− Ken Sakamura −
While there are many technologies that support the Digital Museum, it is the computer that plays a central role. Computers are machines developed some 50 years ago to handle information. Originally the data they were able to handle was restricted to numerical data. Over the subsequent years, however, they became able to handle text data, and today their scope has widened so that they can now handle voice, still images, moving images and other multimedia data.
The breadth of information has spread from 2-dimensional to 3-dimensional data, and computers are being transformed into a form worthy of the name machines that handle information.
In addition, the fusion of computer technology and telecommunications technology has made it possible to send data that has been input and processed instantaneously throughout the world, which has made it possible to eliminated geographical handicaps and made it possible to use digitalized data from anywhere in the world. Quite simply, the Digital Museum is supported by computer technology and telecommunications technology.
Firstly, museums require technology to input data into computers. All data currently held is digitalized. As a result, Data Input Technologies have developed a wide range of technology, according to the properties of the data being digitalized.
In the process of input data, firstly it is important that it be possible to input data at an adequate accuracy. Color Reproduction Technique is required to input in color. The actual time taken to input the data must also be taken into account.
The next problem encountered is the form in which data is to be input. It is desirable that the format enables rapid searches and allows data to be modified easily. Against this background, we propose a standard data format called Museum TAD that is suited to museums.
In conjunction, we will also develop Database Technology that searches, sorts and updates the data stored by TAD.
We must also consider how best the data that has been input can be viewed in the virtual computer space, so in moving towards this goal we are developing virtual museum technology in which visitors can freely walk around the 3-dimensional data space called a MMMUD (Multimedia Multi User Dungeon) and obtain the information they need.
This may be regarded as one part of HMI (Human Machine Interface) technical development aimed at making the information space easier to handle for people who are not computer experts.
We have also developed applications of computer's multimedia technology, such as technology which synthesizes actual images captured on television cameras with image data developed on computers. This technology is called video avatar, and is capable of synthesizing data developed in 3-dimensions on a computer with images shot with a television camera in our MUD.
While there is important text information that can be obtained as information by studying the vast quantities of museum materials input in diverse formats, it is necessary that systems be capable of handling the Japanese used in old literature. With computer technology that has existed up until now, only 6,000 character types could be handled, so a Multi-Language Environment was developed to handle a wide range of characters from throughout the world, including several million kanji (Japanese characters), at the request of us natural historians. Up until now this has been for all practical purposes impossible to achieve, so BTRON technology was used in the TRON Project, thereby making it possible to create a database on the platform of a multi-language computer.
The purpose of digitalization is not solely to view data placed in a virtual space. This digital archive technology is also important for the permanent preservation of exhibits which are vulnerable to deterioration. For example, movie films are said not to last 100 years in principle, and there is great significance in digitally archiving silver chloride films created in the past.
Furthermore, the creation of a huge virtual museum within a computer is not something that can be done by one museum in isolation. Items are distributed throughout the world, so the concept was born of inputting the data in respective locations, linking the data via networks, and logically creating one museum.
This concept will make it possible to view digitalized museum data from throughout the world as if one were accessing one huge museum.
It is possible not only to view digitalized data, but also actual museums in remote locations over the Internet in real time. The technology used to do this is called Video Streaming. This technology makes it possible, for example, to bring in a video camera to an excavation site, and to view the site in real time by controlling the camera from a remote location. Other applications also become possible, such as placing a large number of moving images on a database then using video on-demand technology to access the moving pictures required when necessary.
Augmented Reality Technology can be used as a technology to show items being exhibited in museums more effectively. One application, for example, is the development of electronic tags attached to exhibits to identify them, and terminals that can access a wide variety of information by accessing these electronic tags. This concept is referred to as PDMA (Personalized Digital Museum Assistant).
It is possible to personalize PDMAs at the convenience of the person viewing the exhibits, by for example displaying information in English or Japanese, in large text, or the existence of necessary background information, etc.
It is also possible for electronic tags to be operated using Contactless Data Carrier Technology by transmitting radio waves without giving the card itself power. There is a great deal of merit from the Museum's viewpoint in not having to replace the batteries in the tags for millions of exhibits. Electronic tag technology not only assists users, but is also a technology with great possibilities to be used in the management of exhibits.
Augmented reality technology has become a key technology important in achieving distributed museums deserving of the name 21st century museums, by connecting with Internet technology which records what each visitor to the museum has seen, and then allows the visitors to obtain more detailed information over the Internet on their return home, as well as being able to access related information from other museums.
