Abstract: When connected to an external network, a mobile router checks an address 0table if a home address is allocated. If it is not allocated, the mobile router derives the address of a position management server from a position-management-server address table and sends an allocation request message to the position management server. The position management server receives an address management table listing addresses to be allocated to each mobile network and the allocation request message sent from the mobile router, searches the address management table for an unused address, and sends an allocation permission message to the mobile router to automatically allocate a home address to the mobile router.

Abstract: Between network connection apparatuses connected to each other by use of a virtual redundant arrangement, a first network connection apparatus that is in a standby state receives an advertisement message from a second network connection apparatus that is active as a network connection apparatus, and uses a priority comparing section to compare its own priority with the priority in the received advertisement message. When its own priority is higher, the first network connection apparatus uses a master down timer comparing section to compare the remaining time of a master down timer with the time as weighted in accordance with its own priority and resets the timer for a shorter time.

Abstract: Provided are a service-type recording section for recording a characteristic of a service to be utilized by the mobile communication device and an interface recording section for recording an externally-connecting interface type of within a network and a characteristic thereof. The interface decision section selects at least one or more of interfaces satisfying a service request and notifies it to a mobile router possessing an externally-connecting interface. Due to this, in case there is a link status change in the external interface of the mobile router, the mobile communication device is allowed to swiftly switch the external interface and continue communication. Moreover, congestion can be avoided from occurring in communication between the mobile communication device and the mobile router during switchover.

Abstract: A master communication apparatus uses a band control device comprising a band weight holding section storing weight proportional to minimum assured speed based on a slave communication apparatus, an assignment number-of-times counter for counting, based on a constant packet size, a length of a packet transmitted by the slave communication apparatus, a transmission sequence control section for giving transmission permissions in a sequence, based on a constant packet size, to the slave communication apparatuses and suspending the transmission permission in a sequence that the assignment number-of-times counter exceeds a band weight amount corresponding to the slave apparatus, thereby assuring a minimum speed based on the slave communication apparatus and reducing the variation in data transmission wait time.

Abstract: An image input section enters a document image including a bar code, and converts the document image into a binary image. A small pattern removing section removes small patterns from a binary image sent from the input section. A labeling section separates the binary image into labeled regions and calculates the feature quantity including a center position of each labeled region. A region detecting section makes a group of labeled regions spaced at a predetermined positional relationship based on their feature quantities and detects a bar code candidate region. A decoding section decodes the bar code based on the feature quantity involved in the bar code candidate region.

Abstract: An image input section enters a document image including a bar code, and converts the document image into a binary image. An image memory section memorizes the binary image supplied from the image input section. A mask judging section performs a scanning operation using an M.times.M pixel window for detecting an alternate pattern from the binary image supplied from the image input section. A small pattern removing section removes small patterns from a binary image sent from the mask judging section. An expanding section expands a pattern involved in a binary image by an amount equivalent to k1 pixels when this binary image is sent from the small pattern removing section. A contracting section contracts a pattern involved in a binary image by an amount equivalent to k2 pixels when this binary image is sent from the expanding section.

Abstract: Pieces of feature information in a bi-level image such as a width, a branching point and an ending point of a wiring pattern are detected in a design rule checking section according to a micro inspection to find out pieces of feature information departing from a design rule. Also, feature codes in the bi-level image such as a corner of the wiring pattern are detected in a specific shape detecting section according to a macro inspection. The feature information are compared with pieces of referential feature information pertaining to a non-defective wiring pattern in a first comparing and judging section to judge whether the wiring pattern indicated by the feature information is defective or non-defective. The feature codes are compared with referential feature codes pertaining to a non-defective wiring pattern in a second comparing and judging section to judge whether the wiring pattern indicated by the feature codes is defective or non-defective.