Abstract: An information server apparatus 116 includes a communication portion 118 receiving a request for getting information including a set of information source specifying information and time specifying information from a client, a user request information analyzing portion 122 and a table reference portion 129 analyzing the request for getting information and selecting information to be transmitted to the client terminal apparatus based on the result of analysis. Further, communication portion 118 returns the selected information to the client.

Abstract: In a system having a program viewing apparatus and a plurality of recording apparatuses connected to a network, a program viewing apparatus 31 allowing easy selection of a recording apparatus includes: a tuner 101, a program information storage unit 121 for storing program list information output from tuner 101; an IP communication unit 102 for transmission/reception to/from the recording apparatus; and a processing unit 110 for performing a process of selecting a recording apparatus. When a user instructs recording of a program he/she is watching, processing unit 110 transmits the program information read from program information storage unit 121 together with a search request, to recording apparatuses including a recording apparatuses 32. If a prescribed similarity relation is found between the received program information and recording history, the recording apparatus 32 notifies the program viewing apparatus 31 that it is eligible for recording the program.

Abstract: An information server apparatus 116 includes a communication portion 118 receiving a request for getting information including a set of information source specifying information and time specifying information from a client, a user request information analyzing portion 122 and a table reference portion 129 analyzing the request for getting information and selecting information to be transmitted to the client terminal apparatus based on the result of analysis. Further, communication portion 118 returns the selected information to the client.

Abstract: A digital optical transmission apparatus includes a modulation portion for modulating data to be transmitted in an ASK modulation method, and an E/O modulation portion for converting an electrical signal output from the modulation portion into an optical signal having a base band component with a constant DC level. DC-biased or FSK-biased may be employed as a method of making constant the DC level of the base band component.

Abstract: A digital optical transmitter includes a main/subdata modulation part for distorting a main data modulated signal waveform in response to sub-data, and an E/O conversion part for converting a subsequently obtained electrical modulated signal to an optical modulated signal and outputting the optical modulated signal. A digital optical receiver includes an O/E conversion part for receiving the optical modulated signal, converting it to an electrical modulated signal, and outputting the electrical modulated signal. Additionally, the digital optical receiver further includes a main/subdata demodulation part for demodulating the main data from the electrical modulated signal, while detecting whether or not a distortion signal responsive to the subdata is superposed on a subcarrier which forms the electrical modulated signal. If the distortion signal is superposed on a subcarrier, the main/subdata demodulator part demodulates the associated subdata.

Abstract: A peripheral device operating with power supplied from a host device includes a receive unit receiving an external signal and a controller. The controller causes at least one of the functions of the peripheral device to operate intermittently when the host device is in a sleep mode. Further, upon reception of the external signal via the receive unit, the controller forces the host device to shift to an active mode based on the signal received. As at least one of the functions of the peripheral device is forced to operate intermittently when the host device is in the sleep mode, the consumption of the power supplied from the host device is reduced.