A distributed group decision support system with intelligent multimedia interface

This paper describes a distributed group decision support system (GDSS) named TSAUTO (Tsinghua Automation) and the architecture on which it is based. TSAUTO, which is a prototype system, provides distributed participants, seated at their desks, with an ease environment for collaboration. Two features make TSAUTO unique. First, it has an intelligent multimedia interface. With the help of the strong capability of the graphic workstations (UNIX-based workstations), image scanners, video cameras, projectors, microphones, loudspeakers, electronic writing pads, touch screens, telephony, fax, etc., the system provides participants with a means of sharing information in such multimedia forms as video images, voice, text, graphics, static images, full motion images, and hand-drawn figures. Moreover, different participants can configure different views on their own computer as they like. Second, it is mainly based on a 10 M bps switched fast Ethernet. Besides network access, it integrates a computer telephony integration system (CTI) as a supplement. This system is a general-purpose system, not a task-specific system, which can be used as a platform for many concrete applications