Abstract: The present invention is an information processing apparatus which obtains identification information of an electronic device and makes communication with the electronic device via a network based on the identification information. When a portable telephone (11) is placed on an input display section (2) of a personal computer (1), a reader/writer built in the personal computer (1) reads a telephone number of the portable telephone (11) stored in an RF tag built in the portable telephone (11). Based on the telephone number, a telephone line is connected between the portable telephone (11) and the personal computer (1). Data is interchanged between the portable telephone (11) and the personal computer (1) via the telephone line.

Abstract: A light-tactility conversion system is provided which includes a light emitting device including an illumination unit capable of emitting light at a same time to a plurality of illumination areas in different illumination patterns, and an illumination control unit for controlling the illumination unit and making the illumination unit project an image, and also for controlling the illumination patterns in units of pixels of the projected image and making the illumination unit emit light to specific illumination areas in specific illumination patterns, and a vibration device including an illumination pattern detection unit for detecting an illumination pattern of light received from the light emitting device, and a vibration control unit for generating a vibration pattern corresponding to the illumination pattern detected by the illumination pattern detection unit and vibrating an oscillator in the vibration pattern.

Abstract: A radio communication apparatus has a storage section for correlating and storing positional information and identification information of the base station, a receiving section for receiving radio signals transmitted from the base station and containing the identification information and a position estimating section for estimating position of the radio communication apparatus based on the positional information stored in the storage section.

Abstract: The invention enables users to virtually attach information to situations in the real world, and also enables users to quickly and easily find out desired information. An IR sensor receives an IR signal transmitted from an IR beacon, and supplies the received signal to a sub-notebook PC. A CCD video camera takes in a visual ID from an object, and supplies the inputted visual ID to the sub-notebook PC. A user inputs, through a microphone, a voice to be attached to situations in the real world. The sub-notebook PC transmits position data, object data and voice data, which have been supplied to it, to a server through a communication unit. The transmitted data is received by the server via a wireless LAN. The server stores the received voice data in a database in correspondence to the position data and the object data.

Abstract: A haptic display includes at least one haptic device that can give tactile feedback instead of visible feedback. Each of the haptic devices converts a signal from a signal producing unit into force or tactile pattern. The haptic device does not require a large mass, so that it can be provided on almost any portion or part within the body of a mobile apparatus. For example, the haptic device can be embedded under a touch panel display that constitutes both input and output device. By providing the haptic devices under respective menu/function button areas displayed on the touch panel display, it is possible to stimulate the specific button in response to the user-input-operation, thereby directly providing the tactile feedback to the user's finger touching the corresponding button.

Abstract: The invention enables users to virtually attach information to situations in the real world, and also enables users to quickly and easily find out desired information. An IR sensor receives an IR signal transmitted from an IR beacon, and supplies the received signal to a sub-notebook PC. A CCD video camera takes in a visual ID from an object, and supplies the inputted visual ID to the sub-notebook PC. A user inputs, through a microphone, a voice to be attached to situations in the real world. The sub-notebook PC transmits position data, object data and voice data, which have been supplied to it, to a server through a communication unit. The transmitted data is received by the server via a wireless LAN. The server stores the received voice data in a database in correspondence to the position data and the object data.

Abstract: A camera system has: cameras; and an information-processing device connected through a communication network with the cameras, which acquires a shot image from the cameras. Each camera includes: an image-pickup part taking an image of a subject; and an image-pickup synchronizing part mutually synchronizing an image-pickup timing of the camera with an image-pickup timing of another camera.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes the following elements. An image data acquisition unit acquires image data of a captured image including a code having a fixed area in which a predetermined fixed area code is formed and a variable area in which a variable area code formed by a combination of a plurality of codes is formed. A fixed area code recognition unit analyzes the captured image to recognize the predetermined fixed area code of the fixed area. A variable area code default value setting unit sets the default value of the variable area code based on the predetermined fixed area code. A variable area code recognition unit analyzes the captured image to recognize the variable area code. A comparator compares the variable area code with the default value to determine the difference therebetween. A command designation unit designates a command to be executed based on the difference.

Abstract: The invention enables users to virtually attach information to situations in the real world, and also enables users to quickly and easily find out desired information. An IR sensor receives an IR signal transmitted from an IR beacon, and supplies the received signal to a sub-notebook PC. A CCD video camera takes in a visual ID from an object, and supplies the inputted visual ID to the sub-notebook PC. A user inputs, through a microphone, a voice to be attached to situations in the real world. The sub-notebook PC transmits position data, object data and voice data, which have been supplied to it, to a server through a communication unit. The transmitted data is received by the server via a wireless LAN. The server stores the received voice data in a database in correspondence to the position data and the object data.

Abstract: A user interface device for specifying network connection in a straightforward manner between information apparatus is provided. When a user wishes to connect two apparatuses, connection buttons on each apparatus are pressed down at the same time, with pressing then being released at the same time. Packets containing timing of pressing down and release of the connection buttons are then transmitted from each apparatus using multicasting. The times included in the packets are then compared with those recorded within the apparatuses, so as to enable both apparatuses to correctly identify each other. This connection method is scaleable as being able to detect duplicate connection requests. It is therefore possible to establish secure connection by exchanging public keys.

Abstract: In general, those who are right in front of each other can share actual world events that are generated in the same working space. For example, when an audio or a light of a wave form pattern is generated, by recognizing such an actual world event, both communication apparatuses share the actual world event. Also, a shock wave generated when one communication apparatus is hit with the other is shared by both. One of the communication partners searches a network for a communication partner who is right in front with the actual world event as a clue. Thus, it is possible to perform data communications with a communication partner whose location in the actual world is clear, such as being right in front, but whose identification information in the communication medium is unknown.

Abstract: There is provided a position detection system including an imaging unit to capture an image of a projection plane of an electromagnetic wave, an electromagnetic wave emission unit to emit the electromagnetic wave to the projection plane, a control unit to control emission of the electromagnetic wave by the electromagnetic wave emission unit, and a position detection unit including a projected image detection section to detect a projected image of an object existing between the electromagnetic wave emission unit and the projection plane based on a difference between an image of the projection plane captured during emission of the electromagnetic wave fay the electromagnetic wave emission unit and an image of the projection plane captured during no emission of the electromagnetic wave, and a position detection section to detect a position of the object based on a position of the projected image of the object.

Abstract: A device for managing image and audio files displays thumbnails, which are representative of the files, on a screen in different arrangements, depending on the selected layout and order. When the user enters input to indicates that he or she wishes to browse through the thumbnails, the thumbnails move across the screen in sequence, following a path through a focus outline in the center of the screen. The path followed by the thumbnails depends on the selected layout.

Abstract: A user interface method includes acquiring a shape of an object arrangement area entered by a user's sketch operation; acquiring an object conversion parameter based on the acquired shape of the object arrangement area; acquiring a symbol entered by a user's sketch operation; searching registered objects for a display object associated with the acquired symbol; converting initial data of the display object to form a converted display object based on the object conversion parameter; and displaying the converted display object in the object arrangement area.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a pressure detecting unit for detecting a magnitude of a contacting pressure of a contacted object with respect to an input device operated when physically contacted by the contacted object; and a changing unit for changing a display region displayed on a display device of predetermined information to be displayed on the display device according to an output signal output from the input device at a speed corresponding to the magnitude of the contacting pressure detected by the pressure detecting unit.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging section which emits light to a part of a biologic body at predetermined time intervals and images a vein in the biologic body so as to generate imaged data about the vein, a vein pattern extracting section which extracts vein patterns from the imaged data about the vein, a time change detecting section which detects a time change in the vein patterns, a blood flow volume calculating section which calculates a blood flow volume in the vein based on the time change in the vein patterns, and a processing section which executes a predetermined process based on the time change in the vein patterns and a time change in the blood flow volume.

Abstract: An information communication system includes a first telephone operated by a first user, first proximity communication means operated when a first device comes into its vicinity so as to connect the both, a second telephone operated by a second user, and second proximity communication means operated when a second device comes into its vicinity so as to connect the both. The first telephone reads an IP address of the first device via the first proximity communication means, transmits it to the second telephone via a telephone network, and notifies it to the second device via the second proximity communication means. By link operation between a telephone and an electronic device in its vicinity, it is possible to share information and exchange information with a conversation partner via the telephone.

Abstract: An authentication system for authenticating a mobile information terminal is disclosed.

Abstract: The management of files, folders, and other data is facilitated. When a user inputs a character string (tag), which is desired to be retrieved, to a retrieval character input space and operates a retrieval button on a screen, retrieval is started, and a screen (file) corresponding to the input character string is displayed. This makes it possible for the user to fetch a desired file as required. That is, the user is able to manage and control files without using folders.

Abstract: The invention provides an information retrieval apparatus and an information retrieval method by which information can be retrieved in an improved operability. A CPU controls a video camera to fetch an image and controls a GPS to detect a current position. The CPU reads out, from within image data stored in a corresponding relationship with URLs of WWW servers, those image data which correspond to position data regarding positions around the detected current position from a WWW data base via a modem and a host machine. Then, the CPU selects, from among the read out image data, that image data which matches with the fetched data, reads out a URL corresponding to the image data and accesses a WWW server designated by the URL.