Requirement analysis and implementation of palm-based multimedia museum guide systems

A multimedia museum guide system is developed and presented in the paper. In contrast with conventional cassette audio tape exhibition tours, the presented museum guide system is implemented on Palm-based Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), so as to provide a multimedia touring experience for visitors. Moreover, the museum guide system is capable of being aware of the current position of the visitor, and then automatically retrieves the related multimedia information of the exhibit that the visitor is gazing at. As the visitor walks up to another exhibit, without any clicks or operations, the screen on the PDA will be changed to the related multimedia information of that exhibit automatically. Basically, the developed museum guide system plays the role of a personal guide assistant, so as to construct the mobile learning environment in museums.