Method and apparatus for processing information and computer program

• US 20060202996A1
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kouda, Michitomo
• Granted Patent: US 7,546,389 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/473
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering

Abstract

An information processing apparatus for communicating with another information processing apparatus that stores model-based product model information relating to a predetermined product model, includes a first storage for storing a model code uniquely identifying the product model of the information processing apparatus, a second storage for storing product model information relating to the product model of the information processing apparatus, a connector for connecting the information processing apparatus with the other information processing apparatus, and a communication controller for controlling the communication between the information processing apparatus and the other information processing apparatus as a connection destination of the connector.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus for communicating with another information processing apparatus that stores model-based product model information relating to a predetermined product mode, the information processing apparatus comprising:

a first storage for storing a model code uniquely identifying the product model of the information processing apparatus;

a second storage for storing product model information relating to the product model of the information processing apparatus;

a connector for connecting the information processing apparatus with the other information processing apparatus; and

a communication controller for controlling the communication between the information processing apparatus and the other information processing apparatus as a connection destination of the connector,

the communication controller starting a communication initialization process as a pre-operation for the communication at the discretion of the communication controller when the connector connects the information processing apparatus with the other information processing apparatus,

as at least a portion of the communication initialization process, controlling the transmission of the model code stored on the first storage from the information processing apparatus to the other information processing apparatus, and

controlling the information processing apparatus in the reception of the product model information and then the storage of the product model information on the second storage if the other information processing apparatus has identified the product model of the information processing apparatus based on the model code, and has transmitted, to the information processing apparatus, the product model information relating to the identified product model.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an indication controller for controlling the information processing apparatus in the indication of the product model information stored in the second storage to a user when the user requests the information processing apparatus to indicate the product model information after the execution of the communication initialization process.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the other information processing apparatus stores language-based product model information per piece of model-based production information;

the model code stored on the first storage contains information relating to a language set in the information processing apparatus; and

the communication controller controls the information processing apparatus in the reception of the product model information and then the storage of the received product model information on the second storage if the other information processing apparatus has identified the product model of the information processing apparatus based on the model code, and the language set in the information processing apparatus, and has transmitted to the information processing apparatus the product model information in the identified language out of the language-based product model information relating to the identified product model.

4. An information processing method of an information processing apparatus for communicating with another information processing apparatus that stores model-based product model information relating to a predetermined product model, the information processing apparatus including:

a first storage for storing a model code uniquely identifying the product model of the information processing apparatus;

a second storage for storing product model information relating to the product model of the information processing apparatus; and

a connector for connecting the information processing apparatus with the other information processing apparatus, the method comprising;

a communication initialization step of executing a communication initialization process as a pre-operation before the communication is performed between the information processing apparatus and the other information processing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via the connector, the communication initialization step being started at the discretion of the information processing apparatus when the connector has connected the information processing apparatus to the other information processing apparatus;

a transmission control step of controlling the information processing apparatus in the transmission of the model code stored on the first storage to the other information processing apparatus; and

a reception and storage control step of controlling the information processing apparatus in the reception of the product model information and then the storage of the product model information on the second storage if the other information processing apparatus has identified the product model of the information processing apparatus based on the model code, and has transmitted, to the information processing apparatus, the product model information relating to the identified product model.

5. A computer program for causing a computer to control an apparatus for communicating with another apparatus that stores model-based product model information relating to a predetermined product model, the apparatus including:

a first storage for storing a model code uniquely identifying the product model of the apparatus;

a second storage for storing product model information relating to the product model of the apparatus; and

a connector for connecting the apparatus with the other apparatus, the computer program comprising;

a communication initialization step of executing a communication initialization process as a pre-operation before the communication is performed between the apparatus and the other apparatus connected to the apparatus via the connector, the communication initialization step being started at the discretion of the apparatus when the connector has connected the apparatus to the other apparatus;

a transmission control step of controlling the apparatus in the transmission of the model code stored on the first storage to the other apparatus; and

a reception and storage control step of controlling the apparatus in the reception of the product model information and then the storage of the product model information on the second storage if the other apparatus has identified the product model of the apparatus based on the model code, and has transmitted, to the apparatus, the product model information relating to the identified product model.