Abstract: A home server according to the present invention transmits a screen information including a second apparatus identification information identifying a second apparatus and which correlates with a first apparatus identification information identifying a first apparatus, and operation contents realized through linkage of the first apparatus and the second apparatus.

Abstract: A home server according to the present invention transmits a screen information including a second apparatus identification information identifying a second apparatus and which correlates with a first apparatus identification information identifying a first apparatus, and operation contents realized through linkage of the first apparatus and the second apparatus.

Abstract: A server apparatus is configured to connect client terminal apparatuses through a communication network. The server apparatus receives a signature-attached message having a signature of a different server apparatus connected to the communication network from the different server apparatus, and verifies whether the signature attached to the signature-attached message is valid or invalid. The server apparatus also changes a connection point for the client terminal apparatus to the different server apparatus when the signature verifier verifies that the signature is valid.

Abstract: A server apparatus according to the present invention receives a time-out period information indicating a time-out period used for judging that a connection with a client terminal apparatus is disconnected, and also receives connection-continuation information indicating that the connection is continued. If the server apparatus cannot receive the connection-continuation information within the time-out period indicated by the time-out period information, the server apparatus judges that the connection is disconnected.

Abstract: Provided is a client/server system in which clients (terminal appliances) can uniquely determine to which server they are to be connected irrespective of whether a network has a single or plural servers. When connected to the network, a client obtains function information of each server on the network, and sets the server of the highest function, for example, as the server to which the clients are to be connected. A server compares, when a new server is connected to the network, its own function against the function of the server newly connected to the network to determine to which of the servers the clients are to be connected. The result is notified to the clients. Thus, to which server clients are to be connected is uniquely determined in a multi-server/multi-client network configuration.

Abstract: A server installed indoors determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred indoors. If the server determines that the abnormality has occurred, it causes an indoor display device having a display function to display a visually effective warning. A user is thereby promptly informed of the occurrence of the abnormality, and an appropriate countermeasure is swiftly taken. Upon detecting an indoor abnormality, the server decides on a display device for displaying the abnormality on the basis of a condition of a display device for displaying an abnormality and the circumstances of display devices connected to a network. Further, the server forms a screen used to report the abnormality depending on the contents thereof, and causes the display device, which has been decided on for the display of the abnormality, to display the screen.

Abstract: A computer network system includes a first computer of a first corporation having a plurality of member shops and a second computer of a second corporation which is the member shop of the first corporation and runs a virtual shop on a network. The first computer includes a memory for storing display information indicating that a corresponding shop is the member shop of the first corporation, a memory for storing encryption information for encrypting the display information, and an output section for encrypting the display information by the encryption information and outputting the encrypted display information. The second computer includes a reception section for receiving the encrypted display information through the communication line, and a memory for storing the received encrypted display information.

Abstract: A card transaction system and method which includes the card medium, an accepting apparatus for the card medium, and a host computer of a card medium issuer connected to the accepting apparatus via a communication line, comprises, an approving function for causing the host computer to answer one credit inquiry from the issuer so that the host computer approves right of use for the card medium within a predetermined amount of money without a necessity of performing a credit inquiry, a supply function for causing the accepting apparatus to supply information of the right of use to the card medium when the approving function approves the right of use, and a function for causing information of the right of use to be stored in a storage region of the card medium so as to realize a plurality of transactions with the card medium within the predetermined range of the amount of money without the necessity of performing the credit inquiry.

Abstract: When a fine pattern is formed by using a chemical-amplification-type resist film, fall of acid in the surface of the resist can be inhibited so that a fine pattern exhibiting an excellent shape is formed. A resist coating film containing a compound having a sulfonic acid group or a carbonic acid group is formed on a chemical-amplification-type resist film of a semiconductor substrate, followed by performing exposure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a photosensitive resin composition containing:a photobase generator expressed in the following general formula (I): ##STR1## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkinyl groups, phenyl groups and alkoxy groups; anda base-catalytic reaction compound which is cured or decomposed under basic conditions.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive polymer is capable of resistance to the dry etching when it is applied to form very fine patterns in VLSIs and other semiconductor devices, wherein the polymer is a radiation-sensitive polymer that contains at least one unit represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## (where X is an alkyl group, a halogen atom or a halogenated alkyl group; R.sup.1 is an alkyl group, an alkoxy or an aryl group; R.sup.2 is carbon monoxide; M is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Mo or W; k is a number defined by the valence of (M minus 1); and l is zero or a positive integer), and which optionally contains at least one unit represented by the general formula (II): ##STR2## (where Y is an alkyl group, a halogen atom or a halogenated alkyl group; R.sup.3 is an alkyl group or an aryl group) and/or at least one unit represented by the general formula (III):--SO.sub.2 --R.sup.4 (III)(where R.sup.4 is a divalent alkyl or aryl group).