Information processing system, information processor, information processing method, receiver, receiving method, and program

• US 7,903,591 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2004
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Wakamatsu, Masataka
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Huy D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hailu, Kibrom T
• Application Number:
  US10/853,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20050008130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,477 Days
• Field of Search: 370/282, 370/338, 370/901, 725/143, 707/104.1, 455/456.1, 455/432.1
• US Class Current: 370/282
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/901 Wide area network

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing system enabled to transmit and receive video mails at a higher transfer rate and at reduced cost. In this system, a file server sends a low capacity notification mail, which notifies the presence of a video mail sent from a portable terminal, to another portable terminal. This portable terminal accesses the file server in response to the notification mail, and downloads the video mail therefrom via a WLAN network that is a broadband communication line.

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising:

an information processor configured to receive data transmitted from a transmitter and process the data, wherein said transmitter is a registered user of the information processor; and

a receiver configured to receive the data from said information processor, wherein said receiver is a registered user of the information processor;

said information processor comprises;

a data receptacle configured to receive said data from the transmitter, which includes large volume data that comprises data of large volume and destination information identifying a destination that the information processor will transmit the large volume data to, wherein the data receptacle is configured to store the large volume data received from the transmitter in a storage location for which only the receiver has access rights among registered users of the information processor;

a notification information transmitter configured to transmit notification information notifying presence of the large volume data, to said receiver, which is the destination of said large volume data corresponding to the destination information, via a base station in a narrowband communication network;

a key generator configured to generate a key that is sent to the receiver with the notification information and which is used to determine access to the large volume data stored in the storage location of the data receptacle the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter; and

a large volume data transmitter configured to transmit said large volume data via an access point in a broadband communication network to said receiver in response from said receiver, and

said receiver comprises;

a notification information receptacle configured to receive said notification information with said key via said base station in the narrowband communication network;

a request unit configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point, based on said notification information and using said key, when said receiver is within a communication range of the access point; and

a large volume data receptacle configured to receive said large volume data, which is sent from said information processor in response to said request for said large volume data, via said access point in the broadband communication network,

wherein the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.

5. The information processing system according to claim 1, the information processor further comprising:

a user information storage unit configured to store address information of users registered with the information processor, including the transmitter and the receiver; and

an authenticator configured to determine whether a user is a registered with the information processor and to prevent large volume data from being transmitted to or from a user that is not a registered user.

2. An information processor for receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmitter, comprising:

a data receptacle configured to receive the data from the transmitter, which includes large volume data that comprises data of large volume and destination information identifying a destination that the information processor will transmit the large volume data to, wherein said transmitter is a registered user of the information processor, wherein the data receptacle is configured to store the large volume data received from the transmitter in a storage location for which only a receiver corresponding to the destination has access rights among registered users of the information processor;

a notification information transmitter configured to transmit notification information notifying presence of the large volume data, to the receiver, which is the destination of said large volume data corresponding to the destination information, via a base station in a narrowband communication network, wherein said receiver is a registered user of the information processor;

a key generator configured to generate a key that is sent to the receiver with the notification information and which is used to determine access to the large volume data stored in the storage location of the data receptacle the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter; and

a large volume data transmitter configured to transmit said large volume data via an access point in a broadband communication network in response to a request from said receiver which includes said key and which is sent to the information processor via the access point when the receiver is within a communication range of the access point,

wherein the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.

3. The information processor according to claim 2, further comprising:

a format converter configured to convert a format of the large volume data to a format associated with said receiver; and

said large volume data transmitter is configured to transmit said format-converted large volume data.

4. The information processor according to claim 2, wherein said narrowband communication network includes a portable telephone network, and wherein said broadband communication network includes a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network).

6. An information processing method implemented on an information processor for receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmitter, comprising:

receiving, at data receptacle, the data at the information processor that is transmitted from said transmitter and includes large volume data, which comprises data of large volume and includes destination information identifying a destination that the information processor will transmit the large volume data to, wherein said transmitter is a registered user of the information processor, and storing the large volume data received from the transmitter in a storage location for which only a receiver corresponding to the destination has access rights among registered users of the information processor;

generating, at a key generator, a key that is sent to the receiver which is used to determine access to the large volume data stored in the storage location of the data receptacle the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter;

transmitting, at the information processor, notification information notifying presence of said large volume data, to the receiver, which is the destination of the large volume data corresponding to the destination information, via a base station in a narrowband communication network, wherein said receiver is a registered user of the information processor, the notification information including the key generated at the key generator; and

transmitting, at the information processor, said large volume data via an access point in a broadband communication network in response to a request from said receiver which includes said key and which is sent to the information processor via the access point when the receiver is within a communication range of the access point,

wherein the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.

7. A computer readable storage medium encoded with computer executable instructions, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer as an information processor to perform an information processing method of receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmitter, the method comprising:

receiving, at a data receptacle, the data transmitted from said transmitter and including large volume data comprising data of large volume and destination information identifying a destination that the information processor will transmit the large volume data to, wherein said transmitter is a registered user of the information processor, and storing the large volume data received from the transmitter in a storage location for which only a receiver corresponding to the destination has access rights among registered users of the information processor;

generating, at a key generator, a key that is sent to the receiver which is used to determine access to the large volume data stored in the storage location of the data receptacle the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter;

transmitting notification information notifying presence of said large volume data, to the receiver, which is the destination of the large volume data corresponding to the destination information, via a base station in a narrowband communication network, wherein said receiver is a registered user of the information processor, the notification information including the key generated at the key generator; and

transmitting said large volume data via an access point in a broadband communication network in response to a request from said receiver which includes said key and which is sent to the information processor via the access point when the receiver is within a communication range of the access point,

wherein the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.

8. A receiver for receiving data from an information processor receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmitter, comprising:

a notification information receptacle configured to receive from said information processor notification information notifying presence of large volume data comprising data of large volume, the large volume data is sent from said transmitter to said information processor and addressed to said receiver by the transmitter, said notification information received via a base station in a narrowband communication network, wherein said transmitter and receiver are registered users of the information processor, the notification information including a key that allows the receiver to access the large volume data stored in a storage location of the information processor for which only the receiver has access rights among registered users of the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter;

request means for requesting said large volume data to said information processor, based on said information notification information and using said key, via an access point in a broadband communication network when the receiver is within a communication range of the access point; and

large volume data receptacle for receiving said large volume data transmitted from said information processor via the access point in the broadband communication network, in response to said request from said request means,

wherein the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.

9. The receiver according to claim 8, wherein said narrowband communication network includes a portable telephone network, and wherein said broadband communication network includes a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network).

10. A receiving method implemented on a receiver of receiving data from an information processor receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmitter, comprising:

receiving at the receiver from said information processor notification information notifying presence of large volume data comprising data of large volume and, the large volume data is sent from said transmitter to said information processor and addressed to said receiver by the transmitter, said notification information is received via a base station in a narrowband communication network, wherein said transmitter and receiver are registered users of the information processor, the notification information including a key that allows the receiver to access the large volume data stored in a storage location of the information processor for which only the receiver has access rights among registered users of the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter;

requesting, at the receiver, said large volume data to said information processor, based on said information notification information and using said key, via an access point in a broadband communication network when the receiver is within a communication range of the access point; and

receiving, at the receiver, said large volume data transmitted from said information processor via the access point in the broadband communication network, in response to said request from said requesting,

wherein the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.

11. A computer readable storage medium encoded with computer executable instructions, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer as a receiver to perform a receiving method of receiving data from an information processor, which receives and processes data transmitted from a transmitter, the method comprising:

receiving from said information processor notification information notifying presence of large volume data comprising data of large volume, the large volume data is sent from said transmitter to said information processor and addressed to said receiver by the transmitter, said notification information received via a base station in a narrowband communication network, said transmitter and receiver are registered users of the information processor, the notification information including a key that allows the receiver to access the large volume data stored in a storage location of the information processor for which only the receiver has access rights among registered users of the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter;

requesting said large volume data to said information processor, based on said notification information and using said key, via an access point in a broadband communication network when the receiver is within a communication range of the access point; and

receiving said large volume data transmitted from said information processor via the access point in the broadband communication network in response to said request from said requesting,

wherein the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.

12. An information processing system comprising:

an information processor configured to receive data transmitted from a transmitter and processing said data, wherein said transmitter is a registered user of the information processor; and

a receiver configured to receive the data from said information processor, wherein said receiver is a registered user of the information processor,

said information processor comprising;

a data receptacle configured to receive data from the transmitter including large volume data comprising data of large volume and destination information identifying a destination that the information processor will transmit the large volume data to, wherein the data receptacle is configured to store the large volume data received from the transmitter in a storage location for which only the receiver has access rights among registered users of the information processor;

a notification information transmitter configured to transmit notification information notifying presence of said large volume data to said receiver as the destination of said large volume data corresponding to the destination information, via a base station in a narrowband communication network;

a key generator configured to generate a key that is sent to the receiver with the notification information and which is used to determine access to the large volume data stored in the storage location of the data receptacle the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter; and

a large volume data transmitter configured to transmit said large volume data in response to a request from said receiver, via an access point in a broadband communication network to said receiver, said receiver comprises;

a notification information receptacle configured to receive said notification information, via said base station in the narrowband communication network;

request means for requesting said large volume data to said information processor, based on said notification information, via the access point when the receiver is within a communication range of the access point; and

a large volume data receptacle configured to receive said large volume data sent from said information processor in response to said request for said large volume data, via said access point in the broadband communication network; and

at least one of said narrowband communication network and said broadband communication network comprises a wireless circuit,

wherein the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.

13. An information processor for receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmitter, comprising:

a data receptacle configured to receive data transmitted from said transmitter and including large volume data comprising data of large volume and destination information identifying a destination that the information processor will transmit the large volume data to, wherein said transmitter is a registered user of the information processor, wherein the data receptacle is configured to store the large volume data received from the transmitter in a storage location for which only a receiver corresponding to the destination has access rights among registered users of the information processor;

a notification information transmitter configured to transmit notification information notifying presence of said large volume data, to the receiver as the destination of said large volume data corresponding to the destination information via a base station in a narrowband communication network, wherein said receiver is a registered user of the information processor;

a key generator configured to generate a key that is sent to the receiver with the notification information and which is used to determine access to the large volume data stored in the storage location of the data receptacle the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter; and

a large volume data transmitter configured to transmit said large volume data via an access point in a broadband communication network in response to a request from said receiver which is sent to the information processor when the receiver is within a communication range of the access point;

wherein

at least one of said narrowband communication network and said broadband communication network comprises a wireless circuit,

wherein the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.

14. The information processor according to claim 13, further comprising:

a format converter configured to convert a format of said large volume data to a format associated with said receiver, wherein said large volume data transmitter is configured to transmit said format-converted large volume data.

15. The information processor according to claim 13, wherein said narrowband communication network includes a portable telephone network, and said broadband communication network includes a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network).

16. An information processing method implemented at an information processor for receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmitter, comprising:

receiving, at data receptacle, data at the information processor that is transmitted from said transmitter and including large volume data comprising data of large volume and destination information identifying a destination that the information processor will transmit the large volume data to, wherein said transmitter is a registered user of the information processor, and storing at the data receptacle the large volume data received from the transmitter in a storage location for which only a receiver corresponding to the destination has access rights among registered users of the information processor;

generating, at a key generator, a key that is sent to the receiver and which is used to determine access to the large volume data stored in the storage location of the data receptacle the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter;

transmitting, at the information processor, notification information notifying presence of said large volume data, to the receiver as the destination of the large volume data corresponding to the destination information via a base station in a narrowband communication network, wherein said receiver is a registered user of the information processor, the notification information including the key generated at the key generator; and

transmitting, at the information processor, said large volume data to said receiver, via an access point in a broadband communication network, in response to a request from said receiver which is sent to the information processor when the receiver is within a communication range of the access point;

wherein

at least one of said narrowband communication network and said broadband communication network comprises a wireless circuit, and

the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.

17. A computer readable storage medium encoded with computer executable instructions, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer as an information processor to perform an information processing method of receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmitter, the method comprising:

receiving, at a data receptacle, data transmitted from said transmitter and including large volume data comprising data of large volume and destination information identifying a destination that the information processor will transmit the large volume data to, wherein said transmitter is a registered user of the information processor, and storing at the data receptacle the large volume data received from the transmitter in a storage location for which only a receiver corresponding to the destination has access rights among registered users of the information processor;

generating, at a key generator, a key that is sent to the receiver and which is used to determine access to the large volume data stored in the storage location of the data receptacle the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter;

transmitting notification information notifying presence of said large volume data, to the receiver as the destination of the large volume data corresponding to the destination information via a base station in a narrowband communication network, wherein said receiver is a registered user of the information processor, the notification information including the key generated at the key generator; and

transmitting said large volume data to said receiver, via an access point in a broadband communication network, in response to a request from said receiver which is sent to the information processor when the receiver is within a communication range of the access point;

wherein

at least one of said narrowband communication network and said broadband communication network comprises a wireless circuit, and

the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.

18. A receiver for receiving data from an information processor receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmitter, comprising:

a notification information receptacle configured to receive from said information processor notification information notifying presence of large volume data comprising data of large volume, the large volume data is sent from said transmitter to said information processor and addressed to said receiver by the transmitter, said notification information received via a base station in a narrowband communication network, wherein said transmitter and receiver are registered users of the information processor, the notification information including a key that allows the receiver to access the large volume data stored in a storage location of the information processor for which only the receiver has access rights among registered users of the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter;

request means for requesting said large volume data to said information processor, based on said notification information and using said key, via an access point in a broadband communication network when the receiver is within a communication range of the access point; and

a data receptacle configured to receive said large volume data, transmitted from said information processor in response to said request for said large volume data, via the access point in the broadband communication network;

wherein

at least one of said narrowband communication network and said broadband communication network comprises a wireless circuit, and

the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.

19. The receiver according to claim 18, wherein said narrowband communication network includes a portable telephone network, and said broadband communication network includes a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network).

20. A receiving method implemented on a receiver of receiving data from an information processor receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmitter, comprising:

receiving at the receiver from said information processor notification information notifying presence of large volume data comprising data of large volume, the large volume data is sent from said transmitter to said information processor and addressed to said receiver by the transmitter, said notification information received via a base station in a narrowband communication network, wherein said transmitter and receiver are registered users of the information processor, the notification information including a key that allows the receiver to access the large volume data stored in a storage location of the information processor for which only the receiver has access rights among registered users of the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter;

requesting, at the receiver, said large volume data to said information processor, based on said notification information and using said key, via an access point in a broadband communication network when the receiver is within a communication range of the access point; and

receiving, at the receiver, said large volume data, transmitted from said information processor in response to said request for said large volume data, via the access point in the broadband communication network;

wherein

at least one of said narrowband communication network and said broadband communication network comprises a wireless circuit, and

the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.

21. A computer readable storage medium encoded with computer executable instructions, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer as a receiver to perform a receiving method of receiving data from an information processor receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmitter, the method comprising:

receiving from said information processor notification information notifying presence of large volume data comprising data of large volume, the large volume data is sent from said transmitter to said information processor and addressed to said receiver by the transmitter, said notification information received via a base station in a narrowband communication network, wherein said transmitter and receiver are registered users of the information processor, the notification information including a key that allows the receiver to access the large volume data stored in a storage location of the information processor for which only the receiver has access rights among registered users of the information processor, the key being generated after the information processor receives the large volume data from the transmitter;

requesting said large volume data to said information processor, based on said notification information and using said key, via an access point in a broadband communication network when the receiver is within a communication range of the access point; and

receiving said large volume data, transmitted from said information processor in response to said request for said large volume data, via the access point in the broadband communication network;

wherein

at least one of said narrowband communication network and said broadband communication network comprises a wireless circuit, and

the receiver is configured to receive said notification information via said base station when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point and the receiver does not receive said large volume data when the receiver is not in a communication range of the access point, and the receiver is configured to request said large volume data to said information processor via the access point when the receiver moves into the communication range of the access point after the receiver has received said notification information via the base station.