Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a suitable soft keyboard for end users to conveniently enter data to a portable information terminal that can not provide concurrently multiple character set keyboards, such as Korean, English, and Numeric keyboards. A data input assisting method displays an input window including a plurality of input fields when data input is requested. The input window identifies an input data set among English, Numeric, and non-English character sets suitable to an input field, which is selected for information input on the displayed input window, and provides a soft keyboard of touch screen or the like including the identified character set. Therefore, data input is ensured when a user must select and enter non-English (e.g., Korean), English, or Numeric data to match information type of each data field to be stored in a portable information terminal, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

Abstract: Resume mark managing methods and apparatus for A/V data can define resume marks respectively representing last playback positions where playback of A/V data has been stopped. When playback of A/V data recorded on a recording medium is stopped, a resume mark separated from the other resume marks is stored to subsequently access a last playback position where the playback is stopped. When a resumed playback operation is requested for the A/V data, a selected last playback position is searched for, based on stored resume marks such as in a bookmark function, so as to play back the A/V data from the selected last playback position. Accordingly, it is possible to successively play back the A/V data from a selected one of the last playback positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a suitable soft keyboard for end users to conveniently enter data to a portable information terminal that can not provide concurrently multiple character set keyboards, such as Korean, English, and Numeric keyboards. A data input assisting method displays an input window including a plurality of input fields when data input is requested. The input window identifies an input data set among English, Numeric, and non-English character sets suitable to an input field, which is selected for information input on the displayed input window, and provides a soft keyboard of touch screen or the like including the identified character set. Therefore, faster and more convenient data input is ensured when a user must select and enter non-English (e.g., Korean), English, or Numeric data to match information type of each data field to be stored in a portable information terminal, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus of displaying a picture if a personal information terminal is in power-off mode or in nonuse state when an external AC power is being supplied. The present picture displaying apparatus embedded in a personal information terminal comprises a power supplier for receiving an electric energy from an external power source; a data storage storing picture data; a data displayer for reading and displaying the stored picture data; and a controller checking whether the external power source is supplied through the power supplier if a current operation state is power-off or nonuse state, and controlling the data displayer to read and display the stored picture data, based on the checked result. Owing to the present invention, a personal information terminal presents user's favorite picture or pictures on a displaying unit when in nonuse state under the condition that an external power is supplied, whereby a user can feel sentimental emotion from a dry machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of displaying several types of messages all together through a single window and of enabling a user to write and transmit a message with no consideration of message type. This unified message management method displays various types of messages all together along with their respective message types through a single window, converts the type of a written message, if needed, to match it to a protocol determined based on information written in its field distinguishing a message type, and transmits the type-converted message, whereby a user can confirm all types of received messages at a time and user's inconvenience that a message type to write should be distinguished in advance prior to choosing a message input screen can be removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of discounting a multi-media content item, which is to be sold at a purchase request through a communication network, such as the Internet. The discount is offered in proportion to the number of advertisement (ad) items chosen by a buyer to be added to the multi-media content item. With this method, a multi-media content to be sold and at least one ad content are selected individually through the communication network. The multi-media content and the ad contents are combined with each other, and the price of the combined content is discounted based on how many ad contents are added to the multi-media content. Accordingly, this method can induce increased sales of multi-media contents by discounting goods sold in connection with ads. Additionally, this method helps guarantee the effectiveness of ads by reproducing the ads together with the multi-media content whenever the multi-media content is played back.

Abstract: A gripper apparatus for a transfer robot includes a pair of grippers which are disposed in parallel in a common plane, and which are rotatable so as to move toward and away from each other to grip, and release, a workpiece. A lead screw, disposed in parallel with the rotational axis of the grippers, rotates in forward and reverse directions. A first slider is coupled to lead screw for reciprocal movement along the rotational axis of the lead screw, responsive to rotation of the lead screw. A linkage arrangement disposed between the pair of grippers converts the reciprocal movement of the first slider into rotational movement of the grippers. A drive unit provides the forward and reverse rotation of the lead screw. This configuration results in a gripper apparatus which is vertically compact and thus uses space in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A choke structure of microwave oven door which can effectively protect a human body by shielding the microwave leakage to outside is disclosed. The choke structure comprises a drawn side wall provided by bending from the sealing surface opposite to the front panel, a lower choke wall bent by extending outwards from an end of the drawn side wall, an outer choke wall bending by extending from an end of the lower choke wall toward the sealing surface, and an upper choke wall bent by extending from an end of the outer choke wall toward the drawn side wall. The length of the microwave transmission path is 1/4..lambda..sub.0 wherein, .lambda..sub.0 is the free space wavelength of microwave. The choke structure has a plurality of slits for dividing the choke structure into a plurality of chokes to form plural open longitudinal paths. The holes for reinforcing impedance are formed at portions of the lower choke wall opposite to the slits formed at the choke structure.

Abstract: A robot includes: a base; a column installed to the base; a first arm of which one end is rotatably coupled to the column and having at least one through hole; a second arm pivotally coupled to the other end of the first arm and having at least one through hole; a third arm installed to be capable of rotating and moving up and down with respect to the second arm; first and second driving portion, installed at the first arm, for driving the first arm and the second arm, respectively; third driving portion, installed at the second arm, for driving the third arm; and a cable extended through a cavity formed inside the base, the column, the first, second and third arms and connected to the first, second, and third driving portion through the respective holes formed in the first and second arms. Thus, generation of dust due to friction between the cable and the robot can be prevented.

Abstract: A speed-responsive wiper for a car which includes a plurality of push switches respectively disposed at different stage portions of an indicator of the car at which a gear-shifting lever is disposed, and a plurality of resistors respectively having different resistance values. Each resistor is connected between each corresponding push switch and a wiper motor. By this construction, the drive speed of the wiper is automatically adjusted in accordance with a varied position of the gear-shifting lever depending on the running speed of the car.