Abstract: An information processing apparatus for controlling an operation of a telepresence robot at a site includes circuitry configured to receive notification information including device position information of an operation device at the site, the operation device being configured to receive an operation performed by a user, output an operation start request for moving to a specific movement destination, to a specific telepresence robot that is identified based on the device position information included in the received notification information and robot position information of the telepresence robot at the site, transmit a communication request to an administrator terminal configured to perform a remote communication with the specific telepresence robot, instruct the specific telepresence robot to move to the specific movement destination, and start a remote communication between the administrator terminal and the specific telepresence robot.

Abstract: A robot includes a three-dimensional shape detecting sensor to detect a three dimensional shape of a travel surface existing in a forward travelling direction of the robot, a posture stabilizer to stabilize a posture of a body of the robot, a feature data generator to generate feature data of the detected three dimensional shape, an inclination angle prediction generator to generate a prediction value of an inclination angle of the body when the robot is to reach a position on the travel surface in the forward travelling direction at a future time point based on the feature data and a prediction model, and an overturn prevention controller to control the posture stabilizer to prevent an overturn of the robot based on the prediction value.

Abstract: A shape measurement system includes one or more lighting units located in a case that illuminate a target object located in the case, one or more image capture units located in the case that capture an image of the target object, a holding unit that holds the image capture units and the lighting units so as to form a polyhedron shape approximating a sphere, a selector that selects at least one of the image capture units and at least one of the lighting units to be operated, and a shape calculator that calculates a 3-D shape of the target object based on image data captured by the selected image capture unit under light emitted by the selected lighting unit.

Abstract: A robot includes a three-dimensional shape detecting sensor to detect a three dimensional shape of a travel surface existing in a forward travelling direction of the robot, a posture stabilizer to stabilize a posture of a body of the robot, a feature data generator to generate feature data of the detected three dimensional shape, an inclination angle prediction generator to generate a prediction value of an inclination angle of the body when the robot is to reach a position on the travel surface in the forward travelling direction at a future time point based on the feature data and a prediction model, and an overturn prevention controller to control the posture stabilizer to prevent an overturn of the robot based on the prediction value.

Abstract: A shape measurement system includes one or more lighting units located in a case that illuminate a target object located in the case, one or more image capture units located in the case that capture an image of the target object, a holding unit that holds the image capture units and the lighting units so as to form a polyhedron shape approximating a sphere, a selector that selects at least one of the image capture units and at least one of the lighting units to be operated, and a shape calculator that calculates a 3-D shape of the target object based on image data captured by the selected image capture unit under light emitted by the selected lighting unit.

Abstract: An information processing device includes a range image acquisition unit that acquires at least two range images of an observation object, a color image acquisition unit that acquires color images of the observation object, which respectively correspond to the range images, a feature portion detection unit that detects feature portions from the acquired color images, a calibration unit that performs calibration processing that associates each pixel of the color image with each point of the range image, which corresponds to each pixel, and generates calibration information that indicates each point corresponding to each pixel, and an alignment processing unit that performs alignment of the range images so that the detected feature portions overlap with each other by using the detected feature portions and the calibration information.

Abstract: A stylus includes an end having a surface, an arbitrary area of which is to be moved close to or brought into contact with a desired position on a touch panel of an optical touch panel device. The end includes a light shielding member configured to block at least part of incident light. The stylus extends along an axis line that passes through a center of gravity of the light shielding member. A distance between a predetermined part of the light shielding member on the axis line and the arbitrary area is constant.

Abstract: A home storage (a first storage device) installed in each home is provided with an area for a user to store data (user area) and an area for storing ads (ad area). The first storage device checks interest and favorite information for the user in the user area, and transmits the interest and favorite information at the same time backup is performed in a second storage device at a remote site. The second storage device selects a suitable ad based on the interest and favorite information from the first storage device and transmits the selected ad to the first storage device. The user views the transmitted ad when viewing content in the first storage device. The user's viewing record for the ads is kept as statistical data, and the second storage device compiles the record, charges a sponsor an ad charge, thereby subsidizing the usage charge for the first storage device regardless of online or offline connection.

Abstract: A motion picture recording/reproducing apparatus for embodying the technique includes, at least, a motion picture data input unit which inputs the motion picture data, a storage unit which stores the motion picture data, a recording unit which stores the motion picture data in the storage unit, a feature generating unit which generates a feature of the motion picture data, a ranking generating unit which provides ranking of scenes in the motion picture data according to their importance levels, a reproduction scene deciding unit which decides a reproduction image for each of the scenes in the motion picture data, and a category acquiring unit which acquires the category of the motion picture data. The ranking generating unit provides ranking of the scenes in the input motion picture data on the basis of the acquired category.

Abstract: A video playback apparatus includes a first unit which inputs a viewing time of video data to be played back, a second unit which extracts scenes on a basis of a power of audio in the video data or a movement of image in the video data so that a sum of the time of the extracted playback scenes is within the viewing time, and a third unit which plays back the extracted scenes.

Abstract: The risk of a third party referring to or using backup data without authorization upon restoring such backup data in an HDD recorder is mitigated. First authentication information of a user as the HDD owner and second authentication information of an engineer of a repair plant are registered in an online backup service system. The first authentication information is used when backing up data recorded in the HDD to the online backup service system, and the second authentication information is used when restoring the data backed up to the online backup service system. The data backup processing and data restoration processing are executed only when the authentication information is appropriate. Since the user will directly receive an email from the online backup service system regarding who restored which data at what time, such user will be able to audit the data restoration process independently from the person recovering the data.

Abstract: A video playback apparatus includes: video data inputting unit; a ranking data inputting/generating unit that inputs or generates ranking data where scenes in video data are ranked according to importance; a playback scene determination parameter inputting unit that inputs parameters when determining scenes to be played back according to importance; a playback scene determining unit that determines playback scenes based on ranking data and playback scene determination parameters; and a display unit that displays playback scenes. A viewing time of video data that the user desires and a maximum time width of each playback scene are inputted to the playback scene determination parameter inputting unit, and the playback scene determining unit cuts scenes so that the playback time of the playback scenes fits the maximum time width, and determines the playback scenes so that the sum of the playback time of the playback scenes fits within the viewing time.

Abstract: A storage media and a storage area of a storage apparatus are associated, and the storage media is used to manage the contents of the storage apparatus. A storage media for storing files is detachably mounted on an information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus is connected to a storage apparatus via the Internet, the storage apparatus stores files corresponding to the files stored in the storage media, the storage media and the storage apparatus authenticate each other via the Internet, and the information processing apparatus reads files from or writes files into the storage media or the storage apparatus on the condition that the foregoing authentication is successful.

Abstract: The risk of a third party referring to or using backup data without authorization upon restoring such backup data in an HDD recorder is mitigated. First authentication information of a user as the HDD owner and second authentication information of an engineer of a repair plant are registered in an online backup service system. The first authentication information is used when backing up data recorded in the HDD to the online backup service system, and the second authentication information is used when restoring the data backed up to the online backup service system. The data backup processing and data restoration processing are executed only when the authentication information is appropriate. Since the user will directly receive an email from the online backup service system regarding who restored which data at what time, such user will be able to audit the data restoration process independently from the person recovering the data.

Abstract: A home storage (a first storage device) installed in each home is provided with an area for a user to store data (user area) and an area for storing ads (ad area). The first storage device checks interest and favorite information for the user in the user area, and transmits the interest and favorite information at the same time backup is performed in a second storage device at a remote site. The second storage device selects a suitable ad based on the interest and favorite information from the first storage device and transmits the selected ad to the first storage device. The user views the transmitted ad when viewing content in the first storage device. The user's viewing record for the ads is kept as statistical data, and the second storage device compiles the record, charges a sponsor an ad charge, thereby subsidizing the usage charge for the first storage device regardless of online or offline connection.

Abstract: An integrated multimedia system having a multimedia processor is disposed in an integrated circuit having a first host processor system coupled to the multimedia processor and a second local processor disposed within the multimedia processor for controlling the operation of the multimedia processor. A data transfer switch is coupled to the second processor for transferring data to various modules of the processor, at least one of which is a data cache. The data transfer switch transfers data in either direction between the cache and a module within the processor. A data streamer schedules simultaneous data transfers among the various-modules disposed within the multimedia processor in accordance with corresponding channel allocations. An interface unit is coupled to the data streamer and has a plurality of input/output (I/O) device driver units. A plurality of external I/O devices are coupled to the plurality of I/O device driver units via a multiplexer.

Abstract: An integrated multimedia system has a multimedia processor disposed in an integrated circuit. A processor is disposed within the multimedia processor which controls the operation of the multimedia processor. A data transfer switch is disposed within the multimedia processor and coupled to the processor which transfers data to various modules of the multimedia processor. A fixed function unit is disposed within the multimedia processor, coupled to the processor and the data transfer switch. A data streamer is coupled to the data transfer switch, and configured to schedule simultaneous data transfers among a plurality of modules disposed within the multimedia processor in accordance with the corresponding channel allocations. As interface unit is coupled to the data streamer and has a plurality of I/O device driver units. A multiplexer coupled to the interface unit provides access between a selected number of I/O device driver units and external I/O devices via output pins.

Abstract: An integrated multimedia system having a multimedia processor is disposed in an integrated circuit having a first host processor system coupled to the multimedia processor and a second local processor disposed within the multimedia processor for controlling the operation of the multimedia processor. A data transfer switch is coupled to the second processor for transferring data to various modules of the processor, at least one of which is a data cache. The data transfer switch transfers data in either direction between the cache and a module within the processor. A data streamer schedules simultaneous data transfers among the various-modules disposed within the multimedia processor in accordance with corresponding channel allocations. An interface unit is coupled to the data streamer and has a plurality of input/output (I/O) device driver units. A plurality of external I/O devices are coupled to the plurality of I/O device driver units via a multiplexer.

Abstract: A video processing technique which enables users to effectively watch highlight scenes while listening to audio part thereof in a short period of time is disclosed. Upon input of video data, highlight scene data describing therein a highlight scene(s) in the video data is input or generated. Then, based this highlight scene data, determine a default playback parameter. Control is provided to reproduce the highlight scene(s) of the video data in a way such that when inputting a parameter for determination of a playback scene(s), this input playback parameter is used while giving thereto higher priority than the default playback parameter.

Abstract: A motion picture recording/reproducing apparatus for embodying the technique includes, at least, a motion picture data input unit which inputs the motion picture data, a storage unit which stores the motion picture data, a recording unit which stores the motion picture data in the storage unit, a feature generating unit which generates a feature of the motion picture data, a ranking generating unit which provides ranking of scenes in the motion picture data according to their importance levels, a reproduction scene deciding unit which decides a reproduction image for each of the scenes in the motion picture data, and a category acquiring unit which acquires the category of the motion picture data. The ranking generating unit provides ranking of the scenes in the input motion picture data on the basis of the acquired category.