Abstract: The content reproduction apparatus comprises: an input unit to which a content is input; a reproduction position recording unit to record a reproduction position of a content being reproduced; a display unit to display the content; a sensor to detect a human's presence or absence in or from a predetermined area; and a timer to measure a time period of a human's absence from the predetermined area detected by the sensor; wherein, if the sensor detects a human's absence from the predetermined area, the reproduction position of the content being reproduced is recorded in the reproduction position recording unit and, according to the time period measured by the timer, the content reproduction apparatus is configured to control whether or not to present a screen image prompting to start reproducing the content from the reproduction position recorded in the reproduction position recording unit.

Abstract: In an operation control device for controlling the operation of an appliance such as television receiver, a human-perceiving sensor is used as a unit for detecting movements of the operator. Then, continuous movements are extracted therefrom, such as hand-waving movements performed by the operator with an intention of operating the appliance such as television receiver. Moreover, if the operator performs one and the same movement during a time-period which is longer than a certain constant time-period, a control determined in advance is exerted over the operation control device. Also, the situation in which the movements of the operator are detected is displayed on the appliance such as television receiver, so that the operator is permitted to perform a more accurate movement by the resultant feedback effect.

Abstract: An input apparatus includes an input unit that receives a predetermined motion image signal, a motion detecting unit that detects a motion from the motion image signal received by the input unit, a video signal processing unit that outputs a predetermined video signal when a motion detected by the motion detecting unit is a predetermined motion, and a control unit that controls the video signal processing unit, in which the control unit controls the motion detecting unit not so as to detect a motion when the predetermined video signal is being outputted by the video signal processing unit, thereby providing a useful input apparatus for a user.

Abstract: A portable terminal includes a receiving unit which receives content information, an external device communication unit which conducts communication with an external information device, a display unit which displays the content information received by the receiving unit, an acquiring unit which acquires identification information identifying the content information displayed by the display unit, an operation unit which receives an operation indication from a user, and a control unit which conducts control such that if a transmission indication of the identification information is received by the operation unit while the content information is being displayed, the identification information acquired by the acquiring unit is transmitted to the external information device and the display of the content information by the display unit is terminated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a captioned video playback apparatus comprising a storage unit that stores a caption signal defining a plurality of caption lines and a video signal defining a plurality of video images in association with a playback timing; a caption select unit that selects one of the plurality of caption lines defined by the caption signal stored in the storage unit; a caption playback unit that plays back the caption line selected by the caption select unit; a video playback unit that plays back the video signal stored in the storage unit; and a mode changeover unit that changes between a caption view mode for playing back a caption line selected by the caption select unit and a video image corresponding to the caption line using the caption playback unit and the video playback unit, and a normal view mode for playing back a video image using the video playback unit.