Human motion tracking mechanisms need to track multiple points on a human skeleton. Whether it is based on video or sensors, it is computationally expensive if the tracked skeleton needs to be embedded into a scenario video. We propose a systematic strategy for human action tracking, with an important extension to integrate tracked skeleton with an interactive video player. The interactive video player can detect and understand a restricted set of human motions and react by jumping to particular video segments pre-recorded. As a consequence, the system allows a player to fight with an avatar or a real person in an interactive video game.
Hard SCORM
The Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) specification is a standard for distance learning resources and platform. SCORM is running on PC. In line with the dramatic development of pervasive computing and wireless communication technologies, PDAs connected with wireless LAN or GPRS became popular devices for distance learning. With the most recently investigated Hyper Pen (i.e., C-Pen or the like) devices, it is feasible to use a Hyper Pen, with a hard copy paper, as a new paradigm of running distance learning courseware. We propose the Hard SCORM . The Hard SCORM is a supplementary specification, based on the most recent release of SCORM specification. The Hard SCORM defines a set of sequencing and navigation behavior based on the simple sequencing specification proposed by IMS. In this project, we will investigate an authoring system of Hard SCORM, which will generate and print SCORM compliant courseware on hard copy papers. A Hard SCORM Learning Management System (LMS) will be implemented with advanced Hyper Tag recognition technologies developed in the second sub-project. The Hard SCORM LMS allow users to run SCORM courseware using Hyper Pen and a back-end server. Thus, Hard SCORM is fully SCORM compliant, except that Hyper Pen and hard copy paper are used to replace PC or PDA, although, our SCORM LMS will also consider conventional SCORM LMS technologies running on ordinary devices. This sub-project is highly integrated with other sub-projects. Additional functionalities that will be developed include exam authoring tool, learning resources database and learner records database, and the generation of remedial courseware and individualized tests. As a contribution, we will propose the Hard SCORM specification to the Advanced Distributed Learning (the SCORM committee). In addition, an authoring tool and an LMS of SCORM will be delivered.
Pocket SCORM
Pocket devices are dominated in size w h ic h makes t h em a perfect platform for mobile learning. T h ere are several projects proposed on how distance education can be realized on pocket devices. We demonstrate t h e implementation of t h e Adaptive Pocket SCORM Reader. Our proposed Pocket SCORM Reader is able to load SCORM compatible courseware. Furt h ermore, we introduce our ideal Pocket SCORM arc h itecture. By t h e proposed arc h itecture, we h ope to realize SCORM compliant mobile learning.
A Hyper-Video Authoring System
Hyper-video is a new way for traversing films just as hypertext on the WWW. In the literature, many standards and technologies have been developed for the hypertext. However, the present video processing methods cannot provide a proper solution for hyperlinks in video. We propose an object-based hyper-video authoring system. Video objects can be described by semantic annotation and multistory movies can be produced. The system offers a manual object-based interface for the film producer to select meaningful video objects and annotate them. It also has a video construction function to facilitate the audience to view the annotation of interesting objects in a scene or to select a particular viewing path. It is very useful to show the annotation of a particular object that the film producer wants to highlight in educational or commercial videos. A hyper-video player is also developed to play the video file made by the authoring system.
The MINE SCORM Authoring Tool
We follow the draft specification of SCORM 1.3 and developed a system which supports collaborative courseware authoring. The tool allows users to compose, decompose, and reuse SCORM-based courseware. Important concepts such as sequence rules, metadata definitions, and user definable templates are implemented. A CSCW-like collaborative environment is also implemented under a networked Windowing environment. This tool is supported by the Institute for Information Industry, Taiwan. A SCORM 1.3-based LMS was developed earlier by III. Our authoring tool produces courseware which is compliant to both the SCORM 1.3 LMS by ADL and the LMS by III, Taiwan. A demonstration of the system is available at: http://elresearch.mine.tku.edu.tw/.
Adaptive Digital Image Inpainting
Digital image inpainting is a technique that can repair a portion of damaged or removed image by means of automatic mechanisms. Image inpainting tools can be applied to repairing damaged historical documents. We propose an adaptive mechanism, which is based on a color interpolation mechanism. The repairing procedure checks the surrounding information of a damaged pixel and decides the range of references that can be used to compute an interpolated color. We have tested on more than 2000 images include painting, photo, and cartoon drawing. The evaluation shows that our mechanism produces a very good result.
Quantitative Analysis of Distance Learning Courseware
Web-based courseware are widely developed for distance learning programs in continue education, employee training center, and e-learning portals. Usually, a Web-based courseware contains course contents and on-line tests. However, most Web document development tools are not incorporated with a strategic evaluation mechanism, to allow a quantitative analysis of distance learning courseware. We propose an evaluation mechanism and a multimedia tool, based on our Courseware Diagram, to allow a quantitative justification of courseware. Courseware produced by our development system allows an instructor to choose different instruction sequences based on the outcomes of an exam. Alternatively, the courseware may allow self-guided study in a Web-based distance learning program. This paper explains the courseware diagram, the evaluation algorithm, and the design of our courseware development system.
Adaptive Image Transmission by Strategic Decomposition
Progressive image transmission (PIT) transmits the most significant portion of a picture, followed by less important parts. The mechanism can be used in web-based applications, while users are browsing images. Most PIT methods use the same pixel interpolation scheme for the entire picture, without considering the differences in different portions. We analysis the efficiency of pixel interpolation schemes and test several strategic decomposition mechanisms. Our contribution results in an adaptive image transmission mechanism, which takes the differences of pictures and picture portions into consideration. We tested 1500 pictures in different categories and parameters. The overall bit rates can be reduced significantly, with good PSNR values. An error recovery procedure is also implemented to guarantee the transmitted pictures that can be fully recovered. Interested readers can find the prototype tool and our evaluations at http://www.mine.tku.edu.tw/demos/ProgTransmission.
Collaborative Courseware Authoring Based on SCORM Metadata
Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) has become one of the important standards of distance learning courseware format and platform development. We follow the metadata definition of SCORM 1.3 draft, and developed a system which supports collaborative courseware authoring. Components of courseware are easily selected by a designer. The system is able to suggest an optimal learning sequence, with a set of automatically generated lecture components. A CSCW-like collaborative environment is also implemented under the Windowing environment.
Multi-resolution Image Inpainting
Digital inpainting is an image interpolation mechanism, which can automatically restore damaged or partially removed image. Most inpainting mechanisms use a singular resolution approach on the extrapolation or interpolation of pixels. We propose a multi-resolution algorithm, which can take into consideration the different levels of details. The algorithm was tested on 1000 still images, with an evaluation showing the effectiveness of our approach. The demonstration of our work is available at: http://www.mine.tku.edu.tw/demos/inpaint.
Progressive Image Transmission by Adaptive Interpolation
Progressive image transmission is a mechanism that transmits the most significant portion of an image, followed by its less important parts. Applications of such a mechanism include browsing large image files on the Internet. We propose an adaptive mechanism, based on the characteristics of images. The mechanism use neighbor pixels to guess a target pixel value, without actually transmitting the target pixel. An error correction scheme is also designed to cope with a failure guessing. The prototype is tested on 1500 bit-mapped pictures of different categories. Preliminary results should that the transmission rate is lower than others, with reasonable PSNR values of the transmitted images. Interested readers can find the prototype tool and our evaluations at
http://www.mine.tku.edu.tw/demos/ProgTransmission.
Steganography Method in Gray Scale Image
We propose one steganographic method that based on block pixels. We used pixels contract relation to hide the data that we want to embed. The advantage of our method is we can use pixels contract relation to assist lossy compression process that can reduce the stego-image size and use the pixels of different combinations to increase the capacity of hiding data. A good steganographic technique must have high capacity and well transparency. In our discussion, we will show our experiment result to prove our method can extract the data correctly, after our stego-image was processed by JPEG (Joint Picture Expert Group) lossy compression process. Besides, we will get well transparency after we hide data in the original image.
Using Assessment Feedback to Support Effective E-learning
With the rapidly development of distance learning and the XML (Extensible Markup Language) technology, metadata becomes an important item in an e-learning system. Today, many distance learning standards such as SCORM, AICC CMI, IEEE LTSC Learning Object Meta-data (LOM), and IMS Learning Resource Metadata XML Binding Specification, use metadata to tag learning materials, shareable content objects, and learning resources. However, most metadata is used to define learning materials and test problems. Few metadata is dedicated for assessment in learning. In this paper, we proposed an assessment metadata model for e-learning operations. With the support from the assessment metadata, we can collect information at the question cognition level, Item Difficulty Index, Item Discrimination Index, questionnaire style, and question style. The assessment analysis model provides individual questions, summary of test results, and analytical suggestions. The suggestions and results can tell teachers why a question is not suitable and how to correct it. Teachers can see the test result analysis and fix some problematic questions. With the cognition level analysis, teachers can correct their cognition level to avoid missing items in teaching. The mechanism developed also suggests to an e-learning system, to adaptive learning content and test to individual learners, as well as provides good advice to the teachers.
Augmented Video Conferencing
Distance learning programs use on-line video records to deliver pre-recorded lectures. And, video communication systems can be used as a discussion tool. In this paper, we start our discussion on a multimedia presentation recording system which we had developed. We then present how the video recording concept can be further extended to realize an augmented video conferencing system, which can be used as a peer-to-peer discussion tool, as well as a lecture broadcasting system. We also point out that an object tracking technology can be further integrated to enhance the tool, to enable a more realistic and useful system for the discussion in distance education.
Quantitative Analysis of Distance Learning Courseware
Web-based courseware are widely developed for distance learning programs in continue education, employee training center, and e-learning portals. Usually, a Web-based courseware contains course contents and on-line tests. However, most Web site development tools are not incorporated with a strategic evaluation mechanism, to allow a quantitative analysis of courseware. We propose an evaluation mechanism and a multimedia tool, based on Courseware Diagram, to allow quantitative justification of a courseware. Courseware produced by our development system allows an instructor to choose alternative instruction sequences based on the outcome of an exam. In the similar manner, the courseware allows self-guided study in Web-based distance learning programs. This paper explains the courseware diagram, the evaluation algorithm, and the design of our courseware development system.
Content-Based Information Retrieval in Large VR Scene Database
Most content-based retrieval (CBR) techniques such as shape and color comparison among objects are for image and video. The mechanisms are designed based on 2-D information. We propose a naive shape similarity function, based on 3-D information extracted from a VRML scene database. The method is the first step of our project, which aims to incorporate future extraction of virtual reality objects, such as chairs, car, and others in 3-D space. House interior designers can use the proposed system. The user can select proper scenes and furniture in order to meet the requirement of potential customers.
Copyright Protection with Program Gene
Copyright protection is an important issue, especially when software is sold on the Internet. Current protection scheme adds extra copyright information in programs. Yet, without the authentication from a notary, it is hard to justify the ownership of program segments, especially when de-compiler and de-assembler are available. We propose a mechanism based on the encryption of program characteristics as program genes, which is then embedded with the copyright information. The resulting program can be authenticated with a tool to extract its copyright information. The proposed mechanism can be used in Web associated applications to protect ownership.
An Efficient Edge Detection Technique for Chinese Calligraphy
Calligraphy is one of the traditional Chinese Arts. With the technologies of multimedia, artists and scientists work together to digitize calligraphic drawings in order to preserve the historical contributions. In addition, calligraphic collections can be stored in a multimedia database, for fast retrieval and reference. To facilitate the high efficiency of calligraphy document retrieval, edge detection is one of the most important issues to enable an automatic system. In this paper, we propose a naive edge detection algorithm, which is very efficient in finding edges of calligraphy arts. The experimental results show that, for both calligraphic drawing and simple Chinese landscape painting, the proposed mechanism performs better then other edge detection algorithms.
GBN: An Efficient Progressive Image Transmission Method Based on Guessing by Neighbors
Abstract: Progressive Image Transmission (PIT) technique is useful in Web applications. Especially when the network bandwidth is restricted, the user can roughly preview the image to decide if the entire detail of a picture needs to be transmitted. We propose a newly developed mechanism for PIT. According to the continuity of image pixels, we introduce a Guessing by Neighbors strategy. Only half of the original pixels are transmitted, with additional pixels for error recovery in unsuccessful guessing. Bandwidth can be save. The proposed algorithms can be used for both gray level as well as color pictures. The preliminary results show that, transmitted bit can be saved in the first few rounds. And the PSNR values in the first few rounds are much better than other PIT techniques.
A Practical Approach for Mobile Recommendation Agents over the Internet
The Internet is a popular medium for information delivery and exchange. Recommendation systems and mobile technology have become important academic research topics in electronic commerce (EC). In this paper we propose a mobile architecture for recommendation systems and two algorithms for making recommendation in an EC environment. The mechanism is based on the correlations among customers, product items, and product features. Analysis of such an approach is given.
Indexing and Retrieval Scheme of the Image Database Based on Color and Spatial Relations
We propose a new approach to retrieve images from an image database. We combine both color and spatial features of a picture to index and measure the similarity of images. We propose a new automatic indexing scheme of image database according to our clustering method, which could filter the image efficiently. As a technical contribution, a Seed-Filling like algorithm that could extract the shape and spatial relationship feature of image is proposed. Also, the system is incorporated with a visual interface, which allows the user to specify objects as the spatial specification of pictures. With color identification and spatial similarity functions, the preliminary experience shows that the system is able to retrieve image information of a very high satisfaction.
A Mobile Virtual Conference System
Video conferencing is a trend of future communications. With the improvement of broadband network technologies, video conferencing becomes possible in the global society. It is feasible to use video conferencing technologies to organize future international conferences. As such, transportation and accommodation costs are saved. However, there still exist some problems of how to arrange the broadband network infrastructure efficiently so that communication load can be shared among workstations and area networks. This research proposes a partial solution toward virtual conferencing. We use a mobile server/storage pre-broadcasting technique, as well as a communication network optimization algorithm, which is based on a graph computation mechanism. The system also relies on a network bandwidth reservation facility as well as a multicasting control function. With the assistant of a conference management system, the system is able to support virtual conferencing in the future academic society.
Analysis of Web Learning Performance using S-N Chart
Assessment of distance learning is difficult. Current methods include supervised exams either on the computer or in the traditional manner. However, it is hard to keep track of individual learning status and to provide necessary help to students. We aim to use advanced window programming mechanisms, to keep Web browser navigation records of each student. The navigation records will be analyzed by a newly proposed Student-Navigation Chart mechanism, which is used in conjunction with the Student-Problem Chart proposed earlier. The system will work with a course editing system. As a total solution, our system will automatically record student behavior of an on-line or off-line distance education program, and will provide analysis results to the instructor.
Database Support of Web Course Development with Design Patterns
Current distance learning is mostly based on Web technologies. However, course materials announced as Web documents do not have a normalized structure. It is difficult for students to realize where they are in a Web navigation graph. On the other hand, a textbook has a fixed structure, such as the hierarchy of chapters and the index. A textbook reader knows how to start searching for information with the common structure of books in his/her mind. If distance learning course materials are organized in one or two patterns, it is easier for an individual student to follow. We investigate this approach, and propose a system for Web course designs with patterns. The system also serves as the front module of a Web learning environment, which provides automatic assessment of student performance.
Web Learning Assessment and Adaptive Tutoring
Web-based distance learning is a trend of instruction delivery. One of the most difficult challenges of such a learning mechanism is the assessment of students' learning criteria. It is hard to judge the behavior of a student since the instructor is separated spatially and temporally from the students. However, it is possible to rely on some Web-based tools to keep track of a student's course attendance, as well as the navigation behavior of that student. In addition, the navigation behavior of an individual can be compared to those of others. Analysis can be conducted. And interactive tutorial can be generated to assist the student of poor score. This paper proposes such a mechanism, as well as its supporting system run on Windows browsers.
Multimedia Virtual University
We propose the software architecture for a multimedia-based virtual course system. The architecture supports multi-platform due to the availability of Web browsers and the Java virtual machine. We aim to provide a system on the Internet for instructors to design and demonstrate lectures. This system serves as a step toward our research goal - virtual university over the Internet. We encourage instructors to use the Microsoft FrontPage editor, or an equivalent on a Sun workstation, to design virtual courses. Virtual courses may also be provided via some Java application programs, which are embedded into HTML documents. Since HTML and Java are portable languages, multi-platform courses are thus feasible. An instruction annotation editor, written as a Java-based daemon, is also running under the Java virtual machine (which is supported by the Internet Explorer and the Netscape Navigator). This annotation daemon allows an individual instructor to draw lines, text, and simple graphic objects on the top of a Web page. Different instructors can use the same virtual course but different annotations. These annotations, as well as virtual courses, are stored as software configuration items (SCIs) in the virtual course database management system. A SCI can be a page shows a piece of lecture, an annotation to the piece of lecture, or a compound object containing the above. A class administrator performs book keeping of course registration and network information will serve as the front end of the virtual course DBMS. The implementation of the virtual course DBMS should use JDBC (or ODBC) as the open database connection to some commercial available database systems, such as MS SQL server, Sybase, Informix, or Oracle servers. On the other hand, a student can use an ordinary Web browser to traverse virtual lectures. However, some underlying sub-systems should be installed on a student workstation to allow group discussions, annotation playback, and virtual course assessment. These sub-systems, again, should be written as Java-based daemons run under the Internet Explorer or the Netscape Navigator.
Web Document Development Paradigm
Web documents play an important role in our social life, as computer computation power affects scientific calculations. Software development paradigms were developed to support program construction. However, these traditional paradigms do not completely fit the needs of Web document development due to some reasons. For instance, computer programs focus on problem solving but Web documents focus on information delivery. Computer programs usually have a fixed size but not Web documents, since Web documents are evolving from time to time. It is worthy to investigate a new software development paradigm for developing Web documents. In this project, we propose such a new paradigm and its supporting environment, as well as software testing/metrics mechanisms for Web documents. This project contains some research results from a joint research project entitled Multimedia Micro-University.
Agent Evolution Computing over Internet
Mobile agents are computer programs that can be distributed across networks to run on a remote computer station. The technique can be used in distributed information retrieval, which allows the computation load to be added to servers, but significantly reduces the traffic of network communication. Many articles indicate that this approach is a new direction to software engineering. However, it is hard to find a theoretical base of mobile agent computing and interaction over the Internet. We propose a graph-based model, with a simulation, for the mobile agents, which evolve over the Internet. Based one the concepts of Food Web (or Food Chain), one of the natural laws that we may use besides neural networks and genetic algorithms, we define agent niche overlap graph and agent evolution states for the distributed computation of mobile agent evolution.
HyperCode: A Multimedia-Assisted Program Development Environment
Program documentation helps software maintenance and programmers to understand a program. Traditional program documentation approaches are primitive and have a number of drawbacks, such as incompleteness, inconsistency, and lack of traceability of a program. Besides, there is no quantitative method to measure the quality of program documentation. A programmer is unwilling to write complete documentation, which makes others hard to understand. In this project, we propose an alternative documentation mechanism, which is more convenient, straightforward, and can be measured quantitatively. The system entitled HyperCode provides four tools to assist programmers in annotating and understanding a program. An editor is designed to record programmers' ideas, thoughts, and opinions in multimedia formats. A builder constructs the program into a hypertext, integrates the comments, and measures the completeness of them. Programmers can use the browser to traverse a program similar to browsing a homepage. A tour utility helps the project manager to produce a guided training tour of the program, which can lead follow-up programmers to traverse and understand the source code. The learning status, feedback, and the quality of comments can be analyzed quantitatively.
Using Spatio-Temporal Relation as a Semantic Tool for Content-Based Multimedia Information Retrieval
Content-based retrieval of multimedia information is one of the most difficult research topics in multimedia computing and information retrieval. In this project, we present a visual system which allows content-based retrieval of still image. The recognition algorithms we used are based on spatio-temporal relations. Two approaches and algorithms were developed based on the similarity between polygons. The system is incorporated with a visual interface which allows the user to specify polygons as the shape specification of pictures. The preliminary experience shows that, within an image database containing about 300 bitmapped images, the system is able to retrieve correct information of a high satisfaction.
Multimedia Abstract Machine
We propose a multimedia abstract machine (MAM), a software model and system based on a timed Petri net, for multimedia applications. This system is to integrate a number of multimedia software systems that we have developed. The machine runs a set of pseudo assembly instructions. The multimedia assembly program, consisting of multimedia atomic functionalities, is generated by our various multimedia systems. We also propose a spectrum of functions that are essential elements of a multimedia application specification program.
MScript: A Type System and Language for the Composition of Multimedia Presentation Objects
Most multimedia presentations generated by nowaday authoring tools present the same materials to the audiences without considering their different backgrounds and learning speeds. In this project, we present a dynamic presentation language allowing the presentation designers to plan the presentation script programs according to audience's interactions. The improved multimedia presentation thus can learn from the audiences and present different materials each time. We start our discussion from the discussion of a multimedia type system that allows the composition of multimedia objects. The components of the MScript language is also presented. Using our language and system, the designer is able to design dynamic multimedia presentations.
Toward a Generic Spatial/Temporal Computation Model for Multimedia Presentations
Relations among temporal intervals can be used to assist the automatic generation of multimedia presentations. In this project, we analyze the domains of interval temporal relations. A set of algorithms is proposed to derive reasonable relations between intervals. Possible conflicts in the user specification are firstly detected and eliminated. Our mechanism then constructs partial order relations among temporal intervals before the presentation time chart is built. The algorithm is extended for objects in an arbitrary n-dimensional space. Thus, presentation layouts in 2-D space, or Virtual Reality object representations in 3-D space can be constructed. We use our algorithms to design a reasoning system that generates the schedule and layout of multimedia presentations.
Structured Multimedia Presentation Designs (The StrMP System)
We propose a revised DFD/CFD mechanism and an improved Petri net for the analysis and design of multimedia presentations. A number of diagram components are introduced in the new multimedia DFD/CFD. Unlike mapping a traditional data flow/control flow diagram to a structured chart, the refinement of a multimedia DFD/CFD results in a number of multimedia Petri nets which represent the schedule and navigation of a presentation. The proposed mechanism allows a presentation to change itself. Thus a dynamic multimedia presentation can learn from the audience and act according to the audience's individual behavior. Using our system, a presentation designer is able to analyze his/her presentation script and design the presentation in a systematic manner.
IMMPS: An Intelligent Multimedia Presentation Design System
An interactive multimedia presentation system is introduced. We look at a presentation from two views: the navigation view and the representation view. The presentation navigation is based on message passing among presentation windows of a presentation, while common information is inherited and shared by presentation windows. The system allows a presenter to plan the audience's reaction in advance. When the audience is watching a presentation, the underlying inference system is learning from his/her responses. This mechanism makes a presentation to be proceeded again act according to the audience's background and knowledge. Thus, the resulting presentation is more diversified. We also propose an object-oriented multimedia database for a designer to organize resources and presentations. A database browser is implemented to allow users to reuse objects and maintain the database. The system is implemented under the MS Windows 95. This system can be used for general purpose presentations or demonstrations in different fields such as education, training, product demonstration, and others.
Object Composition and Reuse in a Distributed Multimedia Database
This research proposes a distributed multimedia database. We use object-oriented methodology with the support of multimedia networking technologies in the design and implementation of our system. The database supports an easy to reuse mechanism. Objects in the two layered database hierarchy can be grouped and declared as a class, which serve as a reusable multimedia presentation subject. In the hierarchy, we use four type of links to group presentation windows and resources, which are the two kind of basic objects in the database. A locking mechanism can be applied to both layers of persistent objects. The centralized control of the database allows a number of local databases hold the image of transactions of the global database. The implementation of the database is to support an intelligent multimedia presentation system that we have developed earlier.
Using Interval Temporal Logic and Inference Rules for the Automatic Generation of Multimedia Presentations (The PreGen Project)
We propose a mechanism and system for the automatic generation of interactive multimedia presentations from their specifications. A presentation specification contains three parts: the resources, the temporal information, and the spatial information. We use a ICON programming technique and a graphical user interface allow the presentation designer to quickly specify what he/she wants. Our system takes these requirements and relies on inference rules written in Prolog to generate interactive presentations. These inference rules are based on interval temporal logic and important issues in multimedia presentations, such as the hardware limitations of an ordinary personal computer and the properties of a multimedia resource. Our prototype system run under MS Windows. The early experience of using the system shows that it is feasible to use logic inference rules to assist the design of good multimedia presentations.
Integration Object-Oriented Software Testing and Metrics
Software testing methodologies and metrics are key issues to improve and assure software quality. They are important areas in the research of Software Engineering. However, not many focuses on the testing criteria and metrics evaluation of a class hierarchy have been concerned. This research introduces an important method named URI (Unit Repeated Inheritance) to realize integrated Object-Oriented Testing and Object-Oriented Metrics. The approach describes an ILT (Inheritance Level Technique) method for guiding testing and measuring the software complexity of a class hierarchy. The proposed technique shows that inheritance has a close relation to object-oriented software complexity and reveals that overuse of repeated (or multiple) inheritance will increase software complexity and be prone to implicit software errors. Also, two test criteria: intra level first and inter level first are presented.
Continuation Semantics of Runnable Specifications in Logic Programming
SPEC (Specification Processing Environment with Control) is a logic programming environment developed at Santa Clara University. This dissertation addresses some of the important components of the project, such as the specification program translator and the interpreter. The aim of this thesis is to develop and provide the semantics for a number of control abstractions based on logic program continuations. The Z notation is used as a semantic language to define the operational continuation semantics of the control abstractions. Within this dissertation, a runnable specification language based on Prolog is presented. A translator translates specification programs to logic programs that are run under a continuation style interpreter. The specification language allows information hiding and the separation of control and logic in a specification. The control facilities developed include predicates for continuations, a systematic exception handling mechanism, a coroutining facility, backtracking controls, structural loop constructs, and a number of control annotations. The SPEC project is implemented on an HP 9000/700 workstation running under HP Unix and the Motif Window Manager. The implementation language is Prolog and C plus Motif libraries. With the specification language and its control facilities, the SPEC project supports well engineered logic program development from specification, design, implementation, and testing, to maintenance.
A Specification and Verification Environment for Systolic Array Designs
STA (Systolic Temporal Arithmetic) is a specification language developed for formal specification and reasoning of systolic architecture designs. VSTA (Verification of STA) is a Prolog-based verifier implemented to allow the users to design systolic arrays in the STA specification language and the design can be semi-automatically verified. The implementation of VSTA is based on a standard Prolog system. Its interface uses Motif system calls based on the X11 and UNIX environments. VSTA provides facilities to assist the users in the design of systolic array specifications. The system allows a formal proof to be derived interactively with suggestions from the users. The proof techniques used are mathematical induction and rewriting. The induction technique is adopted to exploit the regularity and locality nature of systolic array architectures. A number of verification tactics are also developed and their operational rules are used in the verifier. Using the powerful symbolic computation ability of Prolog, particularly pattern matching, automatic backtracking, and depth-first searching, the verifier performs efficiently in the construction of proofs. Several varieties of systolic architectures were designed in STA and verified by VSTA.