|
| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/J78129/01 |
| Title: |
MULTIMEDIA INFORMATION MODELLIMG FOR
DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dr A
Parkes
|
| Other
Investigators: |
Professor
D Hutchison
Dr A
Scott
|
| Recognised Researchers: |
|
| Project Partner: |
|
| Department: |
Computing |
| Organisation: |
Lancaster University |
| Abstract: |
1. To develop a content-based information
representation language for multimedia information in distributed
systems. 2. To use the language to enable end-user tools to
interface with multimedia access, retrieval, manipulation and
collaboration mechanisms using as a platform Lancasters continuous
media storage server. 3. To provide input to the ODP information
viewpoint and MHEG document activities. Progress: The ongoing
literature survey has examined structuring techniques such as MHEG,
storage representations such as MPEG, and content-based retrieval.
Researchers primarily interested in distributed multimedia tend to
view content in terms of document structure rather than semantics.
On the other hand, researchers interested in content-based querying
tend to take a database view of, or a highly mathematical approach
to, content. Moreover, existing content-based multimedia schemes
usually apply to stand-alone systems so that networking and storage
issues are not explored. An important aspect of the research is a
longitudinal evaluation study of real users. Phase one (15 months)
involves the implementation of a prototype system for the study
(phase two). Observations of the target end-users (students on a
course Culture and Communication here at Lancaster) have begun, in
order to define requirements for the design of the distributed
multimedia platform. Development of the initial prototype is
ongoing. Lancasters continuous media storage server (CMSS), is being
used to provide distributed access to multimedia information,
through the following facilities. Firstly, a distributed database
server stores metadata for objects stored on CMSS, enabling objects
to be categorised hierarchically. Secondly, a distributed graphical
interface allows objects on CMSS to be browsed. This queries the
database server to obtain information about objects on CMSS. When an
object is to be retrieved or recorded, this information is used to
transparently initiate a connection to the server to replay or
record the object. The database server is implemented in C. To
create an intuitive interface to the system, the style of a familiar
file browser such as that on the Apple Macintosh has been used.
Information on the database server is browsed hierarchically, with
icons representing multimedia objects (the icon indicates the media
type, e.g. MPEG video, 8KHz audio). Objects and folders can be
opened, created and deleted directly at the interface, all necessary
interaction with the database and storage servers being performed
transparently. As the system is distributed, multiple copies of the
interface may be running on different machines, enabling shared
access to a wide range of multimedia objects. The interface is
written in Tcl/Tk. Pilot evaluation studies will indicate extra
tools required for content-based retrieval and manipulation of
media. These will be added to the system during the latter stages of
Phase 1. |
| Starts: |
01 November 1994 |
Ends: |
31 March 1998 |
Value (£): |
165,331 |
| Scheme: |
Standard
Research |
| EPSRC Research Topic
Classifications: |
| |
ICT Networks and Distributed
Systems
Multimedia
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector
Classifications: |
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