Abstract: The efficient and intuitive presentation, navigation, and selection of AV information in a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a display apparatus of an AV system. Related AV information is organized as items within lists that correspond to various navigable fields of a status bar of the GUI during the GUI interactive mode. A highlighted navigable field of the status bar displays its list of related AV information and the items of the list are scrolled through the navigable field by a user causing a scrolling cylinder of a navigation and selection device to move in a scroll. A different field of the status bar may be selected by the user moving the scrolling cylinder in a lateral movement. Activation of the selection mechanism of the navigation and selection device will cause an AV device to be controlled in accordance with the currently displayed AV options.

Abstract: A sound control apparatus is provided in a portable terminal for sounding a music tone in association with operation of the portable terminal, which is controlled by a main CPU. In the sound control apparatus, a memory memorizes music information representing a music tone and configuration information associated to a timbre of the music tone. An information acquiring section acquires the music information and the configuration information from the memory. A tone generating section is configured by the acquired configuration information to create a timbre specified by the configuration information. The tone generating section operates according to the acquired music information to generate the music tone being represented by the music information and having the specified timbre. A dedicated CPU is provided separately from the main CPU for controlling the memory, the information acquiring section and the tone generating section.

Abstract: A sound control apparatus is provided in a portable terminal for sounding a music tone in association with operation of the portable terminal, which is controlled by a main CPU. In the sound control apparatus, a memory memorizes music information representing a music tone and configuration information associated to a timbre of the music tone. An information acquiring section acquires the music information and the configuration information from the memory. A tone generating section is configured by the acquired configuration information to create a timbre specified by the configuration information. The tone generating section operates according to the acquired music information to generate the music tone being represented by the music information and having the specified timbre. A dedicated CPU is provided separately from the main CPU for controlling the memory, the information acquiring section and the tone generating section.

Abstract: A sound control apparatus is provided in a portable terminal for sounding a music tone in association with operation of the portable terminal, which is controlled by a main CPU. In the sound control apparatus, a memory memorizes music information representing a music tone and configuration information associated to a timbre of the music tone. An information acquiring section acquires the music information and the configuration information from the memory. A tone generating section is configured by the acquired configuration information to create a timbre specified by the configuration information. The tone generating section operates according to the acquired music information to generate the music tone being represented by the music information and having the specified timbre. A dedicated CPU is provided separately from the main CPU for controlling the memory, the information acquiring section and the tone generating section.

Abstract: A sound control apparatus is provided in a portable terminal for sounding a music tone in association with operation of the portable terminal, which is controlled by a main CPU. In the sound control apparatus, a memory memorizes music information representing a music tone and configuration information associated to a timbre of the music tone. An information acquiring section acquires the music information and the configuration information from the memory. A tone generating section is configured by the acquired configuration information to create a timbre specified by the configuration information. The tone generating section operates according to the acquired music information to generate the music tone being represented by the music information and having the specified timbre. A dedicated CPU is provided separately from the main CPU for controlling the memory, the information acquiring section and the tone generating section.

Abstract: There is provided a server apparatus according to which a client apparatus can become aware of recommended reproducing resource settings, and hence an environment enabling optimum reproduction can easily be obtained even if a user has little knowledge. The client apparatus inspects a state of setting of reproducing resources, which is a reproduction environment of the client apparatus, creates reproduction environment setting information, and sends the reproduction environment setting information to the server apparatus along with a user ID.

Abstract: A music data providing apparatus comprises a memory that stores a plurality of music data and a plurality of advertisement data, a receiver that receives a request for a desired music data from a user via a network, an advertisement appending device that appends at least one advertisement data among the plurality of advertisement data stored in said memory to the music data corresponding to the received request, and a transmitter that transmits the music data appended with the advertisement data to the user via the network.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a piston using a swaging tool includes the step of positioning a portion of a first member and a portion of a second member of the piston within a first end of an opening formed through the swaging tool, such that a reduced diameter portion of the second member is substantially aligned with a first ring portion of the first member and an end portion of the second member contacts a second ring portion of the first member to create an annular space adjacent to the first ring portion and the reduced diameter portion. The method also includes the step of subsequently swaging the first ring portion by moving the first ring portion in a direction toward a second end of the swaging tool, such that a portion of the first ring portion is positioned within the annular space to fix the first member to the second member.

Abstract: A musical tone data communications system having a unit for generating MIDI data of a musical performance by a player, a unit for transmitting the generated MIDI data over a communications network and a unit for receiving the transmitted MIDI data and reproducing musical tones corresponding to the MIDI data in real time.

Abstract: A server apparatus is provided for conducting an evaluation of a music piece with an external terminal apparatus. In the apparatus, a communication unit is used to exchange information with the external terminal apparatus. A first transmitting section transmits first prompt information to the external terminal apparatus through the communication unit, the first prompt information being effective to prompt a first evaluation of a music piece. A second transmitting section transmits inquiry information to the external terminal apparatus through the communication unit, the inquiry information inquiring whether or not to proceed with a second evaluation of the music piece. A receiving section receives request information from the external terminal apparatus in response to the inquiry information through the communication unit, the request information requesting the second evaluation.

Abstract: A musical tone data communications system having a unit for generating MIDI data of a musical performance by a player, a unit for transmitting the generated MIDI data over a communications network and a unit for receiving the transmitted MIDI data and reproducing musical tones corresponding to the MIDI data in real time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for making sample contents from music contents whereby server and user are connected with each other via a communication network, whereby the server supplies non-sample regular contents including at least performance information of a music piece and sound information pertaining to the music piece and sample contents including a sample of part of the non-sample regular contents. Thereafter, the user receives the sample contents and test-listens to the received sample contents. When the user has decided on acquiring the non-sample regular contents and performed a predetermined operation to acquire the contents, the non-sample regular contents are distributed from the server to the user via the communication network, at which time unique additional information, such as client information and serial number, is attached to the individual distributed contents.

Abstract: An electronic music apparatus comprises a storage device that stores music data comprising music related data that is information for accessing to a music related product sales site on a network, a reading device that reads the music related data from the music data, an accessing device that accesses to the music related product sales site in accordance with the read music related data, and a transmitter that transmits a request for purchasing a music related product to the music related product sales site. The music related product can be easily purchased.

Abstract: The transmission of sample or regular content such as audio data from a server to a single client over a communication network for test-listening or purchase is disclosed. A user may choose a musical selection for test-listening. The sample content may be a selected representative portion extracted from the regular content. If the user decides to purchase the sampled musical selection, the musical selection is transmitted from the server to the client computer. Additional information supplied along with the regular content identifies the musical selection and provides security. However, this additional information is not supplied when sample content is transmitted. Profile information may be supplied along with regular or sample content. The content may be classified, organized, and selected on a channel-by-channel basis. Regular content may be supplied to the client by downloading, while sample content may be supplied to the client by streaming.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for incrementing a mechanical counter in accordance with the count of an electronic counter. For example, when the count of the electronic counter exceeds zero or similar preselected value, the CPU starts incrementing the mechanical counter. Alternatively, after the count of the electronic counter has been restored to zero, the CPU may increment the mechanical counter at the same time as it increments the electronic counter. The two different counters are maintained coincident at all times by simple control.

Abstract: In an electronic music apparatus system, a unique musical instrument ID is stored in an electronic musical instrument by means of a plant computer before shipment thereof. After purchase of the electronic musical instrument, a user transmits the stored musical instrument ID to a management computer via a network without use of any intermediate device or by use of a user computer or a user portable communication terminal and performs user registration. By use of the musical instrument ID, the user downloads a program or content item suitable for the electronic musical instrument from a program distribution computer or a contents distribution computer via the network.

Abstract: To prevent the deterioration in sensitivity of the photocathode (20) of an electron tube and maintain stable output for a long time, an ion confining electrode (22) and an ion trap electrode (23) are provided between the photocathode (20) and a first stage dynode (24a). The potential of the ion confining electrode (22) is set higher than that of the first stage dynode (24a), while the potential of the ion trap electrode (23) is set equal to or higher than that of the photocathode (20) and lower than that of the first stage dynode 24a. Since the feedback to the photocathode (20) of the positive ions generated in the vicinity of the first stage dynode can be effectively suppressed, the sensitivity of the photocathode (20) is prevented from decreasing, and stable output is maintained for a long time.

Abstract: CPU 31 reads out plural chord data which are stored in external storage device 34 or the like and represent a series of chords, and presents to a user the chords represented by the chord data. In presenting the chords to the user, display 21 or external displayer 53 displays chord names along with a score or a lyric, or energizes key-press lamps 14 corresponding to the chord tones constituting the chords. External storage device 34 or the like is provided with a chord conversion table for converting hard-to-play chords to easy-to-play chords. In presenting the chords, CPU 31 presents the chords converted with the use of the chord conversion table. In this case, the hard-to-play chords may be controlled rank by rank or may be designated by the user. Thus, when chords are presented to a user, the user can perform chord playing smoothly at all times even if the user is a beginner player.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is operable to provide a music play and an associated capability utilized by users in association with the music play under different modes customized to the respective users. In the electronic musical instrument, an ID setting section sets identification information effective to identify each of the users. A managing section manages personal information containing a profile of each user in correspondence to the identification information of each user. A capability activating section operates when identification information of a particular user is designated for activating the capability under a mode customized for the particular user according to the personal information corresponding to the designated identification information.

Abstract: A virtual dialer allows a wireless telephone unit to dispense with a numeric keypad, thereby allowing additional room for an enhanced display without sacrificing the compactness of the unit. The virtual dialer includes a short joystick and an image of a telephone numeric keypad displayed on a display. The joystick is used to move a cursor around on the image of the numeric keypad. The joystick or a selection button is pressed when the cursor highlights the image of the numeric key representing the digit to be entered. In this way, a phone number to be called is dialled without the presence of an actual numeric keypad.