Abstract: Method and apparatus to determine a preference of a user based on a content of a broadcast selected by the user and a content of a recording medium, so that the content of the broadcast can be selectively recorded and provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reproducing apparatus including: an interface section configured to have a plurality of ports each connectable with a portable player including a storage medium; an integrated content management data creation section configured to identify the portable players; a reproduction content designation section configured to designate the content data to be reproduced in accordance with the integrated content management data; a content access section configured to gain access through the interface section; and a reproduction section configured to reproduce the accessed content.

Abstract: A user interface device includes: a display unit on which plural buttons are displayed; a touch panel integrally formed with the display unit and detecting input in plural input areas corresponding to respective display areas of the plural buttons; a pressure detection means for detecting water pressure; and a layout control means for changing a layout of the buttons and the input areas so as to reduce the number of the buttons and the input areas corresponding to the buttons in accordance with detected magnitude of water pressure when the water pressure detected by the pressure detection means is equal to or higher than a previously set threshold value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reproducing apparatus including: an interface section configured to have a plurality of ports each connectable with a portable player including a storage medium; an integrated content management data creation section configured to identify the portable players; a reproduction content designation section configured to designate the content data to be reproduced in accordance with the integrated content management data; a content access section configured to gain access through the interface section; and a reproduction section configured to reproduce the accessed content.

Abstract: In an information transmitter (2) which is a portable personal information device, a system control circuit (26) analyzes information on vibration obtained from an acceleration sensor (22), information on temperature obtained from a temperature sensor (21), or external information such as user's personal information obtained from a communication section (24) and selects a light-emission pattern of LEDs (11 and 12), a vibration pattern of vibrators (30 and 31), and a sound generated by a sound-reproducing section (25).

Abstract: A portable electronic information device with superb portability and/or amusement value is provided. This device A is a portable electronic information device A having an external housing 1 that can be equipped in a car, and the device A is provided with expression means 7, 8 and 9 for performing actions that can be sensed by the user of the vehicle, in accordance with vehicle status information of the vehicle or output signals from sensors 4 or 5 equipped inside external housing 1, and thus delivers superb amusement value. This device also functions as a vehicle key, providing high portability, and enabling information to be shared with a home computer, thus providing a high level of convenience.

Abstract: A menu display apparatus includes a first display screen on which a plurality of first icons, each representing a selectable item, are sequentially disposed on a main circular arc; and a second display screen on which, of the plurality of first icons, the first icon selected by a user is moved and displayed and a plurality of second icons, each representing a selectable item belonging to the selected first icon, are displayed on the main circular arc. The first display screen and the second display screen are selectively displayed.

Abstract: An in-vehicle device, a vehicle, and a vehicle information processing method, which are used, for example, to assist in driving an automobile and can properly communicate a vehicle situation to a driver. Methods and mechanisms express user's handling of the vehicle by virtual feelings on the assumption that the vehicle has a personality, and displays the virtual feelings by facial expressions of a predetermined character.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program executed in the information processing apparatus. The invention is applied to the calculation of a premium and includes judging of driving of a driver on the basis of a detection result of an emotional state of the driver to enable a more objective judgment of the driving and the acquirement of a suitable judgment result. Another aspect relates to supplying the driver with various pieces of information obtained by a navigation system or the like. The driver is supplied with a prescribed piece of information while changing a transmission method according to an emotional state of the driver for enabling a suitable transmission of the various pieces of information to the driver.

Abstract: A vehicle driver inputs an alarm signal from an operating unit. A control unit adds a current position of the vehicle detected by a navigation unit to the alarm signal and transmits the alarm signal with the current position from a transmitting and receiving unit to another vehicle. The transmitting and receiving unit receives a signal from another vehicle and supplies the signal to the control unit. The control unit calculates an intervehicular distance from current position data of the other vehicle included in the received signal and current position data of its own vehicle and outputs the alarm signal from speakers only when the intervehicular distance is within a predetermined value.

Abstract: In an information transmitter (2) which is a portable personal information device, a system control circuit (26) analyzes information on vibration obtained from an acceleration sensor (22), information on temperature obtained from a temperature sensor (21), or external information such as user's personal information obtained from a communication section (24) and selects a light-emission pattern of LEDs (11 and 12), a vibration pattern of vibrators (30 and 31), and a sound generated by a sound-reproducing section (25).

Abstract: When a vehicle, for example, a passenger vehicle stops, electric power is supplied to a passenger compartment mechanism and/or an entertainment device from a power supply isolated from the device relating to a vehicle travel system. Electric power consumption is managed to secure the electric power necessary to create a travel start possible state. Further, a key position is provided to supply electric power only to the passenger compartment mechanism and/or the entertainment device. With this arrangement, music and the like can be comfortably enjoyed by stopping the vehicle.

Abstract: To determine preference of a user based on content of broadcast selected by the user and content of a recording medium so that content of broadcast can be selectively recorded and provided.

Abstract: A car positioning system that permits a user to easily position a car with security. Information necessary for locating the car is sent from the car by authentication of the user at a terminal unit, and received by a terminal unit which sends positional information about the car to the user. Also, in response to an access made by the terminal unit having a unique identification code via a public telephone network, positional information about the car is sent from a main unit installed in the car to the terminal unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device, a vehicle, and a vehicle information processing method, which are used, for example, for assisting in driving an automobile and can properly communicate a vehicle situation to a driver. The invention expresses user's handling of the vehicle by virtual feelings on the assumption that the vehicle has a personality, and displays the virtual feelings by facial expressions of a predetermined character.

Abstract: A menu display apparatus includes a first display screen on which a plurality of first icons, each representing a selectable item, are sequentially disposed on a main circular arc; and a second display screen on which, of the plurality of first icons, the first icon selected by a user is moved and displayed and a plurality of second icons, each representing a selectable item belonging to the selected first icon, are displayed on the main circular arc. The first display screen and the second display screen are selectively displayed.

Abstract: A portable electronic information device with superb portability and/or amusement value is provided. This device A is a portable electronic information device A having an external housing 1 that can be equipped in a car, and the device A is provided with expression means 7, 8 and 9 for performing actions that can be sensed by the user of the vehicle, in accordance with vehicle status information of the vehicle or output signals from sensors 4 or 5 equipped inside external housing 1, and thus delivers superb amusement value. This device also functions as a vehicle key, providing high portability, and enabling information to be shared with a home computer, thus providing a high level of convenience.

Abstract: When a vehicle, for example, a passenger vehicle stops, electric power is supplied to a passenger compartment mechanism and/or an entertainment device from a power supply isolated from the device relating to a vehicle travel system. Electric power consumption is managed to secure the electric power necessary to create a travel start possible state. Further, a key position is provided to supply electric power only to the passenger compartment mechanism and/or the entertainment device. With this arrangement, music and the like can be comfortably enjoyed by stopping the vehicle.

Abstract: This system comprises a usage status detection means for detecting the usage status of a vehicle, data input means for inputting data relating to the maintenance or management of a vehicle, and insurance premium calculation means for calculating vehicle insurance premiums based on detection results and inputted data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method and a program executed in an information processing apparatus. The invention is applied to, for example, the calculation of a premium. The invention judges the driving of a driver on the basis of a detection result of an emotional state of the driver for enabling the more objective judgment of the driving than that by prior art and the acquirement of a suitable judgment result. Moreover, another aspect of the present invention is applied to a case of supplying the driver with various pieces of information obtained by a navigation system or the like. The aspect supplies the driver with a prescribed piece of information while changing a transmission method according to an emotional state of the driver for enabling the suitable transmission of the various pieces of information to the driver.