Abstract: In a content retrieval device, a browser section generates a retrieval request for sub-content data to be retrieved presently. A protocol control section determines which communication path, a first communication path or a second communication path, should be used prior to reception of the sub-content data specified by the browser section. If the protocol control section determines use of the first communication path, a first communication control section receives the sub-content data specified by the browser section from a content server. If the protocol control section determines use of the second communication path, a second communication control section receives the sub-content data from the content server. In this way, the content retrieval device can select a suitable connection method prior to reception of data.

Abstract: A batch type furnace includes a furnace body, a floor being removably attachable to the furnace body for forming a furnace chamber, and radiant tubes being substantially and uniformly arranged in the furnace body and the floor. The radiant tubes are controllable to a predetermined temperature independently of each other. The radiant tubes are made of an alloy having a heat resistance of such a degree as to tolerate quick heating and cooling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a migration communication control device constructed to control a continuous communication between a mobile node and a node unaffected the mobile node's migration. The migration communication control device comprises a first migration control unit, a second migration control unit on the mobile node, and a third migration control unit on the partner node. The first migration control unit comprises a packet transfer unit and an address post unit. The packet transfer unit receives a packet which was destined for an outdated address of the mobile node, generates a conversion packet which holds an updated address instead of the outdated address, and then transmits the conversion packet, while an address post unit transmits an address post message which indicates the updated address to the third migration control unit. The second migration control unit comprises a migration post unit and a packet resumption unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a server capable of providing a system in which a client can be reconnected to one server to another to use any output unit in the system without any prior knowledge thereof. The server can select an output unit to which the job request should be sent by referring to correspondence information held therein when the server receives a job request that specifies neither a type of an output unit nor a data format. Also, the server can select an available output unit for data-output in an adequate data format when it receives output data alone, Further, the server can assign a certain output unit to job requests of the same kind sent from the same client, manage the accesses to the output units, distribute output loading according to an output queue to the server, and select the most appropriate server as per condition set by a user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a migration communication control device constructed to control a continuous communication between a mobile node and a node unaffected the mobile node's migration. The migration communication control device comprises a first migration control unit, a second migration control unit on the mobile node, and a third migration control unit on the partner node. The first migration control unit comprises a packet transfer unit and an address post unit. The packet transfer unit receives a packet which was destined for an outdated address of the mobile node, generates a conversion packet which holds an updated address instead of the outdated address, and then transmits the conversion packet, while an address post unit transmits an address post message which indicates the updated address to the third migration control unit. The second migration control unit comprises a migration post unit and a packet resumption unit.