Abstract: There are described a server computer for delivering cards, such as Birthday cards or Christmas cards, over the Internet and a card delivery control method employing the server computer, wherein a distributor user is reminded of delivery of cards. On a user computer there is displayed a selection input screen which displays data pertaining to cards stored in a storage device. The distributor user selects a card on the selection input screen appearing on his user computer, whereupon a correction input screen is displayed. The distributor user can correct data pertaining to the card on the correction input screen. A delivery schedule notification mail is sent to the distributor user a predetermined period before a scheduled delivery date of the card, for the purpose of ascertaining whether to send the card. Upon receipt of the transmission schedule notification mail, the distributor user can correct details of the card.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading out textual information with synthesized speech comprises: a buffer memory 24 for buffering character codes of textual information; a keyword/ read-out region storing unit 22 which stores previously specified keyword and region of the textual information, the region being to be read out and including the keyword; a read-out region retrieving unit 23 which retrieves the keyword from the buffered character codes, and which, when the keyword exists, causes character codes corresponding to the read-out region, to be outputted from the buffer memory 24; a speech synthesizing unit 26 which converts the outputted character codes into a synthesized speech signal; and a loudspeaker 14 for outputting the synthesized speech signal in the form of synthesized speech.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an audio signal coding and decoding device for coding and decoding an audio signal using an adaptive differential coding system. The audio signal coding and decoding device according to the present invention comprises an adaptive differential pulse code modulation coding device for coding an audio signal, an adaptive differential pulse code modulation decoding device for decoding the audio signal coded, an integrator provided in the preceding stage of the coding device and for decreasing the variation between unit samples of the input audio signal of the coding device, and a differentiator provided in the succeeding stage of the decoding device and for processing the audio signal decoded by the decoding device so that the variation decreased by the integrator is restored to the original one. Since the integrator is provided in the preceding stage of the coding device, the variation between the unit samples of the input audio signal of the coding device is decreased.