Abstract: A device includes a self-information memory to store therein function data for other devices to operate the pertinent device and device name data thereof. Receiving a request from another device for the device name or function data, the device sends the data stored in the self-information memory. When function data is thereafter received, the device executes an instruction indicated by the data. In case where a plurality of devices each including the self-information memory are connected to each other via a bus or the like in a form of a network, at least one of the devices, i.e., a master device includes in addition to the self-information memory a connected device memory to store therein device name data of all of the connected devices and a communication pair memory to store therein function data of the communication partner. The master device requests the other devices for device name data thereof. When the requested data is received, the master device stores the data in the connected device memory.

Abstract: A device includes self-information memory which stores both function data for other devices to operate the device and device name data. Upon request from another device, the device sends the requested data stored in the self-information memory. When function data is received, the devices executes an instruction indicated by the data. When a plurality of devices each including the self-information memory are connected to each other via a bus or the like in a form of a network, at least one of the devices, includes, in addition to the self-information memory, a connected device memory to store therein device name data of all of the connected devices and a communication pair memory to store therein function data of the communication partner. The master device requests the other devices for device name data thereof, and stores the received data in the connected device memory. Thus, by referring to the device name data stored in the memory, the control device recognize the device name of the connected device.

Abstract: An electronic mail system and method enabling a recipient of electronic mail to intuitively and easily perform the processing requested by the sender in the electronic mail. The sender of the electronic mail with the system of the present invention generates information including icons information representing processing functions and operations to be performed by the recipient of the electronic mail and attaches the generated information as added information to the message of the electronic mail to be sent so that appropriate processing is effected by the recipient.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information reporting system comprising a communication host apparatus including a database storing a plurality of data sets each concerning predetermined position, and a host computer, and at least one portable terminal including a data processing unit for executing predetermined processing based upon data received from a communication unit via a communication networks, and a display unit displaying images obtained by the data processing. The portable terminal further includes a current position detecting unit for detecting its current position, and is adapted to transmit position information data indicative of the current position. The host computer is responsive to read out from the database one of the data sets concerning the position corresponding to the provided position information data and supplies the portable terminal with the data set.