Abstract: A display device securing mechanism to which a plurality of display devices that are linearly disposed are mountable includes a plurality of housings to which the plurality of display devices are mounted, first rotating members which rotate the corresponding housings around a rotational axis extending vertically with respect to the display devices, and a second rotating member which rotates all of the housings together.

Abstract: An information supply apparatus for providing broadcasting contents summary information for the input of specified conditions of a program desired to view by an information utilization apparatus, the storage of the summary playback information representing the summary content of the broadcasting contents information and additional screen information, the extraction of a specific summary playback information and additional screen information according to the specified condition information sent from the information utilization apparatus, distribution to the information utilization apparatus by the information supply apparatus. The information utilization apparatus creates the summary based on the distributed information and replays the same.

Abstract: Electronic coupons are provided for items comprising products and services. The coupon information is received along with broadcasts of associated television programs. Selected coupon modes alert a viewer when coupon information is available for an item. The viewer alert comprises displayed marks superimposed over the broadcast of the television program. The displayed marks comprise indicators for each item for which coupon data is available, and the indicators may be representative of the items to which the indicators correspond. The coupon information for a particular item is selected when the viewer selects the indicator corresponding to the item in which the viewer is interested. Upon selection, the coupon information is displayed along with the broadcast of the currently selected television program. Coupon information may be selected for storage on a removable recording medium along with data corresponding to the television program with which the coupon information is associated.

Abstract: The present invention has an object which can facilitate selection of a program to view by allowing a viewer to recognize recorded program contents in a short period of time, and can collect or recover personal information of viewers who view a program. Input the specified conditions of the program desired to view by the information utilization apparatus (3), store the summary playback information representing the summary content of the broadcasting contents information and additional screen information, extract a specific summary playback information and additional screen information according to the specified condition information sent from the information utilization apparatus (3), distributes to the information utilization apparatus (3) by the information supply apparatus (2), and create the summary based on the distributed information and replays the same by the information utilization apparatus (3).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for facilitating selection of viewable programs by allowing a user to recognize recorded program contents in a relatively short period of time. The apparatus and method provides to a user broadcasting contents summary information obtained by summarizing the broadcasting contents information.

Abstract: A system for executing personal authentication processing by communication through a human body, in which authentication corresponding to a service to be furnished can be executed efficiently. The authentication processing between a portable equipment worn by a user and a service furnishing terminal is executed by a human body touching a contact point of the service furnishing terminal. The processing occurs with a real physical feeling of user contact. A user-native identifier and a user-variable identifier generated from user to user depending on the service presented by a service terminal are stored in a user equipment. Responsive to the service identifier transmitted from the service terminal, service-native user identification data, derived at least from the user variable identifier, is generated in the portable equipment and forwarded to the service terminal. A variety of user management operations, such as user-based assessment operations, depending on service contents, are carried out.

Abstract: A portable audio listening apparatus includes, for example, a portable audio playback apparatus serving as a portable transmission apparatus and a headphone serving as a portable receiving apparatus. The portable audio playback apparatus has an electrode at its side. The headphone includes an ear pad made from an electrically conductive material and an electric-circuit unit. The ear pad serves as an electrode and is connected to the electric-circuit unit by wiring. The electric-circuit unit includes a signal processing circuit and a battery. When the user wears the portable audio playback apparatus and the headphone, a transmission path is formed through the body of the user. A signal reproduced by the portable audio playback apparatus is sent through the body of the user and the ear pad to the electric-circuit unit of the headphone.

Abstract: A display device securing mechanism to which a plurality of display devices that are linearly disposed are mountable includes a plurality of housings to which the plurality of display devices are mounted, first rotating members which rotate the corresponding housings around a rotational axis extending vertically with respect to the display devices, and a second rotating member which rotates all of the housings together.

Abstract: Electronic coupons are provided for items comprising products and services. The coupon information is received along with broadcasts of associated television programs. Selected coupon modes alert a viewer when coupon information is available for an item. The viewer alert comprises displayed marks superimposed over the broadcast of the television program. The displayed marks comprise indicators for each item for which coupon data is available, and the indicators may be representative of the items to which the indicators correspond. The coupon information for a particular item is selected when the viewer selects the indicator corresponding to the item in which the viewer is interested. Upon selection, the coupon information is displayed along with the broadcast of the currently selected television program. Coupon information may be selected for storage on a removable recording medium along with data corresponding to the television program with which the coupon information is associated.

Abstract: On-demand electronic advertising information is provided for items used in scenes of television programs. The advertising information is received along with broadcasts of associated television programs. Selected advertisement modes alert a viewer when advertising information is available for an item displayed in a scene of the television program broadcast. The viewer alert comprises displayed marks superimposed over the broadcast of the television program. The displayed marks comprise indicators for each item for which advertising data is available, and the indicators may be representative of the items to which the indicators correspond. The advertising information for a particular item is selected when the viewer selects the indicator corresponding to the item in which the viewer is interested. Upon selection, the advertising information is displayed along with the broadcast of the currently selected television program. The advertising information may be used to electronically order the associated item.

Abstract: On-demand electronic advertising information is provided for items used in scenes of television programs. The advertising information is received along with broadcasts of associated television programs. Selected advertisement modes alert a viewer when advertising information is available for an item displayed in a scene of the television program broadcast. The viewer alert comprises displayed marks superimposed over the broadcast of the television program. The displayed marks comprise indicators for each item for which advertising data is available, and the indicators may be representative of the items to which the indicators correspond. The advertising information for a particular item is selected when the viewer selects the indicator corresponding to the item in which the viewer is interested. Upon selection, the advertising information is displayed along with the broadcast of the currently selected television program. The advertising information may be used to electronically order the associated item.

Abstract: The present invention has an object which can facilitate selection of a program to view by allowing a viewer to recognize recorded program contents in a short period of time, and can collect or recover personal information of viewers who view a program. Input the specified conditions of the program desired to view by the information utilization apparatus (3), store the summary playback information representing the summary content of the broadcasting contents information and additional screen information, extract a specific summary playback information and additional screen information according to the specified condition information sent from the information utilization apparatus (3), distributes to the information utilization apparatus (3) by the information supply apparatus (2), and create the summary based on the distributed information and replays the same by the information utilization apparatus (3).

Abstract: On-demand electronic advertising information is provided for items used in scenes of television programs. The advertising information is received along with broadcasts of associated television programs. Selected advertisement modes alert a viewer when advertising information is available for an item displayed in a scene of the television program broadcast. The viewer alert comprises displayed marks superimposed over the broadcast of the television program. The displayed marks comprise indicators for each item for which advertising data is available, and the indicators may be representative of the items to which the indicators correspond. The advertising information for a particular item is selected when the viewer selects the indicator corresponding to the item in which the viewer is interested. Upon selection, the advertising information is displayed along with the broadcast of the currently selected television program. The advertising information may be used to electronically order the associated item.

Abstract: A video camera captures image data and determines parameters indicative of a size of an image. Such data may, for example, be recorded on a recording medium or may be broadcasted. A video apparatus reproduces the recorded data from the recording medium or may receive the broadcasted data. Information indicative of a size of a display screen of a display unit is provided to the video apparatus, which then produces an actual size signal representative of an actual size of a desired object of the image in accordance with the screen size information and the image size data and may supply the same to the display unit so as to enable the desired object of the image or a portion thereof to be displayed on the display screen in actual size.

Abstract: A portable compact disc player has a transparent lid that is the same size as a compact disc storage case or so-called jewel box. The lid of the portable compact disc player is formed with a pocket or slot therein with an open side at the front side of the portable compact disc player. The slot has a minimal thickness to receive the album cover printed material that can be removed from the compact disc storage case; so that the design aspects of the portable compact disc player can be determined by the album cover. Other artwork, mirrors, leaves, wood veneers could be substituted for the album cover artwork, so that the user can customize and personalize the visual appearance of the portable compact disc player. In another embodiment, an additional slot is formed in the lid to receive and store a compact disc.