Abstract: A small-size digital device requires preferable operability and userfriendliness of the user interface. In a multimedia reproduction device (10), an operation unit (40) acquires an instruction concerning content reproduction via a user operation. A read-out unit (44) reads out a content from an external recording medium mounted as a content data storage area. A Storage unit (80) holds data on a plurality of function icons symbolizing a plurality of content reproduction function types and data on a plurality of media icons symbolizing the external recording medium types. A display processing unit (46) processes menu screen display and content reproduction. A menu unit (48) generates image data on a menu screen where a plurality of function icons and a plurality of media icons are arranged two-dimensionally according to a user function.

Abstract: In a multimedia reproducing apparatus, a read unit reads contents, content icons, and folders containing the contents from an external recording medium. A storage unit 80 stores data on a folder icon. A display processing unit processes menu screen display and content reproduction. A menu control unit switches between and displays a first level menu screen and a second level menu screen, the first menu screen displaying folder icons and content icons, the second level menu screen displaying folder icons in the state that contents are stored in folders. In the first level menu screen, a reproduction indicator is displayed near a content icon that corresponds to contents under reproduction. In the second level menu screen, the reproduction indicator is displayed near a folder icon that contains the contents.

Abstract: A small-size digital device requires preferable operability and user-friendliness of the user interface. In a multimedia reproduction device (10), an operation unit (40) acquires an instruction concerning content reproduction via a user operation. A read-out unit (44) reads out a content from an external recording medium mounted as a content data storage area. A storage unit (80) holds data on a plurality of function icons symbolizing a plurality of content reproduction function types and data on a plurality of media icons symbolizing the external recording medium types. A display processing unit (46) processes menu screen display and content reproduction. A menu control unit (48) generates image data on a menu screen where a plurality of function icons and a plurality of media icons are arranged two-dimensionally according to a user instruction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a facial image display apparatus that can display moving images concentrated on the face when images of people's faces are displayed. A facial image display apparatus is provided wherein a facial area detecting unit (21) detects facial areas in which faces are displayed from within a target image for displaying a plurality of faces; a dynamic extraction area creating unit (22) creates, based on the facial areas detected by the facial area detecting means, a dynamic extraction area of which at least one of position and surface area varies over time in the target image; and a moving image output unit (27) sequentially extracts images in the dynamic extraction area and outputs the extracted images as a moving image.

Abstract: Favorable visual appearance and ease of operation are required in the user interface of digital home appliances using a television screen. An array of function icons including multiple function icons representing respective playing functions and an array of content icons including multiple content icons representing items of contents that can be played are displayed practically at the center of an on-screen menu such that the arrays intersect. A moving image icon, which is a function icon displayed in an area of intersection in which the array of function icons and the array of content icons intersect, is highlighted by a color different from that of the other function icons and by an enlarged view. An icon in focus immediately below the moving image icon is also displayed in an expanded view. If an external appliance is connected via a network, contents in the external appliance are also displayed in the array of content icons.

Abstract: A plurality of identification miniature images for to-be-replayed objects is displayed simultaneously on a manipulating-function menu screen with taking one of the to-be-replayed objects corresponding to one of the identification miniature images in a predetermined position as a to-be-replayed object of interest. There are displayed a first group of a plurality of manipulating-function items for the respective to-be-replayed objects and a second group of a plurality of manipulating-function items related to a plurality of to-be-replayed objects. While any one of the manipulating-function items included in the first group is being selected, the identification miniature image corresponding to the to-be-replayed object of interest is displayed for differentiation from the other identification miniature images.

Abstract: In a multimedia reproducing apparatus, a read unit reads contents, content icons, and folders containing the contents from an external recording medium. A storage unit 80 stores data on a folder icon. A display processing unit processes menu screen display and content reproduction. A menu control unit switches between and displays a first level menu screen and a second level menu screen, the first menu screen displaying folder icons and content icons, the second level menu screen displaying folder icons in the state that contents are stored in folders. In the first level menu screen, a reproduction indicator is displayed near a content icon that corresponds to contents under reproduction. In the second level menu screen, the reproduction indicator is displayed near a folder icon that contains the contents.

Abstract: A display apparatus including a communication line connected to a network, an information acquisition device for acquiring in real time at least information relating to a predetermined site on the network via the communication line, the communication line being held by a communication line holding device. The display apparatus includes a display control device for displaying in real time information relating to a plurality of sites acquired by the information acquisition device, and forming symbols corresponding to the plurality of sites, displaying the symbols three-dimensionally in a contrastable state from each other. The information acquired by the information acquisition device is displayed will a symbol, which corresponds to the site, and the information acquisition device acquires at least one of or a plurality of pieces of information indicating congestion status, update status, response, type, popularity, cost, and links of each site, and congestion status of the network.

Abstract: Favorable visual appearance and ease of operation are required in the user interface of digital home appliances using a television screen. An array of function icons including multiple function icons representing respective playing functions and an array of content icons including multiple content icons representing items of contents that can be played are displayed practically at the center of an on-screen menu such that the arrays intersect. A moving image icon, which is a function icon displayed in an area of intersection in which the array of function icons and the array of content icons intersect, is highlighted by a color different from that of the other function icons and by an enlarged view. An icon in focus immediately below the moving image icon is also displayed in an expanded view. If an external appliance is connected via a network, contents in the external appliance are also displayed in the array of content icons.

Abstract: Favorable visual appearance and ease of operation are required in the user interface of digital home appliances using a television screen. An array of function icons including multiple function icons representing respective types of media that can be played and an array of content icons including multiple content icons representing items of contents that can be played are displayed practically at the center of an on-screen menu such that the arrays intersect. A moving image icon, which is a function icon displayed in an area of intersection in which the array of function icons and the array of content icons intersect, is highlighted by a color different from that of the other function icons and by an enlarged view. In the array of content icons, the hierarchy of the contents is visually represented.

Abstract: Objects which are created in conformity with the data format of objects to be handled in a virtual world are offered to users on the terminal computers of the users independently of the virtual world. The users transmit the offered objects to a server computer which generates the virtual world, while the server computer stores these objects in association with the operators. Since these objects are recorded in a format which can be interpreted by the server computer for generating the virtual world, they can be handled in the virtual world in the same manner as the other objects which have been defined in the virtual world beforehand. Thus, the users are permitted to use in the virtual world objects which are different from the objects which were defined in the virtual world beforehand.

Abstract: A small-size digital device requires preferable operability and user-friendliness of the user interface. In a multimedia reproduction device (10), an operation unit (40) acquires an instruction concerning content reproduction via a user operation. A read-out unit (44) reads out a content from an external recording medium mounted as a content data storage area. A storage unit (80) holds data on a plurality of function icons symbolizing a plurality of content reproduction function types and data on a plurality of media icons symbolizing the external recording medium types. A display processing unit (46) processes menu screen display and content reproduction. A menu control unit (48) generates image data on a menu screen where a plurality of function icons and a plurality of media icons are arranged two-dimensionally according to a user instruction.

Abstract: A plurality of identification miniature images for to-be-replayed objects is displayed simultaneously on a manipulating-function menu screen with taking one of the to-be-replayed objects corresponding to one of the identification miniature images in a predetermined position as a to-be-replayed object of interest. There are displayed a first group of a plurality of manipulating-function items for the respective to-be-replayed objects and a second group of a plurality of manipulating-function items related to a plurality of to-be-replayed objects. While any one of the manipulating-function items included in the first group is being selected, the identification miniature image corresponding to the to-be-replayed object of interest is displayed for differentiation from the other identification miniature images.

Abstract: A control unit 9 examines the update status of each Web site 11 which are stored as bookmarks in a URL memory 6, the congestion status of a network 2, and the congestion status of a network server apparatus 13 of a user's provider and the like. The control unit 9, based on this examination result, arranges an object corresponding to that Web site by changing the distance (depth) from the viewpoint in accordance with the response of the Web site 11, and displays by changing the height of the object according to the update status. Furthermore, the control unit 9 displays by changing the patterns of each object in accordance with the congestion status of the Web site which corresponds to that object, and displays by changing the weather of virtual space in accordance with the busy status of the network 2. This allows image display of the update status of the Web site to which a bookmark is attached, and the congestion status of the network and the like by using predetermined objects.

Abstract: A communication device communicates information via a virtual world configured by a server machine to client terminal devices operating characters in the virtual world. It is therefore possible to transmit various information to and to receive various information from the virtual world, even from a place remote from the client terminal devices, which enables a linking between the virtual world and the real world to be realized.

Abstract: Objects which are created in conformity with the data format of objects to be handled in a virtual world, are offered to users on the terminal computers of the users independently of the virtual world. The users transmit the offered objects to a server computer which generates the virtual world, while the server computer stores these objects in association with the operators. Since these objects are recorded in the format which can be interpreted by the server computer for generating the virtual world, they can be handled in the virtual world likewise to the other objects which are defined in the virtual world beforehand. Thus, the users are permitted to use in the virtual world the objects which are different from the objects defined in the virtual world beforehand.

Abstract: An improved method for forming a coating of a polyphenylene sulfide on the surface of a metal substrate which comprises fusing a powder of polyphenylene sulfide to the surface of substrate metal and then curing the resin under heat; wherein the fused polyphenylene sulfide resin is solidified by quenching, and then heat-cured. This method permits increased operational efficiency and productivity over the prior technique.