Generalized synchronization model and description language for multimedia systems

An indeterministic synchronization model based on 10 interval operators is sufficient for specifying interactive multimedia systems (IMSs). This paper focuses on using a description language to design IMSs. We first propose a generalized synchronization model (GSM). It has fewer, more powerful interval operators, which are still intuitive to multimedia authors and users. Then, we present a new Multimedia Synchronization Description Language (MSDL), which is based on the GSM. Additionally, we demonstrate how MSDL can be used to describe a large number of present and future IMSs.