Abstract: A control system comprises a plurality of peripheral devices represented as objects, and a controller connectable to the plurality of peripheral devices via a common communication line for unitarily controlling the plurality of peripheral devices. The controller is arranged to be connected to an arbitrary number of peripheral devices selected from among the plurality of peripheral devices, read control information stored in the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line into a predetermined memory area of the controller in a predetermined format so that the controller can control the arbitrary number of peripheral devices. The controller is also arranged to issue a command and transmit the command to each of the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line.

Abstract: A control system comprises a plurality of peripheral devices represented as objects, and a controller connectable to the plurality of peripheral devices via a common communication line for unitarily controlling the plurality of peripheral devices. The controller is arranged to be connected to an arbitrary number of peripheral devices selected from among the plurality of peripheral devices, read control information stored in the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line into a predetermined memory area of the controller in a predetermined format so that the controller can control the arbitrary number of peripheral devices. The controller is also arranged to issue a command and transmit the command to each of the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line.

Abstract: A control system comprises a plurality of peripheral devices represented as objects, and a controller connectable to the plurality of peripheral devices via a common communication line for unitarily controlling the plurality of peripheral devices. The controller is arranged to be connected to an arbitrary number of peripheral devices selected from among the plurality of peripheral devices, read control information stored in the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line into a predetermined memory area of the controller in a predetermined format so that the controller can control the arbitrary number of peripheral devices. The controller is also arranged to issue a command and transmit the command to each of the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line.

Abstract: A control system comprises a plurality of peripheral devices represented as objects, and a controller connectable to the plurality of peripheral devices via a common communication line for unitarily controlling the plurality of peripheral devices. The controller is arranged to be connected to an arbitrary number of peripheral devices selected from among the plurality of peripheral devices, read control information stored in the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line into a predetermined memory area of the controller in a predetermined format so that the controller can control the arbitrary number of peripheral devices. The controller is also arranged to issue a command and transmit the command to each of the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line.

Abstract: An external program supplied from an external unit in order to process an image sensed by a camera is prevented from causing a malfunction in the camera. An external program supplied by an personal computer is stored in an EEPROM of the camera. The external program contains version information giving the version of the camera that is capable of using the external program, the name of the program for control, and parameter information corresponding to the program name. A CPU compares each of these items of information with corresponding information that has been set in the camera, thereby determining whether the external program is capable of being used. If the external program cannot be used by the camera, a warning display is presented on a display unit.

Abstract: A control system comprises a plurality of peripheral devices represented as objects, and a controller connectable to the plurality of peripheral devices via a common communication line for unitarily controlling the plurality of peripheral devices. The controller is arranged to be connected to an arbitrary number of peripheral devices selected from among the plurality of peripheral devices, read control information stored in the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line into a predetermined memory area of the controller in a predetermined format so that the controller can control the arbitrary number of peripheral devices. The controller is also arranged to issue a command and transmit the command to each of the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line.

Abstract: A control device for controlling a network device connected to a network. The control device comprises a communication interface adapted to receive description information of the network device from the network device via the network, and a controller adapted to automatically generate an object for the network device using the description information after the description information is received from the network device. The object is adapted to generate a control panel for controlling the network device.

Abstract: A camera connectable to an external device includes an image pick-up unit for picking-up an image and for generating a corresponding image signal, and a release switch. The release switch selectively may be set to perform one of a plurality of functions, where the function of the release switch can be changed by the external device connected to the camera.

Abstract: An external program supplied from an external unit in order to process an image sensed by a camera is prevented from causing a malfunction in the camera. An external program supplied by an personal computer is stored in an EEPROM of the camera. The external program contains version information giving the version of the camera that is capable of using the external program, the name of the program for control, and parameter information corresponding to the program name. A CPU compares each of these items of information with corresponding information that has been set in the camera, thereby determining whether the external program is capable of being used. If the external program cannot be used by the camera, a warning display is presented on a display unit.

Abstract: An external program supplied from an external unit in order to process an image sensed by a camera is prevented from causing a malfunction in the camera. An external program supplied by an personal computer is stored in an EEPROM of the camera. The external program contains version information giving the version of the camera that is capable of using the external program, the name of the program for control, and parameter information corresponding to the program name. A CPU compares each of these items of information with corresponding information that has been set in the camera, thereby determining whether the external program is capable of being used. If the external program cannot be used by the camera, a warning display is presented on a display unit.

Abstract: A control system comprises a plurality of peripheral devices represented as objects, and a controller connectable to the plurality of peripheral devices via a common communication line for unitarily controlling the plurality of peripheral devices. The controller is arranged to be connected to an arbitrary number of peripheral devices selected from among the plurality of peripheral devices, read control information stored in the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line into a predetermined memory area of the controller in a predetermined format so that the controller can control the arbitrary number of peripheral devices. The controller is also arranged to issue a command and transmit the command to each of the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for managing data including images, voice, characters, and the like, in a unified manner. The apparatus has an attribute file or an attribute table for registering therein an attribute peculiar to the data to be registered so that the data attribute can be registered simultaneously with the registration of the data. The data can thus be managed through an application in a unified manner based on the attribute data registered in the attribute file or the attribute table. In order to complete the processing of the application, the attribute data of the attribute file or the attribute table is set to be a mode either of "read-only" or "hidden".

Abstract: There is disclosed a filing apparatus capable of improving the operability and the work efficiency in the fitting, in prepared data, of multi-media data prepared by another application. The word processor sends a request containing a predetermined code and a keyword to the filing apparatus, which judges whether the received code is a predetermined code. If it is the predetermined code, a file containing the keyword is retrieved. Then judged is the number of the retrieved multi-media data, and, if plural multimedia data are retrieved, there is displayed a retrieval image frame for selecting one of the retrieved multi-media data, but, if only one multi-media data is retrieved, it is directly fitted in a word processed text.

Abstract: A control system comprises a plurality of peripheral devices represented as objects, and a controller connectable to the plurality of peripheral devices via a common communication line for unitarily controlling the plurality of peripheral devices. The controller is arranged to be connected to an arbitrary number of peripheral devices selected from among the plurality of peripheral devices, read control information stored in the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line into a predetermined memory area of the controller in a predetermined format so that the controller can control the arbitrary number of peripheral devices. The controller is also arranged to issue a command and transmit the command to each of the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line.

Abstract: A color image pickup apparatus includes a solid state image pickup element having one of four types of color filters, comprising first to fourth color filters, arranged on an element surface. Respective color filters are arranged to be separated from each other by a two-pitch interval in horizontal and vertical directions. The first to fourth color filters are arranged to form a square sampling structure.

Abstract: A management system of a multimedia comprises a multimedia apparatus and a multimedia controller for managing and controlling the multimedia apparatus. The management system has processing means for transmitting and receiving a message between the multimedia controller and the multimedia apparatus, for automatically setting a predetermined name with respect to an owner of the multimedia apparatus, and for automatically or manually setting predetermined attributes with respect to attributes. The presence or absence of the right to access to the multimedia apparatus is judged in accordance with the contents of the attributes. By setting the multimedia apparatus itself to an object, a multimedia apparatus object is constructed in the multimedia apparatus. A circuit to manage a self secret protection is provided in the multimedia apparatus object.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method and system for managing a file that allows an operator to easily select, specify, and manage a multimedia file (including audio data, text, still image, moving image, etc.) via a display screen. The type of a file is identified. If the file is an audio data file, then an icon is generated with an image representing an amplitude waveform or a frequency distribution waveform of the audio data, or, the icon is generated with an image including a color or a pattern preassigned to the frequency distribution or both. If the file is a text file, then an icon is generated with an image representing an arbitrary area of an arbitrary page of the text file. If the file is a still image file, then an icon is generated with an image obtained by reducing an arbitrary area of the still image. If the file is a moving image file, then an icon is generated with an image obtained by reducing an arbitrary area of an arbitrary scene of the moving image.

Abstract: A color image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element, an optical low-pass filter, and a memory. The image pickup element has four types of color filters which are arranged to form an offset sampling structure in which color filters of different colors are repeatedly arranged at a two-pixel period in the horizontal direction, and color filters of different colors are repeatedly arranged at a two-pixel period in the vertical direction while being offset in the horizontal direction by one pixel. The optical low-pass filter has an optical member for splitting an incident light beam into two light beams separated from each other by a distance D in a direction inclined clockwise or counterclockwise at an angle .theta. with respect to a scanning direction of the image pickup element, the distance D satisfying conditions defined by1.6PhPv/.vertline.Ph sin .theta.+2Pv cos .theta..vertline..ltoreq.D.ltoreq.2.4PhPv/.vertline.Ph sin .theta.+2Pv cos .theta..vertline.(0.ltoreq..theta..ltoreq..pi.