Presentation of Research Results

Transcription

1 Research Data, etc. Presentation of Research Results Overseas STRL Presentations and Contributions Overseas academic journals IEEE Transaction 5 Applied Optics 3 SPIE Optical Engineering 2 SMPTE Journal 2 Others 7 Total 19 Public Relations English STRL journals To facilitate the wide overseas distribution of STRL research activities and accomplishments, the English journal "Broadcast Technology" was recently inaugurated (to be published quarterly). We also publish the English treatise journal "Laboratories Note" which is designed to allow STRL researchers and professional engineers to announce the latest research results on a global scale. BROADCAST TECHNOLOGY New NHK Laboratories Note ANNUAL REPORT 1998 Overseas academic meetings and international conferences ICCC* 1 5 IDW* 2 5 IS&T/SPIE Annual Symposium, Electronic Imaging 4 ICIP* 3 3 SET* 4 3 NAB 2 IBC 2 Others* 5 40 Total 64 *1: International Conference on Computer Communication *2: International Display Workshops *3: International Conference on Image Processing *4: The Brazilian Society of Television Engineering *5: Montreux Symposium, HDTV Workshop, ABU, SMPTE, etc. Homepage The STRL also maintains an English version of its home page to present detailed information concerning the laboratories on a global scale. This homepage includes an outline of the laboratories, research results, event information such as the STRL Open House, press releases, and journals. Newsletter No. 1 Papers No ANNUAL REPORT1998 Overseas Exhibitions UN Forum The two day 1999 United Nations World Television Forum was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on November 18 and 19. NHK presented exhibitions on digital satellite broadcasting services that are to begin in the year 2000 and future home server technology. TELECOM99 TELECOM99 was held at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 10 through October 17, NHK participated in the event and introduced the ISDB concept based on the theme: "Digital Broadcasting Systems in the 21st Century." Demonstrations of NHK's research accomplishments were also presented such as home server systems and a visual video retrieval system. NHK STRL ANNUAL REPORT 1999 Presentation of Research Results 39

2 STRL Open House Exhibitions, Address, and Presentation STRL Open House 1999 Exhibition: 26 sites/33 items Attendance: 22, ,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 Attendance Open House Schedule Wednesday, May 26 Open house ceremony Thursday, May 27 By invitation Friday, May 28 Open to the general public Saturday, May 29 Open to the general public Sunday, May 30 Open to the general public Exhibition Outline 1. Digital BS -The Future of Television Hi-Vision (HDTV) news An Open Studio was established at the site to show visitors the entire process of Hi-Vision (HDTV) programming, from the editing/ production of HDTV news of the day to its broadcast on HDTV sets around the Laboratories at thirty-minute intervals. 2. The Latest Digital Broadcasting Technology Home server of the future A home server is a home storage system of the digital era for realizing an "anytime function" which records a viewer's favorite programs or information for subsequent viewing at any time. Two types of home servers, one built into a receiver and the other a home network-type, which can be utilized from multiple TVs in the house, were exhibited. 3. Technology for the Enhanced Creation of Program Material Video retrieval system for archives We have been advancing with research on high-speed video retrieval systems for massive video archives. A prototype retrieval system and high-density recording (20 times of D-3 VCR) technology for this system were displayed. From watching to using TV Digital satellite broadcasting will provide a new service, data broadcasting. This new service includes: EPGs (Electronic Program Guides), news headlines and their summaries, weather forecasts, and flash reports of important information such as for earthquakes and tsunami waves. Some of the services were presented at the Open House. Cable transmission of BS digital broadcasting We have been conducting research on a digital satellite broadcast retransmission system in order to make the programming available over cable TV networks. The following three schemes were demonstrated at the open house: 1) transmission with two cable 6MHz TV channels, 2) new wideband channel transmission, and 3) frequency-converted transmission. Image-based virtual studio We are developing technology that aims at creating an image-based virtual studio set based on image components from real pictures instead of CG. The presentation was made of an imagebased virtual studio set which allows a user to freely arrange images of small objects such as desks or vases (3-D image component) on an ambient background scene (environmental image component). 40 NHK STRL ANNUAL REPORT 1999 Presentation of Research Results

3 Presentations (Friday, May 28) Symposium 10:30-12:30 Attendance: 692 Keynote Address 14:00-15:00 Attendance: 615 Presentations 15:00-17:00 "Search for the Possibility of New Broadcasting: A Discussion Concerning the Appeal of Digital Satellite Broadcasting" Participated in by the presidents of digital satellite broadcasters and an NHK Managing Director "Basic Concepts and Technologies Underlying Effective Production in the Multimedia Era" Mr. Shigeru SHIMODA (Multimedia Services, NHK Science and Technical Research Laboratories) Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting 15:00-15:30 Mr. Makoto SASAKI (Digital Broadcasting Networks, NHK Science and Technical Research Laboratories) Subjective Listening Tests of MPEG-2 AAC 15:30-16:00 Mr. Joji URANO (Nippon Television Network Corporation) Speech Recognition System for Closed-captioning Broadcast News 16:00-16:20 Mr. Akio KOBAYASHI (Human Science, NHK Science and 16:20-16:40 Technical Research Laboratories) Video Retrieval System for Archives Mr. Takashi KATO (Recording Technology & Mechanical Engineering, NHK Science and Technical Research Laboratories) Basic Study on Integral 3-D Television 16:40-17:00 Mr. Haruo HOSHINO (Three Dimensional Audio-Visual Systems, NHK Science and Technical Research Laboratories) Symposium On Friday, May 28, 1999, a symposium was held and participated in by the presidents of five digital satellite broadcasters and an NHK Managing Director. The event was a great success with both the main location, the auditorium of the NHK Science & Technical Research Laboratories (300 seats), and the provisional monitor location (300 seats) being completely filled. Announcer Sadatomo MATSUDAIRA of NHK was the symposium mediator for discussions that concerned new services, diffusion strategies, and the future image of digital satellite broadcasting. 4. Technology for the Realization of Human-Friendly Broadcasting Broadcast news transcription system As a part of human-friendly broadcasting services, there is an increasing demand for the number of TV programs with closed-captioning. We exhibited a "speech recognition system" which automatically recognizes a newscaster's speech and creates a script for closed-captioning. 5. Fundamental Technologies for Future Broadcasting Services Multi-beam receiving flat antenna for satellite broadcasting In the future, it is expected that many satellites will provide broadcasting services. Therefore, we are pursuing research on a flat antenna which can simultaneously receive program signals from multiple satellites. At the open house, we exhibited a prototype flat antenna. This antenna has a range of 20 east-west, which covers BS (110 E) and the furthest CS (144 E). 6. Hi-Vision (HDTV) Wall-mounted TV Hi-Vision PDP TV sets have been developed and manufactured. The HDTV displays are very thin, less than 10cm in depth, making it possible to enjoy impressive natural color images and sharp text on large HDTV screens that utilize a minimal amount of space. Its diffusion is anticipated as a wall-mounted HDTV for the home. TV remote controllers for the digital broadcasting era The various services that will be delivered to the home by digital broadcasting should be readily available to anyone. We introduced evaluation test results on TV remote controllers and program guide menu screen designs. Several remote controllers designed on the basis of these test results were also presented. 3-D virtual reality audio system We are advancing with fundamental technologies for next generation super reality broadcasting, such as a 3-D virtual reality audio system with sound links to CG images. This system is capable of reconstructing dynamic realtime 3-D sound fields that correspond to 3-D CG images. Field emitter image sensor with HARP target A compact camera capable of capturing clear images under dark or dim lighting conditions is in demand for special broadcasts such as emergency reports. We are pursuing studies on a new flat image sensor consisting of a highsensitivity HARP target used in conjunction with micro-sized field emitters. NHK STRL ANNUAL REPORT 1999 Presentation of Research Results 41

4 Research Data, etc. Application of Research Results Returning Research Results to the Public New Super HARP camera application to medical field A powerful tool for retina examinations Program Cooperation Total:27 Examples of programs that applied STRL's research results Appearance of an "insect microphone" Program production using the "insect microphone" General TV, November 3rd, 1999 The "insect microphone" that the STRL developed was introduced in the November 3rd edition of the NHK General TV program: "Tameshite Gatten." This microphone can pick up special sounds, such as an insect's footsteps, by converting micro-vibrations into electrical signals. Another application of this principle was seen in an "ice-zone microphone" used during the ice skating events at the Nagano Olympics in February 1998, to capture clear skating sounds from within the ice. TVML's activity in summer special programs Ophthalmic examination experiment (From NHK news) It is anticipated that a new Super HARP HDTV camera with outstanding high-sensitivity characteristics developed by our laboratories for night-time shooting will have applications outside the broadcasting field. For example, due to inadequate film sensitivity, the current retina examination procedure requires the injection of a large quantity of fluorescent dye into the patient's vein. This procedure is hard on the body, even inducing nausea in many patients. However, in November 1999 at the MIYAKE ophthalmic hospital in Nagoya City, the first retinal examination utilizing the new Super HARP HDTV camera was performed. The camera has a sensitivity about 100 times greater than a conventional one, and the experiment confirmed its capability to evaluate the retina's condition with a minimal amount of dye. The experiment also revealed that the video images produced by the camera were suitable for determining the circulatory condition of blood vessels. Technical Cooperation Total: 29 BS-2, August 13,1999 General TV, August 20, 1999 Educational TV, August 21, 1999 High picture quality TVML CG character ("New Midnight Kingdom") Patent and Utility Models Patent and utility model applications submitted Type New Total Domestic Overseas Total as of end of March, Patents and utility models granted A CG character produced by TVML appeared for the first time in NHK programs during the 1999 summer vacation. In the BS2 program "New Midnight Kingdom," a highquality CG character produced by TVML PRO (TVML highquality picture version)appeared on the screen as an anchorperson of the program. In the program "Let's Access Digital Wonder Box: We want to know more about Japanese Rice," which was aired on Educational TV, children's ideas were gathered during the live studio program and immediately broadcast as a mini-program that they produced using TVML. Type New Total Domestic Overseas Total Patents and utility models in use Type New Total Contracts Licenses Patents Know-how NHK STRL ANNUAL REPORT 1999 Application of Research Results

5 Others Contributions to International Standardization Organizations ITU ITU-R SG10 ITU-R SG11 ITU-R IRG* 1 ITU-R GTE* 2 ITU-T SG9 APT Vice-Chairman, WP11B Y.Nishida Vice-Chairman, JWP10-11Q K.Watanabe Vice-Chairman, JTG10-11 T.Yoshimura Terms of reference Sound broadcasting Television broadcasting Review and revision study of the BSS Plans Re-planning feasibility study Television and sound transmission Contributions from NHK Labs. Report on narrow band ISDB-T(WP10B). Unification of the 1125 HDTV studio standard (WP11A). Addition of ISDB-T to the DTTB Recommendation (WP11A). Revision of the HDTV digital interface Recommendation (WP11B). New ISDB-S Recommendation ISDB-S. Re-planning of BSS (JWP10-11S). New recommendation on the subjective assessment of stereoscopic television pictures, including test materials (JWP10-11Q). New test materials for television picture (JWP10-11Q) subjective assessments. XML-based multimedia coding scheme (JTG10-11). Examination of possible Region 3 plan review and revision based on NHK's ATGE draft plan. Region 3 re-planning technical examination based on NHK's ATGE draft plan. New recommendation on user requirements for statistical multiplexing. 1 Inter-conference Representative Group 2 Group of Technical Experts AGTE* Region 3 re-planning feasibility study Contribution to the IRG and GTE through the AGTE plan compilation as a Region 3 member based on NHK's draft plan. APT Group of Technical Experts ABU WP-A WP-B Chairman H.Miyazawa New systems and services Sound broadcasting Narrow band ISDB-T report. 800MHz-band OFDM Outside Broadcast Link study. Production of FM multiplex (DARC system) handbook. MPEG-4 Coding of audio-visual objects Studio profile specification, software implementation, verification by bit stream exchanges Camera parameter transmission scheme and software implementation/standardization. Requirements and specification for scene description broadcasting applications. MPEG-7 Multimedia contents description interface A proposal and verification experiments on a description scheme from the viewpoint of video editing/production. A proposal for a description scheme for structured video annotation. DAVIC Application- TC CAMS-TC System-TC Vice-Chairman T. Kurioka Chairman, System Design AHG T. Kurioka Application, service, and requirements Content representation, APIs, metadata, and security System design and integration A TV Anytime concept. A storage-type broadcasting service. Home server functions. TV Anytime system requirements. Technical tools such as APIs. A program indexing system for the realization of program script viewing. A metadata personal filter. A TV Anytime system reference model. A home server architecture. Demonstrations of NHK's home server. TV Anytime Business Models-WG Technology- WG FIPA Application, service models, and scenarios System, metadata, contents referencing, and security Standardization of agent technology TV Anytime service model requirements. TV Anytime system requirements. TV Anytime metadata requirements. TV Anytime security requirements. Contribution of the followings to FIPA via the FACTS* project. Validation of FIPA specifications through field trials. Provision feedback for the improvement of FIPA specifications. FIPA Agent Communication Technologies and Services NHK STRL ANNUAL REPORT 1999 Others 43

6 Doctorates Total Reconstruction Doctorates acquired in fiscal STRL doctorate holders as of March 31, (Doctors of Engineering) Exchange of researchers In fiscal 1999, a researcher from Canada was invited to the STRL. A researcher from the Republic of South Africa has also being conducting research at the laboratories (since last fiscal year). The STRL sent two additional researchers to the United States and two other researchers will continue their work in the U.S. which was started in fiscal In order to meet the need for more advanced research in the drastically changing media environment, work is underway by the NHK Science & Technical Research Laboratories to construct a new research center. The core function of this new center will be broadcasting technology research for the 21st century. The new structure, with a total floor space of 22,600 square meters and 77m in height, will have 14 stories aboveground and 2 stories below. The new STRL building complex is scheduled to be completed in October Full-scale construction started in April Piling work, including foundation piling, was followed by basement excavation work. Starting in September, we proceeded with work to counteract the radio interference in neighboring areas that will be caused by the new building. Foundation and structural work began in December, Basement excavation Organization NHK Science & Technical Research Laboratories Director-General Deputy Director-General Osamu YAMADA Kazumasa ENAMI Executive Research Engineer Yozo UTSUMI Yuichi NINOMIYA Katsumi NAKABAYASHI Hiroshi MURAKAMI Ichiro YUYAMA Hiroshi MIYAZAWA Kuniharu TAKIZAWA 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 Eiichi MIYASAKA ISDB services, Next generation program production,... Kazuo FUKUI Terrestrial ISDB, Optical fiber transmission systems,... Kiyoshi MURAKAMI BS digital transmission systems, Microwave systems,... Junji KUMADA Next generation digital compressing system, Yutaka TANAKA Multimedia coding,... 3-D images, 3-D sound systems,... Fumio OKANO Human-friendly broadcasting, Image and speech recognition technology, Human interface,... Haruo ISONO Ultrahigh-density recording, Mechanical engineering,... Haruo OKUDA Imaging devices, IC devices,... Masahide ABE Display devices, Optical devices,... Shiro SATO General and personnel affairs Kenjiro NAGANO 44 NHK STRL ANNUAL REPORT 1999 OTHERS