Showing papers on "Multimedia database published in 1994"

Multimedia: Computing, Communications and Applications

Abstract: Foreword Preface 1.Introduction Branch-overlapping Aspects of Multimedia. Content. Global Structure. Multimedia Literature. 2. Multimedia: Media and Data Streams. Medium. Main Properties of a Multimedia System. Multimedia. Traditional Data Stream Characteristics. Data Streams Characteristics for Continuous Media. Information Units. 3. Sound/Audio. Basic Sound Concepts. Music. Speech. 4. Image and Graphics. Basic Concepts. Computer Image Processing. Comments. 5. Video and Animation. Basic Concepts. Television. Computer-based Animation. 6. Data Compression. Storage Space. Coding Requirements. Source, Entropy, and Hybrid Coding. Some Basic Compression Techniques. JPEG. H.261 (px64). MPEG. DVI. Comments. 7. Optical Storage. History. Basic Technology. Video Disks and Other WORMs. Compact Disk Digital Audio. Compact Disk Read Only Memory. CD-ROM Extended Architecture. Further CD-ROM-based Developments. Compact Disc Write Once. Compact Disk Magneto Optical. The Prospects of CD Technologies. 8. Computer Technology. Communication Architecture. Multimedia Workstations. Comments. 9. Multimedia Operating Systems. Introduction. Real-Time. Resource Management. Process Management. File Systems. Additional Operating System Issues. System Architecture. Concluding Remarks. 10. Networking Systems. Layers, Protocols, and Services. Networks. Local Area Networks (LANs). Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). Wide Area Networks (WANs). Comments. 11. Multimedia Communication Systems. Application Subsystem. Transport Subsystem. Quality of Service and Resource Management. Comments. 12. Data Base Systems. Multimedia Database Management System. Characteristics of an MDBMS. Data Analysis. Data Structure. Operations on Data. Integration in a Database Model. Comments. 13. Documents, Hypertext and Hypermedia. Documents. Hypertext and Hypermedia. Document Architecture SGML. Document Architecture ODA. MHEG. 14. User Interface. General Design Issues. Current Work. Extension through Video and Audio. Video at the User Interface. Audio at the User Interface. User- friendliness as the Primary Goal. Comments. 15. Synchronization. Introduction. Notion of Synchronization. Presentation Requirements. A Reference Model for Multimedia Synchronization. Synchronization. Case Studies. Comments. Summary and Outlook. 16. Abstractions for Programming. Abstraction Levels. Libraries. System Software. Toolkits. Higher Programming Languages. Object-oriented Approaches. Comments. 17. Multimedia Applications. Introduction. Media Preparation. Media Composition. Media Integration. Media Communication. Media Consumption. Media Entertainment. Trends. 18. Future Directions. Where Are We Today? What Are the Next Steps? What Are the Multimedia Research Issues? Abbreviations. Bibliography. Index.

A metadatabase system for semantic image search by a mathematical model of meaning

Abstract: In the design of multimedia database systems, one of the most important issues is to extract images dynamically according to the user's impression and the image's contents In this paper, we present a metadatabase system which realizes the semantic associative search for images by giving keywords representing the user's impression and the image's contentsThis metadatabase system provides several functions for performing the semantic associative search for images by using the metadata representing the features of images These functions are realized by using our proposed mathematical model of meaning The mathematical model of meaning is extended to compute specific meanings of keywords which are used for retrieving images unambiguously and dynamically The main feature of this model is that the semantic associative search is performed in the orthogonal semantic space This space is created for dynamically computing semantic equivalence or similarity between the metadata items of the images and keywords

Multimedia Approach to Case‐Based Structural Design

Abstract: Case‐based reasoning provides an approach to the reuse of previous design experience through the storage, retrieval, and adaptation of specific design projects. One of the major issues to be addressed in the application of case‐based reasoning to structural design is the representation of design projects in case memory. This representation provides the basis for reasoning about retrieval and adaptation. A schema for representing structural design projects that includes the function and behavior of the structure as well as geometry is required for a flexible indexing system that can identify a relevant case. A multimedia representation provides the visualization of the structure that augments the symbolic indexing schema. The implementation of a multimedia database with a flexible indexing schema involves a heterogeneous environment that combines object‐oriented representations and CAD systems. A prototype of a case‐based system aimed at evaluating the potential of the combined multimedia and case‐based‐re...

Predictive prefetch in the Nemesis multimedia information service

Abstract: Critical to the success of future multimedia services is the ability to provide fast access to stored information via communications networks. In the Nemesis project, we focus on application control protocols for delivering stored multimedia to a user. We are exploring adaptive rate control schemes that make use of predictive prefetch of information from remote storage servers as a strategy for coping with short-term network congestion. For users with low-end equipment or slow network connections, these protocols provide a degraded but still useful service. We also provide “better than being there” features such as variable playback rates with intelligible audio, and synchronization and linkage of multiple media.Our first prototype gives access to a multimedia database containing talks given at AT&T, with hypermedia links between video, audio and accompanying documents and viewgraphs. Nemesis provides for on-line archival storage and remote viewing of these presentations by members of AT&T R&D community throughout the world. It is integrated with the NCSA Mosaic navigation system as well as the AT&T LINUS information retrieval system. Our goal is to drive the technology and infrastructure to allow communities and large institutions access to multimedia information anytime and anywhere.

Buffer Management For Continuous Media Sharing In Multimedia Databse Systems

Abstract: Buffer management in database systems deals with allocation, search and replacement of buffers for the data to be accessed so as to promote data sharing and reduce the number of disk accesses. These activities are much more complex in multimedia database systems (MMDBS) which handle time variant data. Mul- timedia data have timeliness and synchronization requirements and hence traditional buffer management schemes like FIFO and LRU are not quite suitable for multimedia buffer management. Since the data rates involved are very high, despite the development of ef- ficient storage and retrieval strategies, disk I/O is likely to be a bottleneck, thereby limiting the number of concurrent ses- sions supported by a system. This calls for better use of data that has already been brought into the buffer by exploiting shar- ing whenever possible using advance knowledge of the multimedia stream to be accessed. Since most of the research work in mul- timedia data management has concentrated on data modeling and storage management, no work has been done to explore the benefits of data sharing when concurrent users are accessing multimedia data. In this paper, by considering the specific application of News- On-Demand-Service (NODS) where extensive sharing of continuous media data is possible, we explore the potential benefits of con- tinuous media sharing. We first introduce the notion of {\m con- tinuous media caching} which is a simple and novel technique where buffers that have been played back by a user are preserved in a controlled fashion for use by subsequent users requesting the same data. We then propose new buffer management schemes that use this technique to utilize the available buffer space ef- fectively to promote sharing, thereby reducing the number of disk I/Os. Finally we compare our schemes with traditional buffer management schemes through simulation. Our results indicate that buffer management schemes that utilize continuous media caching outperform the other schemes in environments where sharing is possible. This indicates that for improved performance, it is essential to develop new MMDBS-specific buffer management schemes that exploit the characteristics of multimedia applications.

Inference and retrieval of facial images

Abstract: Attempts have been made to extend SQL to work with multimedia databases. We are reserved on the representation ability of extended SQL to cope with the richness in content of multimedia data. In this paper we present an example of a multimedia database system, Computer Aided Facial Image Inference and Retrieval system (CAFIIR). The system stores and manages facial images and criminal records, providing necessary functions for crime identification. We would like to demonstrate some core techniques for multimedia database with CAFIIR system. Firstly, CAFIIR is a integrated system. Besides database management, there are image analysis, image composition, image aging, and report generation subsystems, providing means for problem solving. Secondly, the richness of multimedia data urges feature-based database for their management. CAFIIR is feature-based. A indexing mechanism,iconic index, has been proposed for indexing facial images using hierarchical self-organization neural network. The indexing method operates on complex feature measures and provides means for visual navigation. Thirdly, special retrieval methods for facial images have been developed, including visual browsing, similarity retrieval, free text retrieval and fuzzy retrieval.

Retrieval and delivery of information in multimedia database systems

Abstract: EVA is a multimedia database system capable of storage, retrieval, management, analysis and delivery of objects of various media types, including text, audio, images and moving pictures. The interface language deals with the temporal and spatial aspects of multimedia information retrieval and delivery, in addition to the usual capabilities provided by the ordinary database languages. EVA has five classes of operations, namely: operations for querying and updating (i.e. editing) the multimedia information, operations for screen management, temporal operators, operators for specifying rules and constraints, and aggregation (computational) operators. EVA, an extension of the query language Varqa, is a functional language whose notation is based on that of conventional set theory. It is formally defined in an algebraic framework. EVA is object oriented and supports objects, object classes, attributes and methods of objects, and relationships between objects. The current implementation of EVA runs on several different platforms.

Issues in database management of multimedia information

Abstract: Discusses the current state-of-the-art issues in multimedia database management systems. The most important aspect of data management is the semantic modeling and indexing of multimedia information. We discuss various schemes to represent temporal synchronization requirements and highlight current research challenges facing the multimedia database community. >

The Logical Design of a Multimedia Database for a News-on-Demand Application

Abstract: We describe the design of a multimedia database for a distributed news-on-demand multimedia information system. News–on–demand is an application that utilizes broadband network services to deliver news articles to subscribers in the form of multimedia documents. Different news providers insert articles into the database, which is then accessed by remote users over a broadband network. Multimedia documents are composite objects where the component objects have spatial and temporal relationships which need to be captured in the database. Modeling of multimedia documents involves three issues: (1) modeling of individual document components (i.e., monomedia objects such as text, images, etc), (2) modeling of the document structure, and (3) modeling of the presentation structure. We take an object-oriented approach to dealing with these issues. Within (1), our research has so far concentrated on text. We use an annotation based scheme where entire text is stored as a single document and the formatting markups are represented as annotations on the text. To model the structure of multimedia news documents , we follow the SGML/HyTime international standard by designing a document type declaration (DTD) for multimedia news articles. We build an object oriented model of multimedia news documents based on this DTD. Finally , we model the presentational aspects (e.g., fonts, number of columns, playing of audio and video) as objects and store them in the database..

Estimation of motion vectors and their application to scene retrieval

Abstract: This paper describes a method for retrieving scenes from a motion picture database by using motion information as a key. The method has three steps: the automatic estimation of motion vectors in frame sequences, the description of motions in spatio-temporal space, and the retrieval of sequences of images. The motion vectors are estimated by block matching. Estimated motion vectors are mapped in spatio-temporal space (x, y, t). Motion vectors in a scene are aggregated into several representative vectors by statistical analysis. The retrieval of scenes is divided into two parts: the specification of query conditions, and matching between the query conditions and the motion database. Similarity is defined in spatio-temporal space as the distance between the query conditions and the stored motion index. Candidate scenes are ranked in order of distance. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method is effective.

TESSA—an image testbed for evaluating 2-D spatial similarity algorithms

Abstract: In multimedia database applications, a major class of users' requests require retrieving those images in the database that are spatially similar to the query image. To process such queries, a spatial similarity algorithm is required. A spatial similarity algorithm assesses the degree to which the spatial relationships among the domain objects in a database image conform to those specified in the query image. The recent ubiquitous interest in multimedia information systems has spurred a great interest in spatial similarity algorithms. A standard testbed of images is required not only to systematically evaluate these algorithms but also to compare and contrast them. However, there is no such testbed of images available for this purpose.In this paper, we describe a collection of images, referred to as TESSA, as a testbed for investigating the robustness of spatial similarity algorithms and their further use in evaluating the retrieval effectiveness of these algorithms. The TESSA collection comprises 160 images and are produced by generating 15 variants of each of the 10 original images. Image variants are produced by scale, rotation, and translation, and by an arbitrary composition of these three transformations. The variants are designed to inquire into the robustness of spatial similarity algorithms. To facilitate their further use in evaluating the retrieval effectiveness, each image in TESSA is considered as a query in turn, and an expert is asked to provide a rank ordering of the TESSA images with respect to the query image vis-a-vis expert provided rank ordering. System provided rank ordering for a query image is the rank ordering of TESSA images induced by a spatial similarity algorithm with respect to the query. Retrieval effectiveness of spatial similarity algorithms is then characterized by using Rnorm measure. This measure is based on both the expert and system provided rank orderings.

MQL-a query language for multimedia database

Abstract: Proposes a query language, called MQL (Multimedia Query Language), for specifying and manipulating various types of multimedia information efficiently. The data models that describe the multimedia applications and varieties of media data types are established with the object-oriented notation. What the query language consists of can be separated into two parts: one is the data definition language and the other is the data manipulation language. In addition to common functions, MQL provides additional features, such as historical alternative multimedia matching queries, complex queries and nested queries. These functions satisfy most of the requirements of multimedia database querying. Consequently, MQL offers more powerful data access mechanisms for multimedia applications.

A client-server database environment for supporting multimedia applications

Abstract: Developing and using applications often involve a group working on a network to retrieve information and create views containing multimedia objects. The goal of this paper is to describe a project which aimed at providing a client/server database environment for supporting the development of various multimedia applications. The design architecture, process model and issues related to physical implementation are presented. Using an object-oriented approach, a prototyped distributed multimedia database system has been developed on a 100 Mbit/s FDDI LAN. >

Database Management for Multimedia Applications

Abstract: In multimedia computer systems, the data objects created, stored, manipulated, and presented differ from the data objects used in other systems. Digitized images, sound, and video ask for new methods in data management. In this paper, the task of data management for multimedia applications is defined and clearly distinguished from other tasks like editing and complex analysis. Next, the main services are identified and described, i.e. data abstraction, representation of relationships, and search. This leads to a particular interface of multimedia database management systems that is illustrated using the Abstract Data Type IMAGE and the relational data model. The implementation of such an interface is on its way, but some issues are still open and need further research. Content-oriented search is the most important one. The paper concludes with an outlook on other research problems in the field.

A distributed platform for interactive multimedia

Abstract: We describe a multimedia information and communications system called MEDIABASE. The system is under development at the Multimedia Information Laboratory at the University of Ottawa. MEDIABASE comprises three components: a multimedia user interface, a multimedia database client and server for storing, retrieving and updating multimedia documents, and a production server to capture video data and to create multimedia documents. All these components are integrated through a multimedia communications architecture using FDDI and ATM networks. >

Research issues in modeling complex object shapes

Abstract: The methods for high-level abstraction of complex objects described can support mechanisms that process abstracted information directly. Accordingly, the visual computer architecture, multimedia database systems, and multimedia operating systems are attractive areas for future research. The methods discussed are: the singular points approach; decomposition using Morse theory; modeling by the manifolds; Reeb graph of topological structure, visual reconstruction of objects; and approaches to abstraction. >

Communication Resource Use in a Networked Collaborative Design Environment.

Abstract: The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine student use of a prototype networked collaborative design environment to support or augment learning about engineering design. The theoretical framework is based primarily on Vygotsky's social construction of knowledge and the belief that collaboration and communication are critical components in the development of reasoning and learning. The specific goals of the research were to characterize design activities and practices and to examine the use of multiple communication resources to augment activities in a three-way group collaboration. Three groups of students were asked to solve an engineering design problem using a variety of materials, a prototype computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) system, consisting of audio/video conferencing, chat box, draw tool, an interactive multimedia database of engineering information and a multimedia database of electronic textbooks. The groups were given tasks analogous to those of a main contractor and two subcontractors, but specific tasks were left ambiguous to force students to negotiate the boundaries of their tasks. Activities were categorized as: orienting; sub-dividing the problem; establishing roles; information seeking; information sharing; monitoring; negotiating understanding; designing; building; and evaluating. Multiple channels of communication were used by students in three ways: increasing the depth of the discussion; increasing the breadth of the discussion; and overcoming technical difficulty. Conclusions suggest that students need multiple representations of design information to effectively move the design process forward. These multiple channels can encourage both monitoring an active participation and can facilitate clarifications, acknowledgements, information sharing, negotiation, a' the transmission of design information. Findings are illustrated in two figures. (Contains 33 references.) (MAS) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * *********************************************************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION Once of Educations! Rafe Such and Improvatranl EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) C pus dOCument has been reproduced as ,eCelved from the Parson Or Organizafron Originating .1 C /Arno, changes have been made to improve reproduction qualify Points of ...terror ornmons stated mthrsclocument do not niCessarily reoresont official OE RI positron or policy Communication Resource Use in a Networked Collaborative Design Environment Geri Gay and Marc Lentini The Interactive Multimedia Group Cornell University 209 Kennedy Hall Ithaca, NY 14853-4203 Voice: 607/255-5530 FAX: 607/255-4346 WWW: http://www.img.cornell.edu/ "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY Geri Gay TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." L.111 © 1 9 9 4 Interactive Multimedia Group. This paper presented as a poster session at American Educational '' ) Research Association Conference, San Francisco, CA, April 18-22, 1995. A modified version of this paper N: has been accepted for publication to the Journal of Computer Mediated Communication. For further 17'-information contact the authors. 6

Seeing Things Your Way: Information Visualization for a User-Centered Database of Computer Science Literature

Abstract: Project Envision is a user-centered multimedia database of computer science literature. Envision features powerful information visualization by displaying search results as a matrix of icons, with layout semantics under user control. Its Graphic View interacts with Item Summary and Preview Item windows to give users access to bibliographic information and abstracts. The concepts underlying these windows are being extended to a Graphical Browser for the full database and for hierarchical structures. This paper describes the development process and information visualization facilities in Envision search results and browsing displays.

Development of object-oriented multimedia database and its application to retrieval of maintenance parts

Abstract: In this paper is presented a method of maintenance part information retrieval, applied to a multimedia database of elevator parts.In design and maintenance sections, there are needs to treat multimedia data suchas images and graphs, used for non-procedural operations, as CAD and office automation systems become disseminated. We developed a prototype system for retrieval of maintenance part information, applied to a multimedia database of elevator parts, to beused for ordering the needed information for maintenance. Conventionally, these neededpart information are searched and ordered by a maintenance engineer with cumbersome process. Namely, the engineer must select appropriate parts according both to the specifications of the elevator to be maintained, and to the description in documents foreach maintenance part.In our system, the elevator parts, which have complex hierarchical structure, are modelled by object-oriented technology. Thus, a maintenance engineer can easily retrieve and order the needed part information, guided by the computer system, utilizing

Towards the architecture of an instructional multimedia database

Abstract: The applicability of multimedia databases in education may be extended if they can serve multiple target groups, leading to affordable costs per unit for the user. In this contribution, an approach is described to build generic multimedia databases to serve that purpose. This approach is elaborated within the ODB Project ('Instructional Design of an Optical DataBase'); the term optical refers to the use of optical storage media to hold the audiovisual components. The project aims at developing a database in which a hypermedia encyclopedia is combined with instructional multimedia applications for different target groups at different educational levels. The architecture of the Optical Database will allow for switching between application types while working (for instance from tutorial instruction via the encyclopedia to a simulation and back). For instruction, the content of the database is thereby organized around so-called standard instruction routes: one route per target group. In the project, the teacher is regarded as the manager of instruction. From that perspective, the database is primarily organized as a teaching facility. Central to the research is the condition that the architecture of the Optical Database has to enable teachers to select and tailor instruction routes to their needs in a way that is perceived as logical and easy to use.

Disk Scheduling for Multimedia Database Applications.

Abstract: A special aspect of multimedia database applications is that they require continuity in their data access. The maximum number of users who can simultaneously use the multimedia database is limited by this continuity requirement. Formulas for computing the maximum number of users and the associated memory requirement have been presented in the literature. However, these formulas do not take into account the disk scheduling algorithm used by the multimedia server. In this paper, we analyze the eeect of this factor and show that practical disk scheduling algorithms drastically reduce the amount of memory required to support the continuity constraint. A simulation-based study is used to connrm these eeects and to highlight the performance characteristics for various types of media.

Considerations for the use of multimedia with scientific and technical information: a case study

Abstract: A team of publications professionals and scientists at the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site combined efforts to create a multimedia database summarizing more than 40 years of ecological research on the site. While many of the issues associated with print publishing are still relevant to multimedia publishing, new issues such as video, data structure, user interface, and software licensing introduce new problems for the project manager. This paper outlines the project management strategies and techniques used and the lessons learned about switching from traditional paper-based publishing to multimedia publishing. >

A Conceptual Model for Multimedia Database Systems

Abstract: The representation and manipulation of synchronization and other temporal relationships among multimedia operations aTe important issues in multimedia database systems. This paper presents a conceptual model for multimedia database systems. This model extends the object-oriented data model by introducing a new abstraction mechanism for specifying temporal relationships among multimedia objects. More specifically, an mechanism called cluste1ing is introduced to facilitate the representation and manipulation of multimedia objects among which sophisticated relationships pertain. Furthermore, the issue of potential synchronization conflicts is also addressed and some detection solutions are given. A framework for a multimedia prototype system is then jlroposed. Finally, the limitations of the current model and directions for future research aTe summarized.

Extending object-oriented method to represent multimedia features

Abstract: Object-oriented method gives, by applying it to software development process, increase of productivity, natural modeling, reusability, and ease of maintenance. In addition, informa tion systems these days deal with multimedia environment. In this paper, we introduce MObjectory method that extended Objectory method, representative object oriented software development method, to deal with multimedia features. MObjectory method extends analysis model and design model of Objectory to represent multimedia feature consistently. In analysis model, we extend association between entities to make it a base document for construction of multimedia database. In design model, interaction diagram visually models sequencing, timing, and synchronizing of multimedia entities, and it extends in state -transition graph to represent procedural aspects.

Issues in database management of multimedia information (invited paper)

Abstract: In this paper we discuss the current-state-of-the art issues in multimedia database management systems. The most important aspect of data management is the semantic modeling and indexing of multimedia information. We discuss various schemes to represen2 temporal synchronization requirements and highlight current research challenges facing the multimedia database community.

Storing multimedia database information in hyperspace

Abstract: As multimedia comes into wider use, and new ways to apply it are devised, increasing demands are made on both hardware and software to support ever longer and more elaborate presentations and tutorials. The present paper addresses the problem of storage requirements when the application data contains lengthy sequences of full-screen, full-motion, high-resolution motion pictures from videos or other sources. It describes an emerging technique for compressing the data, the autosophy technique, while retaining the full quality of the images. In particular, it presents a detailed explanation of the basic autosophy compression and decompression processes. >