Abstract: A process scheduling apparatus has a delayed task handling process for processing delayed tasks having variable priorities and multiple other processes for handling processes other than delayed tasks. Fixed priorities are assigned to the other processes. The process scheduler sequentially executes the delayed task handling process and the other processes according the assigned priorities. A delayed task registration processor stores newly generated delayed tasks with assigned priorities in a queuing table. A delayed task priority controller selects the delayed task with the highest priority in the queuing table.

Abstract: To start up an operating system (OS), CPU performs initializations in three modes: The three modes include a first I/O initialization (Early init) (132) which is to be done serially when no threads are yet usable, without any advanced technique and with a long wait time until a next operation can be made; a second I/O initialization (136) which is to be done when threads are usable, in a plurality of steps parallelized with each other using the usable threads according to the dependency relation between devices to be initialized and with synchronization between the steps each by a barrier; and a third I/O initialization (Lazy init) (140) in which remaining initializations are done in parallel with each other using the threads commensurately to a user process when the user process becomes executable. The present invention is applicable to home-use electric or electronic appliances.

Abstract: An entertainment apparatus has a manual controller for entering control information, a main memory for loading therein a program and information for use by the program, a CPU for performing processing according to the program based on control information entered by the manual controller, a GTE and a GPU for generating at least image information based on the processing performed by the CPU, and a display monitor for displaying image information generated by the GTE and the GPU. A method of adding information for use by a program run on the entertainment apparatus has the step of adding additional information by loading the additional information via a memory card or a portable information terminal into the main memory of the entertainment apparatus. The method allows game characters, backgrounds, etc. that can be used by a game program, for example, to be increased in number or added to permit the user to enjoy a game that is rich in variety even if the game program is of existing nature.

Abstract: A portable information terminal can effectively utilize game results and is arranged to be multifunctional. When result information is transmitted from a terminal to another terminal, the destination terminal adds the transmitted result information to result information which has already been held thereby. The items of result information are sorted in the order of scores, and score data are updated. Of the updated result information, the result information having the same identification number as the identification number of the terminal is displayed on a display unit of the terminal.

Abstract: A study mode processing means incorporated in a portable information terminal has a input processing means for instructing an LED to emit light in response to the inputting of a code by the user, a light-emitting signal generating means for generating and outputting a light-emitting signal to the LED according to a turn-on or turn-off instruction from the input processing means, a character converting means for converting code information based on a code entered by the user into character information, a character displaying means for displaying a reference character to be studied, a determining means for determining whether character information based on code information entered by the user matches the reference character or not, and a determined result displaying means for displaying a determined result from the determining means on the display unit.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus of a code-compressed image information for use in a facsimile apparatus or an electronic file. This apparatus comprises: an image memory to store the coded image data; a printer to print the image data; a counter to read out the data from the memory and to count the number of lines of the image data; and a controller to control the printer so as to allow the image data to be divided and printed in response to the count value of the counter. The size data of the image data is compared with the count value and when they coincide, the controller controls the printer. If the image data exceeds the line number of one standard scale recording sheet, the printer is controlled so as to divide and record the image data on two or more recording cut sheets.

Abstract: A coding method includes the steps of dividing an image into a plurality of blocks each consisting of a plurality of picture elements, dividing gray scale information of each intrablock picture element into three components, i.e, (1) a reference level representing a position of a signal level of an intrablock picture element in a whole dynamic range of gray scale representation, (2) a level difference representing a distribution range of the signal levels of the intrablock picture elements, and (3) a level designating signal representing a level of each intrablock picture element within the distribution range, and independently coding the three components.

Abstract: An image processing system includes an image reader unit which reads an image so as to generate it as 4-bit data, and a communication unit for converting the 4-bit data into 6-bit data. The communication unit forms the 6-bit data in such a manner that an upper 2-bit component of the 4-bit data is added to the 4-bit data as a lower 2-bit component of the 6-bit data. The resultant 6-bit data is supplied to a binary printer and is subjected to halftone processing and printing. Image signals having different bit numbers can be processed and excellent image reproduction can be achieved with a simple system.

Abstract: A gray scale facsimile signal is divided into a plurality of block signals, each composed of a plurality of picture element signals. For each block signal are obtained binary space information indicating whether the level of each picture element signal is higher or lower than a threshold value, mean gradation information of the picture element signals having the levels above the threshold value and mean gradation information of the picture element signals having levels below the threshold value. When the difference between the two pieces of mean gradation information representing the gradation of the block signal is smaller than a predetermined value and/or when the number of picture element signals of the levels either higher or lower the threshold value is smaller than a predetermined value, the block signal is represented by one of the two pieces of gradation information and the entire space information of the block signal is set to one value of the binary space information.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus of a code-compressed image information for use in a facsimile apparatus or an electronic file. This apparatus comprises: an image memory to store the coded image data; a printer to print the image data; a counter to read out the data from the memory and to count the number of lines of the image data; and a controller to control the printer so as to allow the image data to be divided and printed in response to the count value of the counter. The size data of the image data is compared with the count value and when they coincide, the controller controls the printer. If the image data exceeds the line number of one standard scale recording sheet, the printer is controlled so as to divide and record the image data on two or more recording cut sheets.