Abstract: In an instant message communication system, if a provider logs in to an instant message communication service, the provider supplies, via a server, main presence information to a consumer specified as a friend of the provider, wherein the main presence information is a basic part of presence information. The provider then acquires main presence information of the consumer. At the provider, consumers are registered in relation to respective capabilities of the provider. The provider supplies provider sub-presence information to each consumer to inform of the details of the capability related to the consumer. Furthermore, the provider acquires consumer sub-presence information indicating the details of a capability that the consumer has, and the provider manages the acquired information. Thus, information associated with the status of capabilities available in communication can be provided without imposing a high load on the transmission process.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for displaying a map, displaying any data related to position information on the map, and effectively using the same even if map information is not provided in the information processing apparatus is disclosed. Image data and additional information having link information to the position information and a map are linked and stored in a memory stick 140. At the time of display, the apparatus accesses the Internet by a mobile phone 150 based on the link information, acquires the map information, and displays it on an LCD 131. It displays marks based on the position information on the map. For example when the mark is selected etc., it reads image data and further displays it on the LCD 131.

Abstract: A voice communications request from a calling party is received by the access reception unit of a gatekeeper and is transferred to an access management unit. The access management unit judges whether the utilization registration of the terminal of a called party is made by referring to an address conversion unit, a utilization registration management unit and a user profile information management unit, and if the utilization registration is not made, the access management unit makes a service selection unit select a service. The selected service is provided by a service start unit through an IP application service provision unit or a call control service provision unit, and the provision of the service is reported to the calling party by a service provision information notification unit. By this service, the called user can know that there has been an incoming call from the calling party in some way.

Abstract: A security system ensures the security of electronic information shared among a plurality of companies by restricting the accessible range of the electronic information depending on the managing level of a user who accesses the electronic information. When a requester makes a request for sharing electronic information, the system acquires the managing level of the requester from user data, finds a tenant to which the requester belongs from tenant data, and provides the requester with a list of users who belong to the tenant to which the requester belongs.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus capable of easily linking video data of a DVCR connected by an i-Link or the like and utilizing the same in a desired format is disclosed. Streaming data such as video data is defined, managed, and controlled in usage by an “optional-media” link tag linked to a “gpoi” tag defining a specific position in a position information file. The “optional-media” link can describe the five attributes of a format attribute for designating a connected apparatus and format information thereof, id attribute for further specifying the target in the connected apparatus designated by the format attribute, an “in” attribute and “out” attribute for designating a reproduction start position and ending position of the designated data, and a repeat attribute for designating a number of times of reproduction.

Abstract: A file sharing system implemented on a system having a server system and a plurality of client systems connected to the server system via a network. The file sharing system includes a WWW server provided in the server system, a first storage unit provided in the server system and storing files, a WWW-server-function extension unit provided in the server system and operating in association with the WWW server to control the files based on file identifiers. The file sharing system further includes a WWW browser provided in a client system which is one of the client systems and receiving one of the files and a corresponding file identifier from the server device, a second storage unit provided in the client system and storing the one of the files, a WWW-browser-function extension unit provided in the client system and operating in association with the WWW browser to activate an application to update the one of the files and to send an updated file and the corresponding file identifier to the server system.

Abstract: A compact receptacle for mating connection with a complementary coaxial plug connector. The receptacle is in use to be mounted on a mobile phone for switching a signal line from an internal antenna to a vehicle's external antenna when placed on a cradle in a vehicle in mating connection with the plug connector on the cradle. The receptacle has a dielectric mold carrying an outer conductor shield fitted on top of the mold, a single spring member, and a single fixed contact member. The conductor shield includes an electrode socket for connection with an outer conductor tube of the plug. The spring member integrally carries a center electrode for connection with a center conductor post of the plug, and a movable contact which forms a normally-closed switch with a fixed contact on the fixed contact member for the above signal switching.

Abstract: In a video recording/playback apparatus, when recording a series of packets transmitted over an IEEE 1394 bus, a relative value is taken between a requested time of arrival written in a header portion and a cycle time at the time of reception, and then the requested time of arrival is replaced with the relative value. When playing back the series of packets, the relative value is added to a cycle time at the time of transmission, and the relative value is replaced by the obtained value which will be used as a requested time of arrival for playback.

Abstract: A compact receptacle for mating connection with a complementary coaxial plug connector. The receptacle is in use to be mounted on a mobile phone for switching a signal line from an internal antenna to a vehicle's external antenna when placed on a cradle in a vehicle in mating connection with the plug connector on the cradle. The receptacle has a dielectric mold carrying an outer conductor shield fitted on top of the mold, a single spring member, and a single fixed contact member. The conductor shield includes an electrode socket for connection with an outer conductor tube of the plug. The spring member integrally carries a center electrode for connection with a center conductor post of the plug, and a movable contact which forms a normally-closed switch with a fixed contact on the fixed contact member for the above signal switching.

Abstract: A pickling method which can effectively conduct pickling, and can shorten pickling time. The strip is plastic elongated by 0.1 to 10% before it is introduced into the pickling tank to form cracks. The strip is bent so that a surface strain of the strip is 0.2 to 1 times the plastic elongation during dipping the strip in the acid solution of the pickling tank, thereby making the cracks open and close, and supply of a fresh acid solution and expelling of an exhausted acid solution may be effectively conducted. Scale always contacts with a fresh acid solution by this bending operation, so that a scale dissolution reaction proceeds fast, thereby being capable of shortening the pickling time.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling strips of paper removably incorporated in paper strip handling equipment. The apparatus has a box having a window for handling strips of paper, a shutter section for opening and closing the window, a drum section having therein a pooling section for temporarily accommodating strips of paper, and an anti-intrusion portion provided on either one of opposite edges of the shutter section with respect to the opening and closing direction of the shutter for preventing a strip of paper, trash or similar alien substance from being inserted in the apparatus through a clearance formed between the box and the shutter section.

Abstract: A common contact and at least one fixed contact are planted on an insulating bottom panel of an insulating case. A movable contact piece formed by bending a conductive spring material into a U-shape to have a pair of opposed contact leaves is pivotally mounted on the common contact so that it is turned from side to side by an actuator such as a push button or toggle lever. As the movable contact piece turns from one side to the other, it makes sliding contact with the fixed contact gripping it between the pair of opposed contact leaves.