TOKYO, JAPAN, September 18, 2001 ---NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and IBM Japan, Ltd. announced today that they have jointly realized third-generation and future mobile technologies for compiling excerpts ("digests") of video content according to user-specified keywords and then stream the content to the user's mobile phone smoothly and with enhanced stability.
Since concluding a joint research agreement last December, the two companies have been jointly researching multimedia transmission technology for third- and future-generation mobile communications services. Such video services are expected to rapidly proliferate because of the dramatically increased communications speeds offered with advanced third-generation mobile phones.
The system will enable users to search and view highly specific content compiled according to pre-registered keywords. A favorite football star's name could be used, for example, to compile a video digest of scenes showing him making shots on goal, even while the game is still in progress. Users will have the flexibility to compile highly tailored digests based on their specific interests.
The rapid delivery of specific content is a feature that is especially well suited to the needs of mobile communication. Another advantage of the new technologies is the capability to adjust transmissions according to changing conditions, such as temporary reception loss in tunnels, thereby ensuring smooth, continuous transmission and reception.
DoCoMo and IBM Japan plan to introduce their new technologies to international organizations as new standards for the Internet. As part of their ongoing joint research, they are working to adapt the technologies for NTT DoCoMo's 3G mobile service "FOMA" and other various mobile communications services.
IBM is registered trademark of IBM Corp. All other product names and corporate names are registered trademarks of respective companies.
Outline of video transmission control technology
1. Purpose of joint research
With regard to third-generation and future mobile communications services, for which communication speed will increase dramatically, it will be possible to realize services with higher added value, such as transmission of multimedia content, including video. In service provision, considering the particular characteristics of mobile communications environments, technology for creating video digests that can be viewed in a relatively short time in response to individual preferences, and technology for controlling transmission methods in response to changes in communications environment - thereby enabling smooth transmission and receipt - will be essential. The two companies have been proceeding with joint research, based on the consideration that such technologies will be extremely important for the vitalization of future mobile communications services and for market expansion.
2. Details of joint research
(1) Video digest generation and streaming technology
Using data on the attributes and structure (MPEG-7*1 meta-data*2) of the video content and information stored in mobile terminals, such as the user's interests and registered keywords, video digests can be generated automatically in accordance with these interests and transmitted in streaming form.
This was made possible by establishing a system for attaching MPEG-7 meta-data to video content, such as news and sports, to indicate its attributes and structure, and then incorporate this meta-data into MPEG-4*1 video content. The technology for creating meta-data specifications. The technology that creates meat-data is compatible with MPEG-7. Packet-streaming technology is compatible with the streaming standard that is in the process of being standardized at 3GPP.
The technology has the following features:
1) A system for conversion of the international standard video compression formats MPEG-1* and MPEG-2*1 to MPEG-7 meta-data and MPEG-4 video for mobile applications. It enables users to efficiently generate meta-data through simple operations without having to have sophisticated skills. 2) MPEG-7 meta-data handling capability is added to the packet streaming system for image digest transmission based on the 3GPP streaming protocol*3. A Java program embedded with the meta-data analysis function is loaded on the client machine. These advanced streaming control capabilities enable users to view and listen to video digests. 3) Through processing of MPEG-7 data by the Java program in accordance with content details, each user can view customized MPEG-4 video.
*1. MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-7: International standards for compressing audio-visual data. Each has different resolution and encoding rate. MPEG-1 is used mainly for video CDs, MPEG-2 is used for applications demanding high quality, such as DVD and digital satellite broadcasting, and MPEG-4, which enables highly efficient compression, is suitable for low-speed connections such as mobile handsets. Unlike MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4, MPEG-7 describes meta-data standards for audio visual and visual data and the attributes and the structure of content media. MPEG-7 is under the standardization process and is planed to be determined by fall, 2001. *2. Meta-data: Data describing what it is. For instance, the attributes of a book (data) constitute meta-data. *3. 3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project) streaming protocol: video transmission protocol created by 3GPP in the packet transmission environment
(2) Multimedia streaming control technology
We have established a framework specifying functional module construction, interfaces, and protocol for the QoS* (Quality of Service) control of overall systems required in mobile communications environments, where reception conditions are affected by user movement and changes in surrounding environment, in order to continually provide smooth streaming distribution service.
This technology has the following features:
1) It measures packet loss and delay time fluctuation caused by changes in reception conditions, estimates optimal values of effective forwarding rate, and controls the amount of video data distributed. 2) It provides a session management function that automatically handles temporary connection cut-off and re-establishment when users move to out-of-range locations such as tunnels. 3) Methods of controlling the amount of data can be changed in accordance with user requests.
*QoS: General term for technology for controlling network communications quality.
About NTT DoCoMo
NTT DoCoMo is Japan's largest mobile communications company. As of August 2001, the firm had more than 37 million subscribers. It had consolidated sales of 4.6 trillion yen in fiscal 2000 (ended March 31, 2001). NTT DoCoMo was formed in July 1992 to take over the mobile communications operations and sales of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT). NTT DoCoMo provides nationwide services, including cellular and PHS phone, paging, satellite mobile communications, and maritime and in-flight telephone service. The company also has subsidiaries in the United States, Europe, and Brazil. In February 1999, NTT DoCoMo launched its "i-mode" service, which provides continuous connection with the Internet via mobile phones. As of August 2001, the number of i-mode subscribers exceeded 26 million. On May 30, 2001, NTT DoCoMo launched the introductory phase of FOMA (Freedom Of Mobile multimedia Access), the first 3G mobile communications service based on W-CDMA technology. The introductory phase will conclude on September 30, 2001. FOMA service will be expanded from October and launched nationwide thereafter. The company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
About IBM Japan
IBM Japan was founded in 1937 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of IBM World Trade Corporation. Today, the company has over 21,000 employees and over 100 offices in Japan. IBM Japan has research and development facilities atYamato, Yasu and Fujisawa, and manufacturing facilities at Yasu and Fujisawa, Japan. For further information, please visit IBM Japan website: http://www.ibm.com/jp/.
