Information processing apparatus, information processing method, information exchanging method, recording medium, and program

• US 20020133552A1
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hasegawa, Yutaka, Ooi, Junji, Tsuchiya, Akitsugu
• Granted Patent: US 7,392,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/30 Managing network names, e.g. use of aliases or nicknames name-to-address mapping H04L61/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

In an arrangement wherein a first personal computer and a second personal computer perform peer-to-peer communication, and the first personal computer has an additional function module which the second personal computer does not have, the first personal computer and the second personal computer can perform peer-to-peer communication based on the additional function module. Accordingly, the functions of a function module can be used for communication even in the event that not all terminals communicating have the function module.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:

holding means for holding a function module necessary for using a predetermined function;

first transmitting means for transmitting said function module to another information processing apparatus;

specifying means for specifying processing of said function;

first executing means for executing said processing specified by said specifying means, following said function module;

receiving means for receiving information obtained by said other information processing apparatus by executing the processing of said function following said function module transmitted from said other information processing apparatus, and identification information of said function;

second executing means for executing, by following said function module, the processing of said function identified by said identification information received by said receiving means, corresponding to information obtained by said other information processing apparatus executing the processing of said function following said function module received by said receiving means; and

second transmitting means for transmitting, to said other information processing apparatus, information obtained by executing the processing of said function by said first executing means or said second executing means, and said identification information.

2. An information processing method, comprising:

a holding step for holding a function module necessary for using a predetermined function;

a first transmitting step for transmitting said function module to another information processing apparatus;

a specifying step for specifying processing of said function;

a first executing step for executing said processing specified in said specifying step, following said function module;

a receiving step for receiving information obtained by said other information processing apparatus by executing the processing of said function following said function module transmitted from said other information processing apparatus, and identification information of said function;

a second executing step for executing, by following said function module, the processing of said function identified by said identification information received in said receiving step, corresponding to information obtained by said other information processing apparatus executing the processing of said function following said function module received in said receiving step; and

a second transmitting step for transmitting, to said other information processing apparatus, information obtained by executing the processing of said function in said first executing step or said second executing step, and said identification information.

3. A recording medium, storing a computer-readable program, said program comprising:

code for a holding step for holding a function module necessary for using a predetermined function;

code for a first transmitting step for transmitting said function module to another information processing apparatus;

code for a specifying step for specifying processing of said function;

code for a first executing step for executing said processing specified in said specifying step, following said function module;

code for a receiving step for receiving information obtained by said other information processing apparatus by executing the processing of said function following said function module transmitted from said other information processing apparatus, and identification information of said function;

code for a second executing step for executing, by following said function module, the processing of said function identified by said identification information received in said receiving step, corresponding to information obtained by said other information processing apparatus executing the processing of said function following said function module received in said receiving step; and

code for a second transmitting step for transmitting, to said other information processing apparatus, information obtained by executing the processing of said function in said first executing step or said second executing step, and said identification information.

4. A program which causes a computer to execute processing, said processing comprising at least:

a holding step for holding a function module necessary for using a predetermined function;

a first transmitting step for transmitting said function module to another information processing apparatus;

a specifying step for specifying processing of said function;

a first executing step for executing said processing specified in said specifying step, following said function module;

a receiving step for receiving information obtained by said other information processing apparatus by executing the processing of said function following said function module transmitted from said other information processing apparatus, and identification information of said function;

a second executing step for executing, by following said function module, the processing of said function identified by said identification information received in said receiving step, corresponding to information obtained by said other information processing apparatus executing the processing of said function following said function module received in said receiving step; and

a second transmitting step for transmitting, to said other information processing apparatus, information obtained by executing the processing of said function in said first executing step or said second executing step, and said identification information.

5. An information processing apparatus, comprising:

first receiving means for receiving a function module necessary for using predetermined functions, transmitted from another information processing apparatus;

specifying means for specifying processing of said function;

first executing means for executing said processing specified by said specifying means, following said function module;

second receiving means for receiving information obtained by said other information processing apparatus by executing the processing of said function following said function module transmitted from said other information processing apparatus, and identification information of said function;

second executing means for executing, by following said function module, the processing of said function identified by said identification information received by said second receiving means, corresponding to information obtained by said other information processing apparatus executing the processing of said function following said function module received by said second receiving means; and

transmitting means for transmitting, to said other information processing apparatus, information obtained by executing the processing of said function by said first executing means or said second executing means, and said identification information.

6. An information processing method, comprising:

a first receiving step for receiving a function module necessary for using predetermined functions, transmitted from another information processing apparatus;

a specifying step for specifying processing of said function;

a first executing step for executing said processing specified in said specifying step, following said function module;

a second receiving step for receiving information obtained by said other information processing apparatus by executing the processing of said function following said function module transmitted from said other information processing apparatus, and identification information of said function;

a second executing step for executing, by following said function module, the processing of said function identified by said identification information received in said second receiving step, corresponding to information obtained by said other information processing apparatus executing the processing of said function following said function module received in said second receiving step; and

a transmitting step for transmitting, to said other information processing apparatus, information obtained by executing the processing of said function in said first executing step or said second executing step, and said identification information.

7. A recording medium, storing a computer-readable program, said program comprising:

code for a first receiving step for receiving a function module necessary for using predetermined functions, transmitted from another information processing apparatus;

code for a specifying step for specifying processing of said function;

code for a first executing step for executing said processing specified in said specifying step, following said function module;

code for a second receiving step for receiving information obtained by said other information processing apparatus by executing the processing of said function following said function module transmitted from said other information processing apparatus, and identification information of said function;

code for a second executing step for executing, by following said function module, the processing of said function identified by said identification information received in said second receiving step, corresponding to information obtained by said other information processing apparatus executing the processing of said function following said function module received in said second receiving step; and

code for a transmitting step for transmitting, to said other information processing apparatus, information obtained by executing the processing of said function in said first executing step or said second executing step, and said identification information.

8. A program which causes a computer to execute processing, said processing comprising at least:

a first receiving step for receiving a function module necessary for using predetermined functions, transmitted from another information processing apparatus;

a specifying step for specifying processing of said function;

a first executing step for executing said processing specified in said specifying step, following said function module;

a second receiving step for receiving information obtained by said other information processing apparatus by executing the processing of said function following said function module transmitted from said other information processing apparatus, and identification information of said function;

a second executing step for executing, by following said function module, the processing of said function identified by said identification information received in said second receiving step, corresponding to information obtained by said other information processing apparatus executing the processing of said function following said function module received in said second receiving step; and

a transmitting step for transmitting, to said other information processing apparatus, information obtained by executing the processing of said function in said first executing step or said second executing step, and said identification information.

9. An informational exchange method for exchanging, between a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected via a computer network, information obtained by executing processing following a function module necessary for using a predetermined function, said method comprising:

an information transmitting step for transmitting said information from a transmitting side information processing apparatuses for transmitting said information, to another information processing apparatus;

a function module transmitting step for transmitting said function module from said transmitting side information processing apparatuses to a receiving side information processing apparatus for receiving said information, in the event that said function module does not exist at said receiving side information processing apparatus;

a function module storing step for storing said function module in storing means provided to said receiving side information processing apparatus; and

an information exchanging step for exchanging said information between said transmitting side information processing apparatuses and said receiving side information processing apparatus, by executing processing following said function module at said receiving side information processing apparatus.

10. An informational exchange method according to claim 9, further comprising a function module deleting step for deleting said function module stored in said storing means, following completion of said information exchanging step.

11. An informational exchange method according to claim 9, wherein, in said information transmitting step, identification information of said function is transmitted along with said information.

12. An informational exchange method according to claim 11, further comprising a judging step for judging whether or not said function module exists at a receiving side information processing apparatus which receives said information, based on said identification information.

13. An informational exchange method according to claim 11, wherein, in said function module storing step, the contents of said identification information are changed to contents which invalidate execution of said function module, and the post-conversion identification information is stored in said storing means;

and wherein, in said information exchanging step, the contents of identification information stored in said storing means are restored to contents which validate execution of said function module, based on said identification information received from said transmitting side information processing apparatus.

16. A program according to claim 15, causing a computer to execute processing further comprising a function module deleting step for deleting said function module stored in said storing means, following completion of said information exchanging step.

17. A program according to claim 15, wherein, in said information transmitting step, identification information of said function is transmitted along with said information.

18. A program according to claim 17, causing a computer to execute processing further comprising a judging step for judging whether or not said function module exists at a receiving side information processing apparatus which receives said information, based on said identification information.

19. A program according to claim 17, wherein, in said function module storing step, the contents of said identification information are changed to contents which invalidate execution of said function module, and the post-conversion identification information is stored in said storing means;

and wherein, in said information exchanging step, the contents of identification information stored in said storing means are restored to contents which validate execution of said function module, based on said identification information received from said transmitting side information processing apparatus.

14. A recording medium, storing a computer-readable program for exchanging, between a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected via a computer network, information obtained by executing processing following a function module necessary for using a predetermined function, said program comprising:

code for an information transmitting step for transmitting said information from a transmitting side information processing apparatuses for transmitting said information, to another information processing apparatus;

code for a function module transmitting step for transmitting said function module from said transmitting side information processing apparatuses to a receiving side information processing apparatus for receiving said information, in the event that said function module does not exist at said receiving side information processing apparatus;

code for a function module storing step for storing said function module in storing means provided to said receiving side information processing apparatus; and

code for an information exchanging step for exchanging said information between said transmitting side information processing apparatuses and said receiving side information processing apparatus, by executing processing following said function module at said receiving side information processing apparatus.

15. A program which causes a computer to execute processing, for exchanging, between a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected via a computer network, information obtained by executing processing following a function module necessary for using a predetermined function, said processing comprising at least:

an information transmitting step for transmitting said information from a transmitting side information processing apparatuses for transmitting said information, to another information processing apparatus;

a function module transmitting step for transmitting said function module from said transmitting side information processing apparatuses to a receiving side information processing apparatus for receiving said information, in the event that said function module does not exist at said receiving side information processing apparatus;

a function module storing step for storing said function module in storing means provided to said receiving side information processing apparatus; and

an information exchanging step for exchanging said information between said transmitting side information processing apparatuses and said receiving side information processing apparatus, by executing processing following said function module at said receiving side information processing apparatus.