Abstract: In order to provide an information processing apparatus which has improved operability and can obviate the need for setting operation of the apparatus, when an external apparatus (portable terminal apparatus) is connected to the information processing apparatus (computer apparatus), the information processing apparatus detects the current setting (setting of a display language or the like) of the external apparatus, and changes its own setting on the basis of the detection result. For example, when the external apparatus is connected to the information processing apparatus, the setting in the information processing apparatus is automatically changed in correspondence with that in the external apparatus.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to obviate the need of updating a master installer even when one of a plurality of software programs to be installed is modified. An install method of installing, in a computer, a plurality of software programs each having an installation setting file describing process contents to install the software continuously, installs the plurality of software programs by continuously reading out the contents of the installation-setting files of the plurality of software programs.

Abstract: A printing system simultaneously prints both images and related information which is recorded together with the images. The print output may be unsuitable for use, depending on the combination of the image layout and positions where the related information is printed. To obviate this problem, an image processing apparatus lays out, on a recording medium, a plurality of images and information related to each of the images. The image processing apparatus has an image layout changing unit and an image layout controlling unit. The image layout changing unit changes a layout method for laying out the plurality of images. The image layout controlling unit determines, in accordance with the layout method changed by the layout changing unit, whether the related information is to be located within or outside areas of the associated images.

Abstract: An intercom system is provided which is capable of allowing an emergency notification to be received securely and properly by a contact person, so that upon reception of a call from an emergency-call mobile phone, the call is automatically forwarded to previously determined contacts and transmission/notification processes are performed on the contacts in response to how the contacts respond to the call.

Abstract: An image transfer apparatus for transferring image data files to an external device appends a common file attribute to a plurality of image data files having predetermined attributes when the image data files stored on a recording medium are transferred.

Abstract: An information management apparatus includes a determination unit which determines the type of information designated by an input unit, and a display control unit which controls, in accordance with the type of information determined by the determination unit, the display form of an information presentation portion presenting explanatory information on the designated information. When the information designated by the input unit is an image in a folder, the explanatory information contains explanatory information on the image, and when the input unit designates an object other than an image in a folder, contains explanatory information on the folder.

Abstract: A transmitting apparatus includes an MPEG encoder; a baseband unit; transceiving devices for transmitting the video signal output from the baseband unit as a wireless LAN radio wave and for acquiring the incoming transmission rate that shows the receiving condition of the video signal from the receiving apparatus; and a control device. The control device controls the MPEG encoder and baseband unit so as to reduce the outgoing transmission rate of the video signal when the incoming transmission rate is smaller than a first threshold value, and reduce the resolution of the video signal when the incoming transmission rate is smaller than a second threshold value, which is smaller than the first threshold value. When the transmission condition is poor, it is possible to alleviate frame loss and breakup of vide signal to be displayed in a display apparatus.

Abstract: A virtual space including a plurality of different data is generated on the basis of a tree structure including, as construction elements, shape data, light space data, and the like, change processing such as addition, deletion, replacement, and the like of the construction element is done for the tree structure as a basis of the generated virtual environment, and the virtual environment is regenerated. The change processing can be done more efficiently for the virtual environment made up of various kinds of data.

Abstract: A printing system simultaneously prints both images and related information which is recorded together with the images. The print output may be unsuitable for use, depending on the combination of the image layout and positions where the related information is printed. To obviate this problem, an image processing apparatus lays out, on a recording medium, a plurality of images and information related to each of the images. The image processing apparatus has an image layout changing unit and an image layout controlling unit. The image layout changing unit changes a layout method for laying out the plurality of images. The image layout controlling unit determines, in accordance with the layout method changed by the layout changing unit, whether the related information is to be located within or outside areas of the associated images.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system capable of dispensing with the video/audio encoder in each communication terminal. A switch selects one of plural video/audio inputs. A video capture device of a transmission apparatus digitizes the selected video signal. A video encoder effects compression-encoding of the video capture device according to motion JPEG, MPEG and H.261. A selector sets compression video data to be transmitted, among the video data compressed by different encoding methods, and sends such data to a communication buffer. An audio encoder digitizes and encodes the selected audio signal and sends such signal to the communication buffer. The encoded video and audio data of the communication buffer are read to a network. A control circuit controls devices according to control commands received through the network.

Abstract: In order to enable plural users to share a virtual environment which includes not only simple shape data, but also data of an object having a highly complicated shape, a terminal equipment displays the virtual environment. The virtual environment is obtained when viewed by a user of the terminal equipment on the basis of tree-structure data composing the shape data, light space data and the like as components. The tree-structure data is changed when the shape data or the light space data is subjected to a process such as movement or the like. The changed information of the tree-structure data is transmitted to a server, and the server changes data in a data memory device based on the received changed information. The changed information is transmitted to another terminal equipment which displays the virtual environment obtained when viewed by the user of the another terminal equipment on the basis of the received changed information.

Abstract: Steel which is particularly useful for making a razor blade of high corrosion resistance contains more than 0.45%, but less than 0.55%, of carbon, 0.4 to 1.0% of silicon, 0.5 to 1.0% of manganese, 12 to 14% of chromium and 1.0 to 1.6% of molybdenum, all by weight, in addition to iron and inevitable impurities, and has a carbide density of 100 to 150 particles per 100 square microns as annealed. The razor blade has a Vickers hardness of at least 620 and a carbide density of 10 to 45 particles per 100 square microns, and preferably has a specific distribution of residual austenite content. The improved properties of the razor blade are achieved by an improved process of heat treatment which includes austenitizing the steel at a temperature of 1075.degree. C. to 1120.degree. C., cooling it to a temperature between -60.degree. C. and -80.degree. C. for hardening it, and tempering it at a temperature of 250.degree. C. to 400.degree. C.

Abstract: Steel which is particularly useful for making a razor blade of high corrosion resistance contains more than 0.45%, but less than 0.55%, of carbon, 0.4 to 1.0% of silicon, 0.5 to 1.0% of manganese, 12 to 14% of chromium and 1.0 to 1.6% of molybdenum all by weight, in addition to iron and inevitable impurities, and has a carbide density of 100 to 150 particles per 100 square microns as annealed. The razor blade has a Vickers hardness of at least 620 and a carbide density of 10 to 45 particles per 100 square microns, and preferably has a specific distribution of residual austenite content. The improved properties of the razor blade are achieved by an improved process of heat treatment which includes austenitizing the steel at a temperature of 1075.degree. C. to 1120.degree. C., cooling it to a temperature between -60.degree. C. and -80.degree. C. for hardening it, and tempering it at a temperature of 250.degree. C. to 400.degree. C.

Abstract: A piston ring having an improved wear resistance and antiseizure properties and good workability is disclosed. The piston ring is made of a martensite stainless steel comprising from 0.4 to 0.7 wt % C, 0.3 to 1.0 wt % Si, 0.5 to 1.0 wt % Mn, and 2.0 to 9.0 wt % Cr, the balance being iron and impurities. Additionally, a surface-treated layer having a quench and temper hardness (H.sub.R C) of 40 to 50 is formed on at least that part of the piston ring which slides against the wall of a cylinder in which reciprocates a piston on which the piston ring is mounted. Preferably, the surface-treated layer is formed by hard Cr plating.