Abstract: A system for forming one point-to-multipoint connection provides various service attributes in an ATM network in response to differences in service attributes requested by receiving parties or differences in available resources. A network node sets up an output VC (Virtual Channel) link to be connected to an input VC link, the VC links being parts of a point-multipoint connection, receives a new VC link set-up request, and adds to the point-multipoint connection, in response to the new VC link set-up request, new output VC link with service attribute different from that of the input VC link.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus records an image onto a recording medium by flying an ink-droplet from an ink surface by a pressure of an ultrasonic beam. The apparatus including an ultrasonic generating element array having a plurality of ultrasonic elements arranged in an array for emitting ultrasonic beams, a driving device for applying a plurality of pulses having different phases from each other, and a converging device for converging the ultrasonic beams by interfering the ultrasonic beams with each other. The generating elements are simultaneously driven and sequentially shifted in an array direction, and the converging device converging the ultrasonic beams in a direction perpendicular to the array direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for playing back selectively a desired part of continuous data by using an input event as a clue. The apparatus comprises: first storage means for storing continuous data sequentially inputted; second storage means for storing a plurality of input events occurring at arbitrary times during the continuous data sequence; third storage means for storing data enabling identity of addresses a in the first storage means of locations in the continuous data sequence respectively corresponding to the input events; specifying means for specifying one of the input events stored in the second storage means; and playback means for playing back a selected portion of the continuous data stored in the first storage means in accordance with the identifying data stored in the third storage means which corresponds to the input event specified through the specifying means.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a continuous data server, capable of dealing with a fault in the control device without affecting operations of the continuous data server, by using a plurality of control devices. One control devices is operated as a master control device for actually controlling operations of the continuous data server, while at least one control device other than the master control device is operated as a slave control device for monitoring the master control device and taking over a function of the master control device when a fault is detected in the master control device.

Abstract: A data retrieval system capable of carrying out the retrieval using the secondary information of the primary data to be retrieved such as environmental information or structural information as the retrieval key. In the system, the primary data which are filing target to be stored and retrieved are stored in a first memory while secondary information associated with the primary data, which are not directly related with data content of the primary data, are stored in a second memory in correspondence to the primary data stored in the first memory. Then, when a retrieval key specifying a desired retrieval of the primary data from the first memory is entered, the secondary information is selected from the second memory in accordance with the retrieval key, and the primary data corresponding to the secondary information selected in accordance with the retrieval key is retrieved and outputted as a retrieval result.