Service software acquiring method, system and electronic communication device used therefor

• US 20050273781A1
• Filed: 10/30/2003
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Nishimura, Yasushi, Nakamura, Tomonori, Oashi, Masahiro, Waki, Yasushi
• Application Number:
  US10/526,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20050273781A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/178
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/5015 Service provider selection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/541 Client-server
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5055 considering software capabilities, i.e. software resources associated or available to the machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1008 based on parameters of servers, e.g. available memory or workload monitoring of computer activity G06F11/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1038 Load balancing arrangements to avoid a single path through a load balancer
• 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 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services

Abstract

An object is to provide a method for making it possible to exchange information between a local host and a remote host even if necessary software is not previously prepared. A local host (1) requests a service administration host (4) to start a desired remote service. In response to the request to start the remote service, the service administration host (4) selects remote hosts (2) that are capable of sharing the remote service with the local host, and returns information as to the remote hosts (2) to the local host. Based on the returned information as to the remote hosts (2), the local host (1) selects a remote host (2) with which it desires to share the remote service, and instructs the remote host (2) to download, from the service administration host (4), software for sharing the remote service. The remote host (2) downloads, from the service administration host (4), necessary software as instructed.

Claims

1. A service software acquiring method for acquiring software necessary for a remote service that is desired to be shared between a local host and a remote host which are connected via a network, from a service administration host that has the software stored therein, the method comprising:

a step in which the local host requests the service administration host to start a desired remote service;

a step in which, in response to the request to start the remote service, the service administration host chooses remote hosts that are capable of sharing the remote service with the local host, and returns to the local host information as to the chosen remote hosts;

a step in which, based on the returned information as to the chosen remote hosts, the local host selects a remote host with which the local host desires to share the remote service, and instructs the selected remote host to download from the service administration host the software for sharing the remote service; and

a step in which the selected remote host downloads from the service administration host the necessary software which the selected remote host has been instructed to download.

30. The service software acquiring method according to claim 1, wherein the information as to the chosen remote hosts is addresses of the chosen remote hosts that are assigned on the network.

31. The service software acquiring method according to claim 1, further comprising a step in which the local host downloads from the service administration host the software necessary for sharing the remote service.

32. The service software acquiring method according to claim 31, wherein

the local host keeps acquired software stored therein, and

in the step in which the local host downloads from the service administration host:

the local host determines whether software identical to the necessary software is included in the stored software;

if no identical software is included, the local host downloads the necessary software from the service administration host; and

if any identical software is included, without downloading the necessary software from the service administration host, the local host and the selected remote host carry out the remote service by employing the stored software.

33. The service software acquiring method according to claim 32, wherein in the step in which the local host downloads from the service administration host, further:

if the identical software is included, a version of the necessary software and a version of the stored software are compared; and

if the version of the stored software is older, the stored software is discarded, and the necessary software is downloaded from the service administration host.

34. The service software acquiring method according to claim 1, further comprising a step in which, if a plurality of remote hosts that are capable of sharing the remote service are present, the local host displays a remote host that is accessible.

35. The service software acquiring method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of communicating information between the selected remote host and the local host by utilizing the software downloaded by the selected remote host.

36. The service software acquiring method according to claim 35, wherein in the step of communicating information, still image data possessed by the local host or the selected remote host is communicated.

37. The service software acquiring method according to claim 35, wherein in the step of communicating information, video image data possessed by the local host or the selected remote host is communicated.

38. The service software acquiring method according to claim 35, wherein in a case where information is communicated between the local host and the selected remote host, the method further comprises:

a step in which the local host or the selected remote host transmits the information to a remote host different from the selected remote host, the different remote host being capable of performing a predetermined process on the information that is communicated; and

a step in which, after performing the predetermined process, the different remote host transmits the processed information to the selected remote host or the local host.

39. The service software acquiring method according to claim 38, wherein the predetermined process is a process of converting a format of the information.

40. The service software acquiring method according to claim 38, wherein the predetermined process is a process of converting a resolution of the information to a predetermined resolution.

41. The service software acquiring method according to claim 1, wherein the selected remote host keeps acquired software stored therein, and in the step in which the selected remote host downloads from the service administration host:

if an instruction to download the necessary software is given from the local host, the selected remote host determines whether software identical to the necessary software is included in the stored software;

if no identical software is included, the selected remote host downloads the necessary software from the service administration host; and

if any identical software is included, without downloading the necessary software from the service administration host, the local host and the selected remote host carry out the remote service by employing the stored software.

42. The service software acquiring method according to claim 41, wherein

in the step in which the selected remote host downloads from the service administration host, further:

if the identical software is included, a version of the necessary software and a version of the stored software are compared; and

if the version of the stored software is older, the stored software is discarded, and the necessary software is downloaded from the service administration host.

43. The service software acquiring method according to claim 1, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests from the service administration host a list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the service administration host recognizes each of the remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes a remote host that is capable of sharing the recognized remote service with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a service list that shows a combination of the remote service and the remote host; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported service list.

44. The service software acquiring method according to claim 1, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests from the service administration host a list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the service administration host recognizes the remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes, with respect to each of the recognized remote hosts, a remote service that is shareable with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a remote host list that shows a combination of the remote host and the remote service; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported remote host list.

45. The service software acquiring method according to claim 1, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests, from a list relaying host which is connected to the network, a list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the list relaying host requests from the service administration host the list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the list relaying host, the service administration host recognizes each of the remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes a remote host that is capable of sharing the recognized remote service with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a service list that shows a combination of the remote service and the remote host; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported service list.

46. The service software acquiring method according to claim 1, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests, from a list relaying host which is connected to the network, a list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the list relaying host requests from the service administration host the list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the list relaying host, the service administration host recognizes the remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes, with respect to each of the recognized remote hosts, a remote service that is shareable with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a remote host list that shows a combination of the remote host and the remote service; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported remote host list.

2-29. -29. (canceled)

47. A service software acquiring method for acquiring software necessary for a remote service that is desired to be shared between a local host and a remote host which are connected via a network, from a service administration host that has the software stored therein, the method comprising:

a step in which the local host requests the service administration host to start a desired remote service;

a step in which, in response to the request to start the remote service, the service administration host chooses remote hosts that are capable of sharing the remote service with the local host, and returns to the local host information as to the chosen remote hosts;

a step in which, based on the returned information as to the chosen remote hosts, the local host selects a remote host with which the local host desires to share the remote service, and instructs the service administration host to transmit to the selected remote host the software for sharing the remote service; and

a step in which, in response to the instruction to transmit the software, the service administration host transmits the necessary software to the selected remote host.

48. The service software acquiring method according to claim 47, wherein the information as to the chosen remote hosts is addresses of the chosen remote hosts that are assigned on the network.

49. The service software acquiring method according to claim 47, further comprising a step in which the local host downloads from the service administration host the software necessary for sharing the remote service.

50. The service software acquiring method according to claim 47, further comprising a step in which, if a plurality of remote hosts that are capable of sharing the remote service are present, the local host displays a remote host that is accessible.

51. The service software acquiring method according to claim 47, further comprising a step of communicating information between the selected remote host and the local host by utilizing the software downloaded by the selected remote host.

52. The service software acquiring method according to claim 47, wherein,

the selected remote host keeps acquired software stored therein, and

in the step in which the service administration host transmits the necessary software to the selected remote host:

the service administration host inquires of the selected remote host whether the necessary software is stored;

in response to the inquiry from the service administration host, the selected remote host determines whether software identical to the necessary software is stored, and the selected remote host reports a result of the determination to the service administration host; and

in response to the report from the selected remote host, if the identical software is not stored, the service administration host transmits the necessary software to the selected remote host.

53. The service software acquiring method according to claim 52, wherein, when the selected remote host determines whether the software identical to the necessary software is stored, the selected remote host reports to the service administration host that the identical software is not stored if merely an older version of the software is stored.

54. The service software acquiring method according to claim 47, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests from the service administration host a list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the service administration host recognizes each of the remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes a remote host that is capable of sharing the recognized remote service with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a service list that shows a combination of the remote service and the remote host; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported service list.

55. The service software acquiring method according to claim 47, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests from the service administration host a list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the service administration host recognizes the remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes, with respect to each of the recognized remote hosts, a remote service that is shareable with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a remote host list that shows a combination of the remote host and the remote service; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported remote host list.

56. The service software acquiring method according to claim 47, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests, from a list relaying host which is connected to the network, a list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the list relaying host requests from the service administration host the list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the list relaying host, the service administration host recognizes each of the remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes a remote host that is capable of sharing the recognized remote service with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a service list that shows a combination of the remote service and the remote host; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported service list.

57. The service software acquiring method according to claim 47, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests, from a list relaying host which is connected to the network, a list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the list relaying host requests from the service administration host the list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the list relaying host, the service administration host recognizes the remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes, with respect to each of the recognized remote hosts, a remote service that is shareable with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a remote host list that shows a combination of the remote host and the remote service; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported remote host list.

58. A service software acquiring method for acquiring software necessary for a remote service that is desired to be shared between a local host and a remote host which are connected via a network, from a service administration host that has the software stored therein,

wherein the network has a certificate authority host for authenticating the local host connected thereto,

the method comprising:

a step in which the local host acquires a registered user key from the certificate authority host;

a step in which the local host transmits to the service administration host a request to start a desired remote service together with the user key;

a step in which, in response to the request to start the remote service, the service administration host chooses, from among remote hosts which are accessible based on the user key, remote hosts that are capable of sharing the remote service with the local host, and returns to the local host information as to the chosen remote hosts;

a step in which, based on the returned information as to the chosen remote hosts, the local host selects a remote host with which the local host desires to share the remote service, and transmits to the selected remote host an instruction to download from the service administration host the software for sharing the remote service together with the user key; and

a step in which, if an authenticity of the user key is certified in association with the certificate authority host, the selected remote host downloads from the service administration host the necessary software which the selected remote host has been instructed to download.

59. The service software acquiring method according to claim 58, wherein the information as to the chosen remote hosts is addresses of the chosen remote hosts that are assigned on the network.

60. The service software acquiring method according to claim 58, further comprising a step in which the local host downloads from the service administration host the software necessary for sharing the remote service.

61. The service software acquiring method according to claim 58, further comprising a step in which, if a plurality of remote hosts that are capable of sharing the remote service are present, the local host displays a remote host that is accessible.

62. The service software acquiring method according to claim 58, further comprising a step of communicating information between the selected remote host and the local host by utilizing the software downloaded by the selected remote host.

63. The service software acquiring method according to claim 58, wherein

the selected remote host keeps acquired software stored therein, and

in the step in which the selected remote host downloads from the service administration host:

if an instruction to download the necessary software is given from the local host, the selected remote host determines whether software identical to the necessary software is included in the stored software;

if no identical software is included, the selected remote host downloads the necessary software from the service administration host; and

if any identical software is included, without downloading the necessary software from the service administration host, the local host and the selected remote host carry out the remote service by employing the stored software.

64. The service software acquiring method according to claim 58, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests from the service administration host a list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the service administration host recognizes each of the remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes a remote host that is capable of sharing the recognized remote service with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a service list that shows a combination of the remote service and the remote host; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported service list.

65. The service software acquiring method according to claim 58, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests from the service administration host a list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the service administration host recognizes the remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes, with respect to each of the recognized remote hosts, a remote service that is shareable with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a remote host list that shows a combination of the remote host and the remote service; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported remote host list.

66. The service software acquiring method according to claim 58, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests, from a list relaying host which is connected to the network, a list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the list relaying host requests from the service administration host the list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the list relaying host, the service administration host recognizes each of the remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes a remote host that is capable of sharing the recognized remote service with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a service list that shows a combination of the remote service and the remote host; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported service list.

67. The service software acquiring method according to claim 58, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests, from a list relaying host which is connected to the network, a list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the list relaying host requests from the service administration host the list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the list relaying host, the service administration host recognizes the remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes, with respect to each of the recognized remote hosts, a remote service that is shareable with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a remote host list that shows a combination of the remote host and the remote service; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported remote host list.

68. A service software acquiring method for acquiring software necessary for a remote service that is desired to be shared between a local host and a remote host which are connected via a network, from a service administration host that has the software stored therein,

wherein the network has a certificate authority host for authenticating the local host connected thereto,

the method comprising:

a step in which the local host acquires a registered user key from the certificate authority host;

a step in which the local host transmits to the service administration host a request to start a desired remote service together with the user key;

a step in which, in response to the request to start the remote service, the service administration host chooses, from among remote hosts which are accessible based on the user key, remote hosts that are capable of sharing the remote service with the local host, and returns to the local host information as to the chosen remote hosts;

a step in which, based on the returned information as to the chosen remote hosts, the local host selects a remote host with which the local host desires to share the remote service, and transmits to the service administration host an instruction to transmit to the selected remote host the software for sharing the remote service together with the user key; and

a step in which, in response to the instruction to transmit the software, the service administration host transmits the necessary software to the selected remote host after an authenticity of the user key is certified in association with the certificate authority host.

69. The service software acquiring method according to claim 68, wherein the information as to the chosen remote hosts is addresses of the chosen remote hosts that are assigned on the network.

70. The service software acquiring method according to claim 68, further comprising a step in which the local host downloads from the service administration host the software necessary for sharing the remote service.

71. The service software acquiring method according to claim 68, further comprising a step in which, if a plurality of remote hosts that are capable of sharing the remote service are present, the local host displays a remote host that is accessible.

72. The service software acquiring method according to claim 68, further comprising a step of communicating information between the selected remote host and the local host by utilizing the software downloaded by the selected remote host.

73. The service software acquiring method according to claim 68, wherein,

the selected remote host keeps acquired software stored therein, and

in the step in which the service administration host transmits the necessary software to the selected remote host:

the service administration host inquires of the selected remote host whether the necessary software is stored;

in response to the inquiry from the service administration host, the selected remote host determines whether software identical to the necessary software is stored, and the selected remote host reports a result of the determination to the service administration host; and

in response to the report from the selected remote host, if the identical software is not stored, the service administration host transmits the necessary software to the selected remote host.

74. The service software acquiring method according to claim 68, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests from the service administration host a list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the service administration host recognizes each of the remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes a remote host that is capable of sharing the recognized remote service with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a service list that shows a combination of the remote service and the remote host; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported service list.

75. The service software acquiring method according to claim 68, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests from the service administration host a list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the service administration host recognizes the remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes, with respect to each of the recognized remote hosts, a remote service that is shareable with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a remote host list that shows a combination of the remote host and the remote service; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported remote host list.

76. The service software acquiring method according to claim 68, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests, from a list relaying host which is connected to the network, a list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the list relaying host requests from the service administration host the list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the list relaying host, the service administration host recognizes each of the remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes a remote host that is capable of sharing the recognized remote service with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a service list that shows a combination of the remote service and the remote host; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported service list.

77. The service software acquiring method according to claim 68, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests, from a list relaying host which is connected to the network, a list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the list relaying host requests from the service administration host the list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the list relaying host, the service administration host recognizes the remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes, with respect to each of the recognized remote hosts, a remote service that is shareable with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a remote host list that shows a combination of the remote host and the remote service; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported remote host list.

78. A service software acquiring method for acquiring software necessary for a remote service that is desired to be shared between a local host and a remote host which are connected via a network, from a service administration host that has the software stored therein, the method comprising:

a step in which the local host selects a remote host that is capable of executing the software necessary for the remote service that is desired to be shared;

a step of instructing the selected remote host to download the software from the service administration host; and

a step in which the selected remote host downloads from the service administration host the necessary software which the selected remote host has been instructed to download.

79. The service software acquiring method according to claim 78, further comprising a step of communicating information between the selected remote host and the local host by utilizing the software downloaded by the selected remote host.

80. The service software acquiring method according to claim 78, further comprising a step in which the local host downloads from the service administration host the software necessary for sharing the remote service.

81. The service software acquiring method according to claim 80, wherein

the local host keeps the acquired software stored therein, and

in the step in which the local host downloads from the service administration host:

the local host determines whether software identical to the necessary software is included in the stored software;

if no identical software is included, the local host downloads the necessary software from the service administration host; and

if any identical software is included, without downloading the necessary software from the service administration host, the local host and the selected remote host carry out the remote service by employing the stored software.

82. The service software acquiring method according to claim 81, wherein in the step in which the local host downloads from the service administration host, further:

if the identical software is included, a version of the necessary software and a version of the stored software are compared; and

if the version of the stored software is older, the stored software is discarded, and the necessary software is downloaded from the service administration host.

83. The service software acquiring method according to claim 78, wherein

the selected remote host keeps acquired software stored therein, and

in the step in which the selected remote host downloads from the service administration host:

if an instruction to download the necessary software is given from the local host, the selected remote host determines whether software identical to the necessary software is included in the stored software;

if no identical software is included, the selected remote host downloads the necessary software from the service administration host; and

if any identical software is included, without downloading the necessary software from the service administration host, the local host and the selected remote host carry out the remote service by employing the stored software.

84. The service software acquiring method according to claim 78, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests from the service administration host a list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the service administration host recognizes each of the remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes a remote host that is capable of sharing the recognized remote service with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a service list that shows a combination of the remote service and the remote host; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported service list.

85. The service software acquiring method according to claim 78, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests from the service administration host a list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the service administration host recognizes the remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes, with respect to each of the recognized remote hosts, a remote service that is shareable with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a remote host list that shows a combination of the remote host and the remote service; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported remote host list.

86. The service software acquiring method according to claim 78, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests, from a list relaying host which is connected to the network, a list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the list relaying host requests from the service administration host the list of remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the list relaying host, the service administration host recognizes each of the remote services that are usable to the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes a remote host that is capable of sharing the recognized remote service with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a service list that shows a combination of the remote service and the remote host; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported service list.

87. The service software acquiring method according to claim 78, further comprising:

a step in which the local host requests, from a list relaying host which is connected to the network, a list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the local host, the list relaying host requests from the service administration host the list of remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which, in response to the request from the list relaying host, the service administration host recognizes the remote hosts that are accessible by the local host;

a step in which the service administration host recognizes, with respect to each of the recognized remote hosts, a remote service that is shareable with the local host;

a step in which the service administration host reports to the local host a remote host list that shows a combination of the remote host and the remote service; and

a step in which the local host displays the reported remote host list.

88. A service software acquiring system for executing a desired process between at least two or more electronic communication devices that are connected via a network, the system comprising:

a service administration host that is connected to the network and has stored therein software necessary for executing the desired process;

among the at least two or more electronic communication devices, a first electronic communication device operated by a user, and

a second electronic communication device that is capable of executing the desired process by operating in association with the first electronic communication device; and

association recognition means for recognizing an association between the first electronic communication device and the second electronic communication device,

wherein the first electronic communication device includes software acquisition means for, when executing the desired process, allowing the second electronic communication device recognized by the association recognition means to acquire the software stored in the service administration host.

89. The service software acquiring system according to claim 88, wherein the software acquisition means instructs the second electronic communication device selected by the user to download the software from the service administration host.

90. The service software acquiring system according to claim 88, wherein the software acquisition means instructs the service administration host to transmit the software to the second electronic communication device selected by the user.

91. The service software acquiring system according to claim 88, wherein when recognizing the association, the association recognition means recognizes the second electronic communication device that is capable of operating in association with the first electronic communication device by authenticating the user operating the first electronic communication device.

92. The service software acquiring system according to claim 88, wherein the association recognition means is provided within a home server for a user who possesses the first electronic communication device.

93. The service software acquiring system according to claim 88, wherein the association recognition means is provided within the service administration host.

94. An electronic communication terminal that is connected to a network and which executes a predetermined process by operating in association with a remote host connected to the network, the terminal comprising:

information acquisition means for acquiring, from a computer device connected to the network, information as to remote hosts that are capable of executing the predetermined process in association;

remote host specification means for, based on the information acquired by the information acquisition means, specifying a remote host that is capable of executing the predetermined process in association; and

software acquisition request means for causing the remote host specified by the remote host specification means to acquire software for executing the predetermined process, the software being stored in a service administration host connected to the network.

95. The electronic communication terminal according to claim 94, further comprising user key acquisition means for acquiring a user key that is registered in a certificate authority host connected to the network, wherein

the software acquisition request means transmits the user key acquired by the user key acquisition means together with a request to acquire the software for executing the predetermined process.

96. An electronic communication terminal that is connected to a network and which executes a predetermined process by operating in association with a local host connected to the network, the terminal comprising:

software acquisition request reception means for accepting, from the local host, a request to acquire software for executing the predetermined process; and

software acquisition means for downloading, from a service administration host connected to the network, the software for executing the predetermined process.

97. The electronic communication terminal according to claim 96, further comprising user key check means for requesting a certificate authority host connected to the network to check a user key, wherein

in a case where the user key accompanies the request to acquire the software received by the software acquisition request reception means, if the user key check means authenticates the user key, the software acquisition means downloads, from the service administration host, the software for executing the predetermined process.