Abstract: To support a shopper to perform self-service shopping by using an electronic shelf label (ESL) while looking at actual items displayed in a store and to expand the functions of the electronic shelf label (ESL) to enable the linkage with other data processing systems expansively. A shopper uses a mobile processing device (typically, a cell phone owned by the shopper) in a store. The functions necessary to obtain contents from the electronic shelf label (ESL) are obtained by introducing an application program into the shopper's own cell phone, by which it is expected that the shopper is able to easily enjoy shopping. When photographing the electronic shelf label (ESL), the contents associated with items are encoded (the price display automatically changes to a barcode) and then decoded.

Abstract: Mobile product advising includes creating, via a computer processor, vectors for each of a number of subjects corresponding to a product and assigning attributes of the subjects to corresponding fields of the vector. The mobile product advising also includes assigning values in the fields of the vectors reflecting a status of the attributes relative to the subjects. The mobile product advising further includes creating a product label for the product and encoding the vector including the attributes and values on the product label.

Abstract: A computer program product to implement a method for manufacturing a physical medium configured to store data. A layout design of visible information to be printed with visible ink in a book is generated, the visible information including an article. A layout design of invisible information to be printed with invisible ink in a book is generated, the invisible information including a Universal Resource Locator (URL) of an address of a web server at which additional information is located, the URL being encoded in a code within the invisible information, the additional information being associated with the article.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a physical medium configured to store data. A layout design of visible and invisible information to be printed in a book with visible and invisible ink, respectively, is generated. The visible information includes an article. The invisible information includes a URL of an address of a web server at which additional information associated with the article is located. Print data of the visible and invisible information based on the generated layout design of the visible and invisible information are generated. The generated print data of the visible and invisible information are stored on the physical medium. A book containing the article in visible ink and the invisible information in invisible ink is produced. A cellular phone is used to obtain the additional information by identifying the URL via illuminating and photographing the invisible information in the book using a light-emitting element in the cellular phone.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for processing face-to-face mobile phone transactions. An agreed-upon price for a product is accepted from a buyer mobile phone and a seller mobile phone. Distinct random numbers are assigned to each of the buyer and seller mobile phones. The random number assigned to the seller mobile phone is received from the buyer mobile phone, and the random number assigned to the buyer mobile phone is received from the seller mobile phone. A match is ascertained between the buyer and seller mobile phones based on receipt from the buyer mobile phone the random number assigned to the seller mobile phone and receipt from the seller mobile phone the random number assigned to the buyer mobile phone.

Abstract: A keyboard type input device used in conjunction with a wristwatch or a portable telephone has multiple key positions provided as character entry keys. Each key corresponds to one key in the selected row of the conventional QWERTY keyboard. A second set of control buttons provide for the selection of which row of a conventional QWERTY keyboard are represented by the character keys in addition to other functions such as case shift, and alpha-numerical control functions. A selected row is shown on a display, as visual feedback. Alternatively the keys are implemented as LCDs with pressure sensors and the characters of the selected row are displayed directly on the corresponding key positions. The keyboard finds particular use in portable devices as it demands less space than traditional keyboards.

Abstract: An image of a sample print printed to obtain parameters is picked up by using “a parameter obtaining device” that meets the standards of an instrument for the invention of “the electronic scrap system.” Then, the picked-up image is captured by a DTP system, and color data of a needed position are imported to a parameter DB. Thereby, parameters for simulation to be used in an invisible code printing support system can be easily inputted. Use of this method eliminates the necessity of figuring out parameters through experiments and the like, and of inputting these parameters as numerical values. In addition, since this method uses a physical medium and inks to be actually used, as they are, their optical characteristics, an influence of a blue component of invisible light emitted from an ultraviolet LED, and the like can be inputted all together as a picked-up image.

Abstract: A display method and display apparatus. Shooting a physical medium generates a captured image from the physical medium. An image pattern on the physical medium, which includes an identification code and binary indicators, is scanned. The identification code identifies a location on a storage medium of at least one image object. Each binary indicator is associated with a corresponding status parameter and has a positive value or a null value. At least one status parameter value is acquired and has a status parameter value for each status parameter whose binary indicator has the positive value. A display object is generated in dependence on the location appearing in the identification code and the acquired at least one status parameter value. The display object and the captured image are displayed, on a display unit of the display apparatus, in an overlapping relationship in which the display object overlaps the captured image.

Abstract: A relay adapter, a method for processing communication data through use of a relay adapter, and a process for leasing the relay adapter to a user by a service provider. The relay adapter includes: an authentication information storage section that stores authentication information of the relay adapter; a power plug; a power socket; and a push switch within the power plug or power socket. The push switch may be depressed. The power plug is detected to be plugged into a power socket of the user. The power socket is connected to a control server by a power line carrying a power signal. Responsive to ascertaining that the push switch is not depressed, mutual authentication is enabled between the relay adapter and the control server. After the mutual authentication, communication data is relayed from an information processing device of the user to a service provider server via the control server.

Abstract: To support a shopper to perform self-service shopping by using an electronic shelf label (ESL) while looking at actual items displayed in a store and to expand the functions of the electronic shelf label (ESL) to enable the linkage with other data processing systems expansively. A shopper uses a mobile processing device (typically, a cell phone owned by the shopper) in a store. The functions necessary to obtain contents from the electronic shelf label (ESL) are obtained by introducing an application program into the shopper's own cell phone, by which it is expected that the shopper is able to easily enjoy shopping. When photographing the electronic shelf label (ESL), the contents associated with items are encoded (the price display automatically changes to a barcode) and then decoded.

Abstract: A communication device which urges a user to select another communication device with which communication should be performed in a plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication, and which performs communication with the selected communication device. The communication device has an acquisition section which obtains, from each of the plurality of communication devices, motion information indicating the motion of the communication device in space, a display section which displays each of motion images representing the motions of the plurality of communication devices in space on the basis of the motion information obtained from the communication devices, and a communication section which urges the user to select one of the motion images displayed by the display section, and which performs communication with the communication device indicated by the selected motion image.

Abstract: A display method and display apparatus. Shooting a physical medium generates a captured image from the physical medium. An image pattern on the physical medium, which includes an identification code and binary indicators, is scanned. The identification code identifies a location on a storage medium of at least one image object. Each binary indicator is associated with a corresponding status parameter and has a positive value or a null value. At least one status parameter value is acquired and has a status parameter value for each status parameter whose binary indicator has the positive value. A display object is generated in dependence on the location appearing in the identification code and the acquired at least one status parameter value. The display object and the captured image are displayed, on a display unit of the display apparatus, in an overlapping relationship in which the display object overlaps the captured image.

Abstract: A relay adapter, a method for processing communication data through use of a relay adapter, and a process for leasing the relay adapter to a user by a service provider. The relay adapter includes: an authentication information storage section that stores authentication information of the relay adapter; a power plug; a power socket; and a push switch within the power plug or power socket. The push switch may be depressed. The power plug is detected to be plugged into a power socket of the user. The power socket is connected to a control server by a power line carrying a power signal. Responsive to ascertaining that the push switch is not depressed, mutual authentication is enabled between the relay adapter and the control server. After the mutual authentication, communication data is relayed from an information processing device of the user to a service provider server via the control server.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a physical medium configured to store data. A layout design of visible and invisible information to be printed in a book with visible and invisible ink, respectively, is generated. The visible information includes an article. The invisible information includes a URL of an address of a web server at which additional information associated with the article is located. Print data of the visible and invisible information based on the generated layout design of the visible and invisible information are generated. The generated print data of the visible and invisible information are stored on the physical medium. A book containing the article in visible ink and the invisible information in invisible ink is produced. A cellular phone is used to obtain the additional information by identifying the URL via illuminating and photographing the invisible information in the book using a light-emitting element in the cellular phone.

Abstract: A keyboard type input device used in conjunction with a wristwatch or a portable telephone has multiple key positions provided as character entry keys. Each key corresponds to one key in the selected row of the conventional QWERTY keyboard. A second set of control buttons provide for the selection of which row of a conventional QWERTY keyboard are represented by the character keys in addition to other functions such as case shift, and alpha-numerical control functions. A selected row is shown on a display, as visual feedback. Alternatively the keys are implemented as LCDs with pressure sensors and the characters of the selected row are displayed directly on the corresponding key positions. The keyboard finds particular use in portable devices as it demands less space than traditional keyboards.

Abstract: A keyboard type input device has multiple key positions provided as character entry keys. Each key corresponds to one key in the selected row of the conventional QWERTY keyboard. A second set of control buttons provide for the selection of which row of a conventional QWERTY keyboard are represented by the character keys in addition to other functions such as case shift, and alpha-numerical control functions. A selected row is shown on a display, as visual feedback. Alternatively the keys are implemented as LCDs with pressure sensors and the characters of the selected row are displayed directly on the corresponding key positions. The keyboard finds particular use in portable devices as it demands less space than traditional keyboards. The keyboard type input device is implemented with various electronic appliances, including portable phones.

Abstract: An image of a sample print printed to obtain parameters is picked up by using “a parameter obtaining device” that meets the standards of an instrument for the invention of “the electronic scrap system.” Then, the picked-up image is captured by a DTP system, and color data of a needed position are imported to a parameter DB. Thereby, parameters for simulation to be used in an invisible code printing support system can be easily inputted. Use of this method eliminates the necessity of figuring out parameters through experiments and the like, and of inputting these parameters as numerical values. In addition, since this method uses a physical medium and inks to be actually used, as they are, their optical characteristics, an influence of a blue component of invisible light emitted from an ultraviolet LED, and the like can be inputted all together as a picked-up image.

Abstract: A communication apparatus for connecting each of a plurality of information processing apparatuses to a communication line provided by an ISP (Internet Service Provider) by wirelessly communicating with each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, the communication apparatus including a subscriber terminal determination unit for determining whether or not each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses is managed by a subscriber to the ISP who has been authorized based on a contract with the ISP to connect to the communication line by installing the communication apparatus, and a communication unit for wirelessly communicating with each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses giving a higher priority to a subscriber terminal that is an information processing apparatus managed by a subscriber than to a non-subscriber terminal that is an information processing apparatus not being a subscriber terminal.

Abstract: In an information processing system, a mobile phone obtains a setting program which makes security settings for ensuring security of communication by performing authentication with a communication destination on an unsecured communication link, from a registration server through a secure, first communication link; an information processing device executes the setting program obtained from the mobile phone to make security settings, communicates with a relay server through an unsecured, second communication link; the registration server receives access from the mobile phone through the first communication link, authenticates a user, and sends the setting program to the mobile phone; the relay server authenticates an information processing device in response to a connection request from the information processing device, makes security settings, and relays access from the information processing device to a communication network through the second communication link.

Abstract: A feature of the present invention includes a device having a display controller for controlling a display position of the pointer on the display screen, a displacement detector for detecting a displacement of the device itself, and a pointer mover for moving the pointer on the display screen based on the detected displacement of the device itself.