Information processing system, and information processing apparatus and method

• US 20040249961A1
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Katsube, Tomohiro, Yokobori, Masato, Suzuki, Naoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,984,487 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0884 by delegation of authentication, e.g. a proxy authenticates an entity to be authenticated on behalf of this entity vis-à-vis an authentication entity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

The present invention relates to an information processing system, and an information processing apparatus and method in which authentication processing on a network can be easily performed. A setting terminal device 109 sends registration information input by a user 611 to a CE-device registration setting server 105. The CE-device registration setting server 105 generates connection information for connecting CE devices 132A and 132B to the Internet based on the registration information. The setting terminal device 109 receives the connection information from the CE-device registration setting server 105 and stores it in a memory card 104. When the memory card 114 is attached, the CE device 132A reads the connection information so as to connect to a network. The present invention can be applied to electronic devices connected to a network.

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising:

a first information processing apparatus for generating connection information for connecting to a network;

a second information processing apparatus for recording the connection information generated by said first information processing apparatus in a predetermined recording medium; and

a third information processing apparatus that connects to the network based on the connection information recorded in the recording medium by said second information processing apparatus,

said first information processing apparatus comprising;

first receiving means for receiving registration information from said second information processing apparatus;

generating means for generating the connection information used for allowing said third information processing apparatus to connect to the network based on the registration information received by said first receiving means; and

first transmitting means for transmitting the connection information generated by said generating means to said second information processing apparatus,

said second information processing apparatus comprising;

reception means for receiving input of the registration information;

second transmitting means for transmitting the registration information received by said reception means to said first information processing apparatus;

second receiving means for receiving the connection information from said first information processing apparatus; and

recording means for recording the connection information received by said second receiving means in the recording medium,

said third information processing apparatus comprising;

reading means for reading the connection information recorded by said second information processing apparatus from the recording medium; and

connection means for connecting to the network based on the connection information read by said reading means.

2. An information processing apparatus comprising:

receiving means for receiving registration information from a first information processing apparatus;

generating means for generating connection information used for allowing a second information processing apparatus, which is different from the first information processing apparatus, to connect to a network based on the registration information received by said receiving means; and

transmitting means for transmitting the connection information generated by said generating means to said first information processing apparatus.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the network is the Internet.

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the registration information includes a postal code or an address at which said second information processing apparatus is connected to the network.

5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said generating means selects an access point for allowing said second information processing apparatus to connect to the network based on the postal code or the address so as to generate the connection information including information concerning the access point.

6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information concerning the access point includes a telephone number of the access point.

7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said generating means selects the access point based on at least one of the conditions consisting of a communication cost, a communication speed, and a load of the access point when said second information processing apparatus is connected to the network.

8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the connection information includes an identifier required for said second information processing apparatus to receive authentication.

9. An information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the identifier includes at least one of an identifier for logging in to an Internet service provider, an identifier for specifying a user, an identifier for specifying said second information processing apparatus, and an identifier for specifying a service on the network.

10. An information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the connection information further includes a password required for said second information processing apparatus to receive the authentication.

11. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said transmitting means transmits, together with the connection information, a program for executing processing for allowing said second information processing apparatus to connect to the network to said first information processing apparatus.

12. An information processing method comprising:

a receiving step of receiving registration information from a first information processing apparatus;

a generating step of generating connection information used for allowing a second information processing apparatus, which is different from the first information processing apparatus, to connect to a network based on the registration information received by processing of said receiving step; and

a transmitting step of transmitting the connection information generated by processing of said generating step to said first information processing apparatus.

13. A recording medium recording a computer-readable program therein, said computer-readable program comprising:

a reception control step of controlling the reception of registration information from a first information processing apparatus;

a generating step of generating connection information used for allowing a second information processing apparatus, which is different from the first information processing apparatus, to connect to a network based on the registration information controlled to be received by processing of said reception control step; and

a transmission control step of controlling the transmission of the connection information generated by processing of said generating step to said first information processing apparatus.

14. A program allowing a computer that controls an information processing apparatus to execute:

a reception control step of controlling the reception of registration information from a first information processing apparatus;

a generating step of generating connection information used for allowing a second information processing apparatus, which is different from the first information processing apparatus, to connect to a network based on the registration information controlled to be received by processing of said reception control step; and

a transmission control step of controlling the transmission of the connection information generated by processing of said generating step to said first information processing apparatus.

15. An information processing apparatus comprising:

reception means for receiving the input of registration information from a user;

transmitting means for transmitting the registration information received by said reception means to a first information processing apparatus;

receiving means for receiving connection information for connecting to a network from said first information processing apparatus, the connection information being generated based on the registration information transmitted by said transmitting means; and

recording means for recording the connection information received by said receiving means in a recording medium.

16. An information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the network is the Internet.

17. An information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the recording medium is a memory card which is attached to said information processing apparatus, and is also removed from said information processing apparatus and is attached to a second information processing apparatus, which is different from the first information processing apparatus.

18. An information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the connection information is information that allows a plurality of second information processing apparatuses, which are different from the first information processing apparatus, to connect to the Internet by utilizing the connection information.

19. An information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the registration information includes at least a postal code or an address at which a second information processing apparatus, which is different from the first information processing apparatus, is connected to the network.

20. An information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the connection information includes information concerning an access point for allowing a second information processing apparatus, which is different from the first information processing apparatus, to connect to the network.

21. An information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the information concerning the access point includes a telephone number of the access point.

22. An information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the connection information includes an identifier required for a second information processing apparatus, which is different from the first information processing apparatus, to receive authentication.

23. An information processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the identifier includes at least one of an identifier for logging in to an Internet service provider, an identifier for specifying a user, an identifier for specifying said second information processing apparatus, and an identifier for specifying a service on the network.

24. An information processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the connection information further includes a password required for said second information processing apparatus to receive the authentication.

25. An information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein:

said receiving means receives, together with the connection information, a program for executing processing for allowing a second information processing apparatus, which is different from the first information processing apparatus, to connect to the network; and

said recording means records the connection information and the program received by said receiving means in the recording medium.

26. An information processing method comprising:

a reception step of receiving the input of registration information from a user;

a transmitting step of transmitting the registration information received by processing of said reception step to a first information processing apparatus;

a receiving step of receiving connection information for connecting to a network from said first information processing apparatus, the connection information being generated based on the registration information transmitted by processing of said transmitting step; and

a recording step of recording the connection information received by processing of said receiving step in a recording medium.

27. A recording medium recording a computer-readable program therein, said computer-readable program comprising:

a reception control step of controlling the reception of the input of registration information from a user;

a transmission control step of controlling the transmission of the registration information controlled to be received by processing of said reception control step to a first information processing apparatus;

a receiving control step of controlling the reception of connection information for connecting to a network from said first information processing apparatus, the connection information being generated based on the registration information controlled to be transmitted by processing of said transmission control step; and

a recording step of recording the connection information controlled to be received by processing of said receiving control step in a recording medium.

28. A program allowing a computer that controls an information processing apparatus to execute:

a reception control step of controlling the reception of the input of registration information from a user;

a transmission control step of controlling the transmission of the registration information controlled to be received by processing of said reception control step to a first information processing apparatus;

a receiving control step of controlling the reception of connection information for connecting to a network from said first information processing apparatus, the connection information being generated based on the registration information controlled to be transmitted by processing of said transmission control step; and

a recording step of recording the connection information controlled to be received by processing of said receiving control step in a recording medium.

29. An information processing apparatus comprising:

holding means for detachably holding a recording medium;

reading means for reading connection information for connecting to a network from the recording medium when the recording medium is held in said holding means from a first information processing apparatus while the recording medium is attached to the first information processing apparatus; and

connection means for connecting to the network based on the connection information read by said reading means.

30. An information processing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the network is the Internet.

31. An information processing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the recording medium is a memory card.

32. An information processing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the connection information is information that allows a plurality of said information processing apparatuses to connect to the Internet by using the connection information.

33. An information processing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the connection information includes information concerning an access point for allowing said information processing apparatus to connect to the network.

34. An information processing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the information concerning the access point includes a telephone number of the access point.

35. An information processing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the connection information includes an identifier required for said information processing apparatus to receive authentication.

36. An information processing apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the identifier includes at least one of an identifier for logging in to an Internet service provider, an identifier for specifying a user, an identifier for specifying second information processing apparatus, and an identifier for specifying a service on the network.

37. An information processing apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the connection information further includes a password required for said information processing apparatus to receive the authentication.

38. An information processing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein:

said reading means reads a program for executing processing for allowing said information processing apparatus to connect to the network, the program being stored in the recording medium together with the connection information; and

said connection means connects to the network by using the connection information by executing the program read by said reading means.

39. An information processing apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising recording means for recording the connection information read by said reading means, wherein said connection means connects to the network based on the connection information recorded by said recording means.

40. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus to and from which a recording medium is attachable and detachable, said information processing method comprising:

a reading step of reading connection information for connecting to a network from the recording medium when the recording medium is held in said information processing apparatus from a first information processing apparatus while the recording medium is attached to the first information processing apparatus; and

a connection step of connecting to the network based on the connection information read by processing of said reading step.

41. A recording medium recording a computer-readable program for controlling an information processing apparatus to and from which a recording medium is attachable and detachable, said computer-readable program comprising:

a reading step of reading connection information for connecting to a network from the recording medium when the recording medium is held in said information processing apparatus from a first information processing apparatus while the recording medium is attached to the first information processing apparatus; and

a connection step of connecting to the network based on the connection information read by processing of said reading step.

42. A program allowing a computer that controls an information processing apparatus to execute:

a reading step of reading connection information for connecting to a network from the recording medium when the recording medium is held in said information processing apparatus from a first information processing apparatus while said information processing apparatus is attached to the first information processing apparatus; and

a connection step of connecting to the network based on the connection information read by processing of said reading step.

43. A recording medium in which connection information for connecting an information processing apparatus to a network and a program for connecting said information processing apparatus to the network based on the connection information are recorded.