Abstract: A user sets an apparatus name easily identified by the user to a terminal, transmits the apparatus name together with user identification information to a terminal management server for managing a terminal, and the terminal management server registers the apparatus name as associated with the user identification information, thereby allowing the terminal management server to uniquely identify each terminal based on the apparatus name associated with the user identification information. Furthermore, a user can easily identify an apparatus name, thereby realizing a service utilizing system capable of reducing the laborious procedure of operating the terminal management server, and easily identifying each terminal.

Abstract: In EMD service, when a user listens to a sample of a musical piece, the user listens to the sample of the musical piece being reproduced by an EMD client on judgment of the EMD client itself without the user performing an operation for starting the trial listening reproduction. Specifically, when the user presses a upward key 44 or a downward key 45 in a state in which a musical piece presenting page 91 as a list of musical pieces (musical piece information for identifying them) is displayed, the EMD client updates a musical piece to be reproduced for trial listening, and displays only the information of that musical piece in inverse video 92. The EMD client obtains trial listening data of the musical piece from an EMD server and reproduces the musical piece (one part thereof) corresponding to the trial listening data from a speaker 21 on judgment of the EMD client itself without the user performing an operation for starting the trial listening reproduction.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus and an information display method of this invention, user operates client computer to connect it to server computer by using communication line to carry out, when user accepts offer of service, e.g., offer of information, video viewing or order of goods, etc., an operation to display entrance hall within virtually actualized space on the display of the client computer, and to further display thereon plural shops by a specific pattern in relation to the entrance hall. As an example of the specific pattern, there is used a pattern such that entrance hall is disposed at one side of polygon, respective shops are disposed at other respective sides, and the entrance hall is caused to have a height capable of viewing other respective shops by bird's eye. Thus, in the three-dimensional GUI, the retrievability and the functional availability are increased.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus and an information display method of this invention, user operates client computer to connect it to server computer by using communication line to carry out, when user accepts offer of service, e.g., offer of information, video viewing or order of goods, etc., an operation to display entrance hall within virtually actualized space on the display of the client computer, and to further display thereon plural shops by a specific pattern in relation to the entrance hall. As an example of the specific pattern, there is used a pattern such that entrance hall is disposed at one side of polygon, respective shops are disposed at other respective sides, and the entrance hall is caused to have a height capable of viewing other respective shops by bird's eye. Thus, in the three-dimensional GUI, the retrievability and the functional availability are increased.

Abstract: An image controlling device and method thereof is provided with superior operability when making selections from a menu displayed on a display device such as a CRT display. In the preferred embodiments of the image controlling device and method of the present invention, a menu is constructed by arranging a plurality of menu items three-dimensionally along a cylinder. A portion of these menu items is then displayed in such a manner that viewing is performed from the center of this cylinder outwards. The shifting velocity of the menu items is changed while all of the menu items are shifted in response to input signals from a controller operated by the user and the menu item arranged at the center of the picture is determined to be the selected menu item. When a following level exists for the selected menu item, this level is proceeded to and menu items are displayed on the display device in the same way.

Abstract: An image controlling device and method is provided with superior operability when making selections from a menu displayed on a display device such as a CRT display. A menu is constructed by arranging a plurality of menu items three-dimensionally along a cylinder. A portion of these menu items is then displayed in such a manner that viewing is performed from the center of this cylinder outwards. The shifting velocity of the menu items is changed while all of the menu items are shifted in response to input signals from a controller operated by the user and the menu item arranged at the center of the picture is determined to be the selected menu item. When a following level exists for the selected menu item, this level is proceeded to and menu items are displayed on the display device in the same way. When the selected menu item does not have a following level an image corresponding to this menu item is displayed.

Abstract: An information processing method and apparatus employing a pointing device, such as a mouse, as an input device. A cursor and one or more objects are displayed on a display device of an information processing apparatus, and the position of the cursor is moved in the picture based on coordinate data entered to the information processing apparatus for displaying the cursor thus moved on the display device. If, when the cursor is positioned on one of the objects, data instructing execution of processing is entered to the apparatus, a pre-set processing defined for each object is executed. If, as a result of cursor movement, the cursor enters a pre-set area defined for the object, the cursor is moved to near the center of the object and displayed on the display device. The cursor may be moved easily by the pointing device and the information processing apparatus is improved in operability.

Abstract: In a sound producing apparatus and a sound producing method of this invention, at least underlying sound representing situations of the place within virtually actualized space and ornamental sound corresponding to object within the virtually actualized space which is not independent of presence or absence of display on a display unit are produced to set virtual sound space corresponding to the virtually actualized space displayed on the display unit. Thus, speech (sound) can be utilized as means for grasping spatial information as in the actual world within the virtually actualized space, and offer of information utilizing speech (sound) can be made. In addition, the advertisement effect can be also increased.

Abstract: An on-line terminal device for displaying a virtual reality space based on the information purveyed by an on-line server. The on-line terminal device facilitates recognition of the position(s) in the virtual reality space and acquisition of the information in the virtual reality space. A guide picture representing the position information in the virtual reality space is pre-displayed in an iconized state on a display. On entry of data commanding the opening of the iconized guide picture, the guide picture is opened for representing the position information in the virtual reality space on the display.