Implementation of a Multimedia Database System for Clinical Case in Orthodontics

SORID（System for Orthodontic Image Database）是在Vax小型机（OS:VMS, DEC Inc.）上开发的一个用Fortran语言编写的多媒体数据库系统，采用C语言和X窗口系统移植到UNIX工作站（OS: 4.3 BSD）上。SORID的实现如下：在原型中，系统使用了自己研制的关系数据库管理系统（RDBMS）来存储符号和字符串数据。然而，从系统维护的角度来看，我们采用了商用RDBMS，统一，而不是自制的RDBMS。在实现中，利用了UNIFY中的文件访问方法。C.2重新编写了管理图像和线条图数据的数据库系统。该系统具有可视化的多媒体数据检索界面。在原型中，使用CORE图形系统和通用图形显示器实现了界面。另一方面，在传输接口时采用了X窗口和位图显示。该界面具有高质量的数据可视化、空间和历史检索、浏览和图像处理功能。在X窗口系统下，用C语言和xlib编写界面。用户与系统之间的对话比原型有了很大的改善。图像处理系统CRIPS（颅面图像处理系统）也被转移到创建线条图数据库。在X窗口系统下，可以监控从线条图输入到特征提取的过程。因此，用户可以方便地操作系统。

SORID( System for Orthodontic Image Database ) which was developed on Vax minicomputer(OS:VMS, DEC Inc.), a multimedia database system written in Fortran, has been transferred to UNIX workstation(OS: 4.3 BSD) using C language and X window system. SORID was implemented as follows:1. In the prototype, the relational database management system (RDBMS) made by ourselves was used in the system to store symbol and string data. However, from the points of view of system maintenance, we have adopted the commercial RDBMS, UNIFY instead of the band-made RDBMS. In the implementation, the file access methods in the UNIFY were utilized. The database system to manage image and line drawings data was rewritten by C.2. The system has a visual interface to retrieve the multimedia data. In the prototype, the interface was implemented by use of CORE graphic system and a universal graphic display. On the other hand, in transferring the interface X window and bitmap display were adopted. The interface has the high quality functions, data visualization, spatial and historical retrieval, browsing and image processing. The interface was programmed by C and X lib under X window system. The conversation between user and system was improved much better than that of prototype.3. The image processing system called CRIPS( craniofacial image processing system) was also transferred to create database of line drawings. The process from input of line drawings to feature extractions can be monitored under X window system. Accordingly, user can easily operate the system.