Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Intangible Cultural Heritage Information Research Institute (Director Ham Han-hee) has obtained a patent for a “Software Apparatus and Method for Estimating the Chronology of Intangible Cultural Materials Using Natural Language Processing.”

The patent applies big data and deep learning algorithms to enable in-depth research and is expected to allow estimation of the historical period of personal records whose historical dates are unclear.

The development of the technology was led by Park Sun-cheol, former professor in the Department of Information Technology and Engineering, who oversees the systems unit of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Information Research Institute.

The development of the technology was also led by Park Sun-cheol, Professor Emeritus, Division of Computer Science and Engineering, who oversees the systems unit of the Institute. Professor Park currently serves as a co-research professor at the JBNU Intangible Cultural Heritage Information Research Institute and has conducted research that combines computer science and the humanities since 2002.

Professor Park, a former professor in the Department of Information Technology and Engineering, said, “Big data is a repository that can demonstrate the power of collective intelligence,” adding, “When accumulated humanities data are combined with the latest IT technologies, diverse and deeper research becomes possible. Going forward, we will continue to develop technologies that combine AI deep learning with intangible cultural heritage materials.”

Meanwhile, the JBNU Intangible Cultural Heritage Information Research Institute was designated as a Center of Excellence by the National Research Foundation of Korea in 2013 and occupies a leading position in the research and utilization of intangible heritage. It operates ichpedia (ichpedia.org), a specialized website for an intangible cultural heritage inventory (pre-cataloging), providing public knowledge and access services. Users can search approximately 50,000 specialized entries related to intangible heritage and 20,000 historical documents, totaling about 70,000 items, which is regarded as a rare example of an online intangible heritage system globally.