Presentation of Research Results

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1 Research Data, etc. Presentation of Research Results Overseas STRL Presentations and Contributions Overseas academic journals IEEE Transaction 6 Ferrites: Proceedings of ICF8 3 SMPTE Journal 2 Others* 1 7 Total 18 *1: IEEE Letter, Applied Optics, etc. *2: International Display Workshops *3: Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Conference *4: International Magnetics Conference *5: International Conference on Image Processing *6: International Conference on Ferrites *7: Society for Information Display *8: NAB, ABU, Broadcast Asia, etc Overseas academic meetings and international conferences IDW* 2 6 PMRC* 3 4 INTERMAG* 4 3 IS&T/SPIE Annual Symposium, Electronic Imaging 3 ICIP* 5 3 ICF* 6 3 IBC 2 SPIE Photonics East, 3D video and display 2 SID* 7 2 Others* 8 36 Total 64 Public Relations English STRL journals The STRL publishes the following English journals to present STRL research activities and accomplishments overseas. The English treatise journal "Laboratory Notes," was renewed to enhance its effectiveness in publicizing research and STRL-related information. NHK Laboratories Note Renewal BROADCAST TECHNOLOGY ANNUAL REPORT 1999 Homepage The STRL maintains a homepage to present a wide range of its activities including an introduction to the STRL (an outline, annual research report, etc.), event information, materials for public release, journals, thesis presentations, and patent information. The "About the STRL" section of the homepage has been revised, and its contents are updated on a monthly basis. It also includes "Broadcast Technology," which presents the activities of the STRL to the rest of the world. Papers No Newsletter No.2-5 ANNUAL REPORT1999 Overseas Exhibitions Home Server Exhibition at NAB2000 During April 8 through 13, 2000, NAB2000 was held in Las Vegas in the United States. On this occasion, a TV Anytime Forum NAB meeting took place in which NHK presented a demonstration of a home server. Keen interest was shown by visitors in regard to the home server's advanced functions, which cannot be accomplished with any conventional recording devices, such as a technology that records or replays three digital HDTV programs simultaneously on a single hard disk. Home Server Exhibited at the ABU General Assembly From November 2 to 11, 2000, an ABU General Assembly and ABU Engineering Committee were held in Manila, Philippines. The "Asia Multimedia Show 2000" took place simultaneously, with NHK presenting an exhibition of a home server. Visitors showed great interest in the home server's convenient functions, such as the instant retrieval of a desired program for viewing at anytime. NHK STRL ANNUAL REPORT 2000 Presentation of Research Results 37

2 BS Digital Fair Saturday, April 29, 2000 through Sunday, May 7, 2000 Held at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya, Tokyo Prior to the commencement of digital BS broadcasting in December 2000, NHK held the "BS Digital Fair" at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya, during the holiday week starting on April 29. This event was designed to publicize widely the benefits of digital BS broadcasting. As a part of the annual STRL Open House, the STRL also presented the results of its research in exhibitions that centered on digital broadcasting technologies. The Fair attracted more than 200,000 visitors. STRL Technical Exhibition Outline BS Digital Broadcasting Convenient NHK data broadcasting The evolution of data broadcasting was presented in exhibitions. Data broadcasting will provide interactive services, counting requests for movies, music and other popular broadcast items, with Internet access from the TV set and the reception of digital BS broadcasting on the PC. New virtual studio An exhibition allowed visitors to experience a virtual studio which synthesizes realistic HDTV images. In place of an actual studio set, the virtual studio constructs a studio set electronically using real video images. Content Production Technologies Ultrahigh sensitivity Hi-Vision handy-cam We developed a ultrahigh sensitivity compact HDTV camera that can capture clear color images, even under nighttime emergency report conditions, without an illuminator. Living room information station A 5-minute video clip, presenting a model living room of the near future, was shown every 15 minutes. This model living room integrates a home server with data broadcasting and demonstrates how these may be used in daily life. TVML We introduced a system that enables a computer to create TV programs automatically from a TV script written in a special language, called TVML. At the Touchable Digital Section, a "Talk Mania" exhibition was presented, transforming "chat" over a network into a TV program. Insect microphone This insect microphone picks up extremely faint sounds, including those of a crawling insect's footsteps. 38 NHK STRL ANNUAL REPORT 2000 Presentation of Research Results

3 Human-Friendly Broadcasting Technologies Broadcast news transcription system We exhibited a speech recognition system, which automatically recognizes a newscaster's speech and creates a script for TV news closed-captioning. This system currently provides a closed-captioning service on the daily news program, "News at 7," broadcast at 7 p.m. Devices to deliver TV information through tactile means and/or sound A system to deliver television information to persons with visual impairments was exhibited. This system is capable of presenting various data and emergency news using either a tactile device and/or sound. Adjustable speech rate TV for easier listening This TV system incorporated a speech rate conversion function, which slows down rapid broadcast speech to an easier listening speed. Its ability to provide speech rate conversion, without affecting the sound quality or pitch, was demonstrated. New 3D camera We constructed a new 3D camera capable of capturing the pixel-based depth information of objects, in addition to the conventional 2D color image. Presentations included a system application that extracts an image of an object, using the depth data, and uses it to synthesize a video image with other images. Latest Broadcasting Technologies Multi-beam flat receiving antenna for satellite broadcasting This multi-beam flat receiving antenna for satellite broadcasting can simultaneously receive broadcasts from multiple satellites. At the exhibition site, we conducted an actual reception experiment in receiving radio signals from two separate locations with a single flat antenna. Integral 3D Television We presented an integral 3D television that reproduces stereoscopic images from any viewpoint without special glasses. The STRL70th Anniversary Symposium Director-General's Address Keynote Address Special Address Panel Discussion A Coordinator: Kazuma YAMANE (Non-fiction writer) Panelists: Hiroshi HAYASHI (Director, Fujitsu Computer Systems Laboratories) Mario TOKORO (President, Information & Network Technologies Laboratories, SONY corporation) Hideki NIIMI (NTT DoCoMo, Director, Mobile Multimedia Headquarters/Mobile Multimedia Planning Department) Osamu YAMADA (Director-General, NHK STRL) Panel Discussion B STRL Address Osamu YAMADA (Director-General, NHK STRL) "Broadcasting and Technology Development in the 21st Century" Katsuji EBISAWA (President of NHK) "The Long and Winding Road" Mr. Robin FOSTER (Director of Strategy and Development, BBC Broadcast) "Toward the Development of New Services" "Toward the Creation of New Content" Coordinator: Hiroshi HARASHIMA (Professor, University of Tokyo) Panelists: Tsuyoshi TAKASHIRO (Hyper Media Creator) Mari MATSUNAGA (Former Director, NTT DoCoMo Planning Department) Masaki HAYASHI (Senior Research Engineer, Multimedia Services Division, NHK STRL) "Future Research Agenda for the NHK Science & Technical Research Laboratories" Broadcasting Technology System Research for the 21st Century Yutaka TANAKA (Senior Research Engineer, NHK STRL) Basic Research on Broadcasting Technology for the 21st Century Fumio SATO (Display and Optical Devices, NHK STRL) "Broadcasting Innovations: Broadcasting Advancing Rapidly in the Digital Age" On July 7, a symposium was held at the Keidanren Hall, in Otemachi, Tokyo, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the NHK Science & Technical Research Laboratories. Presentations and panel discussions examined the future broadcasting services and technology that 21st century digital technology will bring into existence. A guest speaker, Mr. Robin FOSTER from BBC Broadcast gave the special address, speaking about the challenges that the BBC faces as it moves toward digitization and the strategies that it will employ. The event was attended by an audience of approximately 400 and was considered a great success. NHK STRL ANNUAL REPORT 2000 Presentation of Research Results 39

4 Research Data, etc. Application of Research Results Returning Research Results to the Public Multimedia Educational Support System Program Application Program Cooperation A total of 33 program cooperation items was performed during fiscal Experimental teaching material production seminar "Searching for the Aurora" The HDTV special "Searching for the Aurora" May 5, 2001, NHK Digital Hi-Vision Aurora captured by new Super-HARP HDTV camera In February 2001, the aurora borealis was captured using an Ultrahigh sensitivity HDTV New Super-HARP camera, capable of obtaining clear color images even of dim objects. Taking advantage of the belief that the aurora occurs more frequently every 12th year, various types of aurora phenomena were shot, mainly in Northern Europe. These video images were broadcast on an HDTV special program, "Searching for the Aurora," on May 5, (related article on page 21) System Development Introduction of a New Microphone System to the News Center The studio facility at the NHK News Center was upgraded to HDTV at the commencement of digital BS broadcasting service. It also adopted the high-performance microphone system for announcers that was developed by the STRL in cooperation with the Broadcast Engineering Department. This microphone system has two devices. One is a necktie pin-type double capsule microphone, to be worn on the announcer's chest, and the other is a boundary microphone used for a tabletop. These new microphones are superior to conventional microphone systems in size, sensitivity, and operability, and have generated favorable comments in the studio. (related article on page 22) We promote activities to introduce a multimedia educational support system (related article on page 7), to the educational field. Experimental teaching aid production seminars were held twice, one in December 2000, and the other in January 2001, for teachers in charge of audio-visual classes in Yamanashi prefectural high schools, as part of research by the Broadcasting Culture Fund (Chairman: Professor SAKAUCHI of Tokyo University). At the seminars, instructors from the Toho Gakuen vocational school gave classes using the STRL's multimedia educational support system. Subjects ranged from video image downloading to material completion, in addition to points related to planning, programming, and editing. By the end of the seminar all trainees had completed their own 3- minute video piece on a laptop PC. Technical Cooperation Work was done on a total of 22 technical cooperation items during fiscal Patent and Utility Models Patent and utility model applications submitted Type New Total Domestic Overseas Total Patents and utility models granted Type New Total Domestic Overseas Total as of end of March, Patents and utility models in use Double capsule microphone Boundary microphone Newly developed microphones at the HDTV news studio Type Contracts Licenses Patents Know-how New Total NHK STRL ANNUAL REPORT 2000 Application of Research Results

5 Others Contributions to International Standardization Organizations ITU ITU-R SG6 WRC-2000 ITU-T SG9 Broadcasting services Proposal of User Requirements for audio coding systems for digital broadcasting (WP6D) Revision of a recommendation to standardize the ISDB-T system as a digital terrestrial television broadcasting system (WP6P) Revision of a recommendation to standardize the ISDB-TSB system as a digital terrestrial sound broadcasting system (WP6E) Proposal for modification of a recommendation on the planning criteria for digital terrestrial television services(wp6e) Contribution of ARIB's XML-based multimedia coding scheme (WP6M) Proposal of the Framework for Group of Recommendations for Multimedia Broadcasting (WP6M) Presumable model for international exchange of multimedia broadcasting content (WP6M) Contribution of Data Link Protocol for interaction channel (WP6M) Proposal of investigation on the development of mobile multimedia broadcasting (WP6M) Contribution to new recommendation on digital satellite broadcasting systems including ISDB-S system. Revision of the BSS Plans Contribution to four additional BSS channel assignment to Japan and international registration of Japanese 34.5 MHz BSS system as a member of Japanese delegation Integrated broadband cable networks and television and sound transmission Contribution of ARIB's XML-based multimedia coding scheme Contribution to new recommendation on TDM of multiple MPEG-2 TS over cable television system Addition of a descriptor for multiplexing multiple MPEG-2 TSs to Recommendation J.94 Addition of modulation schemes related to digital satellite broadcasting to Recommendation J.84 Leadership SG6 Vice-Chairman Mr. Kumada WP6M Vice-Chairman Mr. Yoshimura WP6Q Vice-Chairman Mr. Watanabe APT APG-2000* 1 ASTAP* 2 * Region 3 BSS re-planning feasibility study Contribution to the WRC-2000 through the APT plan based on NHK's draft plan. Standardization of the telecommunication technology in the Asia-Pacific region Contribution through rapporteurship of Experts Group such as report of the ITU-R SG6 meeting in September 2000 and so on. 1 APT Conference Preparatory Group Meeting for WRC Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Standardization Program * Experts Group on Digital Broadcasting Rapporteur Mr. Yoshimura ABU Topic Area: Transmission MPEG Report on the progress of broadcasting transmission area Report on standardization of API for DTTB including Multimedia Report on a common digital TV receiver for multiple delivery platforms Topic Chairman Mr. Moriyama API Project Manager Mr. Yoshimura MPEG-4 MPEG-7 MPEG-21 Coding of audio-visual objects Proposals of Studio profile specification (sprite coding, shape coding) Software implementation of Studio profile software and its verification by bitstream exchanges Standardization of Studio profile Drafting of Studio profile conformance part proposed standard (PDAM) Multimedia content description interface Proposals of a description scheme for a video program that is based on the hierarchical scheme of DTPP (desktop program production) / Beatus and a descriptor for video retrieval using natural language. (These were adopted as the final committee draft) Contribution to the standardization by making technical comments as a member of the Japan national body. Digital audiovisual framework Released major comments for PDTR(Proposed Draft Technical Report) via Japan national body. Released a comment for Content Description via Japan national body. TV Anytime Forum Business Models - WG System - WG Content Referencing - WG Metadata - WG Rights Management - WG Application, service model and scenario for TV Anytime Proposals on digital broadcasting services based on Home Server, etc System reference model, API model and system dynamic model for TV Anytime Proposals on system reference model, API model and integrated broadcasting system with Internet based on Home Server, etc Content reference ID, location resolution and authorities Proposals on management method of content ID and locator format for program time table, etc Content guide, navigation, metadata coding and update method Proposals on program index system, navigation method for highlight viewing and metadata service model, etc Content rights management, copy control, personal information protection and security control information Proposals on requirements for Rights Management and Protection (RMP), RMP reference model and RMP APIs consistent with legacy CAS system, etc NHK STRL ANNUAL REPORT 2000 Others 41

6 Doctorates Doctorates acquired in fiscal STRL doctorate holders as of March 31, (Doctors of Engineering) International Exchanges of Researchers Regarding resident researchers from abroad, the STRL accepted one researcher from the Republic of South Africa through the STA Fellow program. We also recently initiated the acceptance of young researchers from ABU (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union) participating countries. During fiscal 2000, three researchers, (from China, South Korea, and Turkey), arrived at the STRL. To promote research abroad, in addition to a researcher in the United States continuing his term since fiscal 1999, we dispatched one researcher each to the following countries: the United Kingdom, Finland, the United States and Canada. Total Reconstruction Underground steel framing work began in April 2000, and ground level began in June. It progressed to the construction of higher levels using an installed tower crane, and the entire steel frame was completed by the end of November. A framework-completion ceremony was held on December 11, Exterior work including the installation of exterior walls, windows, and beams, was underway in parallel with the steel framing. Interior construction has also started, including insulation work, and the installation of partitioning walls, ceilings, air conditioning, and plumbing. The new STRL research buildings are scheduled for completion by the end of October New research building under construction Organization NHK Science & Technical Research Laboratories (as of March,2001) Director-General Deputy Director-General Osamu YAMADA Eiichi MIYASAKA Executive Research Engineer Yozo UTSUMI Hiroshi MURAKAMI Masahide ABE Yutaka TANAKA Provisional group Science & Technical Research Laboratories Construction Administration Office Planning & Coordination Multimedia Services Digital Broadcasting Networks Digital Satellite Broadcasting Systems Advanced Audio & Video Coding Three Dimensional Audio-Visual Systems Human Science Recording Technology & Mechanical Engineering Advanced Imaging Devices Display and Optical Devices General Affairs Planning and management of research work, International correspondence, Public relations on research issues Director Junji KUMADA ISDB services, Next generation program production,... Shigeru SIMODA Terrestrial ISDB, Optical fiber transmission systems,... Kiyoshi MURAKAMI BS digital transmission systems, Microwave systems,... Hajime MATSUMURA Next generation digital compressing system, Kazuo FUKUI Network-linked services,... 3-D images, 3-D sound systems,... Fumio OKANO Information barrier-free, Image and speech recognition technology, Human interface,... Haruo ISONO Ultrahigh-density recording, Mechanical engineering,... Haruo OKUDA Imaging devices, IC devices,... Kenkichi TANIOKA Display devices, Optical devices,... Fumio SATO General and personnel affairs Yoshiki SAKAKIBARA 42 NHK STRL ANNUAL REPORT 2000 OTHERS