Feasibility Study

Human communication support system

Kazuhisa Niki

■Object

The purpose of our group is to reconsider the basic idea of human communication support technology. We aim to re-build human communication support technology for human communication across long distance sites using computers and networks, from the scientific viewpoint of cognitive science.

With that purpose, we elucidate the nature of human-human communication and evaluate it quantitatively. Moreover, we research and develop the technology for a human communication support system that embodies characteristics of human communication.

We investigate a practical methodology, and cooperation between many researchers for human communi-cation support research. In other words, we build a channel of communication that both promotes study between groups, and is utilized experimentally while getting feedback. In line with our research theme, we participate in the multimedia communication experiments project proposed by NTT, and promote construction of an advanced human communication support system that utilizes ATM communication lines. Furthermore, we expand cooperation on communication research to include Keio University and Niigata Information and International Universities.

■Results in Fiscal Year

(1) Construction of human communication support system

We utilize the ATM line in our group, which includes Keio University and Niigata Information and International University, to constitute the research discussion support system (figure 1). In this system, we realize a communication environment that is the same as a discussion room, where researchers discuss face to face. This system uses the ATM high speed lines to transmit life-sized images.

We observed a problem that it is difficult to become absorbed in a discussion that is mediated. We call this problem ﾒMedia Discordanceﾓ. We propose explanation for ﾒMedia Discordanceﾓ, and design our human communication support so as to overcome this problem. Actually, we build the system with the purpose that it is used for research discussion. So, we evaluate the system by using it. Photograph 1 show the use situation of our system as a demonstration.

We begin studies of the actual situation one year latter. We are now investigating the development of each element necessary for the total system: Technology for the research discussion supporting system, called Raichou (Photo. 1 cf.); the utility technology of ATM; and the compression/transmission board of the large volume image data (Photo. 2) are developed.

(2) Theoretical research on human communication

We plan to use the theory as the constitution indicator and the evaluation criterion of human communication support system. We call the situation where one gets absorbed or wrapped-up in communication as the ﾒpleasure of communicationﾓ. We examine the important elements that result in ﾒpleasure of communicationﾓ from the viewpoint of cognitive science. Our working hypotheses include: the life-size communication hypothesis; the weak interaction hypothesis on initiating communication; the influence hypothesis of social relation in communication; and the activity hypothesis of communication addressee. We want to clarify each hypothesis quantitatively, and ultimately relate memory phenomena with ﾒpleasure of communicationﾓ.

We feel in particular that the activity of communication addressee is important for the communication support system. We are sure that the feeling of relief which we get when we can see what we want to see at any time is very important. We call this hypothesis ﾒActivity hypothesis of communication addresseeﾓ and make it one of the constituent elements of ﾒpleasure of communicationﾓ. As for communication support system until now, all is controlled by the dispatch person. While on the other hand, our system is designed to support the activity of the addressee. We will use the system in our research discussions between remote sites, and check the hypothesis by using the system.

Our research approach differs from the mainstream approach. Current human communication support research focuses too much on the technology. We believe that the theoretical basis of human communication is as important as the technology. Our research group has grown outwards from primarily Dr. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who proposed a new idea for communication research. We hope that a theory of human communication will be established in the near future.

Fig. 1 Remote Research Discussion System with ATM.

Photo. 1 Remote Research Discussion system: Raichou.

Photo. 2 Image compress/transform board for the system.