Laboratories-Laboratory of Information Media Environment

Outline of the Laboratory of Information Media Environment

With the slogan, “Innovation for information and media environment!” the Laboratory of Information Media Environment develops new media technologies to innovate a social structure and information environment. The performance and scale of computers continue to expand exponentially. This power creates new information media technologies, thereby changing the living environment and industrial structure of this society. The mission of our laboratory is to contribute to the realization of a future information media society by researching new technologiesfield of digital media, such as digital video rendering, new visual expressions, information visualization and audio media processing, and their uses.

Visual Introduction of Our Research

Research on innovative video systems

Research is conducted on new visual expression systems, such as panoramic videos and 3D imaging, as well as their application and development. We set our sights on research about software that allows creating a video from an arbitrary viewpoint using many photos and videos as well as the development of new video systems to create fresh visual expressions in the broadband age.

Panoramic stereo shooting and playback system

Physics-based CG animation

Research is conducted to apply the numerical simulation of physics phenomena to CG video rendering. We work on the simulation of natural phenomena, such as water, clouds and smoke, and are also engaged in the development of a technique to create an intended video by controlling such simulations.

Physics-based sound simulation

Research is conducted to develop a technique to synthesize sound effects synchronized with CG videos using simulations based on physics phenomena. We work on synthesizing the sounds of the wind, flames, destruction processes and other physics phenomena, and are also engaged in the development of a technique to synthesize such sound effects in real time.

Application of data hiding technology

The data hiding technology makes it possible to secretly convert various kinds of information into digital data. This research explores the possibilities of network services using the data hiding technology, such as improving the sound quality of IP telephones.

Medical image processing and application

Research is conducted on the transmission, accumulation, and support of remote diagnosis and visualization of medical images taken by CT, MRI, PET and other techniques. With more powerful diagnostic imaging units and a larger accumulation of medical images through networking, our work on medical imaging compression techniques, fast browsing, etc. is progressing.