Communication system and method, information processing apparatus and method, information processing terminal and method

• US 8,194,557 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2008
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Sasai, Takashi, Kakuda, Hiroshi, Higo, Masamitsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOM, SHICK C
• Application Number:
  US12/121,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20080287160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,482 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5038 for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/002 Mutual synchronization
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 Master-slave selection or change arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

The present invention relates to a communication system and a method thereof, an information processing apparatus and a method thereof, an information processing terminal and a method thereof, which can start wireless communication easily and promptly. When an electromagnetic wave radiated from a reader/writer of a PDA 2 is received in a reader/writer of a personal computer 1, the personal computer 1 notifies the PDA 2 of device information stored therein. The PDA 2 establishes synchronization for Bluetooth communication with the personal computer 1 in accordance with a Bluetooth address contained in the device information and selects a service in accordance with a service record contained in the device information to establish communication via Bluetooth. The present invention can be applied to various information processing apparatuses such as a personal computer or a PDA.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

a storage device coupled to the processor;

a determination unit in communications with a wireless communications apparatus using electromagnetic induction, the determination unit being configured to use the processor to;

receive first communication comprising first information from the wireless communication apparatus; and

determine, based on the first information, whether the wireless communications apparatus is disposed proximate to the information processing apparatus;

an acquisition unit configured to use the processor to;

receive a second communication comprising second information stored in the wireless communication apparatus, when the wireless communication apparatus is disposed proximate to the information processing apparatus, the second information comprising at least identification information identifying the wireless communication apparatus and communication method information identifying a plurality of wireless communication methods available to the wireless communication apparatus;

a selection unit configured to select one of the communication methods, based on the communication method information; and

a communication establishing unit configured to use the processor to establish a communication session with the wireless communication apparatus using the selected communication method.

2. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a communication function activating request unit configured to use the processor to request that the wireless communication apparatus activate a communication function corresponding to the selected communication method.

3. An information processing apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

a storage device coupled to the processor;

a determination unit in communications with a wireless communications apparatus based on an output power of a radio wave emitted from the wireless communication apparatus, the determination unit being configured to use the processor to;

receive first communication comprising first information from the wireless communication apparatus; and

determine, based on the first information, whether the wireless communications apparatus is disposed proximate to the information processing apparatus;

an acquisition unit configured to use the processor to;

receive a second communication comprising second information stored in the wireless communication apparatus, when the wireless communication apparatus disposed proximate to the information processing apparatus, the second information comprising at least identification information identifying the wireless communication apparatus and communication method information identifying a plurality of wireless communication methods available to the wireless communication apparatus;

a selection unit configured to use the processor to select one of the communication methods, based on the communication method information; and

a communication establishing unit configured to use the processor to establish a communication session with the wireless communication apparatus using the selected communication method.

4. The information processing apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

a communication function activating request unit configured to use the processor to request that the wireless communication apparatus activate a communication function corresponding to the selected communication method.

5. A computer-implemented method for processing information, comprising:

receiving a first communication comprising first information from a wireless communication apparatus; and

determining, based on the first information, whether a wireless communications apparatus is disposed proximate to an information processing apparatus;

receiving a second communication comprising second information stored in the wireless communication apparatus, when the wireless communication apparatus is disposed proximate to the information processing apparatus, the second information comprising at least identification information identifying the wireless communication apparatus and communication method information identifying a plurality of wireless communication methods available to the wireless communication apparatus;

selecting one of the communication methods, based on the communication method information; and

establishing establish a communication session between the information processing apparatus and the wireless communication apparatus using the selected communication method.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising transmitting, to the wireless communications apparatus, a request to activate a communication function corresponding to the selected communication method.

7. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, that when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to implement a method for processing information, comprising:

receiving a first communication comprising first information from a wireless communication apparatus; and

determining, based on the first information, whether a wireless communications apparatus is disposed proximate to an information processing apparatus;

receiving a second communication comprising second information stored in the wireless communication apparatus, when the wireless communication apparatus is disposed proximate to the information processing apparatus, the second information comprising at least identification information identifying the wireless communication apparatus and communication method information identifying a plurality of wireless communication methods available to the wireless communication apparatus;

selecting one of the communication methods, based on the communication method information; and

establishing establish a communication session between the information processing apparatus and the wireless communication apparatus using the selected communication method.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, further comprising transmitting, to the wireless communications apparatus, a request to activate a communication function corresponding to the selected communication method.