| Multimedia services involve processing, transmission and retrieval of multiple forms of information. Multimedia services have gained momentum in the past few years due to the easy availability of computing power and storage media. Society is demanding human-like intelligent behaviour, such as adaptation and generalization, from machines every day. With this view in mind, researchers are working on fusing intelligent paradigms such as artificial neural networks, swarm intelligence, artificial immune systems, evolutionary computing and multiagents with multimedia services.
Artificial neural networks use neurons, interconnected using various schemes, for fusing learning in multimedia-based systems. Evolutionary computing techniques are used in tasks such as optimization. Typical multiagent systems are based on Belief-Desire-Intention model and act on behalf of the users. Typical examples of intelligent multimedia services include digital libraries, e-learning and teaching, e-government, e-commerce, e-entertainment, e-health and e-legal services.
This book includes 15 chapters on advanced tools and methodologies pertaining to the multimedia services. The authors and reviewers have contributed immensely to this research-oriented book. We believe that this research volume will be valuable to professors, researchers and students of all disciplines, such as computer science, engineering and management. We express our sincere thanks to Springer-Verlag for their wonderful editorial support. |
