We have developed a new compact zoomlens for videocamera using the optical compact design by advanced new control system and mechanical design of new box type construction. Consumer can enjoy new high-quality and compact videocamera.

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We developed a platform for home network equipment consisting of a high performance CPU with RTOS and Peripheral function chips connected to CPU bus. We implemented the SBP-2 software and an IP Over 1394 protocol on this system.

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This paper describes the software architecture for PlusMedia STATION, conceptual name for network AV products. This architecture supports three major functions of PlusMedia STATION "Media Receiver"; "Media Distributor"; and "Media Controller". First implementation of this architecture has been developed for DST-MS). With this implementation, we have realized capabilities of receiving CS digital AV/data service and of connecting it to IEEE1394 devices.

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[in Japanese]

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We have examined psychological effects of 3D Hi-vision images compared with 2D images. A factor analysis of the subjective evaluation tests extracts two main factors. i.e. sense of presence and ease of viewing, and shows that 3Dimages bring more sense of presence while some of them are inferior to 2D images in the respect of ease of viewing

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In this paper, we discuss the relationship between the "cardboard effect" and shooting conditions, such as lens focal length, camera separation or lighting conditions. Subjective evaluation tests show that lighting conditions as well as binocular disparity derived from camera separation and lens focal length have important effects on the " cardboard effect".

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This report address the relation between the picture quality and the perception of synthetic signed language sentences and non-sign pictures. One of the main purpose of this study is building a system for generating signed language sentences for VoD(Video on Demand) services in ISDN system. The experimental results show similarities and differences in perception of synthetic signed language sentences and non-sign under various picture qualities.

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In this paper, we discuss the relation between body movement and emotion in the methods of the estimation of the impression and the analysis of motion picture in the sport scene. Using the 3-D model of human body by VRML, we measured the body movement of the performers in the TV picture, and checked the result with the impression.

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The effect of visual image on the binaural sound localization reproduced by two speakers was investigated. Sound image localization was biased toward the visual image except the direct front of the subject.

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Various visual functions and indicators including acuity, field width and color vision are known to deteriorate with age. As part of our research on human-friendly broadcasting, we have been investigating the deterioration of color vision in elderly people. In this paper, we examine the chromatic visual spatial frequency response in elderly subjects.

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We studied the categorical color perception by using a technique of classification. The observers classified a set of 424 OSA color samples into the number(2-14) of groups to obtain categorical color regions. All observers color samples in a similar way. It is remarkable that-stage like classification was obtained according to the number of groups. This result suggests that these are clear boundaries in color space.

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[in Japanese]

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To construct a useful EPG(Electronic Program Guide) for viewers, it is necessary that the hierarchical structure of TV program genres corresponds to that which viewers conceive. In this study, we examined the hierarchically, and on the other we had subjects evaluate the similarity between pairs of TV programs according to a five-point scale, and we produced a category structure from the results by cluster analysis. The results showed that the number of categories on the top level of the hierarchy is about ten, and the number of levels is two.

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This paper describes the application of protocol analysis to the design of a TV selection screen and menu architecture. Using this method, we were able to identify problems which are easily overlooked in ergonomic design and which do not lend themselves to discovery by questionnaire. We demonstrate the effectiveness of protocol analysis for this application.

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The Telecommunications Advancement Organization(TAO) of Japan has initiated a project in which electronically available text of TV news programs is summarized and synchronized with the speech and video automatically, then made into closed captions for the benefit of the hearing impaired people in Japan. The project started in 1996 and will end in 2001. We reported the main research issues and the result of preliminary research last year. This report describes the recent result of our research for technology of automatic producing closed captions for TV programs and formal assessment of caption display method.

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We have been pursuing research into integrated information receiving terminals for visually impaired persons and with both visual and hearing impairments. In order to facilitate access to multimedia news and emergency disaster reports anytime and anywhere, we have been developed a prototype wearable Braille transmission and reception system designed so that the six Braille points can be sensed and typed with six fingers.

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Our research progresses on intelligent robot cameras with the idea of having multiple robot cameras exchange information to automatically set up and take optimal shots. Here, with the aim of achieving such intelligent robot cameras, we performed an analysis on production techniques using multiple cameras in actual programs. As a result of this analysis, we obtained basic data on the ratio of directions given to cameramen from the technical director, on the time taken by cameramen to set up shots, etc. It was found, moreover, that rule-base automatic shooting becomes difficult in 6 to 9% of all cases, and that there is a need for a man-machine interface that can intervene in the processes of the automatic system.

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In order to develop an intelligent robotic camera that can automatically shoot object as if an expert cameraman is operating the camera, we had subjective evaluation experiments of images concerning to differences of robotic camera control. The results revealed that high values are given to the control method imitating cameramen's work rather than the mechanical feed back control.

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The rapid increase in the volume of archived of image and video materials has given rise to an urgent need for new methods of image retrieval. However, to be useful such methods must be both specific enough to respond to image structure which is like to be salient, and flexible enough to exhibit substantial invariance to irrelevant transformations. It may therefore be expected that global aspects as retrieval criteria. We propose a retrieval criterion which is a compound of global features with respective weights which may be tailored to suit the target material, and we give examples of its performance.

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Dynamic range of chest radiography is wide from the signal level in areas which X-ray heavily attenuate through mediastinum, to the signal level in area which X-ray pass through air filled lung. To enhance the feature on the mediastinum, we propose a method of enhancement of chest radiographs using wavelet analysis, and showed that our method can be an regionally adaptive enhancement.

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[in Japanese]

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We investigated the role of vergence and accommodation on perception of motion in depth using computer-generated display whose the viewing of distance was changed by physically moving. We found that, the observers judged the direction of the motion opposite to prediction.

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We develop a virtual environment with force feedback system and necessity to use hands, because of more reality in walk through. We construct a model of door and the virtual environment needs to open a door while moving using SPIDAR. And we research the effect of using force feedback system in walk through.

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in this paper we estimate hand shape from fingertip positions using SPIDAR8. SPIDAR8 is the device that displays force and measures positions of 8 points by string. SPIDAR8 cannot measure all fingertip positions. We estimate hand shape with hand degree of freedom reduced by anatomical knowledge.

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We made the super high definition multi media server for 3D graphics by way of trial. In this system, not only displaying super high definition images, it have graphics accelerator with the same resolution, and it is connected to AGP. By this composition, this make it possible to use PC application and NTSC images with video capture board on PCI.

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We are studying Super-High-Definition Multi-Media server that can render 3D graphics as well as Super-High-Definition images. In this report, we explain about the device driver for that.

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We examined the application for super high definition multimedia server. This server realize the various window system or 3-dimention imaging on the super high definition monitor.

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This paper propose an effective lossless coding scheme for a large number of medical images generated in a mass examination. It uses spatial prediction of pixels as well as reference image prediction. A computer simulation shows that this proposed system is more effective than the JPEG lossless mode.

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A remote CT-image diagnosis experiment was performed using the inter hospital PACS tested nicknamed IMPACT(Inter-hospital Medical Picture Archiving and Communication system for Telemedicine). This tested applies the Super High Definition(SHD) imaging system as radiological image viewer and high-speed ATM network. The system configurations and procedure for the tele-diagnosis was revealed.

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OFDM(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) method is useful for digital signal transmission under the multi-path fading environments. In order to transmit a high bit rate data of compressed HDTV from outside broadcasting van, we have developed a multi-level OFDM digital FPU(Field Pick-up Unit), which adopted 16/32DAPSK(Differential Amplitude Phase Shift Keying) modulation scheme for each OFDM carrier. This paper describes the results of the mobile transmission experiments at 7GHz frequency bad.

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We have developed an 800MHz-band OFDM UHF link. The Specifications of the link conform to the ARIB standard. OFDM UHF links have robustness against instability of the transmission paths, which is suitable for mobile transmission, so they are likely to be used as the main mobile transmission tools. The OFDM UHF links have been used since Jun 1998. In March 1999, we conducted a live broadcast of the "54th Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon" using full-digital kinks on the ground.

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NHK has developed the digital UHF links system based on OFDM(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing). This paper describes the outline of the transmission from moving vehicle and its effectiveness in the relay broadcast of The 54th Lake Biwa Mainichi marathon in March, 1999.

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An Ultra-high-sensitivity HDTV color camera has been developed using three proximity-focused image intensifier tubes of large image size(useful area: 40mm DIA) and three FIT CCDs of 2/3-in. 2M-pixels. It has a high sensitivity of 3000 times as same as conventional HDTV CCD cameras. We have succeeded in taking real-time images of popular nebulae and galaxies through the "SUBARU" telescope by this camera and broadcasting live from Hawaii to Japan by the CS-telecommunication in 1999.

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[in Japanese]

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A new light balancing system using an electrically-controllable liquid crystal has been developed for video image pickup. The fabricated system can automatically and rapidly compensate the color balance of pickup image by sensing color temperature of environmental illumination and driving the active filter. It is useful for video locations where camera is moved under different illumination sources like solar light and indoor incandescent lamps.

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We have newly developed a CG database system "MARGS"(Managing Copyright and Database) System). Utilizing a quick CG data search function using user-friendly menus, this system enables to reduce a cost of CG productions for both HDTV and SDTV. In this paper, we describe an outline of MARGS system configurations.

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[in Japanese]

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We have developed SI/EPG server system in conformity with domestic standard(ARIB STD-B10). Our SI/EPG system is using Web server architecture for GUI and database access. This solution makes GUI friendly like Web page. And also this architecture enables operator to operate SI/EPG server from anywhere.

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We developed the transmission system of SI/EPG information for domestic standard. SI/EPG generator system, which is one of the modules of SI/EPG transmission system, generates SI/EPG information tables from database storing program information. This system can manage the change of program information caused by modification of contents or emergency broadcast.

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On the occasion of Digital Broadcasting, it will be necessary to handle the video signals of various formats(HDTV, SDTV, encoded signal like MPEG, DVCPRO, SX). We have developed the one-box type matrix switcher which can handle these signals. This paper describes an outline of matrix switcher and its application system.

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We introduce a conceptual design for TV signal switching system called "MAPS"(Multiple Automatic Program Switching system). This is design for an automatic program switching function in digital or analogue multi-channel TV broadcasting station utilizing ATM backbone switch. AND we describe here about MNS(MNS node station) which is developed as one of the system components of MAPS.

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We conducted a research on the quantitative evaluation of display quality for LCD Panel. Extraction of uniformity as the front of screen quality was successfully completed using developed algorithm. Its technology can be applicable to automatic inspection of display quality in LCD or PC manufacturing.

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Dynamic color aberration which appears in moving images displayed on field-sequential LCD is investigated. As the result of simulation, the extent of observed dynamic color aberration almost agree with theovetically estimated value.

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To investigate mechanism of the color Breakup on the Field-Sequential Color Projection Display, we have developed the large screen projection simulator, and have analyzed the relation between eye movement and critical color switching frequency. As result, perceptible thresholds oh the Colo rBreakup were recognized a tendency to changes by induced image size and stimulus points on the retina.

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We have proposed a field sequential liquid crystal display using OCB-cell as a trial. A field sequential liquid crystal display system needs the LCDs with fast response. We have simulated the dynamics of the bend cell and the homogeneous cell using Ericksen-Leslie's viscosity coefficients. We have checked the dependence of the several material constants of liquid crystal. The results show the increase of k11, Δε and Δn affects faster relaxation time.

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We have proposed a novel full-color reflective LCD named "R-OCB cell" composed of a mirror reflector and a front diffusing film. In order to realize a high quality reflective LCD, the reflective LCD must have a high brightness, high contrast ratio without color shift in a wide viewing angle range. In this paper, we discuss the design rule of liquid crystal layer and retardation films to obtain a high contrast ratio without color shift in a wide viewing angle range.

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We studied the enlargement of viewing zone concerning a holography that has a sampled hologram by pixels and introduces a lens for reproducing a 3-D image. It is described that higher-order harmonics of image reproduced from the fringe containing aliasing can be made equivalent to original object. It is shown that the angle of the viewing zone can be enlarged by the combination of these harmonics.

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In order to improve the discharge characteristics of a PDP, effective secondary electron yield(γ') of the cathode was studied. In the gas-discharge space, the secondary electron suffers the back diffusion due to collisions with gas molecules, resulting in considerable reduction of the yield. Thus calculated γ' in the typical PDP condition was 0.1〜0.5 times γ in the vacuum.

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The Structural and luminescent properties of epitaxial ZnO thin films grown on Si substrate have been investigated. The films showed c-axis orientation and there cristallinity was improved by heat treatment in air. The films annealed at 800℃ in air showed RHEED pattern of epitaxial ZnO and PL with peak at around 375nm.

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Thulium doped yttrium oxide(Y_2O_3:Tm) thin films were grown up on amorphous quartz and ITO glass substrates employing electron-beam evaporation technique. Structural characterization was carried out at various substrate and annealing temperatures. Y_2O_3:Tm was evaluated by its cathodoluminescent spectra, chromaticity, luminance at low voltage excitation(<5kV)

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