Efficient multimedia database indexing using structural join index hierarchy

In this paper, we introduce structural join index hierarchy (SJIH) indexing mechanisms that mimic the class composition hierarchy of the complex objects to provide direct access to multimedia objects and/or their component objects. A cost model for processing the queries and maintaining the indices is developed. A heuristic algorithm is designed to select appropriate indices to efficiently process a given set of multimedia queries. Through the use of a News-on-Demand example, we show that SJIH indexing mechanisms facilitate efficient query processing in multimedia applications