Abstract: An image comparing apparatus receives two images to be compared with each other. For each of the two images, respective feature values of partial images in the image are determined. With respect to each partial image in one of the images, the position of a partial image that is in the other image and that has the maximum score of matching with the partial image in that one image is searched for. The search range is limited to partial images selected according to three or five different feature values determined in advance. Then, the similarity score representing the degree of similarity between these two images is calculated, based on information about a movement vector indicating a relation between a reference position for locating the partial image in one image and the maximum matching score position that is searched for with respect to the partial image. Images to be searched belong to the same category as that of the partial image.

Abstract: One end of each variable resistive element, which forms a memory array, in the same row is connected to the same word line and the other end of each variable resistive element in the same column is connected to the same bit line. A first word line voltage is selected and applied to the selected word line, a second word line voltage is selected and applied to the unselected word lines, a first bit line voltage is selected and applied to the selected bit line, and a second bit line voltage is selected and applied to the unselected bit lines.

Abstract: When information is received specifying a desired product and a desired light source type, e.g. a type of a light source used in an environment in which the product, if purchased, would actually be used, a server device provides a color reproducing correction process for original image data obtained by shooting the desired product. Specifically, component data corresponding to a color of the light source at shooting and that corresponding to a color of the light source of the desired type are used to correct original image data to attain image data obtained when the product is shot under the desired light source type. The data obtained by the correction is transmitted to a consumer terminal and displayed on a screen. The consumer confirms the displayed image, and if satisfied with e.g. how the product would present color, the process moves on to an on-line transaction process for product purchasing.

Abstract: One end of each variable resistive element, which forms a memory array, in the same row is connected to the same word line and the other end of each variable resistive element in the same column is connected to the same bit line. A first word line voltage is selected and applied to the selected word line, a second word line voltage is selected and applied to the unselected word lines, a first bit line voltage is selected and applied to the selected bit line, and a second bit line voltage is selected and applied to the unselected bit lines.

Abstract: An electronic seal includes an input section for inputting a random number encrypted based on a prescribed key; a secret key memory section for storing a secret key related to the prescribed key; a decoding section for decoding the input random number based on the secret key; an encryption section for encrypting the decoded random number based on the secret key; and an output section for outputting the random number encrypted based on the secret key.

Abstract: A pay television IC card includes a storage unit prestoring fingerprint information that allows identification of a registrant, a fingerprint information input unit accepting input of physical description data of a user, a comparison determination unit comparing fingerprint information accepted by the fingerprint information input unit with fingerprint information stored in the storage unit to determine whether the user is the registrant, and a descramble key generation unit providing a descramble key based on the determination result by the comparison determination unit. A descramble key is output by determining whether the user and the registrant are the same person based on fingerprint information, and determination of the sameness between the user and the registrant is established.

Abstract: When information is received specifying a desired product and a desired light source type, e.g. a type of a light source used in an environment in which the product, if purchased, would actually be used, a server device provides a color reproducing correction process for original image data obtained by shooting the desired product. Specifically, component data corresponding to a color of the light source at shooting and that corresponding to a color of the light source of the desired type are used to correct original image data to attain image data obtained when the product is shot under the desired light source type. The data obtained by the correction is transmitted to a consumer terminal and displayed on a screen. The consumer confirms the displayed image, and if satisfied with e.g. how the product would present color, the process moves on to an on-line transaction process for product purchasing.

Abstract: A server apparatus includes a receiving circuit receiving order-acceptance information from a user, a user management database storing the order-acceptance information and expectation information of production and distribution, a production management database storing production state information and production instruction information, a distribution management database storing distribution state information and distribution instruction information, a standard process step database storing production standard process step information and distribution standard process step information, and a schedule control unit controlling the expectation information, the distribution instruction information and the production instruction information based on the order-acceptance information, the distribution state information, the production state information, the production standard process step information and the distribution standard process step information.

Abstract: A transfer terminal transferring information through a storage medium is separately provided for a game terminal executing a game. The transfer terminal communicates with a server, for example, through a data communication path. When an acquisition request for additional data related to a game program is transmitted from the transfer terminal to the server, the server transmits the additional data together with advertisement data related to the game program. The transfer terminal receives the contents transmitted from the server and writes to the storage medium. Thereafter, the storage medium is mounted on the game terminal and accessed, so that the additional data and the advertisement data are supplied to the game terminal. When the user executes the game using the additional data by operating the game terminal, advertisement image based on the supplied advertisement data is displayed for the user.

Abstract: The server device includes a first storage unit that stores an application divided into sub-applications, a second storage unit that stores information for each sub-application; a third storage unit that stores user information, a fourth storage unit that stores prepayment information, and a control unit that controls the entire server device. Some of the sub-applications can be executed alone. The control unit receives a send request from a user, and sends the sub-application through a data communication path. The user terminal which received the sub-application can start execution thereof immediately. Thus, an application communication system allowing utilization of a desired application in a short period of time after the start of communication is provided.