Abstract: A method for sampling breath gas, includes collecting a first breath sample in a first bag. The first breath sample is an initial part of expired gas expired after inspiration. Additionally, the method includes collecting a second breath sample in a second bag. The second breath sample is a latter part of the expired gas. The method includes subtracting first mass spectral data obtained by mass spectroscopy of the first breath sample collected in the first bag from second mass spectral data obtained by mass spectroscopy of the second breath sample collected in the second bag.

Abstract: A method for sampling breath gas, includes collecting a first breath sample in a first bag. The first breath sample is an initial part of expired gas expired after inspiration. Additionally, the method includes collecting a second breath sample in a second bag. The second breath sample is a latter part of the expired gas. The method includes subtracting first mass spectral data obtained by mass spectroscopy of the first breath sample collected in the first bag from second mass spectral data obtained by mass spectroscopy of the second breath sample collected in the second bag.

Abstract: A method and system for processing shopping information. The shopping information, which pertains to an item purchased by a user, is read from a mobile device, and was scanned by the mobile device from an item tag attached to the item. The item relates to another user. A set of affiliates is determined from analysis of the shopping information. Each affiliate is entitled to receive a reward due to purchase of the item.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for processing face-to-face mobile phone transactions. An agreed-upon price for a product is accepted from a buyer mobile phone and a seller mobile phone. Distinct random numbers are assigned to each of the buyer and seller mobile phones. The random number assigned to the seller mobile phone is received from the buyer mobile phone, and the random number assigned to the buyer mobile phone is received from the seller mobile phone. A match is ascertained between the buyer and seller mobile phones based on receipt from the buyer mobile phone the random number assigned to the seller mobile phone and receipt from the seller mobile phone the random number assigned to the buyer mobile phone.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, a system, and a computer program product manage a blacklist. The method includes, for a detected improper device, transferring a blacklist or an identifier or identifiers, present in the blacklist, respectively, of one or more devices associated with information on at least one geographic position of associated with a position of the improper device to one or more relay devices which exist at or near the at least one geographic position associated with the position of the improper device. The blacklist is used for controlling commutation or communication from or to the improper device.

Abstract: The present invention can be a method, system, and computer program product. One embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for identifying an artificial object. The method includes receiving capacitance data which is obtained by measuring with at least one electrodes in a sensor at least one predefined surfaces of the artificial object placed against the sensor; converting each of the obtained capacitance data into an evaluation level in an evaluation system having more than two evaluation levels, to obtain a capacitance distribution on the surface of the artificial object; determining whether the obtained capacitance distribution matches a pre-registered capacitance distribution or one of pre-registered capacitance distributions; and if the determination result is positive, concluding the artificial object is identified.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, a system, and a computer program product manage a blacklist. The method includes, for a detected improper device, transferring a blacklist or an identifier or identifiers, present in the blacklist, respectively, of one or more devices associated with information on at least one geographic position of associated with a position of the improper device to one or more relay devices which exist at or near the at least one geographic position associated with the position of the improper device. The blacklist is used for controlling commutation or communication from or to the improper device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, a system, and a computer program product manage a blacklist. A server computer and method communicate with a device via a relay device, the relay device being connected to the device via a wireless network, in response to a detection of an improper device, adding, into a blacklist, information on a position of the improper device or information on a position associated with a position of the improper device, and an identifier of the improper device, wherein the blacklist is used for controlling commutation from or to an improper device. The blacklist or an identifier in the blacklist of a device associated with the information on the position of the improper device is transferred to a relay device in or near the position of the improper device and/or to a relay device in or near the position associated with the position of the improper device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, a system, and a computer program product manage a blacklist. A server computer and method communicate with a device via a relay device, the relay device being connected to the device via a wireless network, in response to a detection of an improper device, adding, into a blacklist, information on a position of the improper device or information on a position associated with a position of the improper device, and an identifier of the improper device, wherein the blacklist is used for controlling commutation from or to an improper device. The blacklist or an identifier in the blacklist of a device associated with the information on the position of the improper device is transferred to a relay device in or near the position of the improper device and/or to a relay device in or near the position associated with the position of the improper device.

Abstract: The present invention can be a method, system, and computer program product. One embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for identifying an artificial object. The method includes receiving capacitance data which is obtained by measuring with at least one electrodes in a sensor at least one predefined surfaces of the artificial object placed against the sensor; converting each of the obtained capacitance data into an evaluation level in an evaluation system having more than two evaluation levels, to obtain a capacitance distribution on the surface of the artificial object; determining whether the obtained capacitance distribution matches a pre-registered capacitance distribution or one of pre-registered capacitance distributions; and if the determination result is positive, concluding the artificial object is identified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting an information processor to any network to perform communications are disclosed. A setting information indicating network settings to be set for an information processor when performing communications via a network is stored. A route setting packet, which is sent by a network device connected to the network to which the information processor is connected, is acquired to set a route to be used by the network device to communicate with another device. A device identification information for identifying a network device from which the route setting packet was sent is extracted from the route setting packet. The information processor is allowed to perform communications by acquiring the setting information associated with the extracted device identification information, and the information is specifically set for the information processor.

Abstract: A technique that can estimate purchase behavior of a customer in a store is provided. The technique includes acquiring article information on at least one article that a target customer purchases in the store, and layout information on each store and shelving allocation information on each store. The technique includes reading at least one of previous path information on actual travel of one or more customers in the store, and previous path information on actual travel of the target customer in the store or across the stores. The technique includes estimating a traffic line of the target customer in the store or across the stores, according to a tendency acquired from the path information read, based on each piece of the information acquired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting an information processor to any network to perform communications are disclosed. A setting information indicating network settings to be set for an information processor when performing communications via a network is stored. A route setting packet, which is sent by a network device connected to the network to which the information processor is connected, is acquired to set a route to be used by the network device to communicate with another device. A device identification information for identifying a network device from which the route setting packet was sent is extracted from the route setting packet. The information processor is allowed to perform communications by acquiring the setting information associated with the extracted device identification information, and the information is specifically set for the information processor.

Abstract: A method and system for processing shopping information. The shopping information, which pertains to an item purchased by a user, is read from a mobile device, and was scanned by the mobile device from an item tag attached to the item. The item relates to another user. A set of affiliates is determined from analysis of the shopping information. Each affiliate is entitled to receive a reward due to purchase of the item.

Abstract: Mobile product advising includes creating, via a computer processor, vectors for each of a number of subjects corresponding to a product and assigning attributes of the subjects to corresponding fields of the vector. The mobile product advising also includes assigning values in the fields of the vectors reflecting a status of the attributes relative to the subjects. The mobile product advising further includes creating a product label for the product and encoding the vector including the attributes and values on the product label.

Abstract: An image database device which stores images shot by a lot of people who have freely participated to generate a photo-based virtual world. An image database device receives images shot by a plurality of users through communication over a network. The received image has a shooting position represented by common coordinates used among the users, which represent the position where the image is shot, its shooting conditions, and its image attributes. Then, the received image is compared with an image stored in association with a domain including the shooting position of the received image. On condition that the shooting condition lies within a predetermined range and the degree of similarity of images determined is off a predetermined range as the results of the comparison, the domain is divided, and the received image is stored in association with the divided domain, thereby creating an image database.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for constructing a virtual space in which simple, time sequential photographs are taken by one or more image capturing systems, including their positional and other pertinent data which are efficiently stored in an image database system. Based upon selective view points, images and image data are retrieved from the database, processed for visualization referenced to desired viewing positions and conditions and are then displayed in real time in response to user interaction and movement within the virtual space presentation.

Abstract: To support a shopper to perform self-service shopping by using an electronic shelf label (ESL) while looking at actual items displayed in a store and to expand the functions of the electronic shelf label (ESL) to enable the linkage with other data processing systems expansively. A shopper uses a mobile processing device (typically, a cell phone owned by the shopper) in a store. The functions necessary to obtain contents from the electronic shelf label (ESL) are obtained by introducing an application program into the shopper's own cell phone, by which it is expected that the shopper is able to easily enjoy shopping. When photographing the electronic shelf label (ESL), the contents associated with items are encoded (the price display automatically changes to a barcode) and then decoded.

Abstract: Mobile product advising includes creating, via a computer processor, vectors for each of a number of subjects corresponding to a product and assigning attributes of the subjects to corresponding fields of the vector. The mobile product advising also includes assigning values in the fields of the vectors reflecting a status of the attributes relative to the subjects. The mobile product advising further includes creating a product label for the product and encoding the vector including the attributes and values on the product label.

Abstract: In a case where a secondary use of a communication line which is provided as a communication service is permitted, an appropriate communication charge to be charged to each user is computed in order to promote the use of the communication line. There is provided a communication relay system providing communication service which connects a communication device to an existing communication network.