Abstract: In a data output system, a server to which this invention is adapted is connected to a database which holds data of plural types of data formats, searches the database based on the content of a search request made by a search requester, and outputs the search result after performing conversion and edition on the search result in accordance with the ability, function and/or capacity of a communication terminal to which the search result is to be output.

Abstract: A data managing apparatus that manages various data such as contents in a simple storage/read controlling process, using a distributable recording medium. A card 10 has a first or static storage area IC7 adapted to be accessed in a first access method and having stored compressed high-quality music data and compressed high-quality image data, and a second or dynamic storage area CD2 adapted to be accessed in a second access method and having stored non-compressed high-quality music data and non-compressed high-quality image data. A portable player 10 or a household CD card reader 110′ as a reproducer can retrieve and replay the high-quality music data and image data by referring to the compressed music data and image data stored in the IC7.

Abstract: Ciphering apparatus in which plaintext is divided into blocks, and a ciphering attribute for use in ciphering is set to each block. Each block is ciphered in accordance with the ciphering attribute set for each block, the ciphered blocks are collected, and ciphertext is formed. For deciphering, the ciphering attribute for each block is referred to, each block is deciphered, deciphered results are collected, and the original plaintext is obtained.

Abstract: Methods and systems for collecting and paying a tax on contents delivered over a network, and recording mediums having recorded such methods. Before a contents receiver belonging to a first country requests delivery of desired contents over a network from a contents dealer belonging to a second country, the contents dealer registers himself or herself as a dealer with a network customhouse belonging to the first country. When the contents dealer delivers contents to the contents receiver 1 in accordance with a request of the contents receiver, the contents dealer pays a tax imposed on the delivered contents to the network customhouse over the network. The network customhouse receives this tax.

Abstract: A receiver device, in which the receiving channel can be changed over to another, includes an RF unit which receives a plurality of channel frequency signals, a frequency conversion unit, an intermediate frequency amplifier and an FM detection unit, a signal intensity detection unit which, when the mode for setting the receiving channel is set, scans the channel frequencies to detect the signal intensities of the received signals in the respective channels and an A/D converter, a RAM which successively stores therein the signal intensities in the respective channels, and a CPU which sets the receiving channels on the basis of the signal intensities stored, detects the channel information contained in the received signals, and sets, when the detected channel information is the channel information of the desired channel, the channel of the channel information as the receiving channel for ordinary communications.

Abstract: An wristwatch contains a time register mechanism within a watch case and an intervening member which contains a signal reception detecting/reporting device that detects/reports a signal received at a portable terminal. When there is a received signal at the portable terminal 1, respective lamps are turned on/off in accordance with a predetermined pattern. A device body which contains the signal reception detecting/reporting device, may be provided with a connector which is engaged at opposite ends with the device body.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes a flash memory wherein picked-up image data is recorded. The flash memory includes a data block that stores the image data, and managing blocks which store managing data such as directory entries and a FAR chain. Image data is entered into the data block of the flash memory while the managing data is being written. When the power supply is accidentally turned off during the data entering operation and an abnormality occurs in the managing data, correct image data cannot be read out. The image pick-up device provides measures for eliminating such troubles. To this end, the flash memory includes a data block that stores a plurality of image data files, a pair of managing blocks that manage the data block, and a pair of checksum storage areas that have stored check data used to check respective data stored in the pair of managing blocks.

Abstract: Site access method enables to use support system site with a sense that the user accesses site which he or she uses daily when access is made via the accounting office site. The method enables the user to recognize the use of the support system on the side of the site which the user daily uses and enabling the side of the service provider to enjoy the benefit obtained through the expansion of usage by new users. When access to the support system site from the user terminal is access via the accounting office affiliated with the site, the support system site generates page information for the accounting office by changing the name of the service provider of the page information of the support system into the accounting office name or the like to transmit this generated page information to the user terminal of the accounting office site.

Abstract: A structure wherein a hand held computer module can be conveniently and interchangeably coupled to accessory devices. The hand held computer module is detachably connected to a first accessory module by a first interlocking structure. The computer module includes the first interlock mechanism and the first accessory module includes the second interlock mechanism. The first and second interlock mechanisms are mated together to form a physical connection between the computer module and the first accessory module. The first accessory module also includes a third interlock mechanism which is similar to the first interlock mechanism. A second accessory module has a fourth interlock mechanism which is similar to the second interlock mechanism. The first accessory module can be detachably connected to a second accessory module by means of a second interlocking structure which includes the third and fourth interlock mechanisms.

Abstract: To prevent irregular display such as bright lines or spots caused by power supply cut-off from appearing on a display screen. A switch controller is driven with a voltage VCH. During an on-state period, the switch controller divides charges in a charge carrier capacitor CC to boosting capacitors C2 to C4 to generate boosted voltages V2 to V4 each of which is higher than a source voltage VDD. A signal drive circuit and a scan drive circuit select a voltage from the voltages VDD and V1 to V4, and the selected voltages are applied to a liquid crystal display device to drive it. When the power supply is cut off, the source voltage VDD is reduced. A source voltage detector detects the voltage drop and a switch SW9 is turned to on-state. The switch controller is driven with the charges in a capacitor CG and turns switches SW1 to SW8 to on-state. Thus, the capacitors CC and C1 to C4 are discharged, and all voltages from a power source circuit are ground voltages VSS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a charging device for storing electric energy in a plurality of electrical double layer capacitors, comprising a power source circuit, a capacitor bank having a plurality of capacitors, a control circuit for switching an interconnection state of the plurality of capacitors, and a voltage monitor circuit for monitoring a charged voltage in the plurality of capacitors, which repetitively carries out a step of performing a charging operation by switching the plurality of capacitors in the capacitor bank to a serial connection state, and a step of monitoring a charged voltage by using a voltage monitor circuit by switching the plurality of capacitors to a parallel connection state until the charged voltage reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: An identification label is affixed on a top surface of an image forming unit which is detachably installed in a main component of an image forming apparatus. The identification label is made of a thermosensitive paper on which a trademark logo is printed. A logo reader in the main component reads a pattern of the logo mark on the identification label. A control unit compares the read logo pattern with a previously stored pattern to discriminate whether the read logo mark is genuine or not. If the identification label has the genuine logo mark, the control unit executes printing. If the identification label has an irregular logo mark, printing is abandoned and an error message is displayed. When a genuine image forming unit is exhausted, the control unit controls a heating device to apply heat to the identification label in order to wholly or partially discolor the identification label so that the logo mark is transformed to unreadable one. That unit will be regarded as an irregular one thereafter.

Abstract: A reflection plate is provided which includes a reflection film having a flat reflection surface, and an optical film provided thereon. The optical film serves to converge and emit light which has entered therein, in a direction toward an observer. The optical film has first optical interfaces, which are provided to be inclined to a first direction with respect to a normal line of the reflection surface and to reflect or refract entering light, and second optical interfaces, which are provided to be inclined in a direction opposite to the first direction and to reflect or refract entering light. In addition, the optical film has an emission surface from which reflection light from the reflection surface and reflection light and/or refraction light from the first and second optical interfaces are emitted. A groove having a triangular cross-section is formed in the back surface side defined by the first and second optical interfaces.

Abstract: A function module unit having a memory function is removably attached on one of wrist bands, while a function module unit having a sensor function is removably attached to the other wrist band. On both wrist bands, bus line wires are embedded along the longitudinal direction. Each of the bus line wires comprises a Vcc line, a serial data line, a clock data line, and a ground line. Each of these lines is provided with a connector member which is exposed on the back surface of the wrist band at a position corresponding to the function module unit.

Abstract: A wiring substrate is disclosed, which has optimal characteristics for, for example, an active matrix type liquid crystal display device with a thin film transistor. Wiring formed of an Al-Nd-Ti alloy thin film is formed on a glass substrate, and if necessary, a semiconductor element which is electrically connected to the wiring is formed. In this case, the specific resistance of the Al-Nd-Ti alloy thin film is about 8 &mgr;&OHgr; cm if the Nd concentration is 0.75 at % and the Ti concentration is 0.5 at %. Further, even if the resultant substrate is heated at 240-270 C. after the formation of the wiring, occurrence of a hillock and a pinhole is substantially completely suppressed.

Abstract: Predetermined wiring of copper is formed on the upper surface of an elongated base film in a wiring forming area as a width-directional central portion of the base film. Further, band-shaped first reinforcing layers of copper are formed on width-directional opposite portions of the upper surface of the base film. As a result, even if the base film has a relatively thin thickness, portions of the base film near sprocket holes can be made to have a substantially desired strength. To keep the first reinforcing layers out of contact with the pins of a transfer pin roller, opening slightly larger than the sprocket holes are formed in the first reinforcing layers.

Abstract: A transmitting station transmits FM radio waves which carry program information, such as news, and time information representing the current time. Each of receivers generates the first time information in accordance with an internal clock, corrects the first time information in accordance with the time information transmitted from the transmitting station, and generates the second time information. Each receiver progresses a game by changing the image displayed on the display, in accordance with a predetermined element, which is obtained from the program information transmitted from the transmitting station, and the first or second time information. Therefore, the progress of the game differs depending on the reception of the second information and the time information, and accordingly the progress of the game is unexpectable.

Abstract: A resin sealing film is formed on a silicon substrate by using a printing mask and a squeegee. The side surface in the tip portion of the squeegee is substantially V-shaped, and the printing is performed by pushing the tip portion of the squeegee into the gap between adjacent bump electrodes. As a result, the sealing film is formed in a manner to be depressed in the region between adjacent bump electrodes so as to facilitate the swinging movement of the bump electrodes. It follows that, in a temperature cycle test performed after the silicon substrate is mounted to a circuit substrate, the stress derived from the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the silicon substrate and the circuit substrate is absorbed by the bump electrode.

Abstract: A rental system contains a plurality of rental digital cameras, and comprises a rental-item providing machine which provides users with digital cameras, respectively, and a management center which manages the digital cameras. The rental-item providing machine makes a credit inquiry about the users. The rental-item providing machine provides the users with the respective digital cameras, in accordance with a result of the credit inquiry. The rental-item providing machine sends identification information for identifying each of the contained digital cameras, to the management center. The management center manages the digital cameras, using the identification information sent from the rental-item providing machine.