Abstract: A protocol definition is prepared that includes a transition rule list that lists transition rules each of which specifies correspondence among an input pattern to be received, a processing to be executed, and an output pattern as a result of the processing and a state table specifying correspondences between system states and the one or plural transition rules used in the system states. A state detection section detects a current system state, and transition rules corresponding to the current system state are checked and taken out from the transition rule list and are read into the execution section, so that a protocol is composed of these transition rules. In response to supply of input data, transition rules having patterns matching input patterns of the inputted data are executed. Then, in response to transition of the system state resulting from the foregoing processing, transition rules are read that corresponds to a system state after the transition, so that a new protocol is installed.

Abstract: A content distribution system involves a terminal unit of a user, a server of a third party and a terminal unit of a content distributor such as a copyright holder. The user's terminal unit is provided with a tamper-resistant device which can store data confidentially. The server of the third party supplies the user's terminal unit with data relating to a decrypting key needed to decode the encrypted content sent from the content distributor's terminal unit. Based on the supplied data from the third party, the decrypting key is produced confidentially within the tamper-resistant device.

Abstract: A policy that relates attributes of an agent to a role is distributed to each agent on a network. A field connector generates an internal field in accordance with an instruction of a security manager. A ROLE manager uses attribute information from an attribute manager, and assigns each agent a ROLE in accordance with the attributes of each agent, and installs a ROLE method table and a ROLE execution part. When receiving a message from an external network, each agent searches for a corresponding ROLE by referring to the ROLE method table, and executes the ROLE. Thus, collaboration among agents is realized through a virtual communication channel by means of the exchange of a message.

Abstract: A content distribution system includes a data processing apparatus of a user for receiving a content supplied from a content transmitter, a data processing apparatus of a third party trusted by both the content transmitter and the user, and a communications network connecting the data processing apparatuses of the user and the third party for mutual data communication. The data processing apparatus of the user is provided with a tamper-resistant device storing data inaccessible from outside. The data processing apparatus of the third party transmits first data to the data processing apparatus of the user, wherein the first data relates to an encryption key that decodes a cipher generated by the content transmitter. The encryption key is obtained only within the tamper-resistant device. The tamper-resistant device decodes the cipher by using the first data from the data processing apparatus of the third party.

Abstract: In object collaboration via a message, various message types are dealt with. Furthermore, synchronization processing between objects is conducted easily and flexibly.

Abstract: A policy that relates attributes of an agent to a role is distributed to each agent on a network. A field connector generates an internal field in accordance with an instruction of a security manager. A ROLE manager uses attribute information from an attribute manager, and assigns each agent a ROLE in accordance with the attributes of each agent, and installs a ROLE method table and a ROLE execution part. When receiving a message from an external network, each agent searches for a corresponding ROLE by referring to the ROLE method table, and executes the ROLE. Thus, collaboration among agents is realized through a virtual communication channel by means of the exchange of a message.

Abstract: An information mediating apparatus has: a mediating condition file in which mediating condition list data describing specific mediating conditions has been stored; and a personal information file in which personal information peculiar to a person, a group, or the like has been stored. A mediation service processing unit reads out the mediating condition list data designated in response to a mediating request from the user from the mediating condition file, notifies a backend server in a service providing server group, collects and selects service information matched with the mediating condition list data, and displays it to the user. The mediating service processing unit is constructed by: a user interface processing unit having an HTML forming function; and a logic processing unit described as an information mediating program.

Abstract: An object collaboration apparatus is presented, in which driving is performed in accordance with message/action reaction relations, and the collaboration among objects can be changed in a flexible and dynamical manner.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus with which a user can establish a personal information environment in a group work by enabling the user to individually control information from his viewpoint, which is distributedly controlled by respective unique control methods in a variety of systems concerning the group work, and user can arrange information freely and without any distinction between files managed by a group and personal local documents.

Abstract: A telephone call alerting system is applied to a telephone communication system accommodating a line to which a telephone terminal is connected, a plurality of telephone numbers being assigned to the line.

Abstract: A file managing system manages a plurality of files shared with a plurality of users. The files are linked to each other, and are controlled in accordance with link information. File control information is defined to represent a status of rights given to each of the users who is permitted to perform a processing which corresponds to one of the rights the status of which is in an on-state. The file control information is produced for each of the files. Link control information including link information representing a condition of the link between the first file and the second file is defined. The link control information further includes information which represents whether each of the users is permitted to use the link. The link control information is produced for each of the files. The access of each of said users to the files and the access of each of users to the link is controlled in accordance with the file control information and the link control information.