Content providing system, information processing device and method, output device, and method, and program

• US 7,516,251 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2004
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Tomohisa, Sugimoto, Kayo, Takimoto, Yuuji, Noda, Takuro
• Primary Examiner(s): Shin; Christopher B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Martinez; David E
• Application Number:
  US10/528,619
• Publication Number:
  US 20060010383A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,737 Days
• Field of Search: 710/33, 710/36
• US Class Current: 710/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42646 for reading from or writing on a non-volatile solid state storage medium, e.g. DVD, CD-ROM
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver

Abstract

The present invention relates to a content provision system, an information processing apparatus and method, an output apparatus and method, and a program therefor, which makes it possible to use content easily and quickly. When a DVD disc 3 is inserted into a DVD player 2, a message indicating the fact is broadcasted from the DVD player 2 to a TV 4-1 and a TV 4-2, which are all other devices connected to a network 1. In the TV 4-1 and the TV 4-2, a message notifying that a medium storing available content was newly found is displayed on a screen thereof, respectively. When reproduction of the found content is instructed by a user in the TV 4-1, the DVD player 2 is requested by the TV 4-1 to provide the content, and image of the content provided in response thereto is displayed on the TV 4-1. The present invention can be applied to storage equipment including a DVD player and a personal computer and display equipment including a TV set.

Claims

1. A content provision system comprising an information processing apparatus, an output apparatus, a content management server which manages content, and a user management server which manages information regarding a user who is logging in, connected via a network, said system characterized in that:

said information processing apparatus is characterized by;

including;

acquisition means which acquires the content without using said network;

recognition means which recognizes that said user logged in said network on the basis of an operation that the user carried out toward the information processing apparatus;

transmission/reception means which carries out transmission/reception of information via said network; and

provision means which provides predetermined content to said output apparatus which requests provision of said predetermined content,

transmitting a user registration request message containing user identification information of the user who is recognized to have logged in by said recognition means and a device identification number of the information processing apparatus, and receiving information regarding the output apparatus which is connected to said network in which said user is logging in,

recognizing the output apparatus in which said user is logging in on the basis of the information received from said user management server, and

in a case of receiving the predetermined content by said acquisition means, transmitting a content registration request message to said content management server, and transmitting a message indicating that predetermined content has been acquired, said message containing position information indicating a position of said predetermined content, and being necessary for said output apparatus which said user is logging in to acquire said predetermined content to the output apparatus which said user is logging in, and

said output apparatus is characterized by including;

indication means which indicates that there is outputable content in response to reception of the message transmitted from said information processing apparatus; and

output means which requests said information processing apparatus to provide said predetermined content and allows a user to view and listen to said predetermined content provided from said information processing apparatus, in a case where said predetermined content is instructed to be outputted in response to the indication by said indication means.

2. An information processing apparatus connected via a network to a content management server which manages content, a user management server which manages information regarding a user who is logging in and an output apparatus which outputs the content, said information processing apparatus is characterized by:

including;

acquisition means which acquires the content without using said network;

recognition means which recognizes that said user logged in said network on the basis of an operation that the user carried out toward the information processing apparatus;

transmission/reception means which carries out transmission/reception of information via said network; and

provision means which provides predetermined content to said output apparatus which requests provision of said predetermined content,

transmitting to said user management server a user registration request message containing user identification information of the user who is recognized to have logged in by said recognition means and a device identification number of the information processing apparatus, and receiving information regarding the output apparatus which is connected to said network in which said user is logging in,

identifying the output apparatus in which said user is logging in on the basis of the information received from said user management server, and

in a case of receiving the predetermined content by said acquisition means, transmitting a content registration request message to said content management server, and transmitting a message indicating that predetermined content is acquired, said message containing position information indicating a position of said predetermined content, and being necessary for said output apparatus which said user is logging in to acquire said predetermined content to the output apparatus which said user is logging in.

3. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said acquisition means acquires said content in response to being equipped with a detachable recording medium.

4. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said recognition means recognizes that said user has logged in by reading identification information of the user stored in a contactless IC card.

5. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said recognition means recognizes that said user has logged in by authenticating a fingerprint of the user.

6. An information processing method of an information processing apparatus connected via a network to a content management server which manages content, a user management server which manages information regarding a user who is logging in and an output apparatus which outputs the content, said method characterized by:

including;

an acquisition step of acquiring the content without using said network;

a recognition step of recognizing that said user logged in said network on the basis of an operation that the user carried out toward the information processing apparatus;

a transmission/reception step of carrying out transmission/reception of information via said network; and

a provision step of providing predetermined content to said output apparatus which requests provision of said predetermined content,

transmitting to said user management server a user registration request message containing user identification information of the user who is recognized to have logged in the network by said recognition means and a device identification number of the information processing apparatus, and receiving, from said user management server, information regarding the output apparatus which is connected to said network in which said user is logging in,

identifying the output apparatus in which said user is logging in on the basis of the information received from said user management server, and

in a case of receiving the predetermined content by said acquisition means, transmitting a content registration request message to said content management server, and transmitting, to the output apparatus which said user is logging in, a message indicating that predetermined content is acquired, said message containing position information indicating a position of said predetermined content, and being necessary for said output apparatus which said user is logging in to acquire said predetermined content.

7. A computer-readable storage medium which causes a computer to execute an information processing method performed via a network among a content management server which manages content, a user management server which manages information regarding a user who is logging in and an output apparatus which outputs the content, said method comprising:

an acquisition step of acquiring the content without using said network;

a recognition step of recognizing that said user logged in said network on the basis of an operation that the user carried out toward the information processing apparatus;

a transmission/reception step of carrying out transmission/reception of information via said network; and

a provision step of providing predetermined content to said output apparatus which requests provision of said predetermined content,

transmitting a user registration request message containing user identification information of the user who is recognized to have logged in by said recognition step and a device identification number of the information processing apparatus and receiving information regarding the output apparatus which is connected to said network in which said user is logging in,

identifying the output apparatus in which said user is logging in on the basis of the information received from said user management server, and

in a case of receiving the predetermined content by said acquisition step, transmitting a content registration request message to said content management server, and transmitting, to the output apparatus which said user is logging in, a message indicating that predetermined content is acquired, said message containing position information indicating a position of said predetermined content, and being necessary for said output apparatus which said user is logging in to acquire said predetermined content.

8. An output apparatus connected via a network to a content management server which manages content, a user management server which manages information regarding a user who is logging in and an information processing apparatus which acquires the content, said output apparatus characterized by:

including;

recognition means which recognizes that said user logged in said network on the basis of an operation that the user carried out toward the information processing apparatus; and

transmission/reception means which carries out transmission/reception of information via said network,

transmitting to said user management server a user registration request message containing user identification information of the user who is recognized to have logged in by said recognition means and a device identification number of the information processing apparatus,

indicating that there is outputable content in response to reception of a message transmitted from said information processing apparatus toward, as a destination, the output apparatus identified to be the one which said user is logging in by said information processing apparatus on the basis of information received from said user management server and indicating that predetermined content has been acquired, containing position information indicating a position of said predetermined content necessary to acquire said predetermined content; and

requesting said information processing apparatus to provide said predetermined content and outputting said predetermined content to be provided from said information processing apparatus in a case where said predetermined content is instructed to be outputted in response to the indication that there is outputable content.

9. The output apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized by further including:

memory means which stores said position information.

10. The output apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that:

in a case where a plurality pieces of position information are stored by said memory means on the basis of said message transmitted from a plurality of said information processing apparatuses, on the basis of said position information selected by a user from a plurality pieces of said position information, said output apparatus requests said information processing apparatus to provide said predetermined content, so as to output said predetermined content to be provided from said information processing apparatus.

11. The output apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said recognition means recognizes that said user has logged in by reading identification information of the user stored in a contactless IC card.

12. The output apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said recognition means recognizes that said user has logged in by authenticating a fingerprint of the user.

13. An output method of an output apparatus connected via a network to a content management server which manages content, a user management server which manages information regarding a user who is logging in and an information processing apparatus which acquires the content, said output method characterized by including:

a recognition step of recognizing that said user logged in said network on the basis of an operation that the user carried out toward the information processing apparatus; and

a transmission/reception step of carrying out transmission/reception of information via said network;

transmitting a user registration request message containing user identification information of the user who is recognized to have logged in by a process of said recognition step and a device identification number of the information processing apparatus,

indicating that there is outputable content in response to reception of a message transmitted from said information processing apparatus toward the output apparatus identified to be the one which said user is logging in by said information processing apparatus on the basis of information received from said user management server and indicating that predetermined content has been acquired, containing position information indicating a position of said predetermined content necessary to acquire said predetermined content; and

requesting said information processing apparatus to provide said predetermined content and outputting said predetermined content to be provided from said information processing apparatus in a case where said predetermined content is instructed to be outputted in response to the indication that there is outputable content.

14. A computer readable storage medium which causes a computer to execute an information processing method performed via a network among a content management server which manages content, a user management server which manages information regarding a user who is logging in and an information processing apparatus which acquires the content, said method comprising:

a recognition step of recognizing that said user logged in said network on the basis of an operation that the user carried out toward the information processing apparatus; and

a transmission/reception step of carrying out transmission/reception of information via said network;

transmitting a user registration request message containing user identification information of the user who is recognized to have logged in by a process of said recognition step and a device identification number of the information processing apparatus,

indicating that there is outputable content in response to reception of a message transmitted from said information processing apparatus toward the output apparatus identified to be the one which said user is logging in by said information processing apparatus on the basis of information received from said user management server and indicating that predetermined content has been acquired, containing position information indicating a position of said predetermined content necessary to acquire said predetermined content; and

requesting said information processing apparatus to provide said predetermined content and outputting said predetermined content to be provided from said information processing apparatus in a case where said predetermined content is instructed to be outputted in response to the indication that there is outputable content.