Abstract: A terminal apparatus has a reception unit for receiving a data group or a program group distributed from a satellite or a ground distribution system, and an update sequence management unit. The update sequence management unit searches data or a program of the terminal apparatus to be updated and data or a program necessary for updating the data or the program of the terminal apparatus, from the data group or the program group, determines an update sequence of the searched program or data, and updates the program or data of the terminal apparatus in accordance with the determined update sequence.

Abstract: A method for collecting and processing information from a vehicle is disclosed. The information is useful for providing a loss-insurance coverage. The method includes the following steps: (a) Information is automatically transmitted from the vehicle to a central vehicle-information management center, the information including information regarding a position of the vehicle, information regarding control of the vehicle, information regarding states of parts of the vehicle, a type of the vehicle, and identification of a user of the vehicle. (b) The central vehicle-information management center computes a utilization service fee based on the type of the vehicle and the identification of the user transmitted in step (a). (c) The central vehicle-information management center transmits the computed fee and a request for confirmation to the vehicle. (d) The vehicle transmits a response to the central vehicle-information management center as to whether the user will effect insurance coverage.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus has a reception unit for receiving a data group or a program group distributed from a satellite or a ground distribution system, and an update sequence management unit. The update sequence management unit searches data or a program of the terminal apparatus to be updated and data or a program necessary for updating the data or the program of the terminal apparatus, from the data group or the program group, determines an update sequence of the searched program or data, and updates the program or data of the terminal apparatus in accordance with the determined update sequence.

Abstract: To ensure that of all information transmitted through broadcast communications, only the information corresponding to the traveling route of a mobile body will be efficiently displayed at the information terminal of a car navigation system or the like, the information terminal is provided with:

Abstract: To ensure that of all information transmitted through broadcast communications, only the information corresponding to the traveling route of a mobile body will be efficiently displayed at the information terminal of a car navigation system or the like, the information terminal is provided with: a means for receiving the spot or area information being transmitted, and receiving information that has been linked to the spot or area information being transmitted, a means for judging whether the spot or area information that has been received above is included in part of the spot or area information corresponding to the traveling route of the mobile body, and storage media for retaining the received spot or area information that the above-mentioned judgment means has judged to be included in the spot or area information corresponding to the traveling route of the mobile body.

Abstract: A method o gathering and analyzing vehicle information is disclosed. A central vehicle-information management center gathers first vehicle information gathered in real time, including position of the vehicle, control of vehicle, and conditions of vehicle parts, and gathers second vehicle information including vehicle type, vehicle identification number, and information regarding users of the vehicles. The central vehicle information management center performs a statistical analysis for the plurality of vehicles based on the first and second information. The first information is transmitted by a transmitter provided on each vehicle, and acquired via a satellite communication system and/or a land-based wireless communication system.

Abstract: In order to provide an advertisement delivering system that can deliver advertisement information together with detailed advertisement information and current vehicle positional information, the advertising center adds associated information such as map information (latitude and longitude) and URL or portal site information that the information provider has to AD information. With this, the advertising center can utilize AD information more effectively. Consequently, the system can expect more information receivers and providers and expansion of the AD business.

Abstract: To ensure that of all information transmitted through broadcast communications, only the information corresponding to the traveling route of a mobile body will be efficiently displayed at the information terminal of a car navigation system or the like, the information terminal is provided with: a means for receiving the spot or area information being transmitted, and receiving information that has been linked to the spot or area information being transmitted, a means for judging whether the spot or area information that has been received above is included in part of the spot or area information corresponding to the traveling route of the mobile body, and storage media for retaining the received spot or area information that the above-mentioned judgment means has judged to be included in the spot or area information corresponding to the traveling route of the mobile body.

Abstract: A central vehicle-information management center gathers individual pieces of information on the state of a vehicle on a real-time manner by: acquiring and gathering pieces of information on the position of the vehicle from a reflection signal reflected by an artificial satellite as a result of reflection of a position signal transmitted by an antenna provided on the vehicle to the artificial satellite; and acquiring and gathering a signal reflected by the artificial satellite as a result of reflection of a signal used for representing information on control of the vehicle or information on conditions of vehicle parts and transmitted from the antenna to the artificial satellite or transmitted by the vehicle through a wireless-communication apparatus such as a DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) device or a cellular phone.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiving method, in which a digital broadcast signal, including layers each obtained by dividing a transmission bandwidth into a plurality of segments and combining some of the segments, is received, and images and/or sound are output from one of the layers constituting the received digital signal. The digital broadcast receiving method includes detecting a field strength and/or detecting a reproduction condition of each layer of the received digital broadcast signal, determining which layer to output based on the detected field strength and/or the detected reproduction condition, and switching the output layer to the determined layer based on a broadcasting format, for each layer, of each broadcast station.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiving apparatus receives a digital broadcast signal, which consists of layers each obtained by dividing a transmission bandwidth into a plurality of segments and combining some of the segments, and outputs images and/or sound from one of the layers constituting the received digital signal. This apparatus is characterized by comprising broadcasting format retention means (channel to broadcasting format correspondence table database) for retaining the broadcasting format, for each layer, of each broadcast station and switching means (layer switching means) for switching the output layer based on the broadcasting format, for each layer, of each broadcast station retained in the broadcasting retention means. Thus, this apparatus can output images and sound without interruption.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver (mobile's receiver terminal) 1 for receiving a digital broadcast signal DS carrying many contents and also outputting the content based on thus received digital broadcast signal DS, including a content accumulation portion (database) 1c for accumulating received contents, a reception state detection portion for detecting whether the digital broadcast signal DS can be received normally, and a switch-over portion (reproduction/switch-over portion) 1b for switching from output of the content received to reproduction of the content accumulated in the content accumulation portion 1c if the reception state detection portion detects that the digital broadcast signal cannot be received normally.

Abstract: In a receiving terminal, while a dropout of digital data is predicted which is caused by an instantaneous interruption of digital broadcasting electromagnetic waves, such digital data whose dropout may be predicted is previously acquired via a communication from a broadcasting station, or via a broadcasting electromagnetic wave. Then, the acquired digital data is stored on the side of the receiving terminal. When a dropout of digital data actually occurs, this dropped digital data is interpolated based upon previously prepared interpolation data on the side of the receiving terminal so as to prevent an interruption of the digital broadcast. When the dropout of the digital data is predicted, it is not only predicted that the digital data is completely dropped, but also such a condition where a dangerous state is expected is predicted with margin.

Abstract: In a receiving terminal, while a dropout of digital data is predicted which is caused by an instantaneous interruption of digital broadcasting electromagnetic waves, such digital data whose dropout may be predicted is previously acquired via a communication from a broadcasting station, or via a broadcasting electromagnetic wave. Then, the acquired digital data is stored on the side of the receiving terminal. When a dropout of digital data actually occurs, this dropped digital data is interpolated based upon previously prepared interpolation data on the side of the receiving terminal so as to prevent an interruption of the digital broadcast. When the dropout of the digital data is predicted, it is not only predicted that the digital data is completely dropped, but also such a condition where a dangerous state is expected is predicted with margin.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver (mobile's receiver terminal) 1 for receiving a digital broadcast signal DS carrying many contents and also outputting the content based on thus received digital broadcast signal DS, including a content accumulation portion (database) 1c for accumulating received contents, a reception state detection portion for detecting whether the digital broadcast signal DS can be received normally, and a switch-over portion (reproduction/switch-over portion) 1b for switching from output of the content received to reproduction of the content accumulated in the content accumulation portion 1c if the reception state detection portion detects that the digital broadcast signal cannot be received normally.

Abstract: To ensure that of all information transmitted through broadcast communications, only the information corresponding to the traveling route of a mobile body will be efficiently displayed at the information terminal of a car navigation system or the like, the information terminal is provided with:

Abstract: To ensure that of all information transmitted through broadcast communications, only the information corresponding to the traveling route of a mobile body will be efficiently displayed at the information terminal of a car navigation system or the like, the information terminal is provided with:

Abstract: A broadcast content that is at least a part of an original content is broadcasted, and a differential content, which is at least a part of the original content, is transmitted in response to a request from a reception terminal. The differential content and the broadcast content are merged with each other to reproduce a perfect original content. Therefore, the perfect original content can be obtained at low price and in short time even when the original content contains a large amount of data.

Abstract: An image display includes whole image display for displaying an area viewed by a certain camera, a camera position detecting using for detecting a place which the camera is viewing and camera position display unit for specifying the area that the camera displays on the whole image on the basis of the camera position acquired by the above camera position detecting unit. A user recognizes the place in the whole image that he is watching and does not lose his location when he pans or zooms the camera.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus wherein a plurality of operating systems operate on a single processor and a framework (shared object) enabling reliable and quick sharing of correct information between the plurality of operating systems is provided. The apparatus has a function the plurality of operating systems can create, register and refer to the shared object which provides an interface for registration and reference of information. The shared object is operated so that, while one of the operating systems is registering information or referring thereto, the other operating system is inhibited from registering the information and referring thereto. When one operating system finished the registration or reference of the information, one operating system informs the other operating system of the fact.