Abstract: A terminal writes first encrypted data in which a communication key and an owner ID are encrypted by using a public key into a second recording medium, and this medium is mounted to a communication apparatus so that the first encrypted data are transmitted to a server. The server sends second encrypted data which it acquires by encrypting a content decryption key by using the communication key which the server acquires by decrypting the received first encrypted data by using a secret key to the communication apparatus, and causes the communication apparatus to record them into the second recording medium. The terminal decrypts a content stored in a first recording medium by using the content decryption key which it acquires by decrypting the second encrypted data read from the second recording medium by using the communication key.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving apparatus includes a broadcast receiving section 11 for receiving a broadcast, an expansion service providing section 12 for providing an expansion service, an expansion service decision section 13 for making a valid/invalid decision about the expansion service, a channel alteration section 14 for adding the expansion service as one channel when it is decided as valid, an input section 15 for selecting one channel from channels receivable by the broadcast receiving section and from channels added, a channel control section 16 for starting, when the selected channel is a channel receivable by the broadcast receiving section, reception of the broadcast on the channel and for switching between the broadcast receiving section and the expansion service providing section to select one of their outputs, and an output section 17-20 for outputting information based on the output of the broadcast receiving section or the expansion service providing section switched.

Abstract: Valid state judging means judging a valid state of an access permission based on state of an execution environment; an access permission management table specifying an access permission to computer resource based on the valid state by the valid state judging means; and an access control execution environment conducting access control based on the access permission management table are provided. Further, external access control means having the valid state judging means and verifying the access permission including the valid state; and external access control means registration means registering the external access control means so as to be internally called when the access control execution environment authorizes the access permission using the access permission management table are provided.

Abstract: In an information distribution device for supporting an individual-adaptive system, when a car navigation system is employed as an individual-adaptive system, the system includes an individual identification section which can be connected to a portable cellular phone, enables entry of a portable cellular phone number from the portable cellular phone, and determines a setting status of a device in accordance with the input phone number; and an operation control section which controls the setting status of the device in accordance with the setting status determined by the individual identification section.

Abstract: An application controlling apparatus includes a basic application storage means 1 for storing basic applications 31 to 3n for implementing basic functions, a basic application execution means 2 for reading a basic application from the basic application storage means so as to make the basic application be executed, an extended application acquisition/storage means 5 for acquiring and storing extended applications 71 to 7m for implementing additional functions, an extended application execution means 6 for reading an extended application from the extended application acquisition/storage means so as to make the extended application be executed, and a resource monitor means 8 for monitoring resources currently being consumed by the execution of the extended application, and for stopping a predetermined extended application while keeping the basic application running when the amount of usage of the resources exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A program providing device include an emulation means for emulating a hardware environment and a software environment of a vehicle-mounted information system, a program receiving means for receiving a program which is developed for the vehicle-mounted information system, a constraints holding means 21 for holding, as constraints, resource states and environment conditions of the vehicle-mounted information system, a program execution restricting means 22 for restricting the operation of the program on the basis of the constraints held by the constraint holding means, and a program execution means 112 for executing the program received from the program receiving means by using resources provided by the emulation means according to the restrictions provided by the program execution restricting means.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes an unregistered road detecting means for setting up a detection start point and a detection end point for an unregistered road on registered roads which are respectively located before and behind sections in which matching result data indicates a free state, respectively, the matching result data indicating a matching state when the vehicle is traveling each of the registered roads, for performing a coordinate transformation on a traveling path which is created from positioning data and which is extending between the two points so that the traveling path has coordinates which match with the coordinates of a registered road between them, and for detecting the coordinates of the unregistered road from a portion of the coordinate-transformed traveling path which does not overlap any registered road, and a road data generating means for creating road data about the unregistered road from the coordinates of the unregistered road.

Abstract: When a car navigation unit receives a remotely inputted command transmitted from a personal digital assistant (PDA), the remotely inputted command is interpreted to generate display data. The display data is transmitted to the PDA.

Abstract: In an information providing system, when a plurality of Java (registered trademark) applications (28 and 29) which can run simultaneously on an extended functional module (27) are installed into the extended functional module (27), application management modules (32 and 34) manage the operations of the plurality of Java applications (28 and 29), respectively. Thereby, the information providing system can make the plurality of Java applications (28 and 29) operate simultaneously without causing a resource conflict.

Abstract: When a car navigation unit receives a remotely inputted command transmitted from a personal digital assistant (PDA), the remotely inputted command is interpreted to generate display data. The display data is transmitted to the PDA.

Abstract: In an information distribution device for supporting the individual-adaptive system, when a car navigation system 1 is employed as an individual-adaptive system, the system is constituted of an individual identification section 12 which can be connected to a portable cellular phone 5, enables entry of a portable cellular phone number from the portable cellular phone 5, and determines a setting status of a device in accordance with the input phone number; and an operation control section 11 which controls the setting status of the device in accordance with the setting status determined by the individual identification section 12.

Abstract: A traffic information detecting and distributing system including receiver for receiving current position information transmitted from a traffic information transmitting system for detecting and transmitting the current position information of a moving object, a traffic information collector for forming traffic information based on the current position information received, a traffic information distributor for distributing the traffic information to a traffic information user, a user identifier for identifying the traffic information user based on traffic information user identifying information, and a charging system for a charging the traffic information user for the traffic information used, based on the user identifying information. A traffic information transmitting system, a traffic information collecting and distributing system, and a traffic information collecting and distributing method provide traffic information over a wide range and properly charge for the traffic information use.

Abstract: A traffic information detecting and distributing system including receiving means for receiving current position information transmitted from a traffic information transmitting system for detecting and transmitting the current position information of a moving object, traffic information forming means for forming traffic information based on the current position information received by the receiving means, traffic information distributing means for distributing the formed traffic information to a traffic information user, user identifying means for identifying the traffic information user based on traffic information user identifying information, and charging means for charging money to the traffic information user based on the traffic information user identifying information.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for fabricating a thin film semiconductor device are disclosed. An a-Si:H thin film produced on a wafer is melting-recrystallized by irradiating a laser beam to it in a laser annealing chamber to produce a polycrystalline Si thin film. The wafer is then transported to a CVD chamber without exposing it to the outside air. A gate insulating film is produced on a clean surface of the polycrystalline Si thin film in the CVD chamber. In another case, an a-Si:H thin film is melting-recrystallized in the laser annealing chamber to produce a polycrystalline Si thin film and then the wafer is transported to a hydrogenating chamber without exposing it to the outside air. Thereafter the polycrystalline Si thin film is plasma hydrogenated in the hydrogenating chamber.