Project Outline

"Development of fundamental software technologies for digital archives" is a research and development project on software technologies and standards required for utilizing and preserving intellectual properties in the fields of education, culture and the arts.
The project comprises five subjects in the two major domains: Digital archive of cultural properties; Development of learning systems utilizing digital archives for educational institutions.

Research and development domain 1:
Digital archive of cultural properties

Opening up valuable tangible/intangible cultural properties to the public and proactively providing information about these properties by preserving them in electronic forms using information technologies are of great importance, as is passing such information and properties on to the next generation. The project will develop application programs designed to build digital archives of these cultural properties as automatically and precisely as possible.

Research and development domain 2: Development oflearning
systems for utilizing digital archives in educational institutions

In an age of ubiquitous computers, there is a need to develop and construct technologies that enable learners to study autonomously by obtaining the necessary information from a variety of media and digital archives anywhere at anytime. This project is devoted to researching and developing basic software technologies for e-learning that utilize ubiquitous as well as information retrieval/collection technologies.

When all this research and development work is completed,
the following would be realized and achieved:

• New three-dimensional video technology, allowing new forms of hitherto unknown visual expression.
• Access to the most appropriate data anywhere, anytime, regardless of the kind of terminal you are using at the time, e.g. a PC or a mobile phone.
• Wherever you live or whatever the time, the ability to watch world events on a three-dimensional video, such as for example videos on tangible or intangible cultural properties. Preserving traditional performing arts for following generations and long-distance arts learning are just two of the many possibilities here.
• In addition to the keyword search used in conventional search engines, the new system will make it possible to search and retrieve information based on images or vague impressions, making for greater flexibility.
• It will be possible to consolidate various databases and digital archives to provide the most flexible and versatile search and retrieval technologies.
• Simultaneous programs for the development of digital archiving technologies and learning systems based on the digital archives will provide a more practical and integrated technology base.