Patent ID: 8086712
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a first information processing apparatus to which a device identification name is added for identification by a user, comprising: an obtaining step of obtaining a device identification name of a second information processing apparatus connected to a same network as the first information processing apparatus; a comparing step of comparing the device identification name of the second information processing apparatus and the device identification name of the first information processing apparatus; a judging step of judging, via a judging section of the first information processing apparatus, according to a predetermined rule set beforehand, whether or not to change the device identification name of the first information processing apparatus when the device identification name of the second information processing apparatus and the device identification name of the first information processing apparatus are the same; and a changing step of changing the device identification name of the first information processing apparatus when it is judged to change the device identification name of the first information processing apparatus in the judging step, wherein the judging step comprises a lock judging step of judging, via the judging section, based on lock information indicating whether it is possible to change the device identification name of the first information processing apparatus, whether or not to change the device identification name of the first information processing apparatus, wherein the lock information is based on a determination of whether the second information processing apparatus has recognized the first information processing apparatus, and wherein the judging step further comprises a time stamp judging step of judging whether or not to change the device identification name of the first information processing apparatus based on access history indicating status of access from an information processing apparatus connected to the same network.