Abstract: A communication unit prevents a malfunction which initiates communication against a user's will when communication for the purpose of remote dialog, without requiring a complex operation on the part of the user. This communication unit, used when a sender transmits his or her image or speech information to a recipient, comprises: a device that acquires image and speech information; a home server that transmits communication data indicating the information acquired by the information acquisition device to a device possessed by the recipient; and a detection unit that detects an object to be detected which is generated or changed by an action of the sender. The detection unit detects mutually different types of the objects each to be detected. Then, the home server starts transmitting the communication data when each detection result from each of two or more types of the detection units satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A condition ascertainment unit accurately ascertains the condition of an opponent in a remote location while considering an opponent's privacy. The condition ascertainment unit for ascertaining the condition of the opponent in a remote location includes a staging device configured to perform a staging operation different from the operation of reproducing a video image and voice of the opponent, and a control device configured to control the staging device to perform the staging operation and to communicate with an opponent side terminal. The control device obtains data on at least one of opponent's position and state, atmosphere in the space where the opponent is present, voice emitted from the opponent, and vibration generated by action of the opponent; specifies, from the obtained data, contents on the above-described item; and causes the staging device to perform the staging operation in a staging mode corresponding to the specified contents.

Abstract: A communication unit prevents a malfunction which initiates communication against a user's will when communication for the purpose of remote dialogue, without requiring a complex operation on the part of the user. This communication unit, used when a sender transmits his or her image or speech information to a recipient, comprises: a device that acquires image and speech information; a home server that transmits communication data indicating the information acquired by the information acquisition device to a device possessed by the recipient; and a detection unit that detects an object to be detected which is generated or changed by an action of the sender. The detection unit detects mutually different types of the objects each to be detected. Then, the home server starts transmitting the communication data when each detection result from each of two or more types of the detection units satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to hold a dialog between communicators while the communicators are viewing their images each other and which prevents the presence of an image display screen from being noticeable in a non-communication state. A first unit for the communicator generates and transmits first data indicating the image of the communicator. A second unit for the communication partner expands the first data received via a communication line to display the image of the communicator on the display screen, and generates and transmits second data indicating the image of the communication partner in front of the display screen. A human sensor is configured to detect that the communication partner is at a predetermined position in a home. Only during the period of the human sensor detecting that the communication partner is at the predetermined position, the display-cum-mirror forms a display screen, and otherwise, a mirror.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to hold a dialogue between communicators while the communicators are viewing their images each other and which prevents the presence of an image display screen from being noticeable in a non-communication state. A first unit for the communicator generates and transmits first data indicating the image of the communicator. A second unit for the communication partner expands the first data received via a communication line to display the image of the communicator on the display screen, and generates and transmits second data indicating the image of the communication partner in front of the display screen. A human sensor is configured to detect that the communication partner is at a predetermined position in a home. Only during the period of the human sensor detecting that the communication partner is at the predetermined position, the display-cum-mirror forms a display screen, and otherwise, a mirror.

Abstract: A currency sorter includes: take-in means (101) for taking currency notes in the sorter one by one; discriminating means (105) for discriminating the currency notes according to new and old versions, fit and unfit conditions, denominations and other categories; a plurality of stacking units (111 to 115) for stacking the currency notes of a predetermined category/categories designated to be bundled according to the discrimination results obtained by said discriminating means; designating means (11) for designating the category/categories of the notes to be bundled and a mode of sorting the notes to leave unbundled; and control means (400) for controlling allocation of currency notes discriminated by said discrimination means to said stacking units according to a designation by said designating means.

Abstract: A currency sorter includes: take-in means(101) for taking currency notes in the sorter one by one; discriminating means (105) for discriminating the currency notes according to new and old versions, fit and unfit conditions, denominations and other categories; a plurality of stacking units (111 to 115) for stacking the currency notes of a predetermined category/categories designated to be bundled according to the discrimination results obtained by said discriminating means; designating means (11) for designating the category/categories of the notes to be bundled and a mode of sorting the notes to leave unbundled;, and control means (400) for controlling allocation of currency notes discriminated by said discrimination means to said stacking units according to a designation by said designating means.