Abstract: A data-processing apparatus 1 that can provide information related to broadcast contents, whether it is receiving broadcast signals or not. In the data-processing apparatus 1, the setting means 13 sets the frequencies of broadcast signals the apparatus 1 can receive in the area where it is used, and allocates the receiving channels to the frequencies set. The information representing the relation between the frequencies and the receiving channels is recorded, as preset information, in the preset-information storing device 14. On the basis of the preset information, the broadcast-signal receiving means 11 receives a broadcast signal of a specific frequency that the user has selected. The broadcast-signal reproducing means 12 reproduces the broadcast signal the means 11 has received. The control means 15 causes the display means 17 to display a list of the broadcast stations that corresponds to the frequencies set in the preset information.

Abstract: To further correctly obtain related information about contents being received from a server. A communication apparatus 1 successively transmits request information that requests related information about contents being received via a network 30, at specified intervals (S1), receives related information corresponding to that request information (S2), temporarily stores (S3), displays it (S4), and performs contents updating processing. Here, if a direction to store the related information about the contents is entered, the communication apparatus 1 requests again request information for related information about contents, separately from the contents updating processing (S10). Then, the communication apparatus 1 receives related information corresponding to that request information (S11), and stores it (S13). This enables the latest related information to be further correctly obtained out of related information concerning contents, and obtaining related information before updating is reduced.

Abstract: The broadcast signal receiving means 2 receives the broadcast signal of the broadcast station 32a. While the broadcast signal reproduction means 3 reproduces the broadcast signal, the request information transmission means 4 transmits the request information for requesting the associated information of the broadcast station 32b which is different from the broadcast station 32a. The associated information receiving means 5 receives the associated information corresponding to the request information. The associated information display means 6 displays the associated information. Therefore, it is possible to browse the associated information of the broadcast station 32b when listening to the broadcast of the broadcast station 32a. This also means it is possible to acquire the associated information of the broadcast station 32b at the same time as its broadcast.

Abstract: A setting information transmission means 1c transmits setting information (area information) concerning broadcast reception of a reproducing apparatus 1 itself and set by a user, to an external device. List information corresponding to the setting information and including broadcast station names, broadcast station identification information, and frequencies of broadcast stations which can be received by the reproducing apparatus 1 is returned to and received by a list information reception means 1d from the external device. The broadcast station names included in the received list information are displayed on the display means 1e. The user checks the displayed broadcast station names and makes an input operation. In response to this input operation, a recording means 1f records parts of the received list information (e.g., frequencies, broadcast station names, and broadcast station identification information) onto a recording medium, with the parts linked to each other.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the step of requesting of an associated information provision server KS for associated information about contents broadcast in a broadcast program being received is provided. The step of acquiring the associated information corresponding to the request from the associated information provision server KS and storing this is provided. And the retrieval step of transmitting a part of the associated information as a retrieval key to retrieve contents to a CD seller server 31, and obtaining retrieval results from the CD seller server 31 is provided. Thereby, the associated information about the contents broadcast in the broadcast program being received is obtained. The retrieval results are obtained from a contents retrieval server by using the part of the associated information as retrieval keys. Therefore, retrieval results having variety that are not limited to results conceived by the user in a certain degree can be obtained.

Abstract: A server receives a call sign from a client terminal CT to identify a currently received radio station RS. There is provided state information which indicates states of an information provision service associated with the radio station RS corresponding to the call sign. At least when the information provision service is available, the server sends the state information as well as a URL corresponding to the information provision service to the client terminal CT. In this manner, the client terminal CT can be provided with not only the state information indicative of states of the information provision service associated with the radio station RS, but also the URL corresponding to the information provision service. A user can be clearly notified of service states of an information provision service prior to access to the information provision service.

Abstract: Request information 3 is transmitted from a transmission means la of a communication device 1 to a server 2. Then, related information 4a corresponding to the request information 3 and an identification code 4b are obtained and transmitted to the communication device 1 by a transmission means 2c. The related information 4a and identification code 4b are stored in a storage means 1c of the communication device 1. Thereafter, purchase request information 5a is transmitted to the server 2 by the transmission means 1a. This purchase request information 5a is added with an identification code 5b and user identification information 5c. Then, content data 6a corresponding to the purchase request information 5a and additional data 6b corresponding to the identification code 5b are transmitted to the communication device 1 by the transmission means 2c of the server 2.

Abstract: When in receiving a call sign to identify the radio station RS being received now from a client terminal CT and transmitting state information that shows the state of an information provision service about the radio station RS corresponding to the call sign to the above client terminal CT, if at least the information provision service is available, a URL corresponding to the above information provision service is transmitted to the client terminal CT together with the state information. Thereby, the URL corresponding to the above information provision service can be provided to the client terminal CT together with the state information showing the state of the information provision service about the radio station RS. It enables the user to clearly recognize the service state of the above information provision service in a step before accessing the information provision service.

Abstract: A user sets an apparatus name easily identified by the user to a terminal, transmits the apparatus name together with user identification information to a terminal management server for managing a terminal, and the terminal management server registers the apparatus name as associated with the user identification information, thereby allowing the terminal management server to uniquely identify each terminal based on the apparatus name associated with the user identification information. Furthermore, a user can easily identify an apparatus name, thereby realizing a service utilizing system capable of reducing the laborious procedure of operating the terminal management server, and easily identifying each terminal.

Abstract: An information provision apparatus previously stores associated information concerning an on-air program. The apparatus accepts a request for associated information from a client terminal CT which receives a program's broadcast signal. In synchronization with timing of accepting the request, the apparatus reads the associated information and transmits it to the client terminal CT. When the on-air program changes to a next program in such situation, the apparatus updates the associated information which should be read and transmitted. The apparatus can update the associated information to be transmitted in synchronization with program changeover. It is possible to provide the program in synchronization with the associated information without a time difference between both.

Abstract: The name of a broadcasting station, transmitting broadcast signals being received by a user, is to be informed extremely readily to the user. A radio receiver (2) transmits frequency data corresponding to the frequency of FM broadcast signals being received, and territory data corresponding to the territory where the radio receiver is used, to an information providing server (3) over the Internet (5). The information providing server (3) specifies the broadcasting station, transmitting the broadcast signals being received by the radio receiver (2), based on the frequency data and the territory data transmitted, and sends a letter/character string data and a call signal corresponding to the broadcasting station specified. The radio receiver (2) demonstrates the name of the radio station on a display based on the letter/character string data displayed.

Abstract: A character input apparatus for use with an optical disk recording or reproducing apparatus includes a memory, an input unit, and a controller. The memory stores different kinds of character data. The input unit selects character data, one character at a time, from the memory and determines and inputs the selected character data. The controller reads out the character data from the memory based on the character data selected by the input unit and holds this character data as determined data. The controller automatically reads out a first character data from a group of character data of the same kind to which the determined character data belongs when the input unit selects and determines the inputted character data after the input unit has inputted the determined character data.

Abstract: A sheet-shape adhesive preparation for promoting tooth-movement in orthodontics comprising a layer of a pharmaceutical composition containing as the active ingredient a prostaglandin (e.g. prostaglandin E.sub.1, prostaglandin E.sub.2, and prostaglandin F.sub.2.alpha.) in admixture with one or more high molecular weight compounds and a flexible base sheet, a process for the preparation thereof, and a method for promoting tooth-movement in orthodontics by applying the sheet-shape adhesive preparation to the mucous membrane of gingiva. Said preparation can be kept for a long period of time without being dissolved in saliva and without irritation or unpleasant feeling when applied to the mucous membrane of gingiva and hence can show the tooth-movement activity of the active prostaglandin for a long period of time.

Abstract: A sheet-shape adhesive preparation for promoting tooth-movement in orthodontics comprising a layer of a pharmaceutical composition containing as the active ingredient a prostaglandin (e.g. prostaglandin E.sub.1, prostaglandin E.sub.2, and prostaglandin F.sub.2.alpha.) in admixture with one or more high molecular weight compounds and a flexible base sheet, a process for the preparation thereof, and a method for promoting tooth-movement in orthodontics by applying the sheet-shape adhesive preparation to the mucous membrane of gingiva. Said preparation can be kept for a long period of time without being dissolved in saliva and without irritation or unpleasant feeling when applied to the mucous membrane of gingiva and hence can show the tooth-movement activity of the active prostaglandin for a long period of time.