Minolta Company, Ltd.

Isao Hayami

Hideo Hotomi

Katsuyuki Nanba

Takashi Kondo

Sadafusa Tsuji

A data distributing system wherein an electronic book data storage center which is stored with a plurality of pieces of book data is capable of communicating with electronic book vending machinesvia a communication line and/or a communication satellite. In each of the vending machines, a storage medium can be inserted. The vending machine selects a piece of book data, which may be desired by the user, based on data stored in the storage medium as data to be to recorded into the storage medium. The user himself or herself can select a piece of book data. Also, the recorded data can be deleted from the storage medium in compliance with the user's request. These vending machines may have a function of casting accounts.

Data distributing system and data recording method

An information display device which is structured as an electronic book with liquid crystal displays which display information stored in a storage medium. The information display device further has a first driving section which drives the liquid crystal displays and a second driving section which drives the recording medium, and while the displays are reset, the second driving section is inhibited from driving the storage medium. Also, the information display device has a speaker, and when a mode to display information on the liquid crystal displays at a high speed is selected, the speaker is inhibited from reproducing sound.

Information display device and information display method

An image information display device, such as an electronic book, that displays contents stored in a recording medium on a first screen and a second screen in which liquid crystal is used. The device includes means for paging through image information and means for screen selection. The means for screen selection is used to select a two-screen mode in which the contents are displayed on both the first and second screens or a one-screen mode in which an image is displayed on either of the screens. By selecting the one-screen mode, energy consumption may be reduced.

Image information display device

An information display device can be structured as an electronic book which has a first screen and a second screen made of liquid crystal with a memory effect. A dry battery can be used as its power source section. The remaining electric power of the battery is detected by measuring the voltage, and immediately before the remaining electric power becomes a minimum voltage necessary for erasure of the screens, the first and second screens are reset so that the images displayed thereon can be erased.

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Ashiya, Japan

Isao Hayami