Network information processing system and information processing method

• US 20050071430A1
• Filed: 09/13/2002
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Isozaki, Masaaki, Ujisato, Takanobu, Kobayashi, Youichi, Honda, Fumitaka, Nagayasu, Masafumi
• Application Number:
  US10/489,262
• Publication Number:
  US 20050071430A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/205
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

The present network electronic conferencing system 101 comprises, as shown in FIG. 4, at least one notebook personal computer PCi (i=1-3), a communicator (3A) or a projector (2A) for processing at least information transferred from this notebook personal computer PCi and providing electric information contents including display information, and an access point (6) for connecting this communicator (3A) to each of the notebook personal computers PCi. The communicator (3A) delivers all at once identification information packets for identifying the projector (2A), the notebook personal computers PCi, the access point (6), etc., while the notebook personal computer PCi displays identification information and selects electronic devices including the communicator (3A) and the other notebook personal computers PCi. It is possible for a user to easily attend his or her intended conference etc.

Claims

1. A network information processing system in which a plurality of network-constituent electronic devices is connected to a same network, comprising:

at least one information processor for processing arbitrary information;

information provision management means for processing at least information transferred from said information processor and providing electronic information contents including display information; and

communication means for connecting said information provision management means to each of said information processors,

wherein, to process network information, said information provision management means delivers all at once identification information packets for identifying said network-constituent electronic devices; and

wherein said information processor displays identification information and selects electronic devices including said information provision management means and the other information processor.

2. The network information processing system according to claim 1, wherein information is processed by connecting to each other:

a first network information processing system in which a network is constituted of said plurality of electronic devices; and

a second network information processing system in which a network is constituted of the other plurality of electronic devices.

3. The network information processing system according to claim 1, wherein said information provision management means delivers group identification information to said information processors all at once every network information processing system;

and

wherein said information processor lists and displays the group identification information and selects electronic devices including said information provision management means and the other information processors that belong to said first and second network information processing systems.

4. The network information processing system according to claim 1, wherein said information provision management means includes:

a display for displaying an image based on information transferred from said information processor; and

an information processing assisting apparatus for assisting electronic information processing, said information processing including display processing in said display, based on an input operation instruction from said information processor.

5. The network information processing system according to claim 4, wherein said information processing assisting apparatus is present in a range that can be accessed first from said information processor and plays a central role in network information processing.

6. The network information processing system according to claim 3, wherein said group identification information is registered in said information processing assisting apparatus for each of said network information processing systems.

7. The network information processing system according to claim 4, wherein in selection of network-constituent electronic devices other than said information processing assisting apparatus, all of electronic devices whose group identification information is selected on said information processor are displayed.

8. The network information processing system according to claim 1, wherein in a case where group identification information can be set to said network-constituent electronic devices, when having recognized the identification information packets delivered from said information provision management means all at once, each of said electronic devices checks whether they agree with said group identification information set to said electronic devices;

wherein, only when they agree with said group identification information, each of said electronic devices notifies said information processing assisting apparatus of presence and electronic device information of itself; and

wherein said information processing assisting apparatus registers the group identification information of said electronic devices.

9. An information processing method for connecting a plurality of network-constituent electronic devices to a same network and processing information, said method comprising the steps of:

connecting at least one information processor for processing arbitrary information and information provision management means for processing at least information transferred from said information processor and providing electronic information contents including display information by communication means; and

to process network information using said information provision management means, delivering all at once identification information packets for identifying said network-constituent electronic devices, wherein said information processor displays identification information and selects electronic devices including said information provision management means and the other information processor.

10. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein information is processed by connecting to each other:

a first network information processing system in which a network is constituted of said plurality of electronic devices; and

a second network information processing system in which a network is constituted of the other plurality of electronic devices.

11. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein group identification information is delivered from said information provision management means to said information processors all at once every network information processing system;

and

wherein said information processor lists and displays the group identification information and selects electronic devices including said information provision management means and the other information processors that belong to said first and second network information processing systems.

12. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein said information provision management means uses:

a display for displaying an image based on the information transferred from said information processor; and

an information processing assisting apparatus for assisting electronic information processing, said information processing including display processing in said display, based on an input operation instruction from said information processor.

13. The information processing method according to claim 12, wherein said information processing assisting apparatus is present in a range that can be accessed first from said information processor and plays a central role in network information processing.

14. The information processing method according to claim 12, wherein in selection of network-constituent electronic devices other than said information processing assisting apparatus, all of electronic devices whose group identification information is selected on said information processor are displayed.

15. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein in a case where group identification information can be set to said network-constituent electronic devices, when having recognized the identification information packets delivered from said information provision management means all at once, each of said electronic devices checks whether they agree with said group identification information set to said electronic devices;

wherein, only when they agree with said group identification information, each of said electronic devices notifies said information processing assisting apparatus of presence and electronic device information of itself; and

wherein said information processing assisting apparatus registers group identification information of said electronic devices.

16. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein said plurality of electronic devices constitutes a network information processing system and a plurality of said network information processing systems is connected to each other to process information.

17. A network information processing system in which a plurality of network-constituent electronic devices is connected to a same network, comprising:

a plurality of network information processing systems; and

communication means for connecting said network information processing systems to each other,

wherein each of said network information processing systems comprises at least one information processor for processing arbitrary information and information provision management means for processing information including at least user information transferred from said information processor and providing electronic information contents; and

wherein said information provision management means permits said network information processing systems to exchange said user information with each other.

18. The network information processing system according to claim 17, wherein said information provision management means comprises:

a display for displaying an image based on information transferred from said information processor; and

an information processing assisting apparatus for assisting electronic information processing, said information processing including display processing in said display, based on an input operation instruction from said information processor.

19. The network information processing system according to claim 18, wherein said information processing assisting apparatus shares user information obtained by mutual exchange communication between said network information processing systems and controls a display of said information processors belonging to one network information processing system, to display user information of the information processor belonging to the other network information processing system thereon.

20. The network information processing system according to claim 18, wherein said information processing assisting apparatus controls a display of said information processors belonging to the same network information processing system, to display the user information obtained from the information processors belonging to the same network information processing system thereon.

21. An information processing method for processing information by connecting a plurality of network-constituent electronic devices to a same network, said method comprising the steps of:

connecting to each other by communication means a plurality of network information processing systems, said network information processing system comprising at least one information processor for processing arbitrary information and information provision management means for processing information including at least user information transferred from said information processor and providing electronic information contents; and

permitting said network information processing systems connected by said communication means to exchange said user information with each other.

22. The information processing method according to claim 21, wherein said information provision management means uses:

a display for displaying an image based on information transferred from said information processor; and

an information processing assisting apparatus for assisting electronic information processing, said information processing including display processing in said display, based on an input operation instruction from said information processor.

23. The information processing method according to claim 22, wherein said information processing assisting apparatus conducts control a display of the information processors belonging to one network information processing system, to display the user information obtained from the information processors belonging to another network information processing system thereon.

24. The information processing method according to claim 22, wherein said information processing assisting apparatus controls a display of the information processors belonging to the same network information processing system, to display the user information obtained from the information processors belonging to the same network information processing system thereon.

25. A network information processing system in which a plurality of network-constituent electronic devices is connected to a same network, comprising:

a plurality of network information processing systems; and

communication means for connecting said network information processing systems to each other,

wherein each of said network information processing systems comprises at least one information processor for processing arbitrary information and information provision management means for processing information including at least user information transferred from said information processor and providing electronic information contents; and

wherein said information provision management means permits said network information processing systems to exchange connection information about said electronic devices with each other.

26. The network information processing system according to claim 25, wherein unique identification information of a connection-destination electronic device is specified using an input operation function of said information processor.

27. The network information processing system according to claim 25, wherein information on device names and/or connection in said network-constituent electronic devices is registered in said information processing assisting apparatus.

28. The network information processing system according to claim 25, wherein said information provision management means comprises:

a display for displaying an image based on information transferred from said information processor; and

an information processing assisting apparatus for assisting electronic information processing, said information processing including display processing in said display, based on an input operation instruction from said information processor.

29. The network information processing system according to claim 28, wherein said information processing assisting apparatus manages connection information about said electronic devices belonging to the same network information processing system.

30. The network information processing system according to claim 28, wherein in said information processing assisting apparatus, connection information about said electronic devices is shared by mutual exchange communication between said network information processing systems to provide said connection information of said electronic devices to a user.

31. The network information processing system according to claim 28, wherein said information processing assisting apparatus shares user information obtained by mutual exchange communication between said network information processing systems and controls a display of said information processors belonging to one network information processing system, to display user information of the information processor belonging to the other network information processing system thereon.

32. The network information processing system according to claim 28, wherein said system incorporates an application for exchanging information independently, in said information processing assisting apparatus;

wherein said system receives an individual identification number of a connection destination when said network information processing system is connected remotely; and

wherein said system acquires information on names and/or connection of said electronic devices based on said individual identification number.

33. An information processing method for processing information by connecting a plurality of network-constituent electronic devices to a same network, said method comprising the steps of:

configuring each network information processing system to comprise at least one information processor for processing arbitrary information and information provision management means for processing information including at least user information transferred from said information processor and providing electronic information contents;

connecting a plurality of said network information processing systems to each other by communication means; and

mutually exchanging connection information about said electronic devices between said network information processing systems.

34. The information processing method according to claim 33, wherein an input operation function of said information processor is used to specify unique identification information of a connection-destination electronic device.

35. The information processing method according to claim 33, wherein information on device names and/or connection in said network-constituent electronic devices is registered in said information processing assisting apparatus.

36. The information processing method according to claim 33, wherein said information provision management means uses:

a display for displaying an image based on information transferred from said information processor; and

an information processing assisting apparatus for assisting electronic information processing, said information processing including display processing in said display, based on an input operation instruction from said information processor.

37. The information processing method according to claim 36, wherein said information processing assisting apparatus manages connection information about said electronic devices belonging to the same information processing method.

38. The information processing method according to claim 36, wherein in said information processing assisting apparatus, connection information about said electronic devices is shared by mutual exchange communication between said information processing methods to provide said connection information of said electronic devices to a user.

39. The information processing method according to claim 36, wherein said information processing assisting apparatus shares user information obtained by mutual exchange communication between said information processing methods and controls a display of said information processors belonging to one network information processing system, to display user information of the information processor belonging to the other network information processing system thereon.

40. The information processing method according to claim 36, comprising the steps of:

incorporating an application for exchanging information independently, in said information processing assisting apparatus;

receiving an individual identification number of the connection-destination information processing assisting apparatus when said network information processing system is connected remotely; and

acquiring information on names and/or connection of said electronic devices based on said individual identification number.

41. A network information processing system in which a plurality of network-constituent electronic devices is connected to a same network, comprising:

a plurality of network information processing systems; and

communication means for connecting said network information processing systems to each other,

wherein each of said network information processing systems comprises at least one information processor for processing arbitrary information and information provision management means for processing at least information transferred from said information processor and providing electronic information contents including display information; and

wherein said information provision management means conducts display-synchronized remote control based on input operation by said information processor.

42. The network information processing system according to claim 41, wherein by said synchronized-display remote control, control information indicating “

to shut down information of all images displayed currently”

or “

to transfer new information to display electronic information contents”

is output from said information processor to said information provision management means.

43. The network information processing system according to claim 41, wherein said information provision management means comprises:

a display for displaying an image based on information transferred from said information processor; and

an information processing assisting apparatus for assisting electronic information processing, said information processing including display processing in said display, based on an input operation instruction from said information processor.

44. The network information processing system according to claim 43, wherein an input operation function of said information processor is used to transfer said control information to the connection-destination information processing assisting apparatus.

45. An information processing method for processing information by connecting a plurality of network-constituent electronic devices to a same network, said method comprising the steps of:

configuring a plurality of network information processing system, each processing system including at least one information processor having an input operation function to process arbitrary information and information provision management means for processing information transferred from said information processor and providing electronic information contents including display information;

connecting said plurality of network information processing systems by communication means; and

conducting display-synchronized remote control on said information provision management means based on input operation by said information processor.

46. The information processing method according to claim 45, wherein by said synchronized-display remote control, control information indicating “

to shut down information of all images displayed currently”

or “

to transfer new information to display electronic information contents”

is output from said information processor to said information provision management means.

47. The information processing method according to claim 45, wherein said information provision management means uses:

a display for displaying an image based on information transferred from said information processor; and

an information processing assisting apparatus for assisting electronic information processing, said information processing including display processing in said display, based on an input operation instruction from said information processor.

48. The network information processing method according to claim 47, wherein an input operation function of said information processor is used to transfer said control information to the connection-destination information processing assisting apparatus.