Abstract: There is provided a system which analyzes data representative of operation situation of a work system and finds tacit problem hidden in work performed at the a field by a system user. Particularly, the system is to support to find the problem even if the user is not a specialist such as ethnographer. The system includes event examples in which the problems in the work at the field found from user analysis such as observation or interview are classified and expressed as events in operation data when a computer is utilized, analysis menu, analysis function and visualization unit for finding the events.

Abstract: A method for using digital contents is provided. In the method, a request is made to a provider apparatus for a certificate containing a first provider ID embedded therein by a certification authority, and the certificate is received from the provider apparatus. A decision is made by using the certificate as to whether or not the provider is authorized by the certification authority. A request is made to the provider apparatus for a digital content having a second provider ID embedded therein by a contents guarantee authority when the provider is authorized by the certification authority, and the digital content is received from the provider. The first provider ID is read from the certificate, the digital content is correlated with the second provider ID, and the digital content is stored in a storage medium. The second provider ID is detected from the digital content in response to a request to use the digital content.

Abstract: A TV program selection support system selects only programs suiting viewer's preference or necessary for a viewer from a large number of programs to be broadcast and proposes the selected programs to the viewer. The TV program selection support system comprises a program receiver for receiving broadcast TV programs, an EPG receiver for receiving an electronic program table listing TV programs, an EPG storage device for storing an EPG received by the EPG receiver, an operating means to be operated by the viewer to select a program from the stored electronic program table, a program selection support program for determining viewer's view tendency by analyzing the operation made by the viewer, creating an electronic program table on the basis of the view tendency and displaying the created electronic program table.

Abstract: A TV program selection support system selects only programs suiting viewer's preference or necessary for a viewer from a large number of programs to be broadcast and proposes the selected programs to the viewer. The TV program selection support system comprises a program receiver for receiving broadcast TV programs, an EPG receiver for receiving an electronic program table listing TV programs, an EPG storage device for storing an EPG received by the EPG receiver, an operating means to be operated by the viewer to select a program from the stored electronic program table, a program selection support program for determining viewer's view tendency by analyzing the operation made by the viewer, creating an electronic program table on the basis of the view tendency and displaying the created electronic program table.

Abstract: A display control apparatus which displays information items from outside on a screen of a display apparatus, comprises a receiver for receiving the information from outside, and a controller which allocates in the screen multiple display areas respectively associated with multiple communication addresses that are different from one another, and displays said information items in said display areas respectively, said information items being sent to said communication addresses respectively associated with said display areas.

Abstract: A support method for helping the user find a desired program from a collection of recorded television programs easily and quickly, and a recording/reproducing apparatus using this method. The recorded program viewing support system, when recording a television program, records electronic program information on the program, classifies the electronic program information according to predefined program category criteria, and successfully assigns predefined category numbers (recording channels) to the program to be recorded. Before the user views a recorded program, the user specifies the number of the recorded channel. A recorded channel number is allocated with a category item and hence the user can easily know the contents of the recorded programs. The user can change the channel number successively or directly specify it by using a remote controller to find a desired program easily and quickly.

Abstract: A method for using digital contents is provided. In the method, a request is made to a provider apparatus for a certificate containing a first provider ID embedded therein by a certification authority, and the certificate is received from the provider apparatus. A decision is made by using the certificate as to whether or not the provider is authorized by the certification authority. A request is made to the provider apparatus for a digital content having a second provider ID embedded therein by a contents guarantee authority when the provider is authorized by the certification authority, and the digital content is received from the provider. The first provider ID is read from the certificate, the digital content is correlated with the second provider ID, and the digital content is stored in a storage medium. The second provider ID is detected from the digital content in response to a request to use the digital content.

Abstract: A coupon management system transmits or broadcasts a coupon information from a broadcasting/transmitting system to a receiving system together with a program or commercial message. The receiving system generates a coupon issuance request on the basis of the coupon information, and attaches to the request an identifier of the program or commercial message with which the coupon information is provided. The coupon issuance request attached with the identifier is transmitted from the receiving system to a service center. The service center issues a coupon on the basis of the coupon issuance request and calculates a number of issued coupons for each program or commercial message.

Abstract: A coupon management system transmits or broadcasts a coupon information from a broadcasting/ transmitting system to a receiving system together with a program or commercial message. The receiving system generates a coupon issuance request on the basis of the coupon information, and attaches to the request an identifier of the program or commercial message with which the coupon information is provided. The coupon issuance request attached with the identifier is transmitted from the receiving system to a service center. The service center issues a coupon on the basis of the coupon issuance request and calculates a number of issued coupons for each program or commercial message.

Abstract: A rack 110 is displayed on a display unit 100. A plurality of file cases 112A to 112D are disposed within the rack 110 in an array. A series of files which have a common file name and different versions are all accommodated in one of the file cases 112A to 112D. Files 116A to 116D of the latest version are shown on the file cases 112A, 112B, 112C and 112D with the other files for the older versions being housed within the file cases 112A, 112B, 112C and 112D, respectively.