A Conceptual Model for Multimedia Database Systems *

The representation and manipulation of synchronization and other temporal relation-ships among multimedia operations aTe important issues in multimedia database systems. This paper presents a conceptual model for multimedia database systems. This model extends the object-oriented data model by introducing a new abstraction mechanism for specifying temporal relationships among multimedia objects. More specifically, an mech-anism called cluste1ing is introduced to facilitate the representation and manipulation of multimedia objects among which sophisticated relationships pertain. Furthermore, the is-sue of potential synchronization conflicts is also addressed and some detection solutions are given. A framework for a multimedia prototype system is then jlroposed. Finally, the limitations of the current model and directions for future research aTe summarized.