CAREER: Designing an End-To-End Architecture for Distributed Multimedia Systems

本研究的主要目标是：(1)开发一个集成的多媒体计算环境，支持多种形式（如视频、音频、图像、文本和数字数据）信息的有效存储、传输和呈现机制；(2)利用它来开发创新的教育方式。为了实现这些目标，提议的研究承诺开发一个端到端架构，包括：(i)支持存储和检索多分辨率多媒体对象的有效手段的多媒体文件系统，（ii）通过网络有效传输多媒体对象的网络算法和协议，以及（iii）处理器调度机制以及支持终端站有效处理和数据流的传输和更高层协议。由此创建的端到端系统架构将构成以下方面的基础：(a)就若干跨学科主题创建一个包含视频讲座、笔记、演示幻灯片、模拟包、动画、图像等的教育材料的数字存储库，以及(b)提供组织和浏览信息空间的有效方法。除了作为评估端到端系统架构的现实测试平台之外，这个数字图书馆原型将为评估各种远程学习和自定进度教育方法的有效性提供一个极好的环境。本研究的结果将显著影响未来大型数字图书馆和远程学习工具的设计。＊＊＊

The main objectives of the proposed research are: (1) to develop an integrated multimedia computing environment that supports efficient mechanisms for storage, transmission, and presentation of information in multiple forms (e.g., video, audio, images, text, and numeric data); and (2) to utilize it to develop innovative methods for delivering education. To achieve these objectives, the proposed research promises to develop an end-to-end architecture consisting of: (i) a multimedia file system that supports efficient means for storage and retrieval of multi-resolution multimedia objects, (ii) network algorithms and protocols for efficient transmission of multimedia objects over networks, and (iii) processor scheduling mechanisms as well as transport and higher layer protocols that support efficient processing and streaming of data at the end-station. The end-to-end system architecture thus created will form the basis for: (a) creating a digital repository of educational material containing video-lectures, notes, presentation slides, simulation packages, animation, images, etc., on several inter-disciplinary topics, and (b) providing efficient methods for organizing and browsing through the information space. In addition to being a realistic testbed for evaluating the end-to-end system architecture, this digital library prototype will provide an excellent environment for evaluating the effectiveness of various methods of distance learning and self-paced education. The findings of this research will significantly impact the design of large-scale digital libraries and distance learning tools of the future. ***