Video Content Foraging

With information systems, the real design problem is not increased access to information, but greater efficiency in finding useful information. In our approach to video content browsing, we try to match the browsing environment with human information processing structures by applying ideas from information foraging theory. In our prototype, video content is divided into video patches, which are collections of video fragments sharing a certain attribute. Browsing within a patch increases efficient interaction as other video content can be (temporarily) ignored. Links to other patches (browsing cues) are constantly provided, facilitating users to switch to other patches or to combine patches. When a browsing cue matches a users goals or interests, this cue carries a scent for that user. It is stated that people browse video material by following scent. The prototype is now sufficiently developed for subsequent research on this and other principles of information foraging theory