Abstract: An apparatus of the invention comprises an operation inputting element for designating one of a plurality of functions; a function executing element for executing the function designated by the operating inputting element; a measuring element for measuring the time during which each of the functions has been executed by the function executing element; and a chargeable amount computing element for computing a chargeable amount based on the execution time measured by the measuring element regarding each of the functions.

Abstract: A management apparatus, a charging object apparatus and a management system and method by which a product of an object of use can be used in an efficiency as high as possible when it is used commonly by a plurality of people.

Abstract: An electronic device controlling apparatus is disclosed which includes: a communication unit for communicating with electronic devices; a storing element for storing personal identification information and personal information in correspondence with each other; a detecting element for detecting personal identification information and a location where a person identified by the detected personal identification information is present; a searching element for searching the storing element for the personal information corresponding to the personal identification information detected by the detecting element; and a controlling element which, based on the personal information searched for by the searching element, causes the communication unit to transmit a control signal to the electronic device installed in the detected location.

Abstract: An apparatus of the invention comprises an operation inputting element for designating one of a plurality of functions; a function executing element for executing the function designated by the operating inputting element; a measuring element for measuring the time during which each of the functions has been executed by the function executing element; and a chargeable amount computing element for computing a chargeable amount based on the execution time measured by the measuring element regarding each of the functions.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronic apparatus, a time period charging system, a time period charging method, and a charging management system for an electronic apparatus which eliminate various problems arising from a conventional charging method wherein an equivalent is paid to the proprietary right of contents. It is first discriminated whether or not contents data are of the type wherein use thereof should be charged based on information representative of a time period within which the contents data are used. Then, at least one of a time period within which the contents data are used and a time period within which the electronic apparatus is used is measured based on a result of the discrimination. When the contents data are of the type described, information to be used for the charging process is produced based on at least one of the information of the time period of use of the contents data and the information of the time period of use of the electronic apparatus.

Abstract: A movement made by a user viewing a television broadcast program, which is recorded on a hard disk device and read from the hard disk device to enable time shift viewing, is reproduced at a television (TV) set. The movement of the user is detected via a transmitting and receiving unit to which an electronic key card is held, and a reproduction position on a hard disk is recorded in a memory of a controlling apparatus main unit. A destination of the user is detected via a transmitting and receiving unit to which the electronic key card is held, and the broadcast signal is read from the stored reproduction position on the hard disk and then transferred to an electronic device at the destination. This enables a continuation of the broadcast program that was viewed to be viewed in a room at the destination.

Abstract: The present invention is a movable body management system which can appropriately calculate a movable body fee according to availability etc. and flexibly and effectively allow movable bodies to be used. Each of vehicles such as cars and bicycles has a GPS capability to detect a current position of its own at a specified time interval. The system transmits information indicating the detected current position to an operating company for managing current positions of respective vehicles. When each of vehicles such as bicycles is rented out to a member and is used, the system starts measuring a traveling distance and a traveling time. When the use of the vehicle ends, the system transmits the measured traveling distance and traveling time to a server apparatus in the operating company. The operating company's server apparatus calculates the fee for settlement according to the transmitted traveling distance and traveling time.

Abstract: The present invention is a movable body management system which can appropriately calculate a movable body fee according to availability etc. and flexibly and effectively allow movable bodies to be used. Each of vehicles such as cars and bicycles has a GPS capability to detect a current position of its own at a specified time interval. The system transmits information indicating the detected current position to an operating company for managing current positions of respective vehicles. When each of vehicles such as bicycles is rented out to a member and is used, the system starts measuring a traveling distance and a traveling time. When the use of the vehicle ends, the system transmits the measured traveling distance and traveling time to a server apparatus in the operating company. The operating company's server apparatus calculates the fee for settlement according to the transmitted traveling distance and traveling time.

Abstract: The present invention is a movable body management system which can appropriately calculate a movable body fee according to availability etc. and flexibly and effectively allow movable bodies to be used. Each of vehicles such as cars and bicycles has a GPS capability to detect a current position of its own at a specified time interval. The system transmits information indicating the detected current position to an operating company for managing current positions of respective vehicles. When each of vehicles such as bicycles is rented out to a member and is used, the system starts measuring a traveling distance and a traveling time. When the use of the vehicle ends, the system transmits the measured traveling distance and traveling time to a server apparatus in the operating company. The operating company's server apparatus calculates the fee for settlement according to the transmitted traveling distance and traveling time.

Abstract: A communication apparatus is provided that can urge a person, such as a child, to come back home at a scheduled time. The communication apparatus can also inform another person, such as a parent of the child, about the time that the child arrives home.

Abstract: Apparatus for sharing entrance of a multiple dwelling house. The apparatus controls the visit and/or calling of a door-to-door sales agent. The apparatus automatically receives delivery of goods addressed to one of the dwelling units regardless of the presence or absence of a resident. Registered agents, such as residents and agents granted access, use an IC card that carries identification information to gain access of a shared entrance. For each dwelling unit, a registered agent likewise uses the IC card to send family identification information or agent identification information to a door phone apparatus, thereby unlocking the door lock of the entrance for a family member.

Abstract: An apparatus of the invention comprises an operation inputting element for designating one of a plurality of functions; a function executing element for executing the function designated by the operating inputting element; a measuring element for measuring the time during which each of the functions has been executed by the function executing element; and a chargeable amount computing element for computing a chargeable amount based on the execution time measured by the measuring element regarding each of the functions.

Abstract: An apparatus of the invention comprises an operation inputting element for designating one of a plurality of functions; a function executing element for executing the function designated by the operating inputting element; a measuring element for measuring the time during which each of the functions has been executed by the function executing element; and a chargeable amount computing element for computing a chargeable amount based on the execution time measured by the measuring element regarding each of the functions.

Abstract: An apparatus of the invention comprises an operation inputting element for designating one of a plurality of functions; a function executing element for executing the function designated by the operating inputting element; a measuring element for measuring the time during which each of the functions has been executed by the function executing element; and a chargeable amount computing element for computing a chargeable amount based on the execution time measured by the measuring element regarding each of the functions.

Abstract: An apparatus of the invention comprises an operation inputting element for designating one of a plurality of functions; a function executing element for executing the function designated by the operating inputting element; a measuring element for measuring the time during which each of the functions has been executed by the function executing element; and a chargeable amount computing element for computing a chargeable amount based on the execution time measured by the measuring element regarding each of the functions.

Abstract: An apparatus of the invention comprises an operation inputting element for designating one of a plurality of functions; a function executing element for executing the function designated by the operating inputting element; a measuring element for measuring the time during which each of the functions has been executed by the function executing element; and a chargeable amount computing element for computing a chargeable amount based on the execution time measured by the measuring element regarding each of the functions.

Abstract: An apparatus of the invention comprises an operation inputting element for designating one of a plurality of functions; a function executing element for executing the function designated by the operating inputting element; a measuring element for measuring the time during which each of the functions has been executed by the function executing element; and a chargeable amount computing element for computing a chargeable amount based on the execution time measured by the measuring element regarding each of the functions.

Abstract: An apparatus of the invention comprises an operation inputting element for designating one of a plurality of functions; a function executing element for executing the function designated by the operating inputting element; a measuring element for measuring the time during which each of the functions has been executed by the function executing element; and a chargeable amount computing element for computing a chargeable amount based on the execution time measured by the measuring element regarding each of the functions.

Abstract: A management apparatus, a charging object apparatus and a management system and method by which a product of an object of use can be used in an efficiency as high as possible when it is used commonly by a plurality of people.

Abstract: A communication apparatus is provided that can urge a person who is not at home such as, for example, a child to come back home when scheduled coming home time comes and can inform a notification of the time at which the child comes home, for example, to the parent. The communication apparatus includes first communication means which communicates with an electronic key device in which at least electronic key information is stored, and door lock control means which compares the electronic key information received and electronic key information stored in a storage section with each other and controls a lock apparatus for a door based on the result of the comparison. The communication apparatus further includes user recognition means which recognizes a user of the electronic key device based on the information received from the electronic key device through the first communication means.