HANDLING MULTILINGUAL CONTENT IN DIGITAL MEDIA: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This document expresses and analyzes the need to define a generic method for representing multilingual information in multimedia data. It describes the basic requirements that would bear upon such representations and establishes the potential link with ISO committee TC 37/SC 4 (Language Resource Management) and with XMT (eXtended MPEG-4 Textual format)

That obscure object of desire: multimedia metadata on the Web, part 1

This article discusses the state of the art in metadata for audio-visual media in large semantic networks, such as the Semantic Web. Our discussion is predominantly motivated by the two most widely known approaches towards machine-processable and semantic-based content description, namely the Semantic Web activity of the W3C and ISO's efforts in the direction of complex media content modeling, in particular the Multimedia Content Description Interface (MPEG-7). We explain that the conceptual ideas and technologies discussed in both approaches are essential for the next step in multim

HANDLING MULTILINGUAL CONTENT IN DIGITAL MEDIA: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This document expresses and analyzes the need to define a generic method for representing multilingual information in multimedia data. It describes the basic requirements that would bear upon such representations and establishes the potential link with ISO committee TC 37/SC 4 (Language Resource Management) and with XMT (eXtended MPEG-4 Textual format)

The specification and design of a prototype 2-D MPEG-4 authoring tool

The purpose of this project was the specification, design and implementation of a prototype 2-D MPEG-4 authoring tool. A literature study was conducted of the MPEG-4 standard and multimedia authoring tools to determine the specification and design of a prototype 2- D MPEG-4 authoring tool. The specification and design was used as a basis for the implementation of a prototype 2-D MPEG-4 authoring tool that complies with the Complete 2-D Scene Graph Profile. The need for research into MPEG-4 authoring tools arose from the reported lack of knowledge of the MPEG-4 standard and the limited implementations of MPEG-4 authoring tools available to content authors. In order for MPEG-4 to reach its full potential, it will require authoring tools and content players that satisfy the needs of its users. The theoretical component of this dissertation included a literature study of the MPEG-4 standard and an investigation of relevant multimedia authoring systems. MPEG-4 was introduced as a standard that allows for the creation and streaming of interactive multimedia content at variable bit rates over high and low bandwidth connections. The requirements for the prototype 2-D MPEG-4 authoring system were documented and a prototype system satisfying the requirements was designed, implemented and evaluated. The evaluation of the prototype system showed that the system successfully satisfied all its requirements and that it provides the user with an easy to use and intuitive authoring tool. MPEG-4 has the potential to satisfy the increasing demand for innovative multimedia content on low bandwidth networks, including the Internet and mobile networks, as well as the need expressed by users to interact with multimedia content. This dissertation makes an important contribution to the understanding of the MPEG-4 standard, its functionality and the design of a 2-D MPEG-4 Authoring tool. Keywords: MPEG-4; MPEG-4 authoring; Binary Format for Scenes

A Streamlined Mobile User-Interface for Improved Access to LMS Services

Abstract— Universities in developing countries face greater challenges in implementing Learning Management Systems (LMSs) due to resource-poor settings, characterized by: low levels of ICT infrastructure; electricity outages; few computers; and limited and expensive Internet bandwidth, among other constraints. It is anticipated that if mobile phones are carefully integrated into the ecologies of LMSs, the impact of some of the above challenges in implementing LMSs would be reduced. This paper presents a user-centered design process of mobile LMS interfaces for accessing selected LMS services on mobile phones, and a user experience evaluation for a mobile LMS application implementation. From the design and implementation processes of the mLMS (mobile LMS), and the user experience evaluation of a working mLMS prototype, we conclude that: the ideas presented in the mLMS are technically feasible; the application is useful to the students and the students are encouraged to use their mobile phones to access LMS services more often, thereby reducing the over-reliance and pressure on the constrained institutional ICT resources

A component framework for personalized multimedia applications

Eine praktikable Unterstützung für eine dynamische Erstellung von personalisierten Multimedia-Präsentationen bieten bisher weder industrielle Lösungen noch Forschungsansätze. Mit dem Software-technischen Ansatz des MM4U-Frameworks („MultiMedia For You“) wird erstmals eine generische und zugleich praktikable Unterstützung für den dynamischen Erstellungsprozess bereitgestellt. Das Ziel des MM4U-Frameworks ist es den Anwendungsentwicklern eine umfangreiche und anwendungsunabhängige Unterstützung zur Erstellung von personalisierten Multimedia-Inhalten anzubieten und damit den Entwicklungsprozess solcher Anwendungen erheblich zu erleichtern. Um das Ziel eines Software-Frameworks zur generischen Unterstützung der Entwicklung von personalisierten Multimedia-Anwendungen zu erreichen, stellt sich die Frage nach einer geeigneten Software-technischen Unterstützung zur Entwicklung eines solchen Frameworks. Seit der Einführung von objektorientierten Frameworks, ist heute die Entwicklung immer noch aufwendig und schwierig. Um die Entwicklungsrisiken zu reduzieren, sind geeignete Vorgehensmodelle und Entwicklungsmethoden erstellt worden. Mit der Komponenten-Technologie sind auch so genannte Komponenten-Frameworks entstanden. Im Gegensatz zu objekt-orientierten Frameworks fehlt derzeit jedoch ein geeignetes Vorgehensmodell für Komponenten-Frameworks. Um den Entwicklungsprozess von Komponenten-Frameworks zu verbessern ist mit ProMoCF („Process Model for Component Frameworks“) ein neuartiger Ansatz entwickelt worden. Hierbei handelt es sich um ein leichtgewichtiges Vorgehensmodell und eine Entwicklungsmethodik für Komponenten-Frameworks. Das Vorgehensmodell wurde unter gegenseitigem Nutzen mit der Entwicklung des MM4U-Frameworks erstellt. Das MM4U-Framework stellt keine Neuerfindung der Adaption von Multimedia-Inhalten dar, sondern zielt auf die Vereinigung und Einbettung existierender Forschungsansätze und Lösungen im Umfeld der Multimedia-Personalisierung. Mit so einem Framework an der Hand können Anwendungsentwickler erstmals effizient und einfach eine dynamische Erstellung ihrer personalisierten Multimedia-Inhalte realisieren

A graphics software architecture for high-end interactive TV terminals

This thesis proposes a graphics architecture for next-generation digital television receivers. The starting assumption is that in the future, a number of multimedia terminals will have access through a number of networks to a variety of content and services. One example of such a device is a media station capable of integrating different kinds of multimedia objects such as 2D/3D graphics and video, reacting to user interaction, and supporting the temporal dimension of applications. Some of the services intended for these devices include, for example, games and enhanced information over broadcasted video. First, this thesis provides an overview of the digital television environment, focusing on the limitations of current receivers and hints at future directions. In addition, this thesis compares different solutions from regional standardisation bodies such as DVB, CableLabs, and ARIB. It proposes the adoption of the most relevant initiative, GEM by DVB. Unfortunately, GEM software middleware only considers Java language as an authoring format, meaning that the declarative environment and advanced functionalities (e.g., 3D graphics support) remain to be standardised. Because in the future different user groups will have different demands with regard to television, this thesis identifies two major extensions to the GEM standard. First, it proposes a declarative environment for GEM that takes into account W3C standardisation efforts. This environment is divided into two configurations: one capable of rendering limited interactive applications such as information services, and another intended for more demanding applications, for example a distance learning portal that synchronises videos of lecturers and slides. Second, this thesis proposes to extend the procedural environment of GEM with 3D graphics support. The potential services of this new profile, High-End Interactive, include games and commercials. Then, based on the requirements the proposed profiles should meet, this thesis defines a graphics architecture model composed of five layers. The hardware abstraction layer is in charge of rendering the final graphics output. The graphical context is a cross-platform abstraction of the rendering region and provides graphics primitives (e.g., rectangles and images). The graphical environment provides the means to control different graphical contexts. The GUI toolkit is a set of ready-made user interface widgets and layout schemes. Finally, high-level languages are easy-to-use tools for developing simple services. The thesis concludes with a report of my experience implementing a digital television receiver based on the proposals described. In addition to testing the application of the proposed graphics architecture to the design and implementation of a next-generation digital television receiver, the implementation permits the analysis of the requirements of such receivers and of the services they can provide.reviewe

XML-based distributed authoring tool with ontology representing the domain knowledge

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal

MediaSync: Handbook on Multimedia Synchronization

This book provides an approachable overview of the most recent advances in the fascinating field of media synchronization (mediasync), gathering contributions from the most representative and influential experts. Understanding the challenges of this field in the current multi-sensory, multi-device, and multi-protocol world is not an easy task. The book revisits the foundations of mediasync, including theoretical frameworks and models, highlights ongoing research efforts, like hybrid broadband broadcast (HBB) delivery and users' perception modeling (i.e., Quality of Experience or QoE), and paves the way for the future (e.g., towards the deployment of multi-sensory and ultra-realistic experiences). Although many advances around mediasync have been devised and deployed, this area of research is getting renewed attention to overcome remaining challenges in the next-generation (heterogeneous and ubiquitous) media ecosystem. Given the significant advances in this research area, its current relevance and the multiple disciplines it involves, the availability of a reference book on mediasync becomes necessary. This book fills the gap in this context. In particular, it addresses key aspects and reviews the most relevant contributions within the mediasync research space, from different perspectives. Mediasync: Handbook on Multimedia Synchronization is the perfect companion for scholars and practitioners that want to acquire strong knowledge about this research area, and also approach the challenges behind ensuring the best mediated experiences, by providing the adequate synchronization between the media elements that constitute these experiences