Viewpoint-based Search and Browse of Digital Archive Content

We propose new search and browse methods that use three-dimensional (3D) viewpoints as queries of digital archive content. The idea is that by linking 3D models and photographs via spatial information, the view point in particular, we can use them as a reference for each other when browsing photographs and/or information, or walking through the 3D virtual space. A 3D viewpointbased approach is especially useful for searching collections of archaeological photographs that contain many different images of the same object. Our method is designed to enable users to retrieve images that contain the same object but show a different view and to browse groups of images taken from a similar viewpoint. In addition, the information attached to each image, such as description and URL to other resources, is automatically displayed so that the user can obtain knowledge about the objects in the current 3D scene. We also propose using 3D scenes to query by example, which means that users do not have the problem of trying to formulate appropriate queries. This combination gives users an easy way of accessing not only photographs but also archived information. A 3D viewpoint-based method can also be used when viewing 3D models or walking through 3D virtual spaces. To view particular scene/scenes, a user just needs to choose one or more photograph(s) in the digital archives. Then, the system automatically detects the view points of the photographs and uses them to render 3D scenes. This helps users to view the 3Dmodels/scenes easily. The prototype system that uses the data of an actual archaeological site will also be introduced.