Abstract: An input apparatus compact and superior in operability is disclosed wherein, in either a folded or unfolded position, a joystick control can exhibit the same operations and an optical signal from a transmission section can be transmitted with certainty. The input apparatus includes first and second operation housings each having a plurality of input buttons, the first and second operation housings being connected for folding motion by a hinge section. The joystick control is disposed on an axis of the hinge section and has an outer circumferential portion on which input buttons are provided. The joystick control is exposed in both the folded and unfolded positions so that the same input operations can be performed. Also, a signal is transmitted from the input apparatus in both the folded and unfolded positions of the second operation housing.

Abstract: This invention provides an inputting apparatus with a reduced number of lines in its connection cable, a simplified structure and improved reliability.

Abstract: An input apparatus compact and superior in operability is disclosed wherein, in either a folded or unfolded position, a joystick control can exhibit the same operations and an optical signal from a transmission section can be transmitted with certainty. The input apparatus includes first and second operation housings each having a plurality of input buttons, the first and second operation housings being connected for folding motion by a hinge section. The joystick control is disposed on an axis of the hinge section and has an outer circumferential portion on which input buttons are provided. The joystick control is exposed in both the folded and unfolded positions so that the same input operations can be performed. Also, a signal is transmitted from the input apparatus in both the folded and unfolded positions of the second operation housing.

Abstract: This invention provides an inputting apparatus with a reduced number of lines in its connection cable, a simplified structure and improved reliability.

Abstract: An evaluation apparatus and method capable of accurately evaluating the significance of named entities mentioned in a set of documents.

Abstract: An electronic document searching apparatus capable of obtaining a precise search result without securing a large storage area, comprises a link origin address holding section that searches the electronic document storage section for electronic documents including a first search character-string and holds addresses of the electronic documents as link origin addresses; a to-link-to address holding section that searches the electronic document storage section for electronic documents including a second search character-string and holds addresses of the electronic documents as to-link-to addresses; and a link relation determining section that follows link addresses indicated in an electronic document addressed by the each link origin address held, and determines, for each link address, whether at least one of the to-link-to addresses held is associated within a predetermined number of times to link sequentially.

Abstract: When information is extracted, a start point address designating unit designates a document address as a start point. A maximum link depth designating unit designates a maximum link depth. An extracting unit extracts the information from the target document designated as a start point. If the information cannot be extracted from the target document, the information is extracted in a range of the maximum link depth from a link destination document of the target document on the basis of the document address. An information extracting apparatus which can accurately extract the information even in the case of a document in a hypertext format is obtained.