Abstract: When a video output apparatus (100) is connected, a video display apparatus (200) obtains information of content data stored in the video output apparatus (100). Then, based on the obtained information, the video display apparatus (200) determines whether the content data is decodable with respect to itself. If it is not decodable, it requests the video output apparatus (100) to decode the content data before transferring the content data using a data transfer method specified. By doing this, an appropriate transfer protocol is selected automatically when transferring content data between the video display apparatus (200) and the video output apparatus (100).

Abstract: When an image processing apparatus capable of connecting to a digital camera is to perform image-correction processing on irreversible-compression encoded image data acquired from the digital camera, it is determined whether the image-correction processing can be executed by the connected digital camera. When the processing can be executed, it is confirmed whether or not RAW data that corresponds to the irreversible-compression encoded image data is present in the digital camera. If the corresponding RAW data is present in the digital camera, the digital camera is requested to execute the image-correction processing based on the RAW data. This makes it possible to suppress degradation in the image quality more than when directly correcting an irreversible-compression encoded image.

Abstract: A recording control apparatus is connected to and in communication with a recording apparatus capable of recording a broadcasting video image on a storage unit and has two or more operating state levels that differ in power consumption. The recording control apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire program information about a program currently being viewed, a determination unit configured to determine a user's recording tendency level as to a program currently being viewed based on the program information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a control unit configured to issue a command to control the operating state level of the recording apparatus based on the recording tendency level determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: A recorder control apparatus which controls execution of broadcast program recording in a plurality of recorders connected thereto, comprises an acceptance unit configured to accept a request to execute broadcast program recording, an acquisition unit configured to acquire, from each recorder, reservation information related to reserved program recording to be executed by the recorder after a point at which the execution request is accepted, a selection unit configured to select, from the plurality of recorders, a recorder capable of executing broadcast program recording corresponding to the execution request for a longest duration, based on the reservation information, and a request unit configured to request the recorder selected by the selection unit to execute broadcast program recording corresponding to the execution request.

Abstract: To select a recording device for recording a program in a digital television receiver to which a plurality of recorders (recording devices) are connected, control is performed to acquire image quality information about the program to be recorded and to compare the program image quality to be recorded with the recording image quality of a recording medium for each connected recording device. Based on the result of this comparison, a recorder is selected that can secondarily record the program onto a recording medium without compromising the program image quality.

Abstract: There is provided a broadcast receiving apparatus having a broadcast receiving unit. The apparatus includes: an instruction receiving unit which receives a broadcasting type selection instruction or a channel number selection instruction, and a control unit which, when the instruction receiving unit receives the broadcasting type selection instruction, controls the broadcast receiving unit to receive a broadcast wave specified by a combination of a current channel number and a type of broadcasting corresponding to the received selection instruction if an elapsed time from latest reception of a channel number selection instruction is not more than a predetermined time, and receive a broadcast wave specified by a combination of a type of broadcasting corresponding to the received selection instruction and a default channel number associated with the type of broadcasting if the elapsed time from the latest reception of a channel number selection instruction is more than the predetermined time.

Abstract: If there are program-related associated Web pages, a TV receiver 1000 acquires the content information of the associated Web pages from a Web server 2000 and stores it in a Web page storage unit 1006. The correspondence between the stored content information and recorded program is stored in a correspondence information holding unit 1005. The data of the program is outputted to a TV program recorder 3000, where it is recorded. The user can configure the timing, at which the storage of the associated Web pages is carried out.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving apparatus and method for controlling the apparatus includes selecting a channel from a plurality of channels included in a broadcast signal, an outputting channel selection information specifying a selected channel, outputting video of the selected channel to a display device, outputting channel information related to the selected channel to the display device, and controlling selection of the channel and outputting of the channel information based on the outputted channel selection information specifying a selected channel and a predetermined condition.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which, in addition to displaying an electronic program guide in a display screen, uses URL information in order to display web pages when there is URL information associated with the programs displayed in the electronic program guide. Program information and the URL information concerning associated web pages are stored in correlated form and a determination is made, for instance, as to whether any URL information is associated with an in-focus program in the electronic program guide. If there is associated URL information, the URL information is used to display a web page. If the web page is switched, a determination is made as to whether there is a program associated with the web page obtained as a result of the switch and, if there is an associated program, the focus is changed to that program.

Abstract: In a web information processing apparatus (100), a web page information acquisition unit (106) acquires information of a web page being browsed with a web browser (103). Then, an association determination unit (202) determines whether or not that web page is stored in an associated web page information holding unit (109). If it is so stored, then a program search unit (203) searches for an associated program and notifies the existence of an associated program to a user through an associated-program notification unit (204).

Abstract: A display method comprises the steps of: searching, from a group of information including information associated with a plurality of programs, information corresponding to information obtained by extracting, using at least one of databases including: databases for a name of person, an attribute name of person, a name of thing and an attribute name of thing; databases for a name of place, an attribute name of place, a name of event, an attribute name of event; and databases into which a part or all of the databases is integrated, at least one of the information which can be identified in the database being used, from a group of information associated with a selected program; and displaying information on a program associated with the searched information.

Abstract: A set age of a user is updated on the basis of information of the birth date of the user and date information updated with time. Taste information of the user is learned on the basis of operation history information of the user and contents related information corresponding to the operation. Contents extraction conditions are reset in accordance with the taste information of the user and the updated set age, and contents which can be an object to be watched by the user are extracted from a plurality of contents depending on the reset extraction conditions.

Abstract: A signal generating method includes a step of determining broadcast programs to be stored in a storing apparatus during a predetermined time period; a step of determining broadcast programs, from the broadcast programs stored in the storing apparatus, to be deleted during the predetermined time period; and a step of generating signals for simultaneously displaying information on the broadcast programs to be stored and information on the broadcast programs to be deleted.

Abstract: A signal output method of outputting an image signal for displaying an image, comprises: a selection step of selecting a channel according to a signal for giving an instruction of changing a channel; and an output step of outputting an image signal for displaying other image when an image of the channel selected at the selection step is an image that is not an image constructing a program. The “other image” includes information related to a program which is outputted or scheduled to be outputted by the channel selected. Which channel is selected at the selection step is determined on the basis of information related to a usage history of an apparatus having a device for performing the selection step.

Abstract: This method facilitates an operation of selecting one program from among a plurality of programs each having the substantially same content without placing burden on the user and in particular, an operation of extracting an upward compatible program. The method retrieves a program scheduled to be broadcast having the same content as a pre-recorded program and extracts difference between the pre-recorded program and the program scheduled to be broadcast and, in the event that the difference satisfies a predetermined criterion of determination, notifies the result to the user. When the difference is extracted, the method gives a plurality of meta data related to each program the order of priority based on the information of user's taste and compares the meta data corresponding to each other and extracts an upward compatible program based on the order of priority and the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A program selecting method includes the steps of: storing still pictures or motion pictures of specific scenes of a plurality of viewed programs selected in a predetermined period; presenting the pictures of the specific scenes corresponding to a plurality of programs viewed in the past, during operation of program selection; and selecting the viewed program corresponding to the picture selected by operation of selecting the pictures presented.

Abstract: A contents acquisition system facilitating the downloading is disclosed. A digital TV set presents a scheduled time of acquisition of selected contents against the reservation of contents acquisition. With the arrival of the scheduled acquisition completion time, the TV set downloads the reserved contents out of the multiplexed broadcast data from a broadcast station. The TV set displays a list of the downloaded contents information, and selects the contents of which the printing is desired. The selected contents are output to the printer.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus capable of receiving data and displaying objects, the convenience of display operation is improved. More specifically, an information processing apparatus for receiving data described in a markup language and including first hierarchical level elements delimited by predetermined tags and second hierarchical level elements which belong to a range delimited by the predetermined tags, and displaying the received data on a display device, includes a receiving unit for receiving key-input first and second signals, a switching unit for switching selection between the first hierarchical level elements or between the second hierarchical level elements when the first signal is received, and switching selection between the first and second hierarchical level elements when the second signal is received, and a selected element display unit for displaying the selected element on the display device. A desired display object can be selected by a few key input operations.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes a receiving circuit for receiving data transmitted from a sender so as to be simultaneously receivable by a plurality of receivers, and a processing circuit for outputting, to a printer, print data in accordance with both of the data received by the receiving circuit and user information of a user of the signal processing apparatus.

Abstract: A recombinant natural killer cell activating factor is disclosed, preferably having a peptide of the following amino acid sequence in its molecule. The invention provides a cDNA coding for a recombinant natural killer cell activating factor, a expression plasmid involving the cDNA, a host transformed with the plasmid, an antitumor agent containing the recombinant natural killer cell activating factor and a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a pharmacologically effective amount of the antitumor agent and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier.