A generic spatial/temporal computation model for systemic multimedia presentations

Relations among temporal intervals can he used to assist the automatic gene ration of multimedia presentations. In this paper, we analyze the domains o f interval temporal relations. A set of algorithms is proposed to derive re asonable relations between intervals. Possible conflicts in the user specif ication are first detected and eliminated. Our mechanism then constructs pa rtial order relations among temporal intervals before the presentation time chart is built. The algorithm is extended for objects in an arbitrary n-di mensional space. Thus, presentation layouts in 2-D space or Virtual Reality object representations in 3-D space can be constructed. We use our algorit hms to design a reasoning system that generates the schedule and layout of multimedia presentations. Finally, our contribution is completed with the a pplication of STIMEVIS, a structured methodology of systemic analysis in th e computation model we present, adapted in the process of generating multim edia presentations of user specifications.