Page 15 - Intelligent Communication Systems

XiV INTELLIGENT COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
gathered in the same place. In 1998, a prototype system of HyperClass was devel-
oped. Using this system, we conducted the experiment on HyperClass by inter-
connecting Waseda University and Victoria University over the Internet, It was
successful.
In December 2000, Queensland Open Learning Network, Australia, joined our
project. We had a joint experiment on HyperClass by interconnecting three sites
via the Internet. Our tasks were to handle a virtual Japanese artifact and to assem-
ble the components into a computer. A Japanese teacher taught the history of
Japanese artifacts and how to assemble components. Students of New Zealand and
Australia learned by handling a virtual object by mouse and looking at it from var-
ious angles. This proved that it was very important not only to listen to the lecture
but also to handle a virtual object directly. It was the epoch-making event for our
project.
As mentioned in this book, the intelligent communication system provides an
easy-to-use design method, such as the description method of telecommunications,
the human-friendly interface to telecommunication users, and the human-friendly
telecommunication environment. Through the experiment, HyperClass was proved
to be useful for teacher and students. They can handle a virtual object in a human-
friendly fashion. It is good not only for teaching but also for learning.
HyperClass is based on HyperReality. HyperReality is one of the key concepts
of the intelligent communication system. The intelligent communication system
provides a communication infrastructure for the development of communication
services. The goal of telecommunications is to provide a human-friendly commu-
nication environment whereby human beings, real or virtual, at different locations
are brought together via the communication network and talk or work as if gath-
ered in the same real space.
Using the intelligent communication system, the communication system devel-
opers, the subscribers, and the communication service providers will receive the
following benefits. Communication system developers can implement the com-
munication system by means of the easy-to-use description methods and tools.
Subscribers can interact with the communication system in a human-friendly fash-
ion, for example, by using hand gestures or a natural language interface. Application
service providers can, via the platform of HyperReality, make application pro-
grams easily. I hope this book will give readers insight into the information age
and a hint at the conceptualization and development of the limitless applications
in telecommunications
Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Professor John Tiffin
for his thoughtful suggestions to my work in establishing the concept of Hyper-
Reality and to Mr. Koji Matsukawa for his willing help to draw illustrations for
the book. I also thank Ms. Anne Gooley of Queensland Open Learning Network,
Australia, and Dr. Lalita Rajasingham of Victoria University, New Zealand, for
their participation in the joint research on HyperClass.