Abstract: In an information processing apparatus having a central processing unit, input/output units controlled by the central processing unit such as a liquid crystal display, a hard disk drive, a PCMCIA controller and a floppy disk drive, and a battery for supplying power to the central processing unit and the input/output units, a desired operating time of the information processing apparatus is set in a desired operating time setting circuit. Next, a residual capacity detecting circuit detects a residual capacity of the battery. On the basis of the desired operating time set by the desired operating time setting circuit and an operable time of the information processing apparatus calculated from the residual capacity of the battery detected by the residual capacity detecting circuit, the central processing unit commands an operating condition changing circuit to change operating conditions such that the desired operating time becomes longer than the operable time.

Abstract: A multimedia system capable of readily permitting expansion of its display memory as well as its compression/expansion function and other features as desired. The multimedia system is implemented by an information processing apparatus which includes a controller which controls the apparatus, an extended input/output bus for connecting with the controller, and interface device which interfaces with the extended input/output bus, at least one function extending device which extends the functionality of the controller and a local bus for permitting data exchanges between the interface device and the function extending device.

Abstract: A video picture written in the bit map memory (4) is displayed in a predetermined area on the display screen (70) of the display device (7) within the computer main body (100). The masking memory (2) having a bit number equal to or less than the number of the pixels of the video picture to be inputted is provided separate from the bit map memory (4). When the pixel data of the video picture data has been inputted, the input pixel data is selectively written in the bit map memory (4) based on the contents of the masking memory (2). In displaying a compressed picture of the input video picture on the display screen, an oblique line generating algorithm is used.

Abstract: Compressed image data of a desired picture is read out from a memory having compressed image data of a sequential format stored therein and then subjected to an examination with respect to a plurality of frequency components of the read-out compressed image data. Part of the plurality of frequency components is deleted to obtain compressed image data of a quality lower than an original quality of the compressed image data. The obtained compressed image data of the lower quality is decoded and displayed on a display. The plurality of frequency components are deleted in a stepwise manner according to a traffic state of a transmission line through which the compressed image data is to be transmitted. For maintaining a picture frame rate to be constant, the plurality of frequency components may be deleted in a stepwise manner. For obtaining a desired decoding rate, the plurality of frequency components may be deleted in a stepwise manner.

Abstract: A method of converting and displaying scan lines for displaying interlace video signals permitting television or the like, represented by the NTSC standard, on a non-interlace display apparatus, including a reduction of images. Scan lines of a video signal are converted by a horizontal coordinate conversion circuit, a horizontal filtering circuit, a vertical coordinate conversion circuit, a vertical filtering circuit, and a one-scan line portion of line memory. The coordinates are converted on the basis of the coordinate system of the frame of the interlace video signal; and filtering in the vertical direction is performed in field units based on the coordinate conversion.

Abstract: A gradation conversion system comprising: a plurality of gradation conversion devices for converting color display data into gradation display data by different gradation conversion methods, respectively; and switching device for selectively activating one of the plurality of graduation conversion device. Accordingly, if a number of different colors are to be displayed in the same number of gradations when converting multi-color display data into gradation display data, it is possible to perform this gradation conversion. On the other hand, if different colors are to be displayed in gradations as exact to the brightnesses of colors as possible, it is possible to select one of plural gradation conversion methods so as to carry out this gradation conversion.

Abstract: A folding pocket knife substantially including a handle, a blade retaining lever and a blade. The blade is pivotally held in the handle wherein the engagement between a holding lever and the base of the blade, which keeps the blade out of the handle, is released by depressing the press area of the lever. The press area of the lever is covered with soft and pliable material that can be moved downward together with the press area so that the disengagement between the retaining lever and the blade can be made without pain to the finger. The whole body of the handle is covered with the soft and pliable material, but the handle may be formed with hard material except the portion over the press area so that only this portion is covered with the soft and pliable material.