Z(Y)X - A multimedia document model for reuse and adaptation of multimediacontent

Advanced multimedia applications require adequate support for the modeling of multimedia content by multimedia document models. More and more this sup port calls for not only the adequate modeling of the temporal and spatial c ourse of a multimedia presentation and its interactions, but also for the p artial reuse of multimedia documents and adaptation to a given user context . However, our thorough investigation of existing standards for multimedia document models such as HTML, MHEG, SMIL, and HyTime leads to us the conclu sion that these standard models do not provide sufficient modeling support for reuse and adaptation. Therefore, we propose a new approach for the mode ling of adaptable and reusable multimedia content, the Z(Y)X model. The mod el offers primitives that provide-beyond the more or less common primitives for temporal, spatial, and interaction modeling-a variform support for reu se of structure and layout of document fragments and for the adaptation of the content and its presentation to the user context. We present the model in detail and illustrate the application and effectiveness of these concept s by samples taken from our Cardio-OP application in the domain of cardiac surgery. With the Z(Y)X model, we developed a comprehensive means for advan ced multimedia content creation: support for template-driven authoring of m ultimedia content and support for flexible, dynamic composition of multimed ia documents customized to the user's local context and needs. The approach significantly impacts and supports the authoring process in terms of metho dology and economic aspects.