Hypermedia data modeling, coding, and semiotics

This paper reviews the key issues in hypermedia systems as an overture to the proposal of a new semiotic paradigm for hypermedia data and coding models. The hypertext concept permits users to interact with and manage data as high-level conceptual objects rather than as symbol streams. Current hypermedia systems can best be defined as an amalgamation of hypertext and multimedia. While the hypertext data model enables this goal, that is not true for the data models of other media forms. A new semiotic paradigm that addresses these deficiencies and supports object-oriented interaction with compressed multimedia streams is proposed. This paper initially presents an overview of the hypertext data model, contrasting it with existing multimedia data and coding models. The framework for the new paradigm is then presented in a brief review of cognitive, psychological, and semiotic principles. This analysis culminates in the proposal of semiotically based data models and representations predisposed to the hypermedia paradigm.