Abstract: Road information of surroundings of an own vehicle is kept as latest version as possible, and road information of distant areas are updated efficiently. A map providing device according to the present invention searches for an update target portion included in a planned travel route, and also searches for an update target portion with an end point of the planned travel route being a starting point.

Abstract: An image forming system, including a plurality of image forming apparatus mutually connected to one another through a network, each of the plurality of image forming apparatus being configured to form an image on a recording medium, each of the plurality of image forming apparatus including: an environment detecting device configured to detect environmental information of each of the plurality of image forming apparatus; and a control unit configured to control image forming conditions based on the environmental information detected by the environment detecting device, wherein the control unit of one of the plurality of image forming apparatus sets the image forming conditions of the one of the plurality of image forming apparatus based on the environmental information of another of the plurality of image forming apparatus through the network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling change-over of a connection route between media gateway apparatuses, and a call agent apparatus. During communications, a connection route of deteriorated quality is changed over to a connection route of high quality selected from a plurality of IP networks. Thus, the transmission quality is maintained, and high-quality transmission services are provided at low cost. In a voice/data integrated network having subscribers lines accommodated in STM channel switches LS1 and LS2 connected to an IP network via media gateway apparatuses MG1 and MG2 respectively, the media gateway apparatuses MG1 and MG2 collect/edit real-time packet quality information of IP packets for each call, and post the quality information to a call agent CA.

Abstract: In an IP (Internet Protocol) gateway apparatus for storing a plurality of channels, voice signals supplied from the respective channels are packeted, and then the voice packets are sent out to an IP network. The IP gateway apparatus is provided with a synchronization timing generating apparatus for outputting a synchronization signal indicative of timing at which the voice signals of the respective channels are packeted, and a packeting apparatus for packeting the voice signals supplied from the respective channels in accordance with the synchronization signal outputted from the synchronization timing generating apparatus to thereby send out the voice packets to the IP network.

Abstract: A method and a system for seizing at least one communication channel for use in a first call. Information on a plurality of states of a plurality of communication channels are held in an channel-state-information holding unit. Based on the information on the states of the communication channels, at least one optimum communication channel from among the plurality of communication channels is determined as the at least one communication channel, and seized for use in the first call. The determination is made so that after the above determination and seizure for the first call, consecutive communication channels for use in a second call can be successfully seized with high probability.

Abstract: A network includes a plurality of exchanges and a service station which carries out network services. Each exchange of the plurality of exchanges and the service station are connected through a call control signal line. Respective exchanges of the plurality of exchanges are connected through circuits. Each exchange of the plurality of exchanges includes a virtual-index capture processing portion which captures a virtual circuit identification index, and the exchange specifies the virtual circuit identification index and makes a call-out request to the service station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling change-over of a connection route between media gateway apparatuses, and a call agent apparatus. During communications, a connection route of deteriorated quality is changed over to a connection route of high quality selected from a plurality of IP networks. Thus, the transmission quality is maintained, and high-quality transmission services are provided at low cost.

Abstract: In an IP (Internet Protocol) gateway apparatus for storing a plurality of channels, voice signals supplied from the respective channels are packeted, and then the voice packets are sent out to an IP network. The IP gateway apparatus is provided with a synchronization timing generating apparatus for outputting a synchronization signal indicative of timing at which the voice signals of the respective channels are packeted, and a packeting apparatus for packeting the voice signals supplied from the respective channels in accordance with the synchronization signal outputted from the synchronization timing generating apparatus to thereby send out the voice packets to the IP network.