Abstract: A base station apparatus includes a first wireless communication unit configured to transmit a first beacon for performing wireless communication in a first channel, a second wireless communication unit configured to transmit a second beacon for performing wireless communication in a second channel, and a control unit configured to switch a channel in which the first beacon is transmitted to the second channel when a radar wave is detected in the first channel.

Abstract: A base station apparatus includes a first wireless communication unit configured to transmit a first beacon for performing wireless communication in a first channel, a second wireless communication unit configured to transmit a second beacon for performing wireless communication in a second channel, and a control unit configured to switch a channel in which the first beacon is transmitted to the second channel when a radar wave is detected in the first channel.

Abstract: Method and system for reporting to a source user before communication begins communication means usable by both the source and a destination user. Operable communication means at each user's information terminal are stored in a list DB 2 in advance for each user. A selection device 1 receives a destination user designation from the source user who is requesting communication, and acquires the usable communication means of the destination user and the source user respectively from the list DB 2. There are also cases in which the selection device 1 acquires communication means usable by the source user from the selection device 1 or a user terminal 4. Next, the selection device 1 creates a candidate list describing communication means which both parties can use, and sends it from a WWW server, for example, to the source user terminal. Before communication begins, the candidate list is displayed at the source user terminal by a WWW browser, for example.

Abstract: To enable reporting user status more precisely and over a wide range, the present invention includes an information terminal PC1 having a generating device, a mobile terminal M having a transmitting device, and an information terminal PC2 having a receiving device. The information terminal PC1 and the mobile terminal M can communicate directly wirelessly or through a wire. The mobile terminal M and the information terminal PC2 can communicate in real time via status notification devices. The information terminal PC1 reports the user status it detected to a mobile terminal M that is in a communicable area. The mobile terminal M sends the user status to the information terminal PC2 via the status notification device if the user status it received is the status of the user that has been stored therein in advance.

Abstract: A virtual space communication system includes a virtual space management computer which manages information regarding a virtual space, a plurality of client computers each of which receives information regarding the virtual space from the virtual space management computer and generates communication information used in the virtual space, each of the plurality of client computers having an object state changing unit for changing a state of an object included in the virtual space, and a communication management computer which intermediates communications regarding communication information and information representing change of a state of an object among the plurality of client computers sharing the virtual space. The virtual space communication system further comprises a changing unit for, when a state of an object is changed in one of the plurality of client computers, changing information of the virtual space managed by the virtual space management computer based on a changed state of the object.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal having a phonebook with information corresponding to alternative communication services. The information can be entered remotely from another mobile communication terminal. When a sender selects a recipient and a service from the phonebook, the mobile phone displays the information with the phonebook. The sender selects the most convenient and available communication service for the selected recipient. In an alternative embodiment, a mobile communication network maintains communication statuses of a plurality of mobile communication terminals in a status database. Upon detection of a status change of one of the mobile communication terminals, a notifying portion notifies the other mobile communication terminals of the status change.

Abstract: A desired region specifying system in an image editing apparatus in which a region selecting information is an analog signal generated from, for example, a pressure sensor provided in a stylus pen, for selecting the regions from overlapping regions.

Abstract: Plural client computers 10 manipulates by individual users, a data management computer 200, and a host computer 100 are mutually connected through a network NW. The data management computer 200 manages the VRML file expressing a virtual space, and also transfers the VRML file to each client computer 10 through the network NW according to the request from each client computer 10. Each client computer 10 displays the virtual space according to the VRML file, and also displays in inside of the virtual space the object capable of updating the property data by the manipulation of the user. The host computer 100 manages the property data (position, shape, speech text, etc.) of the object changed by the operation inputted by the user at each client computer 10, so that the users of the client computers 10 sharing the same virtual space can communicate with each other through the behavior and speech of the objects in the virtual space.

Abstract: There is provided a communication management apparatus for managing a joining of symbols in a virtual world in a message communication system in which a plurality of user terminals are interconnected, the plurality of user terminals sharing the virtual world comprising a plurality of virtual spaces, and the symbols each defined for the associated one of the user terminals which will join the virtual world, and messages are exchanged among a plurality of user terminals corresponding to a plurality of symbols which have entered the same virtual space. In accordance with the communication management apparatus, the upper limit of number of symbols (users) capable of joining in the communication area is defined for each communication area. According to the communication management apparatus, it is possible to provide a user management system abounding in flexibility.

Abstract: In a communication system in which a server, who offers information, and clients, who receive information offering service, are connected with each other via a network, the server has a communication mode selection unit for switching over a communication mode for each client between a one-way communication mode in which information is offered to clients on a one-way basis and a two-way communication mode in which messages are transmitted to clients and messages transmitted from the clients are received.

Abstract: There is provided a communication apparatus, adapted to be used as a user terminal, connected to a message communication system in which a plurality of user terminals are interconnected, the plurality of user terminals sharing virtual worlds and avatars (symbols) of users each operating an associated one of the user terminals, and messages are exchanged among the plurality of user terminals while creating an atmosphere such that as if one's own self enters the virtual world and has conversations. In the communication apparatus, the users (symbols) are classified into a plurality of categories, and action contents of the symbols are controlled in accordance with the categories. According to the communication apparatus, a symbol with a great deal of individuality is produced, so that a virtual world full of variety may be implemented.

Abstract: To visually display on a monitor screen the direction and volume of a sound source to be inserted in an image, a sound editing apparatus comprises a sound source direction setting unit for setting the sounding direction of a sound source; a sound source signal dividing unit for dividing a monaural sound source signal into left- and right-channel stereo signals according to the sounding direction of the sound source; a display unit for reproducing images from the video medium and displaying the images in which the sounds are to be inserted; and a sound source direction superimposing unit for superimposing a predetermined mark, which indicates the sounding direction, in the video images displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: Plural client computers 10 manipulated by individual users, a data management computer 200, and a host computer 100 are mutually connected through a network NW. The data management computer 200 manages the VRML file expressing a virtual space, and also transfers the VRML file to each client computer 10 through the network NW according to the request from each client computer 10. Each client computer 10 displays the virtual space according to the VRML file, and also displays in inside of the virtual space the object capable of updating the property data by the manipulation of the user. The host computer 100 manages the property data (position, shape, speech text, etc.) of the object changed by the operation inputted by the user at each client computer 10, so that the users of the client computers 10 sharing the same virtual space can communicate with each other through the behavior and speech of the objects in the virtual space.

Abstract: An audio interactive system including a plurality of terminals each having an audio input means for converting voices into aural signals and an audio output means for converting aural signals into voices, the plurality of terminals being connected to a communication line; and a server connected with the plurality of terminals via the communication line to perform collection and distribution of the aural signals, in which a conversation is made through voices between the plurality of terminals. The server comprises a buffer for temporarily storing the aural signals transmitted from the terminals, and a scheduler for controlling the distribution of the aural signals stored in the buffer.

Abstract: There is provided a communication apparatus for exchanging messages while a virtual space and avatars (symbols) of users are displayed on a display screen. The communication apparatus has a viewpoint element inputting unit for inputting a viewpoint element (a viewpoint position and a viewpoint direction). An image of the virtual space is produced on the basis of the viewpoint element inputted from the viewpoint element inputting unit. According to the communication apparatus, it is possible to increase a degree of freedom in plotting the virtual space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a synthetic image wherein a specific object region is extracted, a three-dimensional shape information is extracted, and a video image and a CG image are drawn compoundly. A three dimensional shape information to the specific object region called a video image object, and the video object is synthesized with CG images is created and stored on a hard disk. By using this data, a synthetic image is generated in non-real time fashion.

Abstract: Processing a moving image such that, after an input video signal is supplied to an image inputter, the image inputter time-divisionally converts the input video signal to a digital signal and outputs a control signal such as a vertical synchronous signal. A multiplexer reads image data converted by the image inputter into the digital signal and stores them into a plurality of temporary storers unique for frames according to the control signal from the image inputter. The plurality of temporary storers are respectively connected with a plurality of processor elements which process the memory contents of the plurality of temporary storers and re-store the processing results back in the plurality of temporary storers. A multiplexer sequentially retrieves the memory contents from the plurality of temporary storers, and has an image outputter for converting a digital signal to a video signal output them.