Abstract: A command for incrementing a numeric value is inputted by pressing a “2” key. A command for decrementing the numeric value is inputted by depressing an “8” key. At least one of a process for incrementing the numeric value by the amount of increment according to the length of time during which the “2” key is held down and a process for decrementing the numeric value by the amount of decrement according to the length of time during which the “8” key is held down is performed to determine a value to be input.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms a raised print image by successively transferring foaming toner and non-foaming toner onto a recording medium in correspondence to print image information and heat-fixing onto the recording medium the foaming toner and the non-foaming toner that have been transferred onto the recording medium. The image forming apparatus includes an image processing section that image-processes the print image information so that transfer of an image resulting from the foaming toner is selectively prohibited in correspondence to a line width or size of an image to be transferred by the non-foaming toner onto the foaming toner.

Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image with the normal toner and forming an image with the special toner, which makes it possible to perform appropriate fixing of a toner to be used according to characteristics of the toner.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus for forming a three dimensional print image on a recording medium by an image of three dimensional printing material and an image of color material in accordance with image data, comprises a designation unit for designating a three dimensional print region using three dimensional printing material and a non-three dimensional print region, with regard to the image data; and an image processing unit for performing different color conversions on the image data depending on the three dimensional print region and the non-three dimensional print region designated by the designation unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier and a first developing unit for forming an image on the image carrier using at least one type of first developer to which a second developing unit for forming an image using at least one type of second developer which differs from the first developer is installable. The apparatus includes a developing unit determination part for determining the type of developing unit of the image forming apparatus, and an announcement part for announcing to the user that, when the second developing unit is not installed and an image formation instruction for instructing the formation of an image obtained by using the second developer is inputted, the image formation instruction cannot be made to effect a response.

Abstract: In an image processing section, a foam toner signal generator generates a foam toner signal corresponding to a foam toner amount to be transferred to a three-dimensional print designation region discriminated at a three-dimensional print region discriminator, and a foam toner interpolation signal generator generates a foam toner interpolation signal corresponding to a foam toner amount to be transferred to an image region equal to or greater than a constant area in an ordinary print region discriminated at the three-dimensional print region discriminator. Foam toner of a predetermined amount corresponding to the foam toner signal is transferred to the three-dimensional print region, and foam toner of an amount that is less (of a lower height) than the predetermined amount and corresponds to the foam toner interpolation signal is transferred to the ordinary print region.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus in which, if the image forming apparatus using only a normal toner is modified to be capable of forming an image formed of a special toner, an appropriate image can be formed in accordance with the characteristics of the special toner.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image forming method or the like is provided which is capable of forming a three-dimensional white image or black-and-white image or even a three-dimensional color image with ease and at low costs. The three-dimensional image forming method includes, for example, a first step of forming an unfoamed-toner image consisting of at least a foamable toner on paper as an image forming object by using an electrophotographic system or the like, a second step of forming a three-dimensional foamed-toner image by subjecting to heat treatment the unfoamed-toner image formed on the image forming object and foaming and fixing the foamable toner, and a third step of forming an ink image consisting of an ink on the image forming object with the foamed-toner image formed thereon by using an ink jet system.

Abstract: An image formation processing method for forming an image to be raised with color toners on a raised portion of an expandable toner which is formed on a recording sheet according to an original image, comprising extracting a contour section of the image to be raised from the original image, and changing a color of the extracted contour section to enhance the image to be raised.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms a raised print image by successively transferring foaming toner and non-foaming toner onto a recording medium in correspondence to print image information and heat-fixing onto the recording medium the foaming toner and the non-foaming toner that have been transferred onto the recording medium. The image forming apparatus includes an image processing section that image-processes the print image information so that transfer of an image resulting from the foaming toner is selectively prohibited in correspondence to a line width or size of an image to be transferred by the non-foaming toner onto the foaming toner.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to realize high-speed database retrieval. More specifically, it is an object of this invention to increase a retrieval speed when data corresponding to an input character string are retrieved from a database having a trie structure. In order to achieve the above object, a database retrieval apparatus according to the invention can retrieve data corresponding to an input character string from a database having a trie structure, and includes a plurality of child node search units for searching for a child node corresponding to the input character string at each node of the trie structure, and a setting unit for setting, in advance for each node, one of the plurality of child node search unit which is to be used at each node. Data held in the database is retrieved by searching for a child node using the child node search unit set for each node by the setting unit.

Abstract: Modality information associated with modalities of a control device is received via a communication module. Also, dialog information associated with dialog of a device to be controlled is received via the communication module. A bind layer inference module generates bind information that infers the relationship between the modality information and dialog information, and binds the modality information and dialog information. The bind information and dialog information are transmitted to the control device via the communication module.

Abstract: A feed horn structure in which a feed horn and a horn cap can be combined without generating whitening, crack and the like, a manufacturing method thereof, a converter having that feed horn structure, and a satellite communication receiving antenna can be obtained. The feed horn structure of a satellite communication receiving converter includes a cylindrical feed horn receiving a radio wave from an antenna portion and guiding the radio wave, and a horn cap fixed to the feed horn so as to surround one end of the feed horn at antenna side. The feed horn and the horn cap are integrated by integral molding.

Abstract: An apparatus stores a correct answer corpus (103) that describes correct answers of morphological analysis for a huge volume of text, and has morphological analysis means (101) for executing morphological analysis of respective sentences in the correct answer corpus (103) using a connection cost table (102), detection means (106) for detecting error parts of the morphological analysis, and correction means (107) for correcting connection cost information in the connection cost table (102) corresponding to the error parts. In this manner, connection cost learning that can implement morphological analysis with higher precision can be made.

Abstract: A speech output apparatus is disclosed, which can allow the user to easily catch synthetic speech when the synthetic speech is output upon being superposed on a music output. The apparatus output can output a music and synthetic speech that indicates contents of information such as an e-mail and is superposed on the music. When the synthetic speech is output to be superposed on the music during output, the apparatus gradually decreases a tone volume of the music.

Abstract: A pair of wave receiving probes is provided on opposite sides of an opening portion formed in a substrate. A waveguide is provided on one side of the substrate, and a wave reflecting unit is provided on the other side of the substrate. The wave reflecting unit is provided with a wave reflecting surface on an inner side of its end surface portion. A partition wall in a stepped pattern is provided in the waveguide, which penetrates the opening portion and extends to the end surface portion, thereby dividing the wave reflecting surface into two. The partition wall partitions the wave-guiding space formed by the waveguide, substrate and wave reflecting unit into two spaces. Accordingly, a polarized wave separator excellent in separating characteristics and preventing wave loss is realized.

Abstract: In a character provision service system for providing users with characters such as interface agents and virtual characters in virtual spaces on computers or in TV games, charges for use of a provided character is computed according to a motion made by the character. This system enables each user to easily purchase with security a character capable of moving according user's need, and also enables character data providers to collect charges according to motions made by provided characters and to provide various characters without anxiety about unauthorized use of the characters.

Abstract: The system includes a computer for transmitting news information and a computer communicably connected to the computer for receiving the news information. The computer outputs the content of the news information as voice in an order predetermined based upon the content of the received news information, and displays an animation, which imitates a speaking individual, in conformity with the voice output. The user is thus capable of acquiring desired news information with facility.

Abstract: A server acquires a web page corresponding to the URL that a client registers, and detects new text (to be referred to as new information hereinafter) inserted in that web page. The server converts the detected new information into one of a character string, phonetic character string, and synthetic speech, and delivers it to the client. The client receives the new information delivered from the server, converts it into synthetic speech, and outputs the synthetic speech.

Abstract: A natural language processing apparatus converts word notation grammar description data, which explain the rules for the construction of words that belong to categories having a variety of notations, such as the names of product models, onomatopoeic words and numerical expressions, into word notation context free grammar data that are expressed in the form of an expanded context free grammar. In the analysis processing according to the context free grammar, a character string that satisfies the construction rule for a product model name, an onomatopoeic word or a numerical expression is extracted as a word from the natural language sentence that is an input in accordance with the word notation context free grammar data. Further, in accordance with a category that corresponds to the construction rule, the part of speech and the pronunciation of the word are determined by referring to a dictionary in which word information for each category is explained.