Abstract: A client apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a contents list request transmitting means 401 for transmitting a request of a media server apparatus 101 to transmit a contents list which is a list of metadata of contents, a contents list receiving means 402 for receiving the contents list from the media server apparatus 101, an item list storing means 403 for storing the contents list and an item list having listed items each of which is described as metadata, an item list transmitting means 404 for transmitting the item list to a monitor server apparatus 102, a key input means 405 for receiving a key input, an input key transmitting means 406 for transmitting the key input to the monitor server apparatus 102, and an identification information receiving means 407 for receiving identification information making it possible to uniquely identify each item included in the item list.

Abstract: A recording reservation common share system includes a recording schedule sharing apparatus 1A which makes a request for recording schedule information, and which acquires and checks recording schedule information provided thereto, and recording schedule sharing apparatuses 1B and 1C each of which receive a request for recording schedule information from the recording schedule sharing apparatus 1A, and provides the recording schedule information held thereby to the recording schedule sharing apparatus 1A.

Abstract: A client apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a contents list request transmitting means 401 for transmitting a request of a media server apparatus 101 to transmit a contents list which is a list of metadata of contents, a contents list receiving means 402 for receiving the contents list from the media server apparatus 101, an item list storing means 403 for storing the contents list and an item list having listed items each of which is described as metadata, an item list transmitting means 404 for transmitting the item list to a monitor server apparatus 102, a key input means 405 for receiving a key input, an input key transmitting means 406 for transmitting the key input to the monitor server apparatus 102, and an identification information receiving means 407 for receiving identification information making it possible to uniquely identify each item included in the item list.

Abstract: A metadata storing/receiving means 206 stores metadata acquired from a metadata providing terminal by using a metadata acquisition request. A filtering means 209 selects metadata stored in the metadata storage means 206 by using at least of a degree of preference and a degree of affinity.

Abstract: A monitor server apparatus 102 in accordance with the present invention includes: a UI presenting means 304 for presenting a UI for displaying information and for receiving an input; a display data generating means 303 for generating display data to be displayed on the UI; an item list receiving means 301 for receiving a list of items listed each of which is described as metadata; an item list storing means 302 for storing the item list; an input key receiving means 305 for receiving a key input; and an identification information transmitting means 306 for transmitting identification information making it possible to identify each of the items included in the item list uniquely.

Abstract: Communication is performed without paying attention to the fact that the communication is executed between multimedia terminals having communication procedures differing from each other. A terminal 2 starts a communication procedure that is necessary to establish a communication path to a communication service unit 1, in order to execute communication with a multimedia terminal 3; when a communication protocol conversion unit 7 receives communication start request from the terminal 2, the communication service unit executes identification process of a calling terminal based on the identification number, which exists in communication start request, for determining the multimedia terminal 2, and inquires a terminal information managing unit 9 of the calling terminal. The terminal information managing unit 9 retrieves terminal information related to the calling terminal based on a terminal information request, and informs of the retrieved terminal information to the communication protocol conversion unit 7.

Abstract: The present invention provides a supply apparatus and a receiving apparatus for enabling a user of a production apparatus such as a component mounter, to visually comprehend accurate support information provided from a manufacturer in accordance with the life cycle of the production apparatus, and realize more appropriate production apparatus maintenance. In the support information received by the receiving apparatus, the period after the purchase of the component mounter is displayed in the life cycle, and a list of equipment productivity-related items as well as diagnosis-related items is displayed as support items which are predicted for such life cycle.

Abstract: Communication is performed without paying attention to the fact that the communication is executed between multimedia terminals having communication procedures differing from each other. A terminal 2 starts a communication procedure that is necessary to establish a communication path to a communication service unit 1, in order to execute communication with a multimedia terminal 3; when a communication protocol conversion unit 7 receives communication start request from the terminal 2, the communication service unit executes identification process of a calling terminal based on the identification number, which exists in communication start request, for determining the multimedia terminal 2, and inquires a terminal information managing unit 9 of the calling terminal. The terminal information managing unit 9 retrieves terminal information related to the calling terminal based on a terminal information request, and informs of the retrieved terminal information to the communication protocol conversion unit 7.

Abstract: A plurality of media data coding and multiplexing apparatus are connected, a video signal having a large information amount is processed in parallel in the plurality of media data coding and multiplexing apparatus, other media data pieces of an audio signal and a data signal are processed in one of the plurality of the media data coding and multiplexing apparatus, and a multiplexing section of the one of the plurality of the media data coding and multiplexing apparatus combines the signals and output multiplex streams output from other media data coding and multiplexing apparatus into one output multiplex stream.

Abstract: When a service receiving server 1 receives a request of a multi-point communication service from communication terminals 3A to 3C, a service ID corresponding to the multi-point communication service and passwords are respectively sent to the communication terminals 3A to 3C receiving the multi-point communication service and are sent to a communication service unit 2. When the communication service unit 2 receives the service ID and the password from the communication terminals 3A to 3C, the communication service unit 2 collates whether or not the service ID and the password sent from the communication terminals 3A to 3C agree with those sent from the service receiving server 1. In case of the agreement, the communication service unit 2 connects with the group of communication terminals 3A to 3C and provides the multi-point communication service for the communication terminals 3A to 3C according to the service ID.

Abstract: A conditional access system includes an EMM (Entitlement Management Message) analyzer for retrieving partial viewing authorization information. When the partial viewing authorization information permits partial viewing, ECM (Entitlement Control Message) is decrypted using work keys, and scrambling keys are intermittently retrieved from the ECM. This can solve a problem of a conventional conditional access system in that an unauthorized user's receiver cannot display pictures at all because the receiver cannot retrieve scrambling keys, and hence the user cannot enjoy a program even to such a degree as to perceive its feeling as in analog broadcasting systems, and thus the user cannot decide as to whether to make contract or not with viewing the program to some extent, which prevents the provider of the program from offering effective invitation to the user.

Abstract: The present invention introduces an apparatus and method for securing a constant bit rate in transmitting various types of media data through multiplexing over an ATM network so as to achieve a constant bit rate communication. Received video/audio information from an information source is encoded at an information source encoder and outputted to a media multiplexer as encoded video/audio information. The media multiplexer multiplexes encoded the video/audio information to obtain fixed-length data as transmission data. The media multiplexer, upon reception of a transmission enable signal from a line interface unit, transmits the transmission data to the line interface unit. The line interface unit assembles the transmission data on an ATM cell format basis and transmits cell data,over the ATM network.

Abstract: A communication service unit 2 exchanges messages related to establishment or reestablishment of a logical channel for video with a reception terminal 3, when transmission of a video coded signal to the reception terminal 3 is started or when a transmission source terminal is changed. The communication service unit 2 adds a video coding parameter stored in memory and used in a new transmission source terminal to a message for establishing or re-establishing the logical channel for video and transmits transmitting the resultant message to the reception terminal 3. The reception terminal 3 decodes the video coded signal based on the video coding parameter included in the message thus received.

Abstract: A communication service unit 1 connected with a plurality of communication terminals 3 sends additive information stored in an additive information storing unit 2 before the sending of communication information including visual data, audio data and/or text data sent for an original purpose of communication, while temporarily stopping the sending of the communication information during the communication based on the communication information, or after the completion of the sending of the communication information. Or, a transmission band permitted for the communication information is narrowed in the communication service unit 1 or an instruction is sent from the communication service unit 1 to one communication terminal 3 of a sending end to decrease a transfer rate of the communication information temporarily or from beginning to end of the communication, and the additive information is sent within a transmission band preset for the communication information.

Abstract: A communication terminal (1) connects, by way of a channel for multimedia communication set via a circuit switched network (4), with a communication service unit (2) so that the communication terminal (1) can send and receive multimedia information. The communication terminal (1) also connects, by way of a control channel set via a packet switched network (5), with an additional service unit 3 so that the communication terminal (1) can send and receive service control information associated with the multimedia information provided by the communication service unit (2). The additional service unit (3) receives the service control information transmitted from the communication terminal (1) by way of the packet switched network (5), transmits a service control signal to the communication service unit (2), and transmits another service control signal, such as the one specifying an operation mode or the one indicating service guidance information, to the communication terminal (1).

Abstract: A call establishing control unit 6 of a communication terminal A sends a call through a transmission interface unit 5a in a bearer appropriate to multimedia communication, establishes a communication channel, sends a call through a transmission interface unit 5b in a bearer appropriate to a group of additional information and control information and establishes another communication channel. A video codec 1 and an audio codec 2 perform the multimedia communication through a multiplexing and demultiplexing unit 4 and the transmission interface unit 5a. An additional information and control information processing unit 3 performs communication of additional information and control information through the transmission interface unit 5b.

Abstract: When a service receiving server 1 receives a request of a multi-point communication service from communication terminals 3A to 3C, a service ID corresponding to the multi-point communication service and passwords are respectively sent to the communication terminals 3A to 3C receiving the multi-point communication service and are sent to a communication service unit 2. When the communication service unit 2 receives the service ID and the password from the communication terminals 3A to 3C, the communication service unit 2 collates whether or not the service ID and the password sent from the communication terminals 3A to 3C agree with those sent from the service receiving server 1. In case of the agreement, the communication service unit 2 connects with the group of communication terminals 3A to 3C and provides the multi-point communication service for the communication terminals 3A to 3C according to the service ID.

Abstract: A service receiving unit 1 receiving a request of a multi-point communication service from a communication terminal 3A sends call-in addresses of all communication terminals 3A, 3B and 3C and a command instructing the provision of the multi-point communication service to a communication service unit 2. The communication service unit 2 sends a call to each communication terminal according to the call-in address and the command and provides the multi-point communication service. An accounting information server 4 performs the accounting to demand a communication charge and a service providing charge on the communication terminal 3A, the communication terminals 3A, 3B and 3C or a third person according to information of both a communication time-period and the number of communication terminals sent from the service receiving unit 1. Each charge is fixed or changed in proportion to or in inversely proportion to the number of communication terminals.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to realize the correct and prompt synchronization of data in decoding and reproducing multiplexed coded data multiplexed with a plurality of media coded data in the unit of packet without regard to the configuration or characteristics of the apparatus. To achieve a data decoder that can synchronize the video and audio data correctly, the timing controller obtains a buffering time indicated by the time difference between the decoding end time and the specified presentation time contained in the data, and data buffering is performed by buffer memory. The video decoding end time is latched from the system time counter according to a timing pulse generated by the video decoder when the first decoded data is output from video decoder after the data decoder is activated.

Abstract: In multimedia communication between a data sending device and a data receiving device through a communication line, a line state relating to transmission quality in the communication line is always detected in the data sending device, an operation mode corresponding to an error tolerance level optimum to the current line state is selected in the data sending device, pieces of media data are multiplexed to a stream of multiplexed media data according to a data multiplexing method relating to the selected operation mode, and the stream of multiplexed media data is sent to the data receiving device through the communication line. Because the line state changes with time, the data multiplexing method also changes with time. When the line state deteriorates, a data multiplexing method corresponding to a high error tolerance level is adopted. Also, when the line state ameliorates, a data multiplexing method corresponding to a low error tolerance level is adopted.