Abstract: In a cluster system having two server apparatuses that operate as an in-use type or a standby type, a first server apparatus is provided with: a heartbeat transmission/reception part that transmits and receives heartbeat packets to and from a corresponding second server apparatus; and a corresponding node monitoring part that adjusts a timeout period for transitioning operation of the first server apparatus from a standby type to an in-use type, according to the reception state of the heartbeat packets.

Abstract: In a cluster system having two server apparatuses that operate as an in-use type or a standby type, a first server apparatus is provided with: a heartbeat transmission/reception part that transmits and receives heartbeat packets to and from a corresponding second server apparatus; and a corresponding node monitoring part that adjusts a timeout period for transitioning operation of the first server apparatus from a standby type to an in-use type, according to the reception state of the heartbeat packets.

Abstract: In a communication system using a standby screen, a portable communication terminal accesses a communication server at a predetermined time interval, uses RSS to receive and store new messages in a cyber sub-community in which the portable communication terminal participates, and sequentially displays tag buttons on the standby screen to display new-message arrivals with message-issuing member names and titles displayed on the buttons.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a server managing community service on network signed up by specific user. The server including a community management part managing at least one community and a category of the community generated in community service on network signed up by specific user, the community management part storing and managing content posted on the community, a user management part holding profile information of each user signed up with the community service, a mail creating part creating an e-mail distributed to the user registered in the user management part, an advertisement management part selecting an advertisement based on at least one of the category of the community, introduction introducing the community, and the user profile information, the advertisement management part inserting the selected advertisement into the e-mail created by the mail creating part, and a mail distribution part distributing the e-mail.

Abstract: In an optimum route calculation method of calculating an optimum route in a network which has a plurality of nodes and a plurality of transmission paths, and in which a cost is defined for each transmission path, an evaluation value is obtained on the basis of the maximum cost of each transmission path included in a determined route and a route to be evaluated and the number of hops from the determined route to the route to be evaluated. A route is determined on the basis of the evaluation value. A storage medium which stores the optimum route calculation program is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a communication system using a standby screen, a portable communication terminal accesses a communication server at a predetermined time interval, uses RSS to receive and store new messages in a cyber sub-community in which the portable communication terminal participates, and sequentially displays tag buttons on the standby screen to display new-message arrivals with message-issuing member names and titles displayed on the buttons.

Abstract: A communication method and a communication system which enable a user to swiftly send a standard voice message or sound to one or more other communication perties during a conversation, and also simultaneously send a voice message to a plurality of other communication parties. A user can swiftly transmit a standard voice message or sound previously stored in his/her communication terminal even during a conversation. Thus, the other communication party who has the conversation with the user can listen to the message or sound instead of the user's voice. Further, when there are a plurality of other communication parties, a voice message can be simultaneously sent thereto.

Abstract: Portable-type communication terminal device easy to use by a user is provided. Determination unit determines, based on whether electronic mail received by a communication unit contains contents identification information, whether the electronic mail is contents electronic mail. When determining that the electronic mail is contents electronic mail, the determination unit outputs an activation signal to a speech synthesis unit and an image processing unit. Upon receiving the activation signal, the speech synthesis unit executes speech synthesis based on text contained in the electronic mail to output voice through a speaker. Upon receiving the activation signal, the image processing unit executes image processing based on face marks contained in the text of the electronic mail to change a face expression of a face image displayed by the image display unit according to voice output by a voice output unit.

Abstract: A mobile communication system, a control server and a mobile communication method, in which a particular communication cost separate from a normal communication cost can be set to communications between mobile communication terminals locating in a specified area, and a conventional infrastructure can be effectively utilized by using a new add-on device onto the existing switched mobile network without its large improvement. In response to a request to carry out a communication from one mobile communication terminal to another mobile communication terminal using a particular accounting system, the control server determines whether of not the mobile communication terminals locate within the respective specified areas to send allowance of the communication using the particular accounting system to the mobile communication terminal on a sending side.

Abstract: In an optimum route calculation method of calculating an optimum route in a network which has a plurality of nodes and a plurality of transmission paths, and in which a cost is defined for each transmission path, an evaluation value is obtained on the basis of the maximum cost of each transmission path included in a determined route and a route to be evaluated and the number of hops from the determined route to the route to be evaluated. A route is determined on the basis of the evaluation value. A storage medium which stores the optimum route calculation program is also disclosed.