Abstract: The disclosed apparatus includes a MAC learning table storing a MAC address and port identification information that uniquely identifies a port for transferring a frame to which the MAC address is assigned. The apparatus includes updating the MAC learning table, reading a MAC address of a link trace frame, transferring the link trace frame via a port determined based on the MAC learning table, storing a correspondence relationship of a predetermined MAC address and port identification information, saving a correspondence relationship set as an object to be deleted at a time of updating the MAC learning table, transferring the link trace frame, if there is no correspondence relationship relevant to the MAC address of the link trace frame in the MAC learning table, and sending a response frame to a switching hub which is an originator of the link trace frame with transfer of the link trace frame.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus includes a MAC learning table storing a MAC address and port identification information that uniquely identifies a port for transferring a frame to which the MAC address is assigned. The apparatus includes updating the MAC learning table, reading a MAC address of a link trace frame, transferring the link trace frame via a port determined based on the MAC learning table, storing a correspondence relationship of a predetermined MAC address and port identification information, saving a correspondence relationship set as an object to be deleted at a time of updating the MAC learning table, transferring the link trace frame, if there is no correspondence relationship relevant to the MAC address of the link trace frame in the MAC learning table, and sending a response frame to a switching hub which is an originator of the link trace frame with transfer of the link trace frame.

Abstract: An information input method inputs certain information and probability information having uncertainty. The information input method displays a plurality of candidates with respect to the probability information that is input, and selects and fixes one of the plurality of displayed candidates in response to the certain information that is input.

Abstract: To provide an information search device, a computer program for searching information and an information search method for simply providing a broad range of information with brevity to a user.

Abstract: In a voice interaction apparatus for performing voice response services utilizing voice, a voice recognizer detects an interaction response content (keywords, unnecessary words, unknown words, and silence) indicating a psychology of a voice-inputting person at a time of a voice interaction, an input state analyzer analyzes the interaction response content and classifies the psychology of the voice-inputting person into predetermined input state information, and a scenario analyzer selects a scenario for a voice-inputting person based on the input state information.

Abstract: Disclosed is an interactive browsing system for acquiring target information in a prescribed information page, which exists at a prescribed site on a network, in response to a request from a user. The system includes a knowledge management unit for storing knowledge necessary to acquire a keyword of a utilizable information page; a human-like agent for analyzing a request, which the user has entered, using the knowledge, and extracting a keyword conforming to the user request; and a browser (data analyzing unit) for acquiring desired target information from the network using the keyword, and outputting this target information to an input/output unit in an appropriate format.

Abstract: When a session management apparatus receives a process request containing the identifier of a session using a plurality of media such as e-mail, WEB, voice, etc., it converts the identifier into uniformly available data to perform session management such as a start of a session, session identity management, a disconnection of the session, etc.