Abstract: A contact position detecting unit 122 detects the position on the touch panel touched by a controlling object. A rendering unit 104 determines the layout of a document file including a link and display the document in the layout thus determined. A link position specifying unit 106 specifies the position of the link in the screen. A detection area setting unit 114 sets an object detection area for determination that the link is selected by the user as a result of contact with the controlling object associated one-to-one with the link, such that the object detection area occupies a range different from that of the link and is spaced apart from an adjacent object detection area by a predefined minimum distance, that the display mode of the link is maintained, and that the object detection area is superposed on the link.

Abstract: In a portable communication terminal that functions as a communication instrument by installing an identification recording medium having subscriber information recorded therein, an application acquiring unit 104 is operative to transmit a contract number recorded in the identification recording medium to the server when the identification recording medium is installed for the first time, and downloads an application program linked to the contract number from the server. A checking unit 108 is operative to check identification information embedded in the application program against identification information embedded in the identification recording medium. A function restricting unit 110 is operative to restrict the use of at least a part of the functions of the application program when the identification information of the application program does not match the identification information of the identification recording medium.

Abstract: A home gateway apparatus is connected to a storage apparatus. A cell phone terminal is connected to the home gateway apparatus via an IP network. Upon acknowledging a telephone number from the cell phone terminal, the home gateway apparatus communicates an IP address of the home gateway apparatus to the cell phone terminal. Subsequently, upon acknowledging a connection request to the IP address thus communicated, the home gateway apparatus performs a process of authenticating the connection request, based on the telephone number of the cell phone terminal and the telephone number already acknowledged. Further, the home gateway apparatus makes the storage apparatus available for use by the cell phone terminal thus authenticated via the IP network.

Abstract: A contact position detecting unit 122 detects the position on the touch panel touched by a controlling object. A rendering unit 104 determines the layout of a document file including a link and display the document in the layout thus determined. A link position specifying unit 106 specifies the position of the link in the screen. A detection area setting unit 114 sets an object detection area for determination that the link is selected by the user as a result of contact with the controlling object associated one-to-one with the link, such that the object detection area occupies a range different from that of the link and is spaced apart from an adjacent object detection area by a predefined minimum distance, that the display mode of the link is maintained, and that the object detection area is superposed on the link.

Abstract: In a portable communication terminal that functions as a communication instrument by installing an identification recording medium having subscriber information recorded therein, an application acquiring unit 104 is operative to transmit a contract number recorded in the identification recording medium to the server when the identification recording medium is installed for the first time, and downloads an application program linked to the contract number from the server. A checking unit 108 is operative to check identification information embedded in the application program against identification information embedded in the identification recording medium. A function restricting unit 110 is operative to restrict the use of at least a part of the functions of the application program when the identification information of the application program does not match the identification information of the identification recording medium.

Abstract: A basic information recording unit 122 stores version data in which the versions of a plurality of application programs stored in a portable information device is written. An update verifying unit 110 receives update status data indicating whether an update to the version of at least one of the plurality of application programs is available. An update identifying unit 112 refers to the update status data and identifies an application program assigned an older version number in comparison with the updated version. A display processor 114 displays a menu screen where a plurality of startup icons for the plurality of application programs are located, and changes the appearance of the startup icon for the application program identified by the update identifying unit 112 to indicate that an update to the version is available.

Abstract: A home gateway apparatus is connected to a storage apparatus. A cell phone terminal is connected to the home gateway apparatus via an IP network. Upon acknowledging a telephone number from the cell phone terminal, the home gateway apparatus communicates an IP address of the home gateway apparatus to the cell phone terminal. Subsequently, upon acknowledging a connection request to the IP address thus communicated, the home gateway apparatus performs a process of authenticating the connection request, based on the telephone number of the cell phone terminal and the telephone number already acknowledged. Further, the home gateway apparatus makes the storage apparatus available for use by the cell phone terminal thus authenticated via the IP network.

Abstract: A weight processor 120 selects keywords that match a plurality of phrases extracted from an accessed file, from a keyword storage unit 110. The processor 120 determines a priority keyword based on the weights linked to the selected keywords. A useful information selector 150 selects useful information for use by the user and associated with the priority keyword, from a useful information storage unit. A feedback receiving unit 154 receives from the user an input for evaluation indicating whether user is interested in the content of the file. A weight adjusting unit 156 adjusts the weight linked to the keyword selected by the weight processor 120, based on the input evaluation, and records the adjusted weight in the keyword storage unit 110.

Abstract: A use frequency communicating unit 108 creates use frequency information for intra-terminal applications by referring to a record of the status of activation of the intra-terminal applications, and present the use frequency information for at least one of the intra-terminal applications. An information storage unit 112 stores substitute application information in association with each intra-terminal application, the substitute application information being related to a substitute application suggested to a user as a substitute when an intra-terminal application is deleted. An application deleting unit acknowledges a direction from the user requesting deletion of at least one of the intra-terminal applications for which the use frequency information is presented.

Abstract: The interest of a user of an information terminal is extracted by a file operation and information suited to the interest is provided. When a system call for file access is issued from an application program, an access processor 104 selects from a file storage unit 102 a file designated by the system call, and then performs the file access. A phrase extractor 106 extracts a plurality of phrases from the file in accordance with a predetermined extraction rule. Those of the keywords stored in a keyword storage unit 110 that match the extracted phrases are selected. A score processor 120 assigns to the selected keyword a weight suited to the situation of access to the file by the access processor 104.<br></br> An information selector 150 receives the weighted keyword and determines a prioritized keyword. Useful information corresponding to the priority keyword is selected from a useful information storage unit 130 and displayed on a display of an information terminal.

Abstract: A scrambler system comprises in a transmitter part thereof as oscillator circuit for generating a local oscillation signal, a frequency dividing circuit for obtaining a frequency divided signal by frequency-dividing the local oscillation signal by 1/N, a triangular wave signal generating circuit for converting the frequency divided signal into a triangular wave signal and for controlling the oscillation frequency of the oscillator circuit by the triangular wave signal, a multiplying circuit for obtaining a frequency converted audio signal by multiplying the local oscillation signal with an input audio signal which is to be scrambled, a pilot signal generating circuit for generating from the frequency divided signal a pilot signal having a single frequency, and an adding circuit for obtaining a scrambled signal for transmission by adding the pilot signal and the frequency converted audio signal. A key is used for de-scrambling the scrambled signal in a receiver part of the scrambler system.

Abstract: A lighting device incorporates therein a loudspeaker including a diaphragm detachably fastened at an outer peripheral edge thereof to a cup-shaped frame. The diaphragm is made of a light-transmissive material. The lighting device has a light source such as a circular fluorescent lamp disposed in a space defined between the frame and the diaphragm. Light emitted from the circular fluorescent lamp passes through the light-transmissive diaphragm.