When to use partitioned signature files for retrieving information in multimedia systems

Some techniques based upon the partitioning of the signature file have been considered for improving the performance of the basic signature file access method. The authors discuss the performance issues of this approach. They identify the systems that can take advantage of this extended scheme. The following problems associated with the existing signature file partitioning methods based on the superimposed coding technique are discussed: (i) the problem of reducing the number partitions that must be examined when processing queries and (ii) the problem of nonuniform accesses to partitions. It is shown that these methods are not appropriate for systems in which the objects have a relatively large number of words. Some areas which require further study are described.<>