Abstract: A robot apparatus is provided with a photographing device for photographing subjects and a notifying device for making an advance notice of photographing with the photographing device. In addition, in a control method for the robot apparatus, an advance notice of photographing subjects is made and then photographs of the subjects are taken. As a result, a picture can be prevented from being taken by stealth, regardless of user's intention, and thus the user's privacy can be protected.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible and easier to serve optimum robot components/devices/accessories by means of an information service system including personal terminal devices (31A to 31C) connected to an information communication network via a telecommunication line, and a server (38) connected to the information communication network via the telecommunication line to cumulatively store information on components/devices/accessories available from a plurality of manufacturers (37a, 37c and 37c) (third party) of components/devices/accessories of a robot 1, as classified according to the attributes of the components/devices/accessories and send, to the personal terminal devices (31A to 31C) connected thereto, options information prepared based on the attribute of the cumulatively stored components/devices/accessories information and including a plurality of items for selection of a robot component.

Abstract: In an information processing device and method, and programs, firstly, new second inheritance data is created based on first inheritance data regulating the shape and/or behaviors of a virtual creature and secondly, the gene data of the virtual creature is diagnosed and a given value added is applied to the virtual creature when it is determined based on the diagnostic result that the gene data satisfies predetermined conditions and thirdly, information on parents of virtual creatures which are sequentially created by mixing and registered, is stored and a pedigree of a designated virtual creature is inquired into based on the information. On the other hand, a data storing device is provided with a first storage means for storing inheritance data to regulate the shape and/or behaviors of a virtual creature, a communication means for transmitting/receiving inheritance data to/from the outside, and a second storing means for storing the inheritance data of other virtual creatures via the communication means.

Abstract: A robot apparatus is provided with a photographing means for photographing subjects and a notifying means for making an advance notice of photographing with the photographing means. In addition, in a control method for the robot apparatus, an advance notice of photographing subjects is made and then the subjects are taken. As a result, a picture can be prevented from being taken by stealth, regardless of user's intention, and thus the user's privacy can be protected.

Abstract: In a robotic system, robot apparatus, and a control method for them, it is designed such that behaviors suitable for a robot are embodied based on information distributed by information distribution means. Also, in a robotic system, robot apparatus, and a control method for them, it is designed based on information distributed by the information distribution means such that a robot is prohibited from embodying corresponding behaviors out of the behaviors the robot could embody, or that prohibition on the robot embodying corresponding behaviors is withdrawn. Furthermore, in an information processing device and its method, control data for a robot to generate behaviors can be modified to meet the robot and/or the user of the robot.

Abstract: Data necessary for diagnosing the condition of software of a virtual living thing or the condition of a hardware keeping the virtual living thing are acquired from the hardware or a storage medium storing the software, and are analyzed, and the condition of the virtual living thing is diagnosed on the basis of the analysis result. Besides, data necessary for diagnosing the hardware or the software of a robot apparatus are acquired from the robot apparatus or the storage medium storing the software, and are analyzed, and the condition of the robot apparatus is diagnosed on the basis of the analysis result.

Abstract: In a purchasing system and its method, an order receiving device, an order receiving method and a computer program, question data regarding changeable items of a virtual creature or the hardware holding this virtual creature, or a robotic device are to be transmitted to the order sender, and by reflecting the buyer's answer to the question, the predetermined processing to form the virtual creature and/or hardware is conducted. Moreover, in a data sales agent system and its method, a data sales device and its method, and a computer program, the consignment sales of a part of data or control data in the virtual creature or the robotic device are to be accepted, and said part of data will be sold.

Abstract: In the robot system and the control method thereof, the motion of the movable part of which one end has been connected freely in rotation in the direction of at least one axis or more will be determined by changing the emotion/instinct model based on input information. On the other hand, the remaining amount of the battery is detected and if the above detected remaining amount of the battery becomes a prescribed level or below, besides, the internal temperature of the body part is detected and if the above detected internal temperature becomes a prescribed temperature and over, the robot system is changed into a predetermined attitude and/or appears a predetermined motion.