Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transport section that transports a recording material, a grasping section that grasps a remaining situation of a recording material remaining in a transport path through which the recording material is transported by the transport section, a reception section that receives, from a user, an input of the number of removed sheets of recording material removed from the transport path by the user in a case where the transport of the recording material by the transport section is stopped, and a start section that starts the stopped transport by the transport section based on the number of removed sheets input by the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information search and display apparatus capable of dealing with information provided in various data formats from a plurality of different media in an integrated manner.

Abstract: An information center backs up the vehicle-use data of an on-vehicle terminal apparatus. The vehicle-use data used by the on-vehicle terminal apparatus is classified into standard data or custom data. The standard data is used in the same manner by numerous vehicles, while custom data is unique to each vehicle. The custom data is sent unchanged to the information center but, for the standard data, identification codes are sent rather than the raw standard data. This data is backed up and stored in the information center, where they remain available for retrieval should the data on the vehicle side be damaged. Because the volume of backup data is reduced, the communication time can be shortened and the required backup memory capacity in the information center can be reduced.

Abstract: A map data storing section stores externally acquired map data. A data clearance processor clears map data previously acquired when available capacity is judged to be insufficient. Remaining map data is rearranged chronologically according to a map date (more recent one of an acquisition date and a last used date). Map data with an older map date is considered having a lower possibility of being reused, and thus is selected as a delete object. A delete object is initially compressed. If sufficient vacancy cannot be created only through compression, the delete object is then deleted to thereby enlarge the vacancy in the storage. As described above, map data having been acquired via data communication is automatically cleared to thereby enlarge vacancy in the storage. With this arrangement, reacquisition of the same map data is avoided.

Abstract: An information center provides a control program which is usable by a vehicle within its effective area. The control program may be transmitted to a vehicle in conjunction with the effective area through a broadcast antenna. According to the detected result of the current location, a control apparatus on a vehicle applies a control program to device control when the current location sites within the effective area. The vehicle can take possession of a control program fits to a region at any places to which it moves and can utilize those. It is possible to substitute an effective period for the effective area.

Abstract: A vehicle moving image processing method of compressing image data in a travel direction of a vehicle photographed from the vehicle which moves on a road, the method comprising the steps of: photographing an image in the travel direction of the vehicle and acquiring image data; dividing the image data into image data in a first area with a small change degree and image data in a second area with a large change degree in response to a change degree of the image data with a move of the vehicle; and compressing the image data in the first area by a first compression process and the image data in the second area by a second compression process different from the first compression process.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted map acquisition apparatus 1 obtains maps A-D of different scales from a information center 30. Map A with a small scale covering a wide area is obtained at a starting point distant from a destination and is used to provide route guidance. As a vehicle approaches the destination, it reaches a map acquisition point where map B with a larger scale is obtained. As the vehicle further approaches the destination, a map with a still larger scale is obtained. Map data with a scale suitable for each place along the way to the destination is obtained. As a large amount of data is not sent at once, sufficient map data can be obtained with a limited communication capability and a small capacity memory.

Abstract: A map data acquisition device is integrally mounted to an in-vehicle navigation device. Small scale map data is constantly carried in a database, while large scale, detailed map data is transmitted through communication from an information center serving as a base station. Using the small scale map data, guidance is provided using the main roads. The traveling condition of the vehicle is detected and large scale map data is acquired when judged necessary based on the traveling conditions. For example, when the vehicle deviates from the established route, approaches a construction site indicated by traffic information, or nears the destination, detailed map data is acquired. Therefore, the appropriate detailed map is acquired at an appropriate point to cope with any changes in traveling conditions.