Information communication system information communication device and information communication method and computer program

• US 7,526,252 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2003
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Rekimoto, Junichi, Kohno, Michimune
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson; Matthew D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Guzman; April S
• Application Number:
  US10/495,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20050114646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,118 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/556.2, 709/227
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0009 where voice calls remain entirely in the telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0027 Collaboration services where a computer is used for data transfer and the telephone is used for telephonic communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

An information communication system includes a first telephone operated by a first user, first proximity communication means operated when a first device comes into its vicinity so as to connect the both, a second telephone operated by a second user, and second proximity communication means operated when a second device comes into its vicinity so as to connect the both. The first telephone reads an IP address of the first device via the first proximity communication means, transmits it to the second telephone via a telephone network, and notifies it to the second device via the second proximity communication means. By link operation between a telephone and an electronic device in its vicinity, it is possible to share information and exchange information with a conversation partner via the telephone.

Claims

1. An information communication system for performing an information exchange comprising:

a first telephone;

a first device;

first proximity communication means activated by the first telephone when the first telephone is brought close to the first device, wherein the first proximity communication means connects the first telephone and the first device;

a second telephone;

a second device;

second proximity communication means activated by the second telephone when the second telephone is brought close to the second device, wherein the second proximity communication means connects the second telephone and the second device;

a wide area transmission path that connects the first device with the second device;

reading means for reading, by the first telephone, an access method from the first device, wherein the access method specifies the first device;

first cooperating means for transmitting, through a telephone network, the access method from the first telephone to the second telephone;

second cooperating means for notifying, by the second telephone using the second proximity communication means, the second device of the access method;

third cooperating means for establishing a connection over the wide area transmission path between the first device and the second device using the access method; and

display means for displaying, on the first device and on the second device, information that is shared between the first device and the second device using the connection, wherein at least one of a user of the first device or a user of the second device can interact with the information while the information is being shared.

2. The information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first cooperating means transmits an encryption key for use in information communication through the wide area transmission path.

3. The information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first proximity communication means or the second proximity communication means comprises at least one of an infrared communication, an electromagnetic induction coupling, an electrostatic coupling, or a RF-ID.

4. The information communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for sharing, between the first device and the second device using the connection, user interaction performed on the first device and the second device.

5. The information communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for transferring a file between the first device and the second device using the connection.

6. The information communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for transferring, between the first device and the second device using the connection, an access method to contents provided on the wide area network.

7. The information communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for transferring, between the first device and the second device using the connection, contents acquired in one of the first device and the second device.

8. An information communication apparatus for performing information sharing through an associated operation of the apparatus and a first device in proximity thereto, comprising:

telephone communication means for performing communication through a telephone network;

proximity communication means for making a connection with the first device;

access method acquiring means for acquiring, using the proximity communication means, an access method that specifies the first device, wherein the first device is connected to a wide area network; and

access method transmitting means for transmitting, through the telephone network, the access method to a telephone, wherein

shared information is displayed on the first device and on the second device, the first device and a second device being connected using the access method, and at least one user of the first device or the second device can interact with the information while the information is being shared.

9. The information communication apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

encryption producing means for producing an encryption key for use in information communication through the wide area network, wherein the access method transmitting means transmits the encryption key to the telephone.

10. The information communication apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

access method receiving means for receiving a second access method from the telephone, wherein the second access method specifies a method for connecting to a second device over the wide area network, and wherein the telephone is in proximity to the second device; and

access method notifying means for notifying the first device of the second access method.

11. The information communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the proximity communication means comprises at least one of an infrared communication, an electromagnetic induction coupling, an electrostatic coupling, or a RF-ID.

12. An information communication method for performing information sharing through a cooperating operation of an apparatus and a first device in proximity with a first telephone, comprising:

making a connection with the first device;

acquiring, using the connection, an access method that specifies the first device, wherein the first device is connected to a wide area network; and

transmitting, through a telephone network, the access method to a second telephone, wherein

shared information is displayed on the first device and on a second device, the first device and the second device being connected using the access method, and at least one of a user of the first device or a user of the second device can interact with the information while the information is being shared.

13. The information communication method according to claim 12, further comprising:

producing an encryption key for use in information communication through the wide area network; and

transmitting encryption key to the second telephone.

14. The information communication method according to claim 12, further comprising:

receiving a second access method from the second telephone, wherein the second access method specifies a method for connecting to a second device over the wide area network; and

notifying the first device of the second access method.

15. The information communication method according to claim 12, wherein the connection comprises at least one of an infrared communication, an electromagnetic induction coupling, an electrostatic coupling, or a RF-ID.

16. An information communication apparatus for performing information sharing with a device through a cooperating operation of the apparatus and a first telephone in proximity thereto, comprising:

proximity communication means for making a connection with the first telephone;

access method notifying means for notifying, using the connection, the first telephone of an access method that specifies the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is connected to a wide area network, the first telephone transmits the access method to a second telephone, and the second telephone transmits the access method to the device;

connection establishing means for establishing a second connection with the device through the wide area network; and

display means for displaying, on the apparatus and on the device, information that is shared between the apparatus and the device using the second connection, wherein at least one of a user of the apparatus or a user of the device can interact with the information while the information is being shared.

17. The information communication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus receives an encryption key from the first telephone and the apparatus uses the encryption key to encrypt information communication on the second connection.

18. The information communication apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising means for sharing user interaction performed on the apparatus and the first device between the apparatus and the first device using the second connection.

19. The information communication apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising means for transferring a file between the apparatus and the first device using the second connection.

20. The information communication apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising means for exchanging, using the second connection, a contents access method that specifies a method for obtaining contents provided on the wide area network.

21. The information communication apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising means for exchanging, using the second connection, contents acquired by the apparatus or the first device.

22. An information communication method for performing information sharing with a device through an associated operation with a first telephone in proximity to the device, comprising:

making a connection with the first telephone;

notifying, using the connection, the first telephone of an access method that specifies an apparatus, wherein the apparatus is connected to a wide area network, the first telephone transmits the access method to a second telephone, and the second telephone transmits the access method to the device;

establishing a second connection with the device through the wide area network; and

displaying, on the apparatus and on the device, information that is shared between the apparatus and the device using the second connection, wherein at least one of a user of the apparatus or a user of the device can interact with the information while the information is being shared.

23. The information communication method according to claim 22, further comprising:

receiving, from the first telephone, an encryption key; and

using the encryption key to encrypt information communication on the second connection.

24. The information communication method according to claim 22, further comprising sharing user interaction between the first device and the second device through the second connection.

25. The information communication method according to claim 22, further comprising transferring a file between the first device and the second device using the second connection.

26. The information communication method according to claim 22, further comprising exchanging a contents access method that specifies a method for obtaining contents provided on the wide area network.

27. The information communication method according to claim 22, further comprising exchanging, using the second connection, contents with the first device.

28. A transportable medium having a computer program for causing a computer to execute a method for performing information sharing through a cooperating operation with a first device in proximity with a telephone, the method comprising the steps of:

making a connection with the first device;

acquiring, using the connection, an access method that specifies the first device, wherein the first device is connected to a wide area network; and

transmitting, through a telephone network, the access method to a second telephone, wherein shared information is displayed on the first device and on a second device, the first and second device being connected using the access method, wherein at least one of a user of the first device or a user of the second device can interact with the information while the information is being shared.

29. A transportable medium having a computer program for causing a computer to execute a method for performing information sharing with a device through a cooperating operation with a first telephone in proximity to the first device, the method comprising:

making a connection with the first telephone;

notifying, using the connection, the first telephone of an access method that specifies apparatus, wherein the apparatus is connected to a wide area network, the first telephone transmits the access method to a second telephone, and the second telephone transmits the access method to the device;

establishing a second connection with the device through the wide area network using the access method; and

displaying, on the apparatus and on the device, information that is shared between the apparatus and the device using the second connection, wherein at least, one of a user of the apparatus or a user of the device can interact with the information while the information is being shared.