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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

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^*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

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/.

IBM Japan, Ltd.

Public Relations
June Namioka
TEL:+81-3-5563-4300   FAX:+81-3-3589-4645

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

Yuichiro Pat Kuwahata, Junko Miyazaki, Norio Hasegawa, Takumi Suzuki, or Tomoko Homma
International PR
PR Dept. NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
TEL:+81-3-5156-1366   FAX:+81-3-5501-3408

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