/ Noriaki Asada / Professor
/ Yasushi Kikuchi / Assistant Professor
The present object and research interests of the Multimedia Systems Laboratory are focused on the visual systems, although the present members of the Multimedia Systems Laboratory have diverse backgrounds and research interests. The primary areas of expertise of the current members include numerical analysis, algorithm, visualization techniques, infrared astronomy, cosmic dust properties, interplanetary physics, laser applied measurement technology, applied optics, recognition of facial expression and the like.
Research being done in this laboratory includes studying the use of visualization techniques to enhance the understanding of mathematical problems, for example, investigation of 3D graphs of complex functions using time, color, sound, as the necessary ``fourth dimension''. The display of zeros or critical points of functions appears to aid in understanding underlying mathematical structures.
Infrared camera can see not only thermal state of materials and animals but also chemical bonding state of molecules and atom species through spectroscopic techniques. These techniques can help to recognize human emotion through human surface color, including infrared color. A total system that consists of multi-CCD-cameras, high speed video cameras, infrared cameras and force vector mats system is very useful system to understand human motion and human facial expressions.
Advancement of computer vision and stereo analysis of human motions are also our targets based on fundamental measurement technologies, which include a 3D system without markers, widening measurable area of 3D system and a realistic 3D display system.
Remote sensing technologies have been clarified so many things during this quarter century, for example, weather forecasting, investigation of mineral and oceanic resources, temperature distribution, wind direction and strength, landform of the bottom of deep sea, spying international situations and so on. As remote sensing of the moon is also very important for near future astronomical and space research and development, Japan will launch the moon investigation satellite, SELENE project, in which we take part as a member of remote sensing camera (LISM) working group. As analyzing remote sensing data of Clementine, the moon explorer satellite launched in 1994, is also very useful for the next project, a new technique for reconstruction of noisy far infrared data is developed.
Laboratory members have participated actively in scientific meetings, both in Japan and abroad. They have presented and participated in seminars, and in presentation of scientific results in fully refereed publications.
The laboratory is the coordinator in astronomical observation by cooled CCD cameras is coordinated, too. Students learn how to use equipment to get some data into computer system, how to process image data, how to analyze these data and how to study the nature through this courseware project.