Method and apparatus for processing information and computer program

• US 7,546,389 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kouda, Michitomo
• Primary Examiner(s): Sorrell; Eron J
• Application Number:
  US11/366,589
• Publication Number:
  US 20060202996A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 710/16
• 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 an other information processing apparatus that stores model-based product model information relating to a predetermined product model, the information processing apparatus comprising:

a first storage area configured to store a model code uniquely identifying the product model of the information processing apparatus;

a second storage area configured to store product model information including a written description relating to the model code of the information processing apparatus;

a connector configured to connect the information processing apparatus with the other information processing apparatus; and

a communication controller configured to control communication between the information processing apparatus and the other information processing apparatus as a connection destination of the connector,

the communication controller configured to start 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 transmission of the model code stored in the first storage from the information processing apparatus to the other information processing apparatus, and

controlling the information processing apparatus in reception of the product model information and then storage of the product model information in 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; and

an indication controller configured to automatically provide the product model information stored in the second storage to a user, after the execution of the communication initialization process.

2. 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 product information;

the model code stored in 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 in 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.

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

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

storing product model information including a written description relating to the model code of the information processing apparatus in a second storage; and

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

executing a communication initialization process as a pre-operation before 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 process 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;

controlling the information processing apparatus in transmission of the model code stored in the first storage to the other information processing apparatus;

controlling the information processing apparatus in reception of the product model information and then storage of the product model information in 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; and

automatically providing the product model information stored in the second storage to a user, after the execution of the communication initialization process.

4. A computer readable storage medium encoded with a program for causing a computer to execute a method for controlling an apparatus for communicating with an other apparatus that stores model-based product model information relating to a predetermined product model, the method including:

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

storing product model information including a written description relating to the model code of the apparatus in a second storage; and

connecting the apparatus with the other apparatus by a connector;

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

controlling the apparatus in transmission of the model code stored in the first storage to the other apparatus;

controlling the apparatus in reception of the product model information and then storage of the product model information in 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; and

automatically providing the product model information stored in the second storage to a user, after the execution of the communication initialization process.