Communication system and its method and communication apparatus and its method

• US 7,720,929 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2004
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Data Scape Limited (Atlantic IP Services Limited)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Morohashi, Akihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thu Ha T
• Application Number:
  US10/864,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20040223245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,169 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/231, 709/203, 709/213, 709/219, 707/104.1, 715/727, 715/732
• US Class Current: 709/213
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/213 Read-only discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2525 Magneto-optical [MO] discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/031 Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/36 Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing for digital recording G11B20/00 and s.gr.; for monitoring, testing or measuring of TV recorders of the type covered by H04N5/76 and subgroups, see H04N17/06
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 2207/16 Solid state audio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 : Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26258 : for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand

Abstract

This invention relates to a communication system including a first apparatus having a first storage medium, and a second apparatus for transmitting data to the first apparatus, the second apparatus comprising: a second storage medium for storing management information of data to be transferred to the first storage medium; communication means for communicating data with the first apparatus; edit means capable of editing the management information; and control means for making a control to transfer data stored in the second storage medium to the first storage medium by way of the communication means on the basis of the management information edited by the edit means.

Claims

1. A communication system including a first apparatus having a first storage medium, and a second apparatus, said second apparatus comprising:

a second storage medium configured to store management information of data to be transferred to said first storage medium;

a communicator configured to communicate data with said first apparatus;

a detector configured to detect whether said first apparatus and said second apparatus are connected;

an editor configured to select certain data to be transferred and to edit said management information based on said selection without regard to the connection of said first apparatus and said second apparatus; and

a controller configured to control transfer of the selected data stored in said second apparatus to said first apparatus via said communicator based on said management information edited by said editor when said detector detects that said first apparatus and said second apparatus are connected,

wherein said controller is configured to compare said management information edited by said editor with management information of data stored in said first storage medium and to transmit data in said second apparatus based on result of the comparison.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the transferred data are compressed data as AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) format.

3. The communication system according claim 1, wherein the first apparatus is portable and the first storage medium is a hard disk.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a reader configured to read out a TOC (Table of Contents) from a Compact Disc; and

another communicator configured to transmit information associated with the TOC to an external server and to receive additional information associated with the Compact Disc from the external server.

5. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to control receiving of identification information of said first apparatus via said communicator and to judge whether said identification information of said first apparatus is predetermined identification information and to allow said transfer of data when said identification information of said first apparatus is predetermined identification information.

6. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to control a display unit to display a first window in which identification information of data stored in said second apparatus is displayed and a second window in which identification information of said data to be transferred to said first apparatus based on said management data edited by said editor is displayed.

7. The communication system according to claim 6, wherein said editor is configured to edit said management information of data to be transferred to said first apparatus based on an input to said identification information of data displayed in at least one of said first window and said second window.

8. The communication system according claim 1, wherein the first apparatus is portable and the first storage medium is a flash memory.

9. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said second storage medium has a data storage capacity larger than that of the first storage medium.

10. A communication apparatus configured to transmit data to an apparatus, the communication apparatus comprising:

a storage medium configured to store management information of data to be transferred to said apparatus;

a communicator configured to communicate data with said apparatus;

a detector configured to detect whether said communication apparatus and said apparatus are connected;

an editor configured to select certain data to be transferred and to edit said management information based on said selection without regard to the connection of said communication apparatus and said apparatus; and

a controller configured to control transfer of the selected data stored in said communication apparatus to said apparatus via said communicator based on said management information edited by said editor when said detector detects that said communication apparatus and said apparatus are connected,

wherein said controller is configured to compare said management information edited by said editor with management information of data stored in said apparatus and to transmit data in said communication apparatus based on result of the comparison.

11. The communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the transferred data are compressed data as AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) format.

12. The communication apparatus according claim 10, wherein the apparatus is portable, and wherein said storage medium has a data storage capacity larger than that of the apparatus.

13. The communication apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

a reader configured to read out a TOC (Table of Contents) from a Compact Disc; and

another communicator configured to transmit information associated with the TOC to an external server and to receive additional information associated with the Compact Disc from the external server.

14. The communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said controller is configured to control receiving of identification information of said apparatus via said communicator and to judge whether said identification information of said apparatus is predetermined identification information and to allow said transfer of data when said identification information of said apparatus is the predetermined identification information.

15. The communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said controller is configured to control a display unit to display a first window in which identification information of data stored in said communication apparatus is displayed and a second window in which identification information of said data to be transferred to said apparatus based on said management data edited by said editor is displayed.

16. The communication apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said editor is configured to edit said management information of data to be transferred to said apparatus based on an input to said identification information of data displayed in at least one of said first window and said second window.

17. The communication apparatus according claim 10, wherein the apparatus is portable and the apparatus having a flash memory which stores said transferred data.

18. The communication apparatus according claim 10, wherein the apparatus is portable and the storage medium is a hard disk.

19. A communication method, comprising the steps of:

editing management information of data to be transferred from an apparatus to an external apparatus by selecting certain data to be transferred, said management information stored in a storage medium of the apparatus, without regard to the connection of said apparatus and said external apparatus;

detecting, at the apparatus, whether said apparatus and said external apparatus are connected;

comparing at the apparatus, said edited management information with management information of data stored in said external apparatus; and

transmitting the selected data from said apparatus to said external apparatus based on said management information and a result of the comparison when said detection indicates that said apparatus and said external apparatus are connected.

20. The communication method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

reading out a TOC (Table of Contents) from a Compact Disc;

transmitting information associated with the TOC to an external server; and

receiving additional information associated with the Compact Disc from the external server.

21. The communication method according to claim 19, comprising the further steps of:

receiving identification information of said apparatus;

judging whether said identification information of said external apparatus is predetermined identification information; and

starting said transmission of data when said identification information of said external apparatus is determined to be predetermined identification information.

22. The communication method according to claim 19, comprising the further steps of:

displaying a first window in which identification information of data stored in said apparatus is displayed; and

displaying a second window in which identification information of said data to be transmitted to said external apparatus, based on said management data edited by said editor, is displayed.

23. The communication method according to claim 22, comprising the further step of:

editing said management information of data to be transmitted to said first apparatus based on an input to said identification information of data displayed in at least one of said external window and said second window.

24. A computer readable storage medium comprising program code configured to implement the following procedures:

editing management information of data to be transferred from an apparatus to an external apparatus by selecting certain data to be transferred, said management information stored in a storage medium of the apparatus, without regard to the connection of said apparatus and said external apparatus;

detecting, at the apparatus, whether said apparatus and said external apparatus are connected;

comparing, at the apparatus, said edited management information with management information of data stored in said external apparatus; and

transmitting the selected data from said apparatus to said external apparatus based on said management information and a result of the comparison when said detection indicates that said apparatus and said external apparatus are connected.

25. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, further comprising program code configured to implement the following procedures:

reading out a TOC (Table of Content) from a Compact Disc;

transmitting information associated with the TOC to an external server; and

receiving additional information associated with the Compact Disc from the external server.

26. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, further comprising program code configured to implement the following procedures:

receiving identification information of said external apparatus;

judging whether said identification information of said external apparatus is predetermined identification information; and

allowing said transmission of data when said identification information of said external apparatus is determined to be predetermined identification information.

27. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, further comprising program code configured to implement the following procedures:

displaying a first window in which identification information of data stored in said apparatus is displayed; and

displaying a second window in which identification information of said data to be transmitted to said external apparatus, based on said edited management data, is displayed.

28. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 27, further comprising program code configured to implement the following procedure:

editing said management information of data to be transmitted to said external apparatus based on an input to said identification information of data displayed in at least one of said first window and said second window.

29. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, wherein the transferred data are compressed data as AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) format.

30. The computer readable storage medium according claim 24, wherein the external apparatus is portable and the storage medium is a hard disk.

31. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, wherein said controller is configured to control a display unit to display a first window in which identification information of data stored in said apparatus is displayed and a second window in which identification information of said data to be transferred to said external apparatus based on said management data edited by said editor is displayed.

32. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, wherein said editor is configured to edit said management information of data to be transferred to said external apparatus based on an input to said identification information of data displayed in at least one of said first window and said second window.

33. The computer readable storage medium according claim 24, wherein the external apparatus is portable and the storage medium is a flash memory.

34. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, wherein said storage medium has a data storage capacity larger than that of a storage medium of the external apparatus.

35. A communication system including a first apparatus having a first storage medium, and a second apparatus, said second apparatus comprising:

a second storage medium configured to store management information of data to be transferred to said first apparatus;

a communicator configured to communicate data with said first apparatus;

a controller configured to select certain data to be transferred and to edit said management information based on said selection without regard to the connection of said first apparatus and said second apparatus and to control transfer of the selected data stored in said second apparatus to said first apparatus via said communicator based on said edited management information when the connection of said first apparatus and said second apparatus is detected,

wherein said controller is configured to compare said edited management information with management information of data stored in said first storage medium and to transmit data in said second apparatus based on result of the comparison.

36. The communication system according to claim 35, wherein the transferred data are compressed data as AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) format.

37. The communication system according claim 35, wherein the first apparatus is portable and the first storage medium is a hard disk.

38. The communication system according claim 35, wherein the first apparatus is portable and the first storage medium is a flash memory.

39. The communication system according to claim 35, further comprising:

a reader configured to read out a TOC (Table of Contents) from a Compact Disc;

another communicator configured to transmit information associated with the TOC to an external server and to receive additional information associated with the Compact Disc from the external server.

40. The communication system according to claim 35, wherein said controller configured to control receiving of identification information of said first apparatus via said communicator and to judge whether said identification information of said first apparatus is predetermined identification information and to allow said transfer of data when said identification information of said first apparatus is predetermined identification information.

41. The communication system according to claim 35, wherein said controller is configured to control a display unit to display a first window in which identification information of data stored in said second apparatus is displayed and a second window in which identification information of said data to be transferred to said first apparatus based on said edited management is displayed.

42. The communication system according to claim 41, wherein said controller is configured to edit said management information of data to be transferred to said first apparatus based on an input to said identification information of data displayed in at least one of said first window and said second window.

43. The communication system according to claim 35, wherein said second storage medium has a data storage capacity larger than that of the first storage medium.

44. A communication apparatus configured to transmit data to an apparatus, the communication apparatus comprising:

a storage medium configured to store management information of data to be transferred to said apparatus;

a communicator configured to communicate data with said apparatus;

a controller configured to select certain data to be transferred and to edit said management information based on said selection without regard to the connection of said communication apparatus and said apparatus and to control transfer of the selected data stored in said communication apparatus to said apparatus via said communicator based on said edited management information when the connection of said communication apparatus and said apparatus is detected,

wherein said controller is configured to compare said edited management information with management information of data stored in said apparatus and to transmit data in said communication apparatus based on result of the comparison.

45. The communication apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the transferred data are compressed data as AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) format.

46. The communication apparatus according claim 44, wherein the apparatus is portable and the apparatus has a hard disk which stores said transferred data, and wherein said storage medium has a data storage capacity larger than that of the hard disk.

47. The communication apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the apparatus is portable and the apparatus has a flash memory which stores said transferred data.

48. The communication apparatus according to claim 44, further comprising:

a reader configured to read out a TOC (Table of Contents) from a Compact Disc; and

another communicator configured to transmit information associated with the TOC to an external server and to receive additional information associated with the Compact Disc from the external server.

49. The communication apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said controller is configured to control receiving of identification information of said external apparatus via said communicator and to judge whether said identification information of said external apparatus is predetermined identification information and to allow said transfer of data when said identification information of said apparatus is the predetermined identification information.

50. The communication apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said controller is configured to control a display unit to display a first window in which identification information of data stored in said communication apparatus is displayed and a second window in which identification information of said data to be transferred to said apparatus based on said edited management data is displayed.

51. The communication apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said controller is configured to edit said management information of data to be transferred to said apparatus based on an input to said identification information of data displayed in at least one of said first window and said second window.

52. A communication method using a communication system including a first apparatus having a first storage medium, and a second apparatus, comprising the steps of:

storing, in a second storage medium of the second apparatus, management information of data to be transferred to said first storage medium;

editing said management information at said second apparatus by selecting certain data to be transferred without regard to the connection of said first apparatus and said second apparatus;

detecting whether said first apparatus and said second apparatus are connected;

controlling transfer of the selected data stored in said second apparatus to said first apparatus based on said edited management information when it is detected that said first apparatus and said second apparatus are connected,

wherein said controlling step comprises comparing said edited management information with management information of data stored in said first storage medium and transmitting data in said second apparatus based on result of the comparison.

53. The communication method according to claim 52, wherein the transferred data are compressed data as AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) format.

54. The communication method according to claim 52, further comprising:

reading out a TOC (Table of Contents) from a Compact Disc; and

transmitting information associated with the TOC to an external server and receiving additional information associated with the Compact Disc from the external server.

55. The communication method according to claim 52, wherein said controlling step comprises controlling receiving of identification information of said first apparatus, judging whether said identification information of said first apparatus is predetermined identification information, and allowing said transfer of data when said identification information of said first apparatus is predetermined identification information.

56. The communication method according to claim 52, wherein said controlling step comprises controlling a display unit to display a first window in which identification information of data stored in said second apparatus is displayed, and controlling a second window in which identification information of said data to be transferred to said first apparatus based on said edited management data is displayed.

57. The communication method according to claim 56, wherein said editing step edits said management information of data to be transferred to said first apparatus based on an input to said identification information of data displayed in one of said first window and said second window.

58. A communication system including a first apparatus having a first storage medium, and a second apparatus, said second apparatus comprising:

a second storage medium configured to store management information of data to be transferred to said first storage medium;

a communicator configured to communicate data with said first apparatus;

a detector configured to detect whether said first apparatus and said second apparatus are connected;

an editor configured to register data to be transferred and to edit said management information based on a user selection without regard to the connection of said first apparatus and said second apparatus; and

a controller configured to compare said management information edited by said editor with information of data stored in said first storage medium and to control transfer of the data registered to said management information based on result of the comparison when said detector detects that said first apparatus and said second apparatus are connected.

59. A communication apparatus configured to transmit data to an apparatus, comprising:

a storage medium configured to store management information of data to be transferred to said apparatus;

a communicator configured to communicate data with said apparatus;

a detector configured to detect whether said communication apparatus and said apparatus are connected;

an editor configured to register data to be transferred and to edit said management information based on a user selection without regard to the connection of said communication apparatus and said apparatus; and

a controller configured to compare said management information edited by said editor with information of data stored in said apparatus and to control transfer of the data registered to said management information based on result of the comparison when said detector detects that said communication apparatus and said apparatus are connected.

60. The communication apparatus according to claim 59, wherein the transferred data are compressed data as AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) format.

61. The communication apparatus according claim 59, wherein the apparatus is portable and has a hard disk which stores said transferred data, and wherein said storage medium has a data storage capacity larger than that of the hard disk.

62. The communication apparatus according to claim 59, further comprising:

a reader configured to read out a TOC (Table of Contents) from a Compact Disc; and

another communicator configured to transmit information associated with the TOC to an external server and to receive additional information associated with the Compact Disc from the external server.

63. The communication apparatus according to claim 59, wherein said controller is configured to control receiving of identification information of said apparatus via said communicator and to judge whether said identification information of said apparatus is predetermined identification information and to allow said transfer of data when said identification information of said apparatus is the predetermined identification information.

64. The communication apparatus according to claim 59, wherein said controller is configured to control a display unit to display a first window in which identification information of data stored in said communication apparatus is displayed and a second window in which identification information of said data to be transferred to said apparatus based on said management data edited by said editor is displayed.

65. The communication apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said editor is configured to edit said management information of data to be transferred to said apparatus based on an input to said identification information of data displayed in at least one of said first window and said second window.

66. The communication apparatus according claim 59, wherein the apparatus is portable and the apparatus having a flash memory which stores said transferred data.

67. A communication method, comprising the steps of:

registering data to be transferred from an apparatus to an external apparatus and editing management information, said management information stored in a storage medium of said apparatus, based on a user selection without regard to the connection of said external apparatus and said apparatus;

detecting, at said apparatus, whether said apparatus and said external apparatus are connected;

comparing, at said apparatus, said edited management information with information of data stored in said external apparatus; and

controlling, at the apparatus, transfer of the data registered to said management information based on result of the comparison when said detection indicates that said apparatus and said external apparatus are connected.

68. The communication method according to claim 67, further comprising the steps of:

reading out a TOC (Table of Contents) from a Compact Disc;

transmitting information associated with the TOC to an external server; and

receiving additional information associated with the Compact Disc from the external server.

69. The communication method according to claim 67, comprising the further steps of:

receiving identification information of said apparatus;

judging whether said identification information of said external apparatus is predetermined identification information; and

starting said transmission of data when said identification information of said external apparatus is determined to be predetermined identification information.

70. The communication method according to claim 67, comprising the further steps of:

displaying a first window in which identification information of data stored in said apparatus is displayed; and

displaying a second window in which identification information of said data to be transmitted to said external apparatus, based on said management data edited by said editor, is displayed.

71. The communication method according to claim 70, comprising the further step of:

editing said management information of data to be transmitted to said first apparatus based on an input to said identification information of data displayed in at least one of said first window and said second window.

72. A computer readable storage medium comprising program code executable by a processor configured to implement the following procedures:

registering data to be transferred from an apparatus to an external apparatus and editing management information, said management information stored in a storage medium of said apparatus, based on a user selection without regard to the connection of said external apparatus and said apparatus;

detecting, at said apparatus, whether said apparatus and said external apparatus are connected;

comparing, at said apparatus, said edited management information with information of data stored in said external apparatus; and

controlling, at the apparatus, transfer of the data registered to said management information based on result of the comparison when said detection indicates that said apparatus and said external apparatus are connected.

73. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 72, further comprising the steps of:

reading out a TOC (Table of Contents) from a Compact Disc;

transmitting information associated with the TOC to an external server; and

receiving additional information associated with the Compact Disc from the external server.

74. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 72, comprising the further steps of:

receiving identification information of said apparatus;

judging whether said identification information of said external apparatus is predetermined identification information; and

starting said transmission of data when said identification information of said external apparatus is determined to be predetermined identification information.

75. The computer readable medium according to claim 72, comprising the further steps of:

displaying a first window in which identification information of data stored in said apparatus is displayed; and

displaying a second window in which identification information of said data to be transmitted to said external apparatus, based on said management data edited by said editor, is displayed.

76. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 75, comprising the further step of:

editing said management information of data to be transmitted to said external apparatus based on an input to said identification information of data displayed in one of said first window and said second window.

77. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 72, wherein the transferred data are compressed data as AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) format.

78. The computer readable storage medium according claim 72, wherein the external apparatus is portable and the storage medium is a hard disk.

79. The computer readable storage medium according claim 72, wherein the external apparatus is portable and the storage medium is a flash memory.

80. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 72, wherein said storage medium has a data storage capacity larger than that of a storage medium of the external apparatus.