 350 %An example of the returned \textit{audioElement} node in the results XML file is as follows.
me@1986 351 %
me@1986 352 %\texttt{<audioelement id="8"> \\
me@1986 353 %<comment> \\
me@1986 354 %<question>Comment on track 0</question> \\
me@1986 355 %<response> The drums were punchy </response> \\
me@1986 356 %</comment> \\
me@1986 357 %<value> 0.25169491525423726 </value> \\
me@1986 358 %<metric> \\
me@1986 359 %<metricresult id="elementTimer"> \\ 2.3278004535147385< /metricresult> \\
me@1986 360 %<metricresult id="elementTrackerFull"> \\
me@1986 361 %<timepos id="0"> \\
me@1986 362 %<time>1.7937414965986385</time> \\
me@1986 363 %<position>0.41694915254237286</position> \\
me@1986 364 %</timepos> \\
me@1986 365 %<timepos id="1"> \\
me@1986 366 %<time>2.6993197278911563</time> \\
me@1986 367 %<position>0.45847457627118643</position> \\
me@1986 368 %</timepos> \\</metricresult> \\
me@1986 369 %<metricresult id="elementInitialPosition"> 0.47796610169491527 </metricresult> \\
me@1986 370 %<metricresult id="elementFlagListenedTo"> true< /metricresult> \\
me@1986 371 %<metricresult id="elementFlagMoved"> true </metricresult> \\
me@1986 372 %</metric> \\
me@1986 373 %</audioelement>}
b@1984 374
nickjillings@1991 375 The parent tag \texttt{audioelement} holds the ID of the element passed in from the set up document. The first child element is \texttt{comment} and holds both the question shown and the response from the comment box inside.
nickjillings@1992 376 The child element \texttt{value} holds the normalised ranking value. Next comes the metric node structure, there is one metric result node per metric event collected. The id of the node identifies the type of data it contains. For example, the first holds the id \textit{elementTimer} and the data contained represents how long, in seconds, the audio element was listened to. There is one \texttt{audioelement} tag per audio element on each test page.
b@1984 377
b@1987 378
b@1984 379 \section{Conclusions and future work}\label{sec:conclusions}
b@1984 380
b@1984 381 In this paper we have presented an approach to creating a browser-based listening test environment that can be used for a variety of types of perceptual evaluation of audio.
b@1984 382 Specifically, we discussed the use of the toolbox in the context of assessment of preference for different production practices, with identical source material.
nickjillings@1992 383 The purpose of this paper is to outline the design of this tool, to describe our implementation using basic HTML5 functionality, and to discuss design challenges and limitations of our approach. This tool differentiates itself from other perceptual audio tools by enabling web technologies for multiple participants to perform the test without the need for proprietary software such as MATLAB. The tool also allows for any interface to be built using HTML5 elements to create dynamic interfaces built either on current evaluation techniques or newer techniques. It enables quick set up of simple tests with the ability to manage complex tests through a single file. And finally it uses the XML document format to store the results allowing for processing and analysis of results in various third party software such as MATLAB or Python.
b@1984 384
b@1984 385 % future work
b@1987 386 Further work may include the development of other common test designs, such as MUSHRA \cite{mushra}, 2D valence and arousal rating, and others. We will add functionality to assist with setting up large-scale tests with remote subjects, so this becomes straightforward and intuitive.
b@1987 387 In addition, we will keep on improving and expanding the tool, and highly welcome feedback and contributions from the community.
b@1984 388
b@1996 389 The source code of this tool can be found on \\ \texttt{code.soundsoftware.ac.uk/projects/}\\ \texttt{webaudioevaluationtool}.
b@1984 390
b@1984 391
b@1984 392 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
b@1984 393 %bibliography here
b@1984 394 \bibliography{smc2015template}
b@1984 395
b@1984 396 \end{document}