Abstract: This filter comprises: a dielectric substrate; a plurality of resonators that are formed inside the dielectric substrate, and for which the periphery is surrounded by a shielding conductor; and input/output terminals that are formed at a portion at which the shielding conductor is not formed. The resonator closest to the input/output terminal of the plurality of resonators and the resonator that is closest to the input/output terminal of the plurality of resonators are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship.

Abstract: In order to provide a method for enabling the combination of a plurality of printer systems to perform parallel printing in an environment where a plurality of printers are connected to a network, when a request for printing a document is to be output to the printers, a document monitoring process is performed for each document. In the document monitoring process, the conditions of the currently available printer resources are examined, and for optimal performance of the printing request, a document to be printed is divided into a plurality of printing jobs. The division of the document into a plurality of printing jobs can cope with various requests for optimization, such as a reduction in turn-around time. The printing job is a program for managing the printing of each page, such as printing “from page x to page y” of a document, and monitors the performance of the document printing process. By using this program, a different procedure can be employed for each printing job.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mobile agent technique, and in particular to a method for moving/transmitting to a desired computer, an agent and a message that the agent issues. According to the present invention, a temporary storage area (a computer having a storage device) for a destination computer of a mobile agent and a message is provided. When a mobile agent or a message can not move directly to a destination computer, the mobile agent and the message are temporarily stored in the temporary storage area. At an appropriate time, the destination computer extracts from the temporary storage area the agent and the message addressed to it. Since the temporary storage area is provided, the movement of the agent and the transmission of the message are ensured. Also because the temporary storage device is provided, the destination computer can accept a mobile agent and a message in accordance with the situation and the condition of the destination computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for providing high speed reactivation of an agent received by a receiving computer environment from a sending computer environment. Each agent maintains not only the names of programs necessary for its execution but also version information for the necessary programs. Preferably, each agent execution environment includes a cache mechanism which stores program code for programs that are used in agents as well as the names and the version identifiers of the programs. During the transfer of an agent, the name and version information for programs required by the agent are placed at the beginning of a bit sequence, with state data and program code following. The bit sequence is then transmitted. By employing the received name and version information, the execution environment at the destination utilizes, to the extent possible, program code that is held in the cache mechanism, or, if program code is not cached, utilizes the program code that is received.

Abstract: An apparatus and method retracts a mobile agent from a second execution environment back to a first execution environment, the retraction being performed by the first environment sending a retraction request, and the second execution environment establishing a connection to the first execution environment in response. The second execution environment searches for an agent under its control corresponding to an agent identity in the retraction request, and converts the corresponding agent, if located, to a bit sequence and returns the bit sequence to the first execution environment via the connection. Sending the bit sequence through the established connection safely alleviates firewall issues because a connection is established from the inside of the firewall to the outside.

Abstract: The invention uses a storage device effectively to supply data to as many user terminals as possible. Sub-control units read unit data in which dynamic image data having continuity is divided and compressed from storage devices sequentially according to the tokens stored in queues of a system control unit, and supplies buffers corresponding to storage devices through a change-over switch for connection corresponding to the tokens. The unit data stored in the buffers is supplied to terminals as analog data of dynamic image through expanders and D to A converters. Therefore, the unit data from K units of storage devices to M (K * N) units of terminals at the substantially same time.