Information processing system, recording apparatus, communication apparatus, information processing method, and program

• US 8,776,136 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2005
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hatanaka, Kentaro, Yamada, Eiju, Ishikawa, Masayuki, Nomura, Takashi, Miura, Takashi, Oobayashi, Tsuyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Goodarzi, Nasser
• Assistant Examiner(s): HONG, MICHAEL HYUN
• Application Number:
  US11/203,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20060041910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,249 Days
• Field of Search: 725/58, 725/133, 725/39
• US Class Current: 725/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus

Abstract

In a DVR recording apparatus, a program and EPG data are received, and the EPG data and a reservation list, which relates to a reservation status of program recording, are stored. In addition, reserved recording, for recording a program in accordance with the reservation list, is carried out. Further, in the DVR, EPG data or the reservation list is transmitted in accordance with a request from a portable telephone. On one hand, in the portable telephone, in accordance with an operation of a user, a request of the EPG data or reservation list is transmitted, and in accordance with the request, the EPG data or reservation list transmitted from the DVR is received. Then, the EPG data or reservation list is presented in the portable telephone to a user.

Claims

1. An information processing system, comprising:

a recording apparatus which receives and records a program;

a communication apparatus by which a user communicates with the recording apparatus;

a server which controls initial registering of the recording apparatus and subsequent logging in of the communication apparatus to enable communication thereafter between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus to be directly carried out without being controlled by the server; and

a router which controls communication between the recording apparatus and the server;

the recording apparatus including;

a first communication unit which transmits, to the server via the router and over a communication network, identification information corresponding to the recording apparatus to register the recording apparatus with the server;

the communication apparatus including;

a second communication unit which receives user-inputted identification information that is inputted into the communication apparatus by the user and transmits, to the server over the communication network, a login request which includes the user-inputted identification information;

the server including;

a third communication unit which receives the identification information corresponding to the recording apparatus transmitted by the first communication unit of the recording apparatus through the router to register the recording apparatus with the server, stores the received identification information corresponding to the recording apparatus, receives the login request transmitted by the second communication unit of the communication apparatus, and compares the identification information included in the login request to the stored identification information corresponding to the recording apparatus, the login request being successful upon the identification information included in the login request coinciding with the stored identification information corresponding to the recording apparatus,

whereby the third communication unit of the server, in response to the communication apparatus successfully logging in to the server, transmits a request via the router to the first communication unit of the recording apparatus for access information, wherein the request comprises a port confirmation message for requesting confirmation of a port of the first communication unit to use for direct communication between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus, receives the access information from the first communication unit of the recording apparatus in response to the request, the access information comprising socket information identifying the port of the first communication unit to be used for the direct communication between the first communication unit of the recording apparatus and the second communication unit of the communication apparatus to be carried out over the communication network without being controlled by the server, and transmits the access information to the second communication unit of the communication apparatus;

the recording apparatus including;

a receiving unit which receives a program and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data,

a storing unit which stores the EPG data and reservation status information which relates to a reservation status of program recording, and

a reservation recording processing unit which carries out reservation recording processing in which a program is recorded in accordance with the reservation status information;

the first communication unit of the recording apparatus carrying out the direct communication with the communication apparatus over the communication network through the router using the port of the recording apparatus identified in the socket information of the access information without such communication being controlled by the server that controlled the initial registering of the recording apparatus and the subsequent logging in of the communication apparatus, including transmitting the EPG data or the reservation status information in accordance with a request from the communication apparatus;

the second communication unit of the communication apparatus carrying out the direct communication with the recording apparatus over the communication network through the router using the port of the recording apparatus identified in the socket information of the access information without such communication being controlled by the server that controlled the initial registering of the recording apparatus and the subsequent logging in of the communication apparatus, including transmitting a request of the EPG data or the reservation status information in accordance with an operation of the user and receiving the EPG data or the reservation status information which is transmitted from the recording apparatus in accordance with the request; and

the communication apparatus including;

a presenting unit which presents to the user the EPG data or the reservation status information which was received by the second communication unit.

2. The information processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second communication unit in the communication apparatus further transmits a reservation request for requesting reservation of program recording, in accordance with an operation of a user, and as to the recording apparatus, the first communication unit carries out also reception of the reservation request, and it further includes a recording reservation processing unit which carries out recording reservation processing for reserving program recording in accordance with the reservation request.

3. The information processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second communication unit in the communication apparatus further transmits an editing request for requesting editing of the reservation status information in accordance with an operation of a user, and as to the recording apparatus, the first communication unit also carries out reception of the editing request, and it further includes an editing unit which edits the reservation status information in accordance with the editing request.

4. The information processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is a device selected from the group consisting of a portable telephone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) having a communication function, a portable type personal computer, and a desk top type personal computer.

5. The information processing system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the recording apparatus further includes a judgment unit which judges whether the reservation requested program received by the first communication unit overlaps with a program already reserved for recording.

6. The information processing system as set forth in claim 5, wherein in case that it was judged by the judgment unit that the reservation requested program overlaps with the program already reserved for recording, the first communication unit transmits overlap information to the communication apparatus.

7. The information processing system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the second communication unit in the communication apparatus further receives the overlap information, and the presenting unit presents the overlap information received by the second communication unit.

8. A recording apparatus for receiving and recording a program, the recording apparatus comprising:

a communication unit which communicates with an external server over a communication network via a router, transmits identification information corresponding to the recording apparatus to register the recording apparatus with the server by which the server controls subsequent logging in of an external communication apparatus to enable communication thereafter between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus to be directly carried out without being controlled by the server;

the communication unit, in response to the external communication apparatus successfully logging in to the server over the communication network by transmitting a login request which includes the identification information corresponding to the recording apparatus, receives a request from the server for access information, wherein the request comprises a port confirmation message for requesting confirmation of a port of the communication unit to use for direct communication between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus, and transmits the access information to the server in response to the request, the access information comprising socket information identifying the port of the communication unit to be used for the direct communication over the communication network to be carried out between the communication unit and the external communication apparatus without such communication being controlled by the server that controlled the initial communication between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus;

a receiving unit which receives a program and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data;

a storing unit which stores the EPG data and reservation status information which relates to a reservation status of program recording; and

a reservation recording processing unit which carries out reservation recording processing for recording a program in accordance with the reservation status information;

the communication unit carrying out the direct communication with the external communication apparatus over the communication network through the router using the port of the recording apparatus identified in the socket information of the access information without such communication being controlled by the server that controlled the initial registering of the recording apparatus and the subsequent logging in of the communication apparatus, including transmitting the EPG data or the reservation status information in accordance with a request from the external communication apparatus.

9. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein in case that the communication apparatus transmits a reservation request for requesting reservation of program recording in accordance with an operation of a user, the communication unit also carries out reception of the reservation request, and further has a recording reservation processing unit which carries out recording reservation processing for reserving program recording in accordance with the reservation request.

10. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein in case the communication apparatus transmits an editing request for requesting editing of the reservation status information in accordance with an operation of a user, the communication unit also carries out reception of the editing request, and further includes an editing unit which edits the reservation status information in accordance with the editing request.

11. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further comprising a judgment unit which judges whether the reservation requested program received by the communication unit overlaps with a program already reserved for recording.

12. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein in case it was judged by the judgment unit that the reservation requested program overlaps with the program already reserved for recording, the communication unit transmits overlap information to the external communication apparatus.

13. A method for receiving and recording a program at a recording apparatus, the method comprising:

subsequent logging in of a communication apparatus to enable communication thereafter between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus to be directly carried out without being controlled by a server;

in response to the communication apparatus successfully logging in to the server over the communication network through a router by transmitting a login request which includes identification information,

receiving a request from the server for access information, wherein the request comprises a port confirmation message for requesting confirmation of a port of a communication unit of the recording apparatus to use for direct communication between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus, and

transmitting the access information to the server in response to the request, the access information comprising socket information identifying the port of the communication unit to be used for the direct communication over the communication network to be carried out between the communication unit and the communication apparatus without such communication being controlled by the server that controlled the initial communication between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus;

receiving a program and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data;

storing the EPG data and reservation status information which relates to a reservation status of program recording;

carrying out reservation recording processing for recording a program in accordance with the reservation status information; and

carrying out the direct communication with the communication apparatus over the communication network through the router using the port of the recording apparatus identified in the socket information of the access information without such communication being controlled by the server that controlled the initial registering of the recording apparatus and the subsequent logging in of the communication apparatus, including transmitting the EPG data or the reservation status information in accordance with a request from the external communication apparatus.

14. A non-transitory recording medium having recorded thereon a computer-readable program for performing a method for receiving and recording a program at a recording apparatus, the method comprising:

subsequent logging in of a communication apparatus to enable communication thereafter between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus to be directly carried out without being controlled by a server;

in response to the communication apparatus successfully logging in to the server over the communication network through a router by transmitting a login request which includes identification information,

receiving a request from the server for access information, wherein the request comprises a port confirmation message for requesting confirmation of a port of a communication unit of the recording apparatus to use for direct communication between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus, and

transmitting the access information to the server in response to the request, the access information comprising socket information identifying the port of the communication unit to be used for the direct communication over the communication network to be carried out between the communication unit and the communication apparatus without such communication being controlled by the server that controlled the initial communication between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus;

receiving a program and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data;

storing the EPG data and reservation status information which relates to a reservation status of program recording;

carrying out reservation recording processing for recording a program in accordance with the reservation status information; and

carrying out the direct communication with the communication apparatus over the communication network through the router using the port of the recording apparatus identified in the socket information of the access information without such communication being controlled by the server that controlled the initial registering of the recording apparatus and the subsequent logging in of the communication apparatus, including transmitting the EPG data or the reservation status information in accordance with a request from the external communication apparatus.

15. A communication apparatus for communicating over a communication network with an external recording apparatus which receives and records a program, the communication apparatus comprising:

a communication unit which receives user-inputted identification information that is inputted into the communication apparatus by a user, and which transmits to an external server a login request that includes the user-inputted identification information, the external recording apparatus having previously transmitted to the server identification information corresponding to the external recording apparatus to register the external recording apparatus with the server by which the server controls the initial registering of the recording apparatus and the subsequent logging in of the communication apparatus to enable communication thereafter between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus through a router to be directly carried out without being controlled by the server;

the communication unit, in response to successfully logging in to the server, receiving access information from the server, the access information comprising socket information identifying a port of the recording apparatus to be used for the direct communication between the recording apparatus and the communication unit of the communication apparatus to be carried out over the communication network through the router without such communication being controlled by the server that controlled the initial registering of the recording apparatus and the subsequent logging in of the communication apparatus, the login request being successful upon the identification information included in the login request coinciding with the stored identification information previously transmitted by the recording apparatus, the access information being previously transmitted by the recording apparatus to the server in response to a request from the server for the access information, wherein the request comprises a port confirmation message for requesting confirmation of the port of the recording apparatus to use for direct communication between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus;

in response to the recording apparatus receiving a program and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data, storing the EPG data and reservation status information which relates to a reservation status of program recording, carrying out reservation recording processing in which a program is recorded in accordance with the reservation status information, and communicating over the communication network through the router using the port of the recording apparatus identified in the socket information of the access information and transmitting the EPG data or the reservation status information to the communication apparatus in accordance with a request from the communication apparatus,

registering of the recording apparatus and the subsequent logging in of the communication apparatus, including transmitting a request of the EPG data or the reservation status information in accordance with an operation of a user, and receiving the EPG data or the reservation status information transmitted from the recording apparatus over the communication network in accordance with the request; and

a presenting unit which presents the EPG data or the reservation status information received by the communication unit.

16. The communication apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the communication unit further transmits a reservation request for requesting reservation of program recording in accordance with an operation of a user, and the recording apparatus further carries out recording reservation processing for reserving program recording in accordance with the reservation request.

17. The communication apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the communication unit further transmits an editing request for requesting editing of the reservation status information in accordance with an operation of a user, and the recording apparatus further edits the reservation status information in accordance with the editing request.

18. The communication apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein the communication unit further receives overlap information which is transmitted in case that it was judged in the recording apparatus that the reservation requested program overlaps with a program already reserved for recording, and the presenting unit presents the overlap information received by the communication unit.

19. In a communication apparatus, a method of communicating over a communication network with an external recording apparatus which receives and records a program, the method comprising:

receiving user-inputted identification information that is inputted into the communication apparatus by a user;

transmitting to an external server a login request that includes the user-inputted identification information, the external recording apparatus having previously transmitted to the server identification information corresponding to the external recording apparatus to register the external recording apparatus with the server by which the server controls initial registering of the recording apparatus and the subsequent logging in of the communication apparatus to enable communication thereafter between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus through a router to be directly carried out without being controlled by the server;

in response to successfully logging in to the server, receiving access information from the server, the access information comprising socket information identifying a port of the recording apparatus to be used for the direct communication between the recording apparatus and the communication unit of the communication apparatus to be carried out over the communication network through the router without such communication being controlled by the server that controlled the initial communication between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus, the login request being successful upon the identification information included in the login request coinciding with the stored identification information previously transmitted by the recording apparatus, the access information being previously transmitted by the recording apparatus to the server in response to a request from the server for the access information, wherein the request comprises a port confirmation message for requesting confirmation of the port of the recording apparatus to use for direct communication between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus; and

in response to the recording apparatus receiving a program and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data, storing the EPG data and reservation status information which relates to a reservation status of program recording, carrying out reservation recording processing in which a program is recorded in accordance with the reservation status information, and communicating over the communication network through the router using the port of the recording apparatus identified in the socket information of the access information and transmitting the EPG data or the reservation status information to the communication apparatus in accordance with a request from the communication apparatus,

carrying out the direct communication with the recording apparatus over the communication network through the router using the port of the recording apparatus identified in the socket information of the access information without such communication being controlled by the server that controlled the initial registering of the recording apparatus and the subsequent logging in of the communication apparatus, including transmitting a request of the EPG data or the reservation status information in accordance with an operation of a user and receiving the EPG data or the reservation status information transmitted from the recording apparatus over the communication network in accordance with the request, and

presenting the EPG data or the reservation status information received in the communication step.

20. A non-transitory recording medium having recorded thereon a computer-readable program for performing a method of controlling a communication apparatus which communicates over a communication network with an external recording apparatus for receiving and recording a program, the method including:

receiving user inputted identification information that is inputted into the communication apparatus by a user;

transmitting to an external server a login request that includes the user-inputted identification information, the external recording apparatus having previously transmitted to the server identification information corresponding to the external recording apparatus to register the external recording apparatus with the server by which the server controls initial registering of the

recording apparatus and the subsequent logging in of the communication apparatus to enable communication thereafter between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus trough a router to be directly carried out without being controlled by the server;

in response to successfully logging in to the server, receiving access information from the server, the access information comprising socket information identifying a port of the recording apparatus to be used for the direct communication between the recording apparatus and the communication unit of the communication apparatus to be carried out over the communication network through the router without such communication being controlled by the server that controlled the initial communication between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus, the login request being successful upon the identification information included in the login request coinciding with the stored identification information previously transmitted by the recording apparatus, the access information being previously transmitted by the recording apparatus to the server in response to a request from the server for the access information, wherein the request comprises a port confirmation message for requesting confirmation of the port of the recording apparatus to use for direct communication between the recording apparatus and the communication apparatus; and

in response to the recording apparatus receiving a program and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data, storing the EPG data and reservation status information which relates to a reservation status of program recording, carrying out reservation recording processing in which a program is recorded in accordance with the reservation status information, and communicating over the communication network through the router using the port of the recording apparatus identified in the socket information of the access information and transmitting the EPG data or the reservation status information to the communication apparatus in accordance with a request from the communication apparatus,

carrying out the direct communication with the recording apparatus over the communication network through the router using the port of the recording apparatus identified in the socket information of the access information without such communication being controlled by the server that controlled the initial registering of the recording apparatus and the subsequent logging in of the communication apparatus, including transmitting a request of the EPG data or the reservation status information in accordance with an operation of a user and receiving the EPG data or the reservation status information transmitted from the recording apparatus over the communication network in accordance with the request, and

presenting the EPG data or the reservation status information received in the communication step.