An object-oriented approach to multimedia databases

ABSTRACT

This paper identifies data modelling and data access and sharing requirements which multimedia applications impose on a database system. It shows the capabilities of an object-based data model and indicates extensions which are needed to meet the data modelling aspects of these requirements. A logical implementation of the operations on the model is described. The model generalizes the notions of instantiation and generalization in the standard object-oriented paradigm, and augments it with the notions of aggregation and relationships which are specialized for a multimedia application environment. Objects may exist in aggregation hierarchies which provide the capability to integrate diverse types of multimedia information such as text, sound, bit-mapped images, and complex graphics drawings. Objects may also be linked through other user-defined relationships to capture such application functions as voice annotation and referencing of one document by another. Using this model, the semantics of aggregation and relationships in a multimedia application environment can be understood and efficiently supported by a database system.

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INDEX TERMS

Classification:
  B. Hardware
  B.4 INPUT/OUTPUT AND DATA COMMUNICATIONS
      B.4.2 Input/Output Devices
          Subjects: Voice

  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
  I.5 PATTERN RECOGNITION
      I.5.4 Applications
          Subjects: Text processing

  J. Computer Applications

General Terms:
Documentation, Human Factors, Languages, Management, Performance