Abstract: An apparatus is provided with first information on software and character strings for determining a keyword related to second information on software that a user wants to use. The apparatus generates, in accordance with a level of the user who uses software obtained from a first external device coupled to a communication network, based on the first information and third information that is related to software and obtained from a second external device connected to the communication network, fourth information indicating software recommendable to the user. The apparatus receives the second information from the user, and determines a keyword related to the fourth information by comparing the fourth information with the character strings provided for the apparatus. The apparatus obtains software to be recommended to the user by comparing the fourth information with the determined keyword, and starts up the obtained software.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with first information on software and character strings for determining a keyword related to second information on software that a user wants to use. The apparatus generates, in accordance with a level of the user who uses software obtained from a first external device coupled to a communication network, based on the first information and third information that is related to software and obtained from a second external device connected to the communication network, fourth information indicating software recommendable to the user. The apparatus receives the second information from the user, and determines a keyword related to the fourth information by comparing the fourth information with the character strings provided for the apparatus. The apparatus obtains software to be recommended to the user by comparing the fourth information with the determined keyword, and starts up the obtained software.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a processor. The processor acquires a question sentence corresponding to a term included in a message transmitted to a receiving terminal used by a receiver, acquires from the message a character string corresponding to the term, and generates test information including the question sentence and the character string as a correct answer to the question sentence.

Abstract: A server machine includes a coordinating section which generates inquiry data representing a content of an inquiry from a user of the client machine, item data indicating a relation between the inquiry and an explanatory item in a manual of the client machine, database in which a user ID identifying a user and count data representing a number of times of the inquiry, and receives an instruction signal instructing transmission of the count data from the client machine to transmit the count data, and the client machine includes a manual storage section storing manual data and a manual manager section which change an arrangement order of each of the explanatory items according to the number of times represented by the count data.

Abstract: A system for character recognition from a sheet bearing a plurality of characters, has a base for supporting the sheet, an image input device for taking an image of each of the characters on the sheet, a handle for supporting and manipulating the image input device, an axis, a sphere part, a receiving part fixed to the base and having a hollow for accommodating the sphere part, one of the sphere part and the hollow having a plurality of depressions and the other having a projection for fitting into one of the depressions, whereby when a view angle of the image input device is changed to point a location of each of characters on the sheet by manipulation of the handle, the image input device is rotated about the axis and a character recognizing unit for recognizing the character on the image taken by the image input device.

Abstract: A service providing server machine and a service utilizing client machine which constitute a system for providing and utilizing two-stage services consisting of a tentative service (e.g., non-chargeable experience service) and a regular service (e.g., chargeable full-support service) over a communication line such as the internet so that a service system integrating the system may increase the users. Displaying the point value changing corresponding to the available time on the regular service when the tentative service is utilized on the client machine.

Abstract: In a backup device, when a piece of software installed on a computer is detected by a detection unit, a transmission unit transmits information for specifying the piece of software. When a reception unit in a server receives this information, a transmission unit acquires from a storage destination information holding unit information about a storage destination in which data is stored, the date being obtained by execution, in the computer, of the piece of software specified by this information, and transmits the information. When a reception unit in the backup device receives this information about a storage destination, a recording control unit records in a recording medium the data stored in the storage destination indicated by this information.

Abstract: In order for even a user not used to retrieval to be able to easily and rapidly obtain desired information, the information retrieval device 10 comprises a first retrieval unit 11 for performing retrieval, using a first retrieval character string, a retrieval result display unit 12 for outputting display data displaying identifiably second retrieval character string candidates together with its retrieval result, a second retrieval character string selection unit 13 capable of selecting a second retrieval character string and a second retrieval unit 14 for adding the second retrieval character string to the first retrieval character string and implementing the first retrieval unit 11.

Abstract: A contents table display unit displays, as a table of contents, titles for respective items written in the electronic manual made up of document data in which itemized texts are written. A bookmarker display unit displays a marker indicating a relationship of bookmarker information onto a title for an item to which the bookmarker information is related among titles displayed as the table of contents.

Abstract: A support reception unit issues a reception number in response to an application for support from a client and notifies the client of the reception number and a guidance for a call connection. A wait state management unit allocates into a queue the reception number sent from a call connection by telephone, holds the call connection and notifies the client, for display, of a current wait state and wait time points increased as a wait time elapses, until a support client becomes available for response. When the support client has become available for response, a support start unit confirms start of support for the client and, as a result of a confirmation response, connects by an extension the held call connection to the support client. A support end unit adds the wait time points to be accumulated and stores them at the point of time when the call connection with the supporter is terminated.

Abstract: A notebook type personal computer has a common connector detachably connected to a mating connector of a connection unit, or replicator, which further has plural connectors affording detachable connections to plural peripheral units. One or more fastener units, carried by the connector unit, provide for detachably but rigidly affixing the connector unit to the notebook type personal computer. An alternative connector box accommodates one or more batteries while affording connections through the common connector and the plural first connectors to peripheral units and yet another alternative connector box houses only batteries and is connectable through a mating connector to the common connector of the personal computer to afford extended operating time.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus has a first attachment portion to which a first component can be attached to the front of the apparatus body, and a second attachment portion which has a substantially same construction as the first attachment portion and to which a second component can be attached to the rear of the apparatus body. Thus, the first component and the second component can be attached the electronic apparatus to thereby improve the performance of the electronic apparatus. When the first and second components are battery packs, two battery packs of the same shape can be attached to the electronic apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a user support management apparatus and the like that manages support for a user who utilizes an object of support such as a personal computer connected thereto via a communication line, and has an object of handling users' trouble appropriately considering the skill level of the user operating the object of support. The user support management apparatus has a user information acquisition section obtaining the skill level of a user operating the object of support and a user information storage section storing skill level obtained by the user information acquisition section in association with the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the client machine and the server machine and the like which are connected to the communication line, and answers are accurately given to a question of a user of the client machine according to a level of that question. First, the solution of the answer is attempted inside the client machine (primary answer section 61) and, if not solved, an enquiry is made to the server machine (secondary answer request section 63) and, if not yet solved, a mail is transmitted to a support window (e-mail soft 66).

Abstract: A support reception unit issues a reception number in response to an application for support from a client and notifies the client of the reception number and a guidance for a call connection. A wait state management unit allocates into a queue the reception number sent from a call connection by telephone, holds the call connection and notifies the client, for display, of a current wait state and wait time points increased as a wait time elapses, until a support client becomes available for response. When the support client has become available for response, a support start unit confirms start of support for the client and, as a result of a confirmation response, connects by an extension the held call connection to the support client. A support end unit adds the wait time points to be accumulated and stores them at the point of time when the call connection with the supporter is terminated.

Abstract: A notebook type personal computer has a common connector detachably connected to a mating connector of a connection unit, or replicator, which further has plural connectors affording detachable connections to plural peripheral units. One or more fastener units, carried by the connector unit, provide for detachably but rigidly affixing the connector unit to the notebook type personal computer. An alternative connector box accommodates one or more batteries while affording connections through the common connector and the plural first connectors to peripheral units and yet another alternative connector box houses only batteries and is connectable through a mating connector to the common connector of the personal computer to afford extended operating time.

Abstract: An information processing device including a keyboard for inputting characters or the like, a display for displaying the characters or the like input from the keyboard, a printed wiring board on which electronic components for performing process and display control of the characters or the like input from the keyboard are mounted, and a housing for supporting the keyboard, the display, and the printed wiring boardo. The information processing device further includes a laterally horizontal shaft supported to a rear portion of the housing, a hollow tilt stand pivotably mounted on the shaft to take a retracted position where the tilt stand is horizontally retracted at a bottom portion of the housing and a raised position where the tilt stand is substantially vertically raised to support the housing in its tilted condition, and a fan provided in the tilt stand. The tilt stand has opposed side walls formed with first ventilation holes. The bottom portion of the housing is formed with second ventilation holes.

Abstract: A notebook type personal computer has a common connector detachably connected to a mating connector of a connection unit, or replicator, which further has plural connectors affording detachable connections to plural peripheral units. One or more fastener units, carried by the connector unit, provide for detachably but rigidly affixing the connector unit to the notebook type personal computer. An alternative connector box accommodates one or more batteries while affording connections through the common connector and the plural first connectors to peripheral units and yet another alternative connector box houses only batteries and is connectable through a mating connector to the common connector of the personal computer to afford extended operating time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat dissipation structure for a notebook type computer, capable of effectively dissipating heat generated from a high temperature element (such as a CPU). The heat dissipation structure comprises a main body, a display device and a hinge shaft for coupling the main body with the display device, wherein the hinge shaft is arranged above the main body at a distance therefrom, and a heat dissipation means is provided in the main body.

Abstract: A notebook type personal computer has a common connector detachably connected to a mating connector of a connection unit, or replicator, which further has plural connectors affording detachable connections to plural peripheral units. One or more fastener units, carried by the connector unit, provide for detachably but rigidly affixing the connector unit to the notebook type personal computer. An alternative connector box accommodates one or more batteries while affording connections through the common connector and the plural first connectors to peripheral units and yet another alternative connector box houses only batteries and is connectable through a mating connector to the common connector of the personal computer to afford extended operating time.