Abstract: A location information exchange apparatus includes an information acquisition means 4 for acquiring point information indicating an exchange point whose location is to be exchanged from a map database 6 according to an instruction from outside the apparatus; an information conversion means 3 for converting this point information into location information comprised of specific point information 3 indicating a specific point which exists in common among map databases and related information 9 indicating a relative location with respect to this specific point; and a communications means 2 for transmitting point exchange information 29 including the location information to outside the apparatus.

Abstract: A host device 1 includes an NG table 10 for storing addresses specifying areas of a bulk memory 3 into which data cannot be written, a performance-guaranteed environment determination means 11 for determining whether or not the current environment of the bulk memory 3 is outside a performance-guaranteed environment where the performance of the bulk memory 3 is guaranteed, and control means 12, 13, 14, and 15 for writing data in an area of the bulk memory which is specified by an address which is not stored in the NG table 10 when the performance-guaranteed environment determination means 11 determines that the current environment is outside the performance-guaranteed environment. Therefore, even if the current environment of the bulk memory is outside the performance-guaranteed environment, the host device can normally write data in the bulk memory, thereby improving the reliability of the system.

Abstract: A document information processing apparatus includes a form element analyzer (12) for performing a form element analysis on a plain document inputted from a plain document input unit (10) by using a dictionary stored in a dictionary storage unit so as to decompose the plain document into tokens, a syntax analyzer (13) for analyzing the part of speech of each of the tokens obtained by the form element analyzer so as to generate a structured document containing meaningful words, an element refinement processing unit (15) for performing a markup process of adding data associated with each of the meaningful words included in the structured document generated by the syntax analyzer and stored in a data storage unit (14) to each of the meaningful words so as to generate a markup document, and a markup document output unit (17) for outputting the markup document generated by the element refinement processing unit.

Abstract: A vehicular navigation device for presenting a navigation content by continuing a predetermined inputting operation for navigation till the last step even if the used state changes. The navigation device comprises a presentation unit (6) for presenting a navigation content, a manual input unit (3) for receiving a plurality of inputting operations, a speech input unit (4) for receiving a speech input operation substantially identical to that of the manual input unit (3), a database (5) stored with data necessary for navigation, and a control unit (2) for providing the navigation content to the presentation unit (6) by searching the database (5) according to the inputting operation from the manual input unit (3) or the speech input unit (4).

Abstract: A host device 1 includes an NG table 10 for storing addresses specifying areas of a bulk memory 3 into which data cannot be written, a performance-guaranteed environment determination means 11 for determining whether or not the current environment of the bulk memory 3 is outside a performance-guaranteed environment where the performance of the bulk memory 3 is guaranteed, and control means 12, 13, 14, and 15 for writing data in an area of the bulk memory which is specified by an address which is not stored in the NG table 10 when the performance-guaranteed environment determination means 11 determines that the current environment is outside the performance-guaranteed environment. Therefore, even if the current environment of the bulk memory is outside the performance-guaranteed environment, the host device can normally write data in the bulk memory, thereby improving the reliability of the system.

Abstract: This invention provides a network system and a information communicating device has a time correction ability, wherein a built-in clock of each of the plural devices connected with a communication network is capable of being corrected using a GPS time data without raising a processing load of a receiving device of the GPS data. In this system a car navigation device 12 receives a data from a GPS satellite, extracts a time data from the received data and transmits the time data attached with a time required within the device itself to a portable telephone in a form of an E-mail. The portable telephone that received the time data from the car navigation device corrects its own time generating means, and transmits the time data with attaching a required time for processing within the portable telephone. In this way, the time data attached with the required time for processing within each corresponding device is transmitted to a following device one by one.

Abstract: Object data is stored in association with a plurality of attribute words categorized according to sentence elements of a natural language, and an object data search is efficiently narrowed using a simple search criterion input. A database stores object data in association with a plurality of attribute words categorized according to the sentence elements of a natural language. An input unit receives an input of a search criterion in the form of a sentence of the natural language. A criterion retrieval unit analyzes the search criterion in the form of the sentence and retrieves one of a plurality of search words respectively corresponding to sentence element categories of the natural language.

Abstract: An audio system includes a key input section and a microcomputer, and enables playback volume level control that will meet the demand of a user. The key input section inputs a selection instruction for selecting one of a plurality of sound sources in response to a manipulation. The microcomputer 6, in cooperation with a level adjusting ratio setting library, a level adjusting pattern generator and a volume adjuster, selects the sound source designated by the selection instruction, calculates the level difference &Dgr;P between the playback volume level of the sound data of the current piece of music and that of the next piece of music of the selected sound source, and adjusts the playback volume level of the next sound data in accordance with an adjusting ratio corresponding to the level difference.

Abstract: A document information processing apparatus includes a form element analyzer (12) for performing a form element analysis on a plain document inputted from a plain document input unit (10) by using a dictionary stored in a dictionary storage unit so as to decompose the plain document into tokens, a syntax analyzer (13) for analyzing the part of speech of each of the tokens obtained by the form element analyzer so as to generate a structured document containing meaningful words, an element refinement processing unit (15) for performing a markup process of adding data associated with each of the meaningful words included in the structured document generated by the syntax analyzer and stored in a data storage unit (14) to each of the meaningful words so as to generate a markup document, and a markup document output unit (17) for outputting the markup document generated by the element refinement processing unit.

Abstract: An image transmission apparatus receives a request for transmission of an image source from either one of a plurality of monitors (109 to 112) having respective inherent addresses by way of a common cable (108) via which the image transmission apparatus is connected with the plurality of monitors, analyzes both requested image source identification information indicating the requested image source and a monitor address, which are associated with the image source transmission request, refers to a storage unit (107) for storing one or more arrays each indicating a correspondence between one of a plurality of image sources and one or more monitor addresses based on analysis results, and transmits the requested image source to the monitor while adding corresponding monitor addresses to the image source.

Abstract: In a navigation apparatus, operating function control means of system control means infers a operation, which a user is expected to set next time on a screen of display means by operating means, from a set situation of each item selected on a map screen based on map data read from map data storage means, and when a destination has not been set, for example, presents a setting switch for the destination as a function switch, or when an en route location has not been set by route setting means, presents a setting switch for the en route location as a function switch. The operating function control means also presents a switch for retrieving surrounding establishments, which the user is expected to be desirous of looking for, based on the time of day or the duration of driving. The navigation apparatus enables the user to perform desired setting operations and retrieval of establishments without the need for complicated operations.

Abstract: Object data is stored in association with a plurality of attribute words categorized according to sentence elements of a natural language, and an object data search is efficiently narrowed using a simple search criterion input.

Abstract: In a navigation apparatus, operating function control means of system control means infers a operation, which a user is expected to set next time on a screen of display means by operating means, from a set situation of each item selected on a map screen based on map data read from map data storage means, and when a destination has not been set, for example, presents a setting switch for the destination as a function switch, or when an en route location has not been set by route setting means, presents a setting switch for the en route location as a function switch. The operating function control means also presents a switch for retrieving surrounding establishments, which the user is expected to be desirous of looking for, based on the time of day or the duration of driving. The navigation apparatus enables the user to perform desired setting operations and retrieval of establishments without the need for complicated operations.

Abstract: A communication network system includes a contents server disposed as a source of information, for storing contents information, a portal server, responsive to a request which a user makes through communication terminal equipment, for transmitting contents information to the communication terminal equipment, and a conversion/formatting server disposed between the contents server and the portal server, for converting contents information which the conversion/formatting server has acquired from the contents server into contents information in a predetermined format, formatting the contents information in the predetermined format into contents information suitable for display on the communication terminal equipment in response to a request from the portal server, and transmitting the formatted contents information to the portal server.

Abstract: This invention provides a network system and a information communicating device has a time correction ability, wherein a built-in clock of each of the plural devices connected with a communication network is capable of being corrected using a GPS time data without raising a processing load of a receiving device of the GPS data.

Abstract: A motor vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus comprising an input section adapted for inputting data based on GPS positioning, an azimuth sensor and distance sensor adapted for establishing independent navigation signal input sections for inputting data relating to a present position of motor vehicle and an azimuth thereof based on self-determining type navigation. The motor vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus further includes a control unit for determining the present position of the motor vehicle based on the obtained data through the input sections as described above, whereby error correction for the azimuth sensor is implemented by feeding back an output signal the control unit.

Abstract: A car navigation system is adapted to be installed on a car for estimating a location of the car, detecting occurrence of an accident, storing information for use in analyzing the accident and performing communication with the outside. The system includes a CD-ROM for storing emergency communication data, a location unit for generating car location data, an accident detecting unit and a FIFO memory in which the above-mentioned data are stored, being updated in the course of time lapse. The system may include a voice recorder for recording voice information generated internally of the car and an ID card unit for storing personal information about a driver and accompanying passengers.