Ambient Interfaces

Broadband Ambient Devices & Services

As the 'always on' society progresses, instant and easy access to information is becoming increasingly important. Ambient Interfaces provide a new and exciting way to deliver personalised information over Broadband in a simple and ever-present manner, without the need for a PC or mobile phone.

Ambient devices typically display information, which is required to be ever present yet invisible. Instantly at hand and ready to be noticed yet embedded seamlessly into the environments they inhabit, whether they be office, garden, lounge, bathroom or bedroom.

The prototype Ambient Device shown above provides a glanceable overview of personalised information, while offering the capability for more detailed enquiry. New alerts are announced with display colour change and customisable ambient alert ‘ring-tone’, while Laureate, BT's text to speech engine, is used to read-out the specific details of the alert if the user requires it. Ambient alerts are configured and personalised using an Ambient Service Internet Portal. Alerts could include News, Emails, Share Prices, Library Information and Book Return Reminders.

Ambient devices can provide users with access to information where a PC or similar computer device may not be desirable, such as the bedroom, lounge, kitchen or bathroom.

The server software and systems that drive and control the ambient device are able to monitor, marshal and translate a wide variety of dynamic Internet based data streams. These data streams could include stocks and share prices, Instant Messenger alerts, number of unread emails in the inbox, pollen count, weather, news notifications, sports results, etc. Such a system would enable an ambient ‘orb’ device to change colour if a share price went up or down.

The prototype ambient device shown above is not suitable for complex user interaction, but does provide the initial alert to the user to inquire further via a more suitable interface such as a PC or mobile phone.

Although work on Ambient Interfaces has focused on Consumer markets, applications also exist within the corporate domain. This includes using ambient technologies within the workplace to aid projects management, team awareness and communication, etc. They can be used to enhance PC based services and applications while the user works at their PC workstation.