Complex information needs are hidden in every query that is used to retrieve information requested by users. The non-availability of these complex information needs decreases the accuracy of information retrieval systems. Our proposed retrieval method uses non-relevancy information to clarify users' complex information needs. In our method, the non-relevancy information, which is represented by natural language sentences, is first structured using dependency analysis and heuristics. Next, the structured non-relevancy information is translated into a structured query and then used to score and rank the documents retrieved. Retrieval experiments using the NTCIR-2 test collection for information retrieval systems have shown that our method is equivalent to Rocchio's automatic relevance feedback method, when the initial query consists of only a few words.

View full abstract

This paper proposes a method for Japanese finger character recognition using 3-dimensional (3D) scanner. Although methods for gesture or finger character recognition without wearable devices, like data gloves, are convenient and stressless, Japanese finger characters involve characters which have similar shapes and cannot be distinguished by them, because most of them recognizes the characters by 2-dimensional images. The proposed method uses distance images obtained by using 3D scanner and principal component analysis in order to recognize the input character accurately and efficiently. Experimental results with 10 testees have showed that the proposed method recognized finger characters within about 10 milliseconds, a significantly improvement in comparison with an existing method, while the recognition accuracy was kept almost equivalent to the existing method.

View full abstract

We developed a database system to support whole experiments which analyze correlation between genotypes and phenotypes by using transposons. We also evaluated the system by applying to our experiments with transposon mPing in rice. Our research group grow large-scale mutant series of rice by taking advantage of mPings, and study correlation between genotypes and phenotypes for predictions of gene functions. However, the analytical phase, in which we find mutation spots from waveform data, involves several problems from a viewpoint of labor amount, and it becomes one of bottlenecks in large-scale experiments. As a solution, our database system manages all the analytical data throughout the experiments, and provides interfaces to perform overall analyses by detecting mutation spots and analyzing correlation between the spots and traits. In order to evaluate the system, we apply to experiments with mPing in rice, and confirmed that our system works effective to reduce the analytical labor by several times. This system realizes high-throughput transposon display analyses in large scale.

View full abstract

We propagate use of Japanese patent information retrieval system for an End User to Ube Industries and its group companies. Also, intellectual property information education for End User, such as researcher, engineer has been done. But recently, some parts of such End Users are transferred to the sales department of Tokyo head office. Gradually, the needs of Japanese patent information database are increased in sales department. Thinking of all these things, we carried out intellectual property information education as the first trial or the case study in sales department of the Tokyo head office. We educate effective usage of the NRI cyber patent and IPDL of Japan Patent Office, both of them are Japanese patent information retrieval system that designed for End Users.

View full abstract

Based on Yamaguchi University and the inclusion cooperation agreement conclusion of Ube Industries, Ltd., We helped intellectual property information education for Yamaguchi TLO as a part of academia industry cooperation. As well as information retrieval education that we used Japan Patent Office IPDL, NRI cyber patent, I educated the following.
1. An introduction to intellectual property information (a kind of patent information, basics knowledge such as how to read patent bulletin)
2. A way of thinking (an intellectual property strategy) of patent investigation in research and development
3. An understanding degree test of a last day; A practical skill examination (each this, student attending a lecture in patent information retrieval)
According to the results of questionnaire, it is difficult for students to understand IPC (international patent classification), patent system, technical terms of patent.

View full abstract

Here at the Center for Genetic Resource Information in the National Institute of Genetics, we have constructed genetic resource databases of approximately 20 species of organisms from animals, plants to microorganisms. Lately, instead of databases designed specifically for one particular organism, there is a demand for integrated databases where data can be utilized regardless of species. Thus, we started to develop an integrated database of genetic resources (BioResource World) which is now released as a test version. This paper explains how XML Technology was applied to handle integrated data in the biotechnology field which is characteristically diversified and the effects of its application.

View full abstract