PATENT DOCUMENT

Abstract:
An information processing apparatus includes: an output unit outputting at least one of content information suitable for designated input and output and processed content information related to the content information in association therewith from a storage unit storing application IDs uniquely specifying applications, the content information, and the processed content information obtained by processing the content information by the applications in association therewith; and a selection unit selecting the content information or the processed content information output by the output unit and selecting the application ID based on the selected content information or the selected processed content information.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a computer program, and an information processing server. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Information processing apparatuses such as personal computers (PCs) or portable terminals (for example, portable telephones or portable game consoles) use various applications or programs to execute various information processes. For example, an application can be executed on a PC, when a user purchases a CD-ROM or the like storing the application in a store and installs the application from the purchased CD-ROM on the PC, or downloads the application from a server via a network and installs the application on the PC. 
         [0005]    Applications that users can use have increased daily as the Internet comes into wide use. Although the applications are provided from many application providers, it is difficult for the users to exactly grasp the content or executable processes of the massive applications. Moreover, even when users purchase or download a new application and install the application on a PC or the like, it is not uncommon that the users may not execute the desired process. 
         [0006]    Various techniques for appropriately structuring a process of introducing application programs executing various data processes or the execution environments of the applications to support the application operation of users have been suggested. In addition, various techniques for executing an application on a server without installing the application in a PC and executing a desired process of a user have been suggested. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-229904 discloses a technique for obtaining corrected image data on a web server by uploading image data prepared by a user to the web server and selecting a desired file to be corrected. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In the process of introducing application programs according to a related art, however, a problem may arise in that a user hardly knows why an application is selected and introduced from among numerous applications. For example, during execution of an application, an application associated with the application can be selected and introduced based on information regarding the application. However, when the title or the icon of the application is simply displayed on a screen, a problem may arise in that a user hardly knows which operations can be executed by the application or which advantages can be obtained upon executing the application. 
         [0008]    It is desirable to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a computer program, and an information processing server which are novel and improved, and are capable of introducing samples executed by applications, when introducing the applications, so that user can understand why the applications are introduced. 
         [0009]    According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: an output unit outputting at least one of content information suitable for designated input and output and processed content information related to the content information in association therewith from a storage unit storing application IDs uniquely specifying applications, the content information, and the processed content information obtained by processing the content information by the applications in association therewith; and a selection unit selecting the content information or the processed content information output by the output unit and selecting the application ID based on the selected content information or the selected processed content information. 
         [0010]    The information processing apparatus may further include an application recommendation unit recommending a plurality of recommended applications based on the content information selected by the selection unit. The output unit may output at least one of information indicating the recommended applications. 
         [0011]    The output unit may display the applications by category. When the selection unit selects the category, the output unit may output content before and after processing. 
         [0012]    The selection unit may confirm whether the application corresponding to the selected application ID is executable in the own information processing apparatus, and may request download from another information processing apparatus when the application is not executable. 
         [0013]    The information processing apparatus may further include a content processing unit generating content before and after processing based on the content information selected by the selection unit. 
         [0014]    The content information selected by the selection unit for the content processing unit to process the content may be a reduced image with a reduced size of an original image. 
         [0015]    The output unit may output the content information and the processed content information related to the content information in association therewith based on environment information regarding environment under which content is generated. 
         [0016]    The output unit may output at least one of the content information regarding a process performed before execution of the application and the processed content information related to the content information in association therewith. 
         [0017]    The output unit may output at least one of the content information and the processed content information suitable for the designated input and output by linking the plurality of content information and processed content information. 
         [0018]    When there is neither content information nor processed content information suitable for the designated input and output, the output unit may search the content information and the processed content information suitable for the designated input and output by linking the plurality of content information and processed content information. 
         [0019]    The output unit may output all of the processed content information. 
         [0020]    According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an information processing method including the steps of: outputting at least one of content information suitable for designated input and output and processed content information related to the content information in association therewith from a storage unit storing application IDs uniquely specifying applications, the content information, and the processed content information obtained by processing the content information by the applications in association therewith; and selecting the content information or the processed content information output by the outputting step and selecting the application ID based on the selected content information or the selected processed content information. 
         [0021]    According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a computer program causing a computer to execute the steps of: outputting at least one of content information suitable for designated input and output and processed content information related to the content information in association therewith from a storage unit storing application IDs uniquely specifying applications, the content information, and the processed content information obtained by processing the content information by the applications in association therewith; and selecting the content information or the processed content information output by the outputting step and selecting the application ID based on the selected content information or the selected processed content information. 
         [0022]    According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an information processing server including: a storage unit storing application IDs uniquely specifying applications, content information, and processed content information obtained by processing the content information by the applications in association therewith; an output unit outputting, to another apparatus, at least one of the content information suitable for designated input and output and stored in the storage unit and the processed content information related to the content information in association therewith; and a selection unit selecting the application ID based on one of the content information and the processed content information selected by the another apparatus from among the content information or the processed content information output by the output unit. 
         [0023]    The output unit may output the content information and the processed content information related to the content information in association therewith based on environment information regarding environment under which content is generated. 
         [0024]    According to the embodiments of the invention, as described above, there are provided the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, the computer program, and the information processing server which are novel and improved, and are capable of making a user understand why an application is introduced by providing an execution sample of the application, when introducing the application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a basic concept of an application recommendation process of an application recommendation system according to the embodiment of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an introduction example of an application when an image editing application is executed in the information processing apparatus. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is an explanatory diagram illustrating function blocks of a control application and an image processing application. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the tag structure of metadata (environment and processing information file) used by the control application. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is an explanation diagram illustrating a case where the sample data is generated in the information processing apparatus and the generated sample data is displayed by the control application. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a process of registering the sample data in a sample information retaining unit. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a process of registering the sample data in the sample information retaining unit. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a process of registering the sample data in the management server. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a series of display examples of samples on a screen by the control application. 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the series of display examples of samples on the screen by the control application. 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the series of display examples of samples on the screen by the control application. 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the series of display examples of samples on the screen by the control application. 
           [0039]      FIG. 15  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the series of display examples of samples on the screen by the control application. 
           [0040]      FIG. 16  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the link between a processing purpose displayed on the screen by the control application and a processed sample of an application displayed on a sample display area. 
           [0041]      FIG. 17  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a corresponding example between an application information file generated to correspond to each application and an environment and processing information file generated to correspond to the sample generated using each application. 
           [0042]      FIG. 18  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the exemplary process of introducing samples on the screen. 
           [0043]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating the process of introducing the samples on the screen by the control application and an application executing process. 
           [0044]      FIG. 20  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exemplary process of introducing samples on the screen by the control application. 
           [0045]      FIG. 21  is a flowchart illustrating the process of introducing the samples on the screen by the control application. 
           [0046]      FIG. 22  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exemplary process of introducing samples on the screen by the control application. 
           [0047]      FIG. 23  is a flowchart illustrating the process of introducing the samples on the screen by the control application. 
           [0048]      FIG. 24  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exemplary process of introducing samples on the screen. 
           [0049]      FIG. 25  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configurations of a digital camera and the management server. 
           [0050]      FIG. 26  is a flowchart illustrating a process of introducing samples on a screen and an application execution process. 
           [0051]      FIG. 27  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an applied example of the function recommending process and the sample introducing process. 
           [0052]      FIG. 28  is an explanatory diagram illustrating another applied example of the function recommending process and the sample introducing process. 
           [0053]      FIG. 29  is a flowchart illustrating the sample displaying process shown in  FIG. 28 . 
           [0054]      FIG. 30  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a process of searching for the input and output passes suitable for the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus, the input information and the output information, or the like by linking the plurality of samples. 
           [0055]      FIG. 31  is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying the samples when intermediate samples are introduced on the screen. 
           [0056]      FIG. 32  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the sample data including the intermediate samples. 
           [0057]      FIG. 33  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of an environment and processing information file to be used when the control application displays the intermediate samples on the screen. 
           [0058]      FIG. 34  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example when the control application displays the applications and the sample data on the screen. 
           [0059]      FIG. 35  is an explanatory diagram illustrating another display example when the control application displays the applications and the sample data on the screen. 
           [0060]      FIG. 36  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process of extracting the sample data from the details input into the text box by the user of the information processing apparatus by the control application. 
           [0061]      FIG. 37  is an explanatory diagram illustrating another display example when the control application displays the applications and the sample data on the screen. 
           [0062]      FIG. 38  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process of extracting the sample data from the details input into the text box by the user of the information processing apparatus by the control application. 
           [0063]      FIG. 39  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which the sample data are extracted and displayed by inputting a voice. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0064]    Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the specification and the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to constituent elements having substantially the same constituent function and the repeated description is omitted. 
         [0065]    The description will be made in the following order. 
         [0066]    1. Embodiment of the Invention 
         [0067]    1-1. Configuration of Information Processing System 
         [0068]    1-2. Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 
         [0069]    1-3. Basic Concept of Application Recommendation Process 
         [0070]    1-4. Operation of Application Recommendation System 
         [0071]    2. Overview 
       1. Embodiment of the Invention 
     1-1. Configuration of Information Processing System 
       [0072]    First, the configurations of an information processing apparatus and an information processing system using the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention will be described.  FIG. 1  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0073]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , an information processing system  1  according to the embodiment of the invention includes an information processing apparatus  100 , a management server  120 , and application providing servers A 131 , B 132 , C 133 , and so on. 
         [0074]    The information processing apparatus  100  is an application execution client executing various applications and is an apparatus, such as a personal computer or a portable terminal, having a function of executing an application program. An application program is installed, for example, on an internal hard disk of the information processing apparatus  100  and is read from the hard disk in response to an activation instruction from a user for execution. Examples of the application program include an image browsing application, an image editing application, a music player application, a music editing application, a word processing application, a game application, a map route search application, an accounting process application, and a mail writing application. A user can activate and use an application with a desired function among various applications. 
         [0075]    The information processing apparatus  100  includes a CPU with a program execution function and a memory (such as a hard disk, a RAM, or a ROM) having a program or data storing area. Examples of the program executed by the information processing apparatus  100  include an operating system (OS) and an application program. The information processing apparatus  100  may store applications installed from media such as a CD-ROM or downloaded via a network in the memory, and a user may appropriately select and execute the applications. 
         [0076]    The application providing serves A 131  to C 133  shown in  FIG. 1  are servers which provide various applications to the information processing apparatus  100 . The applications provided by the application providing servers may be charged or free. The information processing apparatus  100  can download the applications provided by the application providing servers A 131  to C 133  via a network and can store the downloaded applications in the memory of the information processing apparatus  100  for execution. 
         [0077]    The management server  120  shown in  FIG. 1  acquires and manages information regarding the applications provided by the application providing servers A 131  to C 133  from the application providing servers A 131  to C 133 . The management server  120  supplies such information to the information processing apparatus  100  used by the user. 
         [0078]    Based on the information regarding the applications received from the management server  120 , the information processing apparatus  100  performs a process of introducing an introduction screen of the applications used in the information processing apparatus  100  by the user or functions of the applications. For example, the information processing apparatus  100  generates recommendation information regarding another application associated with the application being executed on the information processing apparatus  100  or the function of the application, and performs a process of displaying the recommendation information on a display mounted on or connected to the information processing apparatus  100 . 
         [0079]    Specifically, for example, when an image browsing application is executed on the information processing apparatus  100 , the management server  120  supplies information regarding an associated application, such as an image editing application or an image upload service application, executing an image editing process, an image management process, or the like. 
         [0080]    In  FIG. 1 , the management server  120  serves as a server different from the application providing servers A 131  to C 133 . However, the management server  120  may have the function of the application providing server. 
         [0081]    The configuration of the information processing system  1  according to the embodiment of the invention has hitherto been described with reference to  FIG. 1 . Next, the configuration of the information processing apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the invention will be described. 
       1-2. Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 
       [0082]      FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of the information processing apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0083]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the information processing apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the invention includes a control unit  151 , an output unit  152 , an input unit  153 , a communication unit  154 , and a storage unit  155 . 
         [0084]    The control unit  151  controls respective units of the information processing apparatus  100  and includes a CPU, for example. The output unit  152  includes a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display and a speaker outputting sound. The input unit  153  is a keyboard unit which operates various kinds of input. The input unit  153  may have a configuration in which an output unit and an input unit such as a touch panel are integrally formed. 
         [0085]    The communication unit  154  carries out communication via a network such as the Internet to communicate with the management server  120  and the application providing servers A 131  to C 133  shown in  FIG. 1 . The storage unit  155  stores applications or various data and includes various storage units such as a hard disk, a flash memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read-Only Memory). 
         [0086]    The control unit  151  includes an application execution unit  156  and an application management unit  157 . 
         [0087]    The application execution unit  156  executes application programs. The application programs executed by the application execution unit  156  are stored in the storage unit  155 , for example. The storage unit  155  may be used as a storage area for parameters, data, or the like upon executing the applications. 
         [0088]    The storage unit  155  records an application management program managing the applications stored in the storage unit  155  and application management information for managing the applications stored in the memory unit  155 . The application management information includes information generated by the application management unit  157  of the control unit  151  and information supplied by the management server  120 . As described above, the management server  120  shown in  FIG. 1  supplies the information processing apparatus  100  with the information regarding the applications provided by the application providing servers A 131  to C 133 . 
         [0089]    The application management unit  157  executes the application management program stored in the storage unit  155  to execute a process of introducing an associated application recommended to a user or an associated function, for example, based on the information received from the management server  120 . 
         [0090]    The configuration of the information processing apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the invention has hitherto been described. Next, a basic concept of an application recommendation process executed by the management server  120  or the information processing apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the invention will be described. 
       1-3. Basic Concept of Application Recommendation Process 
       [0091]      FIG. 3  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a basic concept of an application recommendation process of an application recommendation system  10  according to the embodiment of the invention. Hereinafter, the basic concept of the application recommendation process will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0092]    The application recommendation process executed by the application recommendation system  10  is a process of filtering for only an application having a function appropriate for the situation and purpose from the applications being currently executed by the information processing apparatus  100  or from information regarding content being displayed and reproduced, and displaying the title or icon of the application on the screen of the information processing apparatus  100 . 
         [0093]    When an application is recommended, as in  FIG. 3 , not only the applications installed on the information processing apparatus  100  but also an application group placed on the network (the application providing servers A 131 , B 132 , C 133 , and so on) are filtering targets. The application recommended among the applications installed on the information processing apparatus  100  can be executed without change. On the other hand, when the application on the network is recommended, the application can be downloaded and executed on the information processing apparatus  100  or a processing target file can be uploaded to a server to be executed on the server. 
         [0094]    The application is filtered out based on the kinds of applications being executed on the information processing apparatus  100 , information (information regarding the kinds or the like of input or output files) regarding the applications, information regarding the execution history of the applications executed on the information processing apparatus  100  by the user, or the like. 
         [0095]    In this way, the application can be executed on the information processing apparatus  100  (or on a server connected to the network) by filtering for the appropriate application and introducing the appropriate application to the information processing apparatus  100  irrespective of whether the application is installed on the information processing apparatus  100 . 
         [0096]    However, when the appropriate application is simply filtered out and introduced on the screen, the user of the information processing apparatus  100  can have difficulty understanding why the application is introduced on the screen. In order to solve this problem, the application recommendation system  10  according to the embodiment of the invention also introduces a sample indicating the execution result of the application, when introducing the application. Then, since the user can know the result obtained by executing the introduced application, an advantage whereby the user can readily picture the execution results of the introduced application is obtained. 
         [0097]    Hereinafter, the operation of the application recommendation system  10  according to the embodiment of the invention will be described according to a plurality of embodiments. 
       1-4. Operation of Application Recommendation System 
       [0098]    First, a case where an application is introduced when an image editing application is executed in the information processing apparatus  100  will be described.  FIG. 4  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an introduction example of applications when the image editing application is executed in the information processing apparatus  100 . 
         [0099]    In  FIG. 4 , the image editing application  161  is displayed on a screen  160  of the information processing apparatus  100  (for example, the image editing application is installed on the information processing apparatus  100 ) and a control application  162  for introducing the applications associated with the image editing application  161  to a user is also displayed. The image editing application  161  and the control application  162  are executed by the application execution unit  156  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0100]    In  FIG. 4 , the enlarged control application  162  is also shown. In the control application  162 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , icons  163   a ,  163   b ,  163   c , and so on for activating the applications associated with the image editing application  161  being executed in the information processing apparatus  100  are displayed on the screen  160 . These icons may be displayed on the screen  160  by category of application processing, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, specific application names or unique icons of the respective applications may be displayed on the screen  160 . 
         [0101]    When the user places a mouse cursor  164  on the icon  163   a ,  163   b ,  163   c , or the like displayed on the screen  160  or clicks the icon  163   a ,  163   b ,  163   c , or the like with the mouse cursor  164 , a sample display region  165  is displayed on the screen  160  and a sample obtained through the execution of an application corresponding to the icon is displayed in the sample display region  165 . In the following description, placing the mouse cursor  164  on the icon  163   a ,  163   b ,  163   c , or the like or clicking with the mouse cursor  164  by the user is called “selecting an icon”. 
         [0102]    In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , the icon  163   a  corresponding to an image processing application processing an image, the icon  163   b  corresponding to a printing application printing an image, and the icon  163   c  corresponding to an upload application uploading an image to a predetermined web server are displayed on the screen  160  by the control application  162 . 
         [0103]    Here, when the user selects the icon  163   a  from among the icons displayed on the screen  160  by the control application  162 , the sample display region  165  is displayed on the screen  160  by the application execution unit  156 . An execution sample of an application processing an image is displayed in the sample display region  165 . The execution sample may be maintained, for example, in the information processing apparatus  100  or may be downloaded from the management server  120  or the application providing server A 131 , B 132 , C 133 , or the like. 
         [0104]      FIG. 5  is an explanatory diagram illustrating function blocks of the respective applications. In  FIG. 5 , the function blocks of the control application  162  and the image processing application  171  are shown. Hereinafter, the function blocks of the control application  162  and the image processing application  171  will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . The image processing application  171  may be installed on the information processing apparatus  100  or may be executed by the management server  120 . 
         [0105]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the control application  162  includes a control application UI (User Interface) unit  201 , a control module  202 , a control application I/O module  203 , and a sample information retaining unit  204 . The image processing application  171  includes an image processing application UI unit  211 , an image processing module  212 , and an image processing application I/O module  213 . 
         [0106]    The control application UI unit  201  receives an operation from the user of the information processing apparatus  100  via the control application  162 . For example, when the user gives an instruction to the control application UI unit  201  to process an image using the image processing application  171 , the control application UI unit  201  gives an instruction to the control module  202  to process the image. 
         [0107]    The control module  202  controls the operation of the control application  162  and the operation of the application operated in cooperation with the control application  162 . The control application I/O module  203  interfaces input and output between the control application  162  and the application (that is, the image processing application  171 ) operated in cooperation with the control application  162 . 
         [0108]    The sample information retaining unit  204  retains sample data of the image processing process in the image processing application  171 . The sample data retained in the sample information retaining unit  204  is displayed on the screen  160  together with the display of the application recommended by the control application  162 . 
         [0109]    The image processing application UI unit  211  receives an operation from the user of the image processing apparatus  100  on the image processing application  171 . For example, when the user gives an instruction to the image processing application UI unit  211  to process an image, the image processing application UI unit  211  gives an instruction to the image processing module  212  to process the image. 
         [0110]    The image processing module  212  executes a process of processing image data. Examples of the process executed by the image processing module  212  include resolution conversion of the image data, conversion of the image size, and conversion of a color. The image data processed by the image processing module  212  is sent to the image processing application I/O module  213 , is sent to the control application  162  or the image processing application UI unit  211 , and is displayed on the screen  160 . 
         [0111]    The image processing application I/O module  213  interfaces input and output between the image processing application  171  and the application (that is, the control application  162 ) operated in cooperation with the image processing application  171 . 
         [0112]    The control application  162  and the image processing application  171  have the configuration shown in  FIG. 5 . Therefore, the control application  162  can display the sample of the image processing process in the image processing application  171  on the screen  160 . 
         [0113]    The function blocks of the control application  162  and the image processing application  171  have hitherto been described with reference to  FIG. 5 . Next, the operations of the control application  162  and the image processing application  171  will be described. 
         [0114]      FIG. 6  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the tag structure of metadata (environment and processing information file)  210  used by the control application  162 . Based on the metadata (environment and processing information file)  210  shown in  FIG. 6 , the control application  162  can know that a certain sample is generated by a certain process. 
         [0115]    In a “&lt;generator comment&gt;” tag of the metadata (environment and processing information file)  210 , a comment of a generator of the sample is stored. The storage of the comment may be arbitrary. In an “&lt;environment information&gt;” tag, information regarding the environment necessary for executing the same process as that on the sample displayed on the screen is stored. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a “&lt;compatible model&gt;” tag at the lower level of the “&lt;environment information&gt;” tag may be provided to describe the compatible model information of the application, the minimum memory necessary for executing the application, and information regarding the hardware specification such as a CPU, which are necessary to execute the same process as that on the sample displayed on the screen. 
         [0116]    In an “&lt;input content&gt;” tag, information regarding the data to be input is described. In an “&lt;output content&gt;” tag, information regarding the sample data to be output is described. In these tags, information regarding a sample obtained by receiving certain input data from the sample data and converting the input data into certain output data is described. In the case of the same input type, the applications can be executed in the same order and the same result as that of the output data can be obtained. At the lower level of the “&lt;input content&gt;” tag, as show in  FIG. 6 , an “&lt;input overview description&gt;” tag, a “&lt;content type&gt;” tag, a “&lt;sample data address&gt;” tag, and a “&lt;similarity comparable meta&gt;” tag exist. At the lower level of the “&lt;output content&gt;” tag, as show in  FIG. 6 , an “&lt;output overview description&gt;” tag, a “&lt;content type&gt;” tag, and a “&lt;sample data address&gt;” tag exist. In the “&lt;input overview description&gt;” tag, for example, information regarding the explanatory sentence for a user to understand the receivable input of the application is described. The details described in the “&lt;input overview description&gt;” tag are displayed on the screen by the control application  162 , as necessary. In the “&lt;content type&gt;” tag, the type of the data which can be input to the application, for example, the formats of still images, moving images, and voices such as JPEG, BMP, MPEG2, and WAV are written. In the “&lt;sample data address&gt;” tag, information regarding the address in which locations (on an apparatus or a server) at which thumbnails (images, moving images, voices, texts, and the like) of the input/output samples can be acquired are written is described. In the “&lt;similarity comparable meta&gt;” tag, for example, data for quantitatively comparing similarity between a selected image and the sample by scores obtained in a certain information process is described. In this tag, a face image used in the sample indicates one of a male, a female, an adult, and a child or expresses to which degree a face smiles (face smiling to the certain degree) or that a face wears glasses or no glasses by scores, and the scores are compared to the same score of the selected image to perform a process of filtering for an image similar to the state of the selected image. 
         [0117]    In a “&lt;sample evaluation&gt;” tag, information regarding evaluation of a third person on the sample is described. In the “&lt;sample evaluation&gt;” tag, information regarding the registry and rank evaluation of the sample in favor of a generator or another user may be described. The details described in the tag may be displayed on the screen by the control application  162 . In a “&lt;generation order&gt;” tag, information regarding the order of the generation of the sample data is described. 
         [0118]    The control application  162  can execute the recommendation of the application or the introduction of the sample so as to be suitable for a situation by retaining the generation order of the processing on the content or the metadata (environment and processing information file) in which the information regarding the storage locations of the thumbnails of the input content and the output content is written in the information processing apparatus  100  or by acquiring the generation order or the metadata from the management server  120 . 
         [0119]      FIG. 7  is an explanation diagram illustrating a case where the sample data is generated in the information processing apparatus  100  and the generated sample data is displayed by the control application  162 . When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  considers that the user can skillfully process the content using the image processing application  171 , the user registers the input and output result of the sample data in the sample information retaining unit  204 . The input and output results of the sample data may be registered in the sample information retaining unit  204  manually by the user or may be automatically registered by the image processing application  171 . 
         [0120]    By registering the information regarding the input and output results of the sample data in the sample information retaining unit  204 , the sample data registered in the sample information retaining unit  204  is acquired and displayed on the screen  160  by the control application  162  for the user to execute the same process as the previous processing process in the information processing apparatus  100  even when the user of the information processing apparatus  100  forgets how the content is processed. 
         [0121]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating the process of registering the sample data in the sample information retaining unit  204 . In  FIG. 8 , an example of the process of registering the sample data by the generator of the image processing application  171  is shown. Hereinafter, the process of registering the sample data in the sample information retaining unit  204  will be described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0122]    First, the generator of an application generates an application (step S 801 ). The generator of an application inputs environment and processing information of the sample data generated using the generated application (step S 802 ). The environment and processing information includes a condition for generating the sample data and is generated, for example, in the metadata format shown in  FIG. 6 . The generator of an application may input, for example, explanation of the generated application or information regarding a function in the environment and processing information. 
         [0123]    When the generator of an application inputs the environment and processing information of the sample data, the generator of an application continues to generate the sample data and link the generated sample data to the environment and processing information input in step S 802  (step S 803 ). In step S 803 , when the sample data is generated and linked, the environment and processing information and the sample data are stored in database such as the sample information retaining unit  204  (step S 804 ) and are uploaded to the management server  120  (step S 805 ). 
         [0124]    In this way, when the generator of the image processing application  171  registers a representative use of an application as the sample, a user viewing the sample can confirm the advantage of even an application which nobody has yet used. 
         [0125]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a process of registering the sample data in the sample information retaining unit  204 . In  FIG. 9 , an example of the registration of the data generated using the image processing application  171  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  as sample data is shown. Hereinafter, the process of registering the sample data in the sample information retaining unit  204  will be described with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0126]    The user of the information processing apparatus  100  processes an image using the image processing application  171  (step S 901 ). When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  processes the image using the image processing application  171 , the information processing apparatus  100  generates the environment and processing information along with the processing of the image (step S 902 ). The generation of the environment and processing information may be executed by, for example, the image processing module  212 . 
         [0127]    When the environment and processing information is generated, the image processing module  212  of the image processing application  171  generates the processed image based on the processing of the user (step S 903 ). When the processed image is generated by the image processing module  212 , the image processing application  171  displays a message indicating whether the processed image is stored as a sample of the processing example on the screen  160 , and waits for the decision of the user of the information processing apparatus  100  (step S 904 ). 
         [0128]    When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  decides to store the processed image as the sample of the processing example, the image processing application  171  stores the environment and processing information generated in step S 902  and the processed image generated in step S 903  in the sample information retaining unit  204  (step S 905 ), and then the process ends. Alternatively, when the user of the information processing apparatus  100  determines not to store the processed image as the sample of the processing example, the environment and processing information and the processed image are not stored, and then the process simply ends. 
         [0129]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a process of registering the sample data in the management server  120 . In  FIG. 10 , an example in which the user of the information processing apparatus  100  registers data generated using the image processing application  171  as sample data in the management server  120  is shown. Hereinafter, the process of registering the sample data in the management server  120  will be described with reference to  FIG. 10 . 
         [0130]    The user of the information processing apparatus  100  processes an image using the image processing application  171  (step S 1001 ). When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  processes the image using the image processing application  171 , the information processing apparatus  100  generates the environment and processing information along with the processing of the image (step S 1002 ). The generation of the environment and processing information may be executed by, for example, the image processing module  212 . 
         [0131]    When the environment and processing information is generated, the image processing module  212  of the image processing application  171  generates the processed image based on the processing of the user (step S 1003 ). When the processed image is generated by the image processing module  212 , the image processing application  171  displays a message on the screen  160  to indicate whether the processed image is uploaded as a sample of the processing example to the management server  120 , and waits for the decision of the user of the information processing apparatus  100  (step S 1004 ). 
         [0132]    When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  decides to upload the processed image as the sample of the processing example in the management server  120 , the image processing application  171  stores the environment and processing information generated in step S 1002  and the processed image generated in step S 1003  in the sample information retaining unit  204  (step S 1005 ), and then the process ends. Alternatively, when the user of the information processing apparatus  100  decides not to upload the processed image as the sample of the processing example in the management server  120 , the environment and processing information and the processed image are not stored, and then the process ends. 
         [0133]    By increasing numbers of processing examples by the actual applications of the user using the image processing application  171 , it is easy to further confirm the advantage obtained by using the image processing application  171 . In addition, since the user views another user&#39;s samples uploaded in the management server  120  during the execution of the image processing application  171 , it is possible to obtain an advantage of discovering uses of the image processing application  171  which have not yet been considered. 
         [0134]    Next, a display example of the samples on the screen  160  by the control application  162  will be described.  FIGS. 11 to 15  are explanatory diagrams illustrating a series of display examples of the samples on the screen  160  by the control application  162 . 
         [0135]    In  FIG. 11 , the display example of the image editing application  161  on the screen  160  of the information processing apparatus  100  is shown. When the image editing application  161  is executed by the information processing apparatus  100 , for example, an image data list picture shown in  FIG. 11  is displayed on the screen  160 . When the user selects any one of the items of image data from a list shown on the screen  160  by the image editing application  161 , a process of editing the selected image starts. 
         [0136]    In  FIG. 12 , a display example in which the user selects one image among the image data of the list in the image editing application  161  by the operation of the user is shown. When the user operates to select one image among the image data of the list in the image editing application  161 , the selected image is displayed on the screen  160  and the control application  162  is simultaneously executed, so that a process list (for example, in the format of a context menu) is displayed on the screen  160  depending on the situation. In  FIG. 12 , the example in which icons  163   a  to  163   e  are displayed as the process list depending on a situation on the screen  160  is shown. The background colors of the icons  163   a  to  163   e  may be distinguished by an application installed on the information processing apparatus  100  and an application which is not installed on the information processing apparatus  100 . In the example shown in  FIG. 12 , since the icons  163   a  to  163   c  are used for activating the application installed on the information processing apparatus  100 , the backgrounds of the icons  163   a  to  163   c  may be displayed with, for example, a light purple color. Since the icons  163   d  and  163   e  are used for activating the application which is not installed on the information processing apparatus  100 , the backgrounds of the icons  163   d  and  163   e  may be displayed with, for example, a light aqua color. 
         [0137]    By allowing the user to select any image from the process list displayed by the control application  162 , the information processing apparatus  100  selects the image editing application  161  to process the image displayed on the screen  160 . 
         [0138]    Here, a display example in which the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the “processing” icon from the process list shown in  FIG. 12  will be described.  FIG. 13  is the explanatory diagram illustrating a screen display example when the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the “processing” icon from the process list shown in  FIG. 12 . In  FIG. 13 , a sample for converting the color of an image into a sepia color, a sample for converting the color of an image into a gray scale, and a sample (sample with no title) for converting the color of the image so as to be clearer are shown. When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the “processing”, as shown in  FIG. 13 , samples of the image before and after processing are displayed on a sample display area  165  of the screen  160  by the control application  162 . The processed samples of the image displayed on the sample display area  165  may be generated by an application installed on the information processing apparatus  100  or may be generated by an application which is not installed on the information processing apparatus  100 . 
         [0139]    The user of the information processing apparatus  100  can grasp the processing executed on the image when viewing the samples displayed on the screen  160 . Here, a case in which the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects “sepia” among the samples displayed on the screen  160  to change the color to a sepia color will be described. 
         [0140]    When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the sample for changing the color to a sepia color displayed on the sample display area  165  with the mouse cursor  164  or the like, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the information processing apparatus  100  executes the processing process of changing the color of the image selected by the image editing application  161  and displayed on the screen  160  to a sepia color.  FIG. 15  is the explanatory diagram illustrating the display example in which the color of the image displayed on the screen  160  is changed to a sepia color by the image processing application  171 . 
         [0141]    In this way, by displaying the sample data subjected to the image processing process on the screen  160  by the control application  162 , an advantage of enabling the user of the information processing apparatus  100  to understand which processing is performed can be obtained. 
         [0142]    As shown in  FIG. 15 , the process list displayed on the screen  160  by the control application  162  may be changed after the image processing process. When  FIGS. 12 and 15  are compared to each other, it can be known that the process list displayed on the screen  160  by the control application  162  has been changed. In this way, by changing the processes displayed on the screen  160  depending on a situation by the control application  162 , an improvement in the processing efficiency of the user of the information processing apparatus  100  can be expected. 
         [0143]    The display example of the samples on the screen  160  by the control application  162  has hitherto been described with reference to  FIGS. 11 to 15 . Next, a process of linking a “processing purpose” displayed on the screen  160  by the control application  162  to a “processed sample” of the application displayed in the sample display area  165  will be described. 
         [0144]      FIG. 16  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the link between the processing purpose displayed on the screen  160  by the control application  162  and the processed sample of the application displayed on the sample display area  165 . 
         [0145]    The link between the processing purpose and the processed sample can be achieved by describing information regarding the processing purpose in the environment and processing information file corresponding to each sample data.  FIG. 16  shows an example in which the link between the processing purpose displayed on the screen  160  by the control application  162  and the processed sample of the application displayed in the sample display area  165  is achieved by describing data indicating a sample for the image processing purpose in an environment and processing information file  220 . 
         [0146]    By describing the information shown in  FIG. 16  in the environment and processing information file  220 , the control application  162  can determine the processing purpose of the generated sample prepared in advance and thus can display the sample on the screen  160  by linking with the details of the process. 
         [0147]      FIG. 17  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a corresponding example between an application information file  1701  generated to correspond to each application and an environment and processing information file  1702  generated to correspond to the sample generated using each application.  FIG. 17  shows an example of the application information file  1701  of an application which processes an image stored in JPEG format to have a sepia color and outputs the image in JPEG format and an example of the environment and processing information file  1702  of a sample which converts an image stored in the bitmap format into an image of JPEG format, processes the image to have a sepia color, and outputs the processed image. 
         [0148]    The application information file is generated by a generator of the application when the application is generated. The generator of the application processing an image so as to have a sepia color generates the application information file  1701  shown in  FIG. 17  to describe information. The information regarding the purpose of an application and the file name of the application are described in the application information file  1701  by the generator of the application. 
         [0149]    The environment and processing information file  1702  is generated by the generator of the sample data when the sample data is generated. The generator of the sample generating and outputting a file of JPEG format processed from the image of the bitmap format so as to have the sepia color generates the environment and processing information file  1702  shown in  FIG. 17  to describe information. The information regarding the sample processing purpose and a generation order for executing the sample is described in the environment and processing information file  1702  by the generator of the sample. 
         [0150]    As shown in  FIG. 17 , the link between the application and the sample data can be achieved by describing the information for linking the processing purpose of the application and the sample processing purpose in the application information file and the environment and processing information file. 
         [0151]    Next, another example of the process of introducing samples on the screen will be described. First, a process of introducing samples when a user confirms the sample data uploaded in the management server  120  by another user and executes an application on a client will be described. 
         [0152]      FIG. 18  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the exemplary process of introducing samples on the screen. It is assumed that a user processes image data using an application (for example, the above-described image processing application) processing image data, and since the user can skillfully process the image data, the user uploads samples to a server (the management server  120 ) so that another user can use the uploaded samples. 
         [0153]    When the another user that may not skillfully use the image processing application activates the image editing application  161 , for example, on the information processing apparatus  100 , the control application  162  introduces applications associated with the image editing application  161  on the screen  160 . When the user selects the icon or the like corresponding to an application, as described above, the control application  162  displays processes which can be executed by the application along with the sample data. The sample data may include samples generated using the image processing application by the above user. 
         [0154]    Then, when viewing the samples displayed on the screen  160  by the control application  162 , the user can confirm the specific details of the processes which can be executed by the image processing application. When the user does not install the image processing application on the information processing apparatus  100  used by the user, the information processing apparatus  100  can download and install the image processing application from an application providing server or the like under the operation of the control application  162 . 
         [0155]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating the process of introducing the samples on the screen  160  by the control application  162  and an application executing process. In  FIG. 19 , the sample introducing process and the application executing process when the sample data registered in the server (the management server  120 ) is acquired and displayed in the information processing apparatus  100  are shown. Hereinafter, the process of introducing the samples on the screen and the application executing process will be described with reference to  FIG. 19 . 
         [0156]    First, the user of the information processing apparatus  100  activates the image editing application  161  on the information processing apparatus  100  and selects an image to be edited among the images shown in the list (step S 1901 ). When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the image to be edited, the information processing apparatus  100  notifies the management server  120  of input information, output information, and environment information of the information processing apparatus  100  (step S 1902 ). The notification of the information is executed by the control application  162 . For example, the input information and the output information have the file format of the image data. For example, the environment information of the information processing apparatus  100  includes the type and model of the information processing apparatus  100 , an OS (Operating System), and the version of the OS. 
         [0157]    The management server  120  receiving the input information, the output information, and the environment information of the information processing apparatus  100  from the information processing apparatus  100  extracts the sample data suitable for the information (step S 1903 ). After extracting the sample data, the management server  120  determines whether another candidate sample exists (step S 1904 ). When another candidate sample exists, the process returns to step S 1903  and the management server  120  continues extracting the sample data. Alternatively, when another candidate sample does not exist, the management server  120  allows the extracted sample to stay downloadable to the information processing apparatus  100 . The control application  162  operated from the information processing apparatus  100  downloads the sample data from the management server  120  and displays the downloaded sample data on the screen  160  (step S 1905 ). 
         [0158]    When the sample data are displayed on the screen  160 , the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects any sample data which the user desires to use among the displayed sample data (step S 1906 ). When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the sample data, the control application  162  determines whether an application for processing an image, like the sample data selected by the user, is installed on the information processing apparatus  100  (step S 1907 ). 
         [0159]    When it is determined that the application is not installed on the information processing apparatus  100  in step S 1907 , the control application  162  downloads an application from the server (the application providing server  131 A,  132 B,  133 C, and so on) to the information processing apparatus  100  (step S 1908 ). When the application is completely downloaded to the information processing apparatus  100  and is completely installed, the control application  162  executes the application based on the processing information (described in the environment and processing information file) acquired along with the sample data, and processes the image data selected in step S 1901  (step S 1909 ). Alternatively, when it is determined that the application is installed on the information processing apparatus  100  in step S 1907 , the control application  162  executes the application based on the processing information and processes the image data selected in step S 1901  (step S 1909 ). 
         [0160]    Next, an exemplary process of introducing samples when a user confirms the sample data uploaded to the management server  120  by another user and executes the application on the server will be described. 
         [0161]      FIG. 20  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the exemplary process of introducing the samples on the screen  160  by the control application  162 . In this case, as in the case shown in  FIG. 18 , it is assumed that a user processes image data using an application (for example, the above-described image processing application) processing image data, and since the user can skillfully process the image data, the user uploads samples to a server (the management server  120 ) so that another user can use the uploaded samples. 
         [0162]    When the another user that may not skillfully use the image processing application activates the image editing application  161 , for example, on the information processing apparatus  100 , the control application  162  introduces applications associated with the image editing application  161  on the screen  160 . When the user selects the icon or the like corresponding to an application, as described above, the control application  162  displays processes which can be executed by the application along with the sample data. The sample data may include samples generated using the image processing application by the above user. 
         [0163]    Then, when viewing the samples displayed on the screen  160  by the control application  162 , the user can confirm the specific details of the processes which can be executed by the image processing application. When the user does not install the image processing application on the information processing apparatus  100  used by the user, the user uploads the image file to the application providing server or the like, executes the image processing application on the server or the like to process the image file, and downloads the processed image file to the information processing apparatus  100 . Accordingly, even when the application executing the same process as the process on the sample data is not installed on the information processing apparatus  100  used by the user, the same process as that executed when the information processing apparatus  100  executes the same process as the process on the sample data can be executed. 
         [0164]      FIG. 21  is a flowchart illustrating the process of introducing the samples on the screen  160  by the control application  162 . In  FIG. 21 , the sample introducing process and the application executing process when the sample data registered in the server (the management server  120 ) is acquired and displayed in the information processing apparatus  100  are shown. Hereinafter, the process of introducing the samples on the screen and the application executing process will be described with reference to  FIG. 21 . 
         [0165]    First, the user of the information processing apparatus  100  activates the image editing application  161  on the information processing apparatus  100  and selects an image to be edited among the images shown in the list (step S 2101 ). When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the image to be edited, the information processing apparatus  100  notifies the management server  120  of input information, output information, and environment information of the information processing apparatus  100  (step S 2102 ). The notification of the information is executed by the control application  162 . For example, the input information and the output information have the file format of the image data. For example, the environment information of the information processing apparatus  100  includes the type and model of the information processing apparatus  100 , an OS (Operating System), and the version of the OS. 
         [0166]    The management server  120  receiving the input information, the output information, and the environment information of the information processing apparatus  100  from the information processing apparatus  100  extracts the sample data suitable for the information (step S 2103 ). After extracting the sample data, the management server  120  determines whether another candidate sample exists (step S 2104 ). When another candidate sample exists, the process returns to step S 2103  and the management server  120  continues extracting the sample data. Alternatively, when another candidate sample does not exist, the management server  120  allows the extracted sample to stay downloadable to the information processing apparatus  100 . The control application  162  operated from the information processing apparatus  100  downloads the sample data from the management server  120  and displays the downloaded sample data on the screen  160  (step S 2105 ). 
         [0167]    When the sample data are displayed on the screen  160 , the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects any sample data which the user desires to use among the displayed sample data (step S 2106 ). When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the sample data, the control application  162  uploads the image data selected in step S 2101  to the server (for example, the application providing server  131 ) (step S 2107 ). 
         [0168]    When the image data selected in step S 2101  is uploaded to the server, the server processes the uploaded image based on the processing information of the sample data selected in step S 2106  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  (step S 2108 ). When the processing is completed, the server allows the processed image data to stay downloadable. The control application  162  downloads the processed image data from the server to the information processing apparatus  100  and displays the processed image data on the screen  160  of the information processing apparatus  100  (step S 2109 ). 
         [0169]    Next, an exemplary process of introducing samples when data uploaded to a server by a user are processed on the server and the samples are introduced to a client will be described. 
         [0170]      FIG. 22  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the exemplary process of introducing the samples on the screen  160  by the control application  162 . In this case, unlike the case shown in  FIG. 18  or  20 , it is assumed that a user uploads image data to a server, executes an application suitable for the kind or the processing purpose of the data on the server, and introduces the output result as samples to a client. Here, the images uploaded to the server may be original images. However, the original images may be reduced in size in terms of reduction in the sample generation load in the server. 
         [0171]    First, a user executes the image editing application  161  on the information processing apparatus  100  and the image editing application  161  selects one (or a plurality) of images among a plurality of images displayed on the screen  160 . When the image editing application  161  selects the image, the control application  162  displays icons for activating applications associated with the image editing application  161  being executed on the information processing apparatus  100  on the screen  160  and also transmits the image selected by the user and the environment information of the information processing apparatus  100  to a server (for example, the management server  120 ). 
         [0172]    The server extracts information regarding the suitable sample based on the image transmitted from the information processing apparatus  100  and the environment information of the information processing apparatus  100  and executes an application (for example, which is installed on the application providing server  131  or the like) to generate sample data by using the image transmitted from the information processing apparatus  100 . The control application  162  executed on the information processing apparatus  100  downloads and displays the generated sample data on the screen  160 . Then, even when the application is not installed on the information processing apparatus  100 , the user of the information processing apparatus  100  can confirm the result obtained through the image processing as the sample. Since the applications are executed on the server, the information processing apparatus  100  having a weak processing capability can confirm the sample data for the information processing apparatus  100 . Moreover, the user can directly confirm the result obtained by processing the image being currently selected in the information processing apparatus  100 . 
         [0173]      FIG. 23  is a flowchart illustrating the process of introducing the samples on the screen  160  by the control application  162 . In  FIG. 23 , the sample introducing process and the application executing process when data is transmitted from a client to the server (the management server  120 ), the sample data is generated on the server, and the generated sample data is displayed in the information processing apparatus  100  are shown. Hereinafter, the process of introducing the samples on the screen and the application executing process will be described with reference to  FIG. 23 . 
         [0174]    First, the user of the information processing apparatus  100  activates the image editing application  161  on the information processing apparatus  100  and selects an image to be edited among the images shown in the list (step S 2301 ). When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the image to be edited, the information processing apparatus  100  transmits input information, output information, and the image selected in step S 2301  to the management server  120  (step S 2302 ). The image with the size of the original image may be transmitted from the information processing apparatus  100  to the management server  120 . However, the image reduced in size may be transmitted in terms of the generation of the sample data. 
         [0175]    The management server  120  receiving the input information, the output information, and the environment information of the information processing apparatus  100  from the information processing apparatus  100  extracts at least one suitable sample data from the information (step S 2303 ). The management server  120  extracting the sample data generates samples from the images transmitted from the information processing apparatus  100  in step S 2302  using the sample data extracted in step S 2303  (step S 2304 ). The samples may be actually generated by the server  131  executing the application. When generating the samples in step S 2304 , the management server  120  allows the generated samples to stay downloadable. The control application  162  downloads the samples from the management server  120  and displays the samples on the screen  160  (step S 2305 ). 
         [0176]    When the sample data are displayed on the screen  160 , the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects any sample data which the user desires to use among the displayed sample data (step S 2306 ). When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the sample data, the control application  162  uploads the image data selected in step S 2301  to the server (for example, the management server  120 ) again (step S 2307 ). 
         [0177]    When the image data selected in step S 2301  is uploaded to the server, the server processes the uploaded image based on the processing information of the sample data selected in step S 2306  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  (step S 2308 ). When the processing is completed, the server allows the processed image data to stay downloadable. The control application  162  downloads the processed image data from the server to the information processing apparatus  100  and displays the downloaded image data on the screen  160  of the information processing apparatus  100  (step S 2309 ). 
         [0178]    Next, an exemplary process of introducing samples when the image data photographed by a digital camera or a portable phone are processed on a server and the processed image data are introduced as the samples to the photographing digital camera or a portable phone will be described. 
         [0179]      FIG. 24  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the exemplary process of introducing the samples on the screen. In this case, it is assumed that a user uploads the image data photographed using a digital camera or a portable phone to a server, an application suitable for the kind of data or the processing purpose is executed on the server, and the output result is introduced as the samples to the digital camera or the portable phone. 
         [0180]    First, an image photographed using a digital camera  300  or a portable phone  400  by the user is transmitted to the server (for example, the management server  120 ) along with environment information of the digital camera  300  or the portable phone  400 . Based on the image transmitted from the digital camera  300  or the portable phone  400  or the environment information of the digital camera  300  or the portable phone  400 , the server extracts information regarding suitable samples and executes an application (for example, which is installed on the application providing server  131 ) to generate sample data by using the image transmitted from the digital camera  300  or the portable phone  400 . 
         [0181]    For example, when the server processes the image photographed by the digital camera  300 , the server extracts processing frequently performed on, for example, an image “photographed at night” “using a single-lens reflex camera” “with a telephoto lens” and generates the sample data. For example, when the server processes an image photographed by a portable phone  400 , the server extracts processing frequently performed, for example, “when a flower is photographed” “by day” “by a portable phone”, and generates the sample data. 
         [0182]    The control application  162  executed on the digital camera  300  or the portable phone  400  downloads the generated sample data from the server and displays the sample data on the screen of the digital camera  300  or the portable phone  400 . Accordingly, even when the application is not installed on the digital camera  300  or the portable phone  400 , the user of the digital camera  300  or the portable phone  400  can confirm the result obtained through the image processing as the samples. Since the application is executed on the server, the digital camera  300  or the portable phone  400  having a weak processing capability can confirm the sample data for the digital camera  300  or the portable phone  400 . Moreover, the user can directly confirm the images photographed by the digital camera  300  or the portable phone  400  in the digital camera  300  or the portable phone  400 . 
         [0183]      FIG. 25  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configurations of the digital camera  300  and the management server  120 . Hereinafter, the configurations of the digital camera  300  or the management server  120  will be described with reference to  FIG. 25 . 
         [0184]    As shown in  FIG. 25 , the digital camera  300  includes an application recommendation module  310 , a photographed image retaining unit  320 , and a camera communication module  330 . The management server  120  includes an application retaining unit  141 , an application execution module  142 , a sample information retaining unit  143 , a suitable sample extraction module  144 , a sample information control module  145 , and a server communication module  146 . 
         [0185]    The application recommendation module  310  introduces an application suitable for a situation to the user of the digital camera  300 . The introduced application is embedded in the digital camera  300  or is selected among the applications managed by the management server  120 . As shown in  FIG. 25 , the application recommendation module  310  includes a camera application recommendation user interface (UI) unit  311 , an application recommendation control module  312 , a reduced image generation module  313 , and an application recommendation I/O module  314 . 
         [0186]    The camera application recommendation user interface unit  311  is an interface receiving various operations from the user of the digital camera  300 . For example, when the user of the digital camera  300  selects a photographed image with an operation button (not shown) or the like, the camera application recommendation user interface unit  311  notifies the application recommendation control module  312  of information regarding the selected image. 
         [0187]    The application recommendation control module  312  controls the operation of the application recommendation module  310  and the operation of the application executed in cooperation with the application recommendation module  310 . The reduced image generation module  313  generates a reduced image by reducing an image photographed and stored in the digital camera  300  to a predetermined size. The application recommendation I/O module  314  interfaces input and output with an application executed in cooperation with the application recommendation module  310  and the application recommendation module  310 . 
         [0188]    The photographed image retaining unit  320  stores an image photographed by the digital camera  300 . For example, various kinds of flash memories or record media may be used. The camera communication module  330  communicates between the digital camera  300  and the management server  120 . For example, the camera communication module  330  transmits the image selected by the user of the digital camera  300  and receives the image subjected to various kinds of processing on the image transmitted from the digital camera  300  from the management server  120 . 
         [0189]    The application retaining unit  141  stores an application to be executed by the application execution module  142 . In the example shown in  FIG. 25 , the application retaining unit  141  storing an application is included in the management server  120 , but the invention is, of course, not limited to this example. 
         [0190]    The application execution module  142  reads and executes the application stored by the application retaining unit  141 , as necessary. The sample information retaining unit  143  stores information regarding the sample data for using the application stored in the application retaining unit  141 . Examples of the information regarding the sample data include input/output information for generating samples, the order in which the samples are generated, and information for the application generating the sample. The sample information retaining unit  143  may store these kinds of information in the format of the metadata shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0191]    The suitable sample extraction module  144  extracts the sample data suitable for the information received by notification from the sample information control module  145  among the sample data stored by the sample information retaining unit  143 . In the example shown in  FIG. 25 , examples of the information sent by notification from the sample information control module  145  to the suitable sample extraction module  144  include information regarding the image photographed by the digital camera  300 , the model of the photographic apparatus, and a photographing time. 
         [0192]    The sample information control module  145  executes various processes to generate the sample data and also control the operation of the application execution module  142  or the suitable sample extraction module  144 . The server communication module  146  communicates between the management server  120  and the digital camera  300 . 
         [0193]    The configurations of the digital camera  300  and the management server  120  have hitherto been described with reference to  FIG. 25 . Next, the process of introducing the samples on the screen using the digital camera  300  and the management server  120  shown in  FIG. 25  will be described. 
         [0194]      FIG. 26  is a flowchart illustrating the process of introducing the samples on the screen and an application execution process. In  FIG. 26 , the process of introducing the samples to the digital camera  300  and the application execution process using the digital camera  300  and the management server  120  shown in  FIG. 25  are shown. Hereinafter, the process of introducing the samples on the screen and the application execution process will be described with reference to  FIG. 26 . 
         [0195]    First, the user of the digital camera  300  selects a photographed image to be edited among the photographed images recorded in the photographed image retaining unit  320  of the digital camera  300  (step S 2601 ). Information regarding the selected photographed image is detected by the camera application recommendation user interface unit  311  and is transmitted from the camera application recommendation user interface unit  311  to the application recommendation control module  312 . 
         [0196]    When the photographed image is selected by the user of the digital camera  300 , the application recommendation control module  312  transmits photographing information (for example, information regarding environments, such as a photographing time or a photographing location, at the photographing time) regarding the selected photographed image or information regarding the photographic apparatus model to the application recommendation I/O module  314 , and also transmits the information regarding the selected photographed image to the reduced image generation module  313 . The reduced image generation module  313  acquires the image data from the photographed image retaining unit  320  based on the information of the photographed image selected in step S 2601 , reduces the size of the photographed image to a predetermined size, and transmits the image data subjected to the reducing process to the application recommendation I/O module  314 . 
         [0197]    The application recommendation I/O module  314  transmits the photographing information transmitted from the application recommendation control module  312  or the image data reduced by the reduced image generation module  313  to the management server  120  via the camera communication module  330  (step S 2602 ). 
         [0198]    The management server  120  receiving the photographing information or the image data from the digital camera  300  transmits the received photographing information from the sample information control module  145  to the suitable sample extraction module  144 . Based on the received photographing information, the suitable sample extraction module  144  extracts at least one of sample information suitable for the model or photographing situation of the digital camera  300  from the sample information retaining unit  143  (step S 2603 ). 
         [0199]    When the suitable sample extraction module  144  extracts the sample information suitable for the model or photographing situation of the digital camera  300  from the sample information retaining unit  143 , the suitable sample extraction module  144  transmits the extracted sample information to the sample information control module  145 . The sample information control module  145  receiving the sample information transmits the image data transmitted from the digital camera  300  and information of the used application described in the extracted sample information to the application execution module  142 . The application execution module  142  reads an application from the application retaining unit  141  (or another server in which the application is embedded) based on the information on the application transmitted from the sample information control module  145  and generates the sample images based on the sample information (step S 2604 ). 
         [0200]    The application execution module  142  transmits the generated sample images to the sample information control module  145 . The sample information control module  145  transmits the sample images generated by the application execution module  142  to the digital camera  300  via the server communication module  146 . The digital camera  300  receiving the sample images from the management server  120  via the camera communication module  330  displays the sample images generated by the management server  120  on a screen (not shown) through the application recommendation I/O module  313 , the application recommendation control module  312 , and the camera application recommendation user interface unit  311  (step S 2605 ). 
         [0201]    When the sample images generated by the management server  120  are displayed on the screen of the digital camera  300 , the user of the digital camera  300  can select a sample image which the user desires to use from among the displayed sample images (step S 2606 ). When the camera application recommendation user interface unit  311  detects the fact that the user of the digital camera  300  has selected one sample image from among the sample images displayed on the screen, the camera application recommendation user interface unit  311  acquires the image data selected in step S 2601  again from the photographed image retaining unit  320  and uploads the acquired image data and the information regarding the sample image selected in step S 2606  to the management server  120  (step S 2607 ). 
         [0202]    The management server  120  receiving the information regarding the sample image selected by the user and the image data selected by the user from the digital camera  300  processes the image data transmitted from the digital camera  300  based on the processing information of the sample image selected in the digital camera  300  (step S 2608 ). Specifically, the sample information control module  145  receives the image data received by the server communication module  146  and the information regarding the sample image, and the sample information control module  145  instructs the application execution module  142  to process the image data. The application execution module  142  reads the application from the application retaining unit  141  (or another server in which the application is embedded) based on the information of the application transmitted from the sample information control module  145 , and processes the image data. 
         [0203]    When the application execution module  142  completes the processing, the image data subjected to the processing stay downloadable to the digital camera  300 . The digital camera  300  downloads the image data subjected to the processing from the management server  120  (step S 2609 ). The image data downloaded to the digital camera  300  are displayed on the screen by the camera application recommendation user interface unit  311 . The image data downloaded to the digital camera  300  may be stored in the photographed information retaining unit  320  by the application recommendation control module  312 . 
         [0204]    The sample introducing process and the application executing process performed by the digital camera  300  and the management server  120  have hitherto been described with reference to  FIG. 26 . 
         [0205]    Next, an applied example of the function recommending process and the sample introducing process described above will be described.  FIG. 27  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an applied example of the function recommending process and the sample introducing process. 
         [0206]    In the example shown in  FIG. 27 , when the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects an existing function from among the functions introduced on the screen  160  by the control application  162 , executable processes before execution of the function are displayed along with the samples. In the example shown in  FIG. 27 , when the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the “Upload” from among the functions introduced on the screen  160  by the control application  162  in order to execute a process of uploading images to a predetermined server, samples of the executable processes (for example, various processes on the image to be uploaded) before the process of uploading the images is executed are displayed. When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the displayed sample, the information processing apparatus  100  or the management server  120  processes the image to be uploaded, in a process similar to the process performed on the selected sample. When the image processing is completed, the processed image is uploaded to the predetermined server. 
         [0207]    When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects a function, for example, the information processing apparatus  100  or the management server  120  may store a log in every process and use the log in order to extract the executable processes before the execution of the function. For example, by extracting the processes highly likely to be executed after execution of a process from the log, the executable processes can be picked out before the execution of the function when the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects a function. 
         [0208]    When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects a function from among the functions introduced on the screen  160 , it is possible to obtain the advantage that the user of the information processing apparatus  100  can recognize the executable functions along with a function by introducing the executable processes before the execution of the function together with the samples. 
         [0209]      FIG. 28  is an explanatory diagram illustrating another applied example of the function recommending process and the sample introducing process. 
         [0210]    In the example shown in  FIG. 28 , when a text box  167  is displayed on the screen  160  by the control application  162 , details desired to be processed are input by the user of the information processing apparatus  100 . 
         [0211]    When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  inputs “upload” into the text box  167 , the control application  162  recognizes the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus  100  by analyzing the characters input into the text box  167 . The control application  162  recognizing the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus  100  extracts application operation samples matched with the processing purpose from the information processing apparatus  100  or the management server  120  and displays the application operation samples and a processing order matched with the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus  100  on the screen  160 . In the example shown in  FIG. 28 , the control application  162  extracts the application operation samples in quadruplicate when the image data are uploaded to the predetermined server. When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the sample data displayed on the screen  160  by the control application  162 , the control application  162  collectively executes the processes from the process of processing the images to the process of uploading the processed image data to the server. 
         [0212]    By linking and displaying the input and output of the plurality of application operation samples, the advantage can be obtained that the user of the information processing apparatus  100  can grasp the process being executed midway through execution. 
         [0213]      FIG. 29  is a flowchart illustrating the sample displaying process shown in  FIG. 28 . Hereinafter, the sample displaying process of displaying the samples by linking the input and output of the plurality of application operation samples shown in  FIG. 28  will be described with reference to  FIG. 29 . 
         [0214]    When the control application  162  displays the text box  167  on the screen  160  of the information processing apparatus  100 , characters can be input from the user of the information processing apparatus  100 . In this state, when the user of the information processing apparatus  100  inputs the processing purpose into the text box  167  (step S 2901 ), the control application  162  analyzes the processing purpose of the user input into the text box  167  and acquires the input information and the output information matched with the processing purpose of the user and the environment information of the information processing apparatus  100  (step S 2902 ). The information acquired by the control application  162  or the information of the processing purpose input into the text box  167  by the user may be transmitted to the management server  120 . 
         [0215]    The control application  162  or the management server  120  receiving the respective information acquired by the control application  162  starts searching for the sample data suitable for the respective information (step S 2903 ). For example, the sample information control module  145  shown in  FIG. 25  may search for the sample data in the management server  120 . In the following description, the sample information control module  145  extracts the sample data, but the control application  162  of the information processing apparatus  100  may, of course, extract the sample data. The sample information control module  145  determines the result of the searching in step S 2903 , that is, whether there is a sample suitable for the processing purpose of the user, the input information and the output information, or the like (step S 2904 ). 
         [0216]    When the sample information control module  145  determines that there is a sample suitable for the processing purpose of the user, the input information and the output information, or the like, the sample information control module  145  determines whether the necessary number of samples to be displayed in the information processing apparatus  100  is extracted (step S 2905 ). Alternatively, when the sample information control module  145  determines that there is no sample suitable for the processing purpose of the user, the input information and the output information, or the like, the sample information control module  145  searches to find whether there is an input and output pass suitable for the processing purpose of the user, the input information and the output information, or the like by linking the plurality of samples (step S 2906 ). Then, the sample information control module  145  determines whether there is a suitable input and output pass (step S 2907 ). When there is a suitable input and output pass, the process proceeds to step S 2905  and the sample information control module  145  determines whether the necessary number of samples to be displayed in the information processing apparatus  100  is extracted. Alternatively, when there is no suitable input and output pass, the sample information control module  145  determines whether there are one or more suitable samples (step S 2908 ). When there are one or more suitable samples, the process proceeds to step S 2909  described below. Alternatively, when there is no suitable sample, the process ends. 
         [0217]      FIG. 30  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overview of the process of searching for the input and output passes suitable for the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus  100 , the input information and the output information, or the like by linking the plurality of samples. In  FIG. 30 , the input and output passes suitable for the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus  100 , the input information and the output information, or the like, are searched for by linking the plurality of samples of four samples from Sample  1  to Sample  4 . 
         [0218]    The input and output suitable for the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus  100 , the input information and the output information, or the like are performed by inputting “Input  1 ” and outputting “Output  4 ”. However, since there is no process of inputting “Input  1 ” and outputting “Output  4 ” among Sample  1  to Sample  4 , the sample information control module  145  may not extract the sample in this way. 
         [0219]    The sample information control module  145  finds whether there are input and output passes suitable for the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus  100 , the input information and the output information, or the like from the four samples from Sample  1  to Sample  4 . In the example shown in  FIG. 30 , when linking Sample  1 →Sample  2 →Sample  4 , a pass obtained by inputting “Input  1 ” and outputting “Output  4 ” is completed. Accordingly, the sample information control module  145  can extract the pass obtained through the linking of Sample  1 →Sample  2 →Sample  4  as the input and output pass suitable for the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus  100 , the input information and the output information, or the like. 
         [0220]    When the necessary number of samples to be displayed in the information processing apparatus  100  is not extracted as the determination result of step S 2905 , the process returns to step S 2903  and the sample information control module  145  continues searching for the suitable sample data. Alternatively, when the necessary number of samples to be displayed in the information processing apparatus  100  is completely extracted as the determination result of step S 2905 , the extracted samples are downloaded to the information processing apparatus  100  and the downloaded samples are displayed on the screen  160  of the information processing apparatus  100  by the control application  162  (step S 2909 ). 
         [0221]    When the samples downloaded from the management server  120  are displayed on the screen  160 , the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the displayed sample so that the information processing apparatus  100  (the management server  120 , or the like) follows the same processing order as that of the sample. When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the sample displayed on the screen  160  (step S 2910 ), the control application  162  detects the selected sample and follows the same processing order as that of the sample selected by the user (step S 2911 ). 
         [0222]    The control application  162  can recommend the applications while introducing the processing order of the data to the user of the information processing apparatus  100  by extracting the samples when there are samples suitable for the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus  100 , the input information and the output information, or the like or extracting the samples, in which the input and output are linked, when there is no suitable sample. 
         [0223]    When there are intermediate samples (intermediate products) in the case where the samples suitable for the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus  100 , the input information and the output information, or the like are generated by a plurality of processes, the control application  162  may also display the intermediate samples on the screen  160 .  FIG. 31  is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying the samples when the intermediate samples are introduced on the screen  160 . 
         [0224]    When the control application  162  displays the text box  167  on the screen  160  of the information processing apparatus  100 , characters can be input from the user of the information processing apparatus  100 . In this state, when the user of the information processing apparatus  100  inputs the processing purpose into the text box  167  (step S 3101 ), the control application  162  analyzes the processing purpose of the user input into the text box  167  and acquires the input information and the output information matched with the processing purpose of the user and the environment information of the information processing apparatus  100  (step S 3102 ). The information acquired by the control application  162  or the information of the processing purpose input into the text box  167  by the user may be transmitted to the management server  120 . 
         [0225]    The control application  162  or the management server  120  receiving the respective information acquired by the control application  162  starts searching for the sample data suitable for the respective information (step S 3103 ). For example, the sample information control module  145  shown in  FIG. 25  may search for the sample data in the management server  120 . In the following description, the sample information control module  145  extracts the sample data, but the control application  162  of the information processing apparatus  100  may, of course, extract the sample data. The sample information control module  145  determines the result of the searching in step S 3103 , that is, whether there is a sample suitable for the processing purpose of the user, the input information and the output information, or the like (step S 3104 ). 
         [0226]    When the sample information control module  145  determines that there is a sample suitable for the processing purpose of the user, the input information and the output information, or the like, the sample information control module  145  determines whether the necessary number of samples to be displayed in the information processing apparatus  100  is extracted (step S 3105 ). Alternatively, when the sample information control module  145  determines that there is no sample suitable for the processing purpose of the user, the input information and the output information, or the like, the sample information control module  145  searches to find whether there is an input and output pass suitable for the processing purpose of the user, the input information and the output information, or the like by linking the plurality of samples (step S 3106 ). Then, the sample information control module  145  determines whether there are a suitable input and output pass (step S 3107 ). When there is a suitable input and output pass, the process proceeds to step S 3105  and the sample information control module  145  determines whether the necessary number of samples to be displayed in the information processing apparatus  100  is extracted. Alternatively, when there is no suitable input and output pass, the sample information control module  145  determines whether there are one or more suitable samples (step S 3108 ). When there are one or more suitable samples, the process proceeds to step S 3109  described below. Alternatively, when there is no suitable sample, the process ends. 
         [0227]    When the necessary number of samples to be displayed in the information processing apparatus  100  is not extracted as the determination result of step S 3105 , the process returns to step S 3103  and the sample information control module  145  continues searching for the suitable sample data. Alternatively, when the necessary number of samples to be displayed in the information processing apparatus  100  is completely extracted as the determination result of step S 3105 , the extracted samples are downloaded to the information processing apparatus  100  and the downloaded samples are displayed on the screen  160  of the information processing apparatus  100  by the control application  162  (step S 3109 ). When the intermediate samples are included in the downloaded samples, the control application  162  also displays the intermediate samples on the screen  160 . When the samples downloaded from the management server  120  are displayed on the screen  160 , the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the displayed sample so that the information processing apparatus  100  (the management server  120 , or the like) follows the same processing order as that of the sample. When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the sample displayed on the screen  160  (step S 3110 ), the control application  162  detects the selected sample and follows the same processing order as that of the sample selected by the user (step S 3111 ). 
         [0228]      FIG. 32  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the sample data including the intermediate samples. In  FIG. 32 , input and output suitable for the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus  100 , the input information and the output information, or the like, and input and output of Sample  1  to Sample  4  are shown. 
         [0229]    The input and output suitable for the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus  100 , the input information and the output information, or the like are performed by inputting “Input  1 ” and outputting “Output  4 ”. In all of Sample  1  to Sample  4  shown in  FIG. 32 , “Input  1 ” is input and “Output  4 ” is output. Sample  1  to Sample  4  are all suitable for the processing purpose of the user of the information processing apparatus  100 , the input information and the output information, or the like. 
         [0230]    As shown in  FIG. 32 , Sample  1  outputs “Intermediate Output  1 A” as an intermediate sample. Sample  2  outputs “Intermediate Output  2 A” and “Intermediate Output  2 B” as intermediate samples. Sample  3  outputs “Intermediate Output  3 A” and “Intermediate Output  3 B” as intermediate samples. Sample  4  outputs “Intermediate Output  4 A” as an intermediate sample. 
         [0231]    The control application  162  also downloads these intermediate samples from the management server  120  and also displays the downloaded intermediate samples on the screen  160 . Since the control application  162  displays not only the sample data before and after the process but also downloads the intermediate samples from the management server  120  and displays the intermediate samples on the screen  160 , the advantage can be obtained that the user of the information processing apparatus  100  can grasp the process being executed. 
         [0232]      FIG. 33  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of an environment and processing information file to be used when the control application  162  displays the intermediate samples on the screen  160 . 
         [0233]    As described above, the environment and processing information file describes the information (the title of the application or the file name of the application) regarding the application in the sample generation order. Therefore, by executing the application described in the environment and processing information file, the samples can be processed without change. Instead of the information regarding the application, information regarding the samples may be described in the environment and processing information file in order to allow treatment of the samples as one application. 
         [0234]    In  FIG. 33 , an environment and processing information file  3301  describing the information regarding the sample to be subjected to image processing is shown. The environment and processing information file  3301  describes processing order of the samples where mosaic is inserted into a face in a photo. In the example shown in  FIG. 33 , the environment and processing information file  3301  describes a sample where the position of a face is specified and a sample where an image is subjected to a mosaic process in a “&lt;generation order&gt;” tag. 
         [0235]    In  FIG. 33 , an environment and processing information file  3302  describing information on the sample to specify the position of the face is shown, and an environment and processing information file  3303  describing information on the sample to subject the image to the mosaic process is shown. The environment and processing information file  3301  can be linked to the environment and processing information files  3302  and  3303  by sample name (information described in “&lt;sample name&gt;” tags of the environment and processing information files  3302  and  3302 ). 
         [0236]    When the control application  162  displays the intermediate samples on the screen  160 , the control application  162  acquires the sample data from the addresses of the sample data described in the environment and processing information files  3302  and  3303  and displays the acquired sample data on the screen  160 . Accordingly, by downloading the intermediate samples from the management server  120  and displaying the downloaded intermediate samples on the screen  160 , it is possible to obtain the advantage that the user of the information processing apparatus  100  can grasp a process being executed. 
         [0237]    The example in which the control application  162  displays the applications and the sample data on the screen  160  when the control application  162  displays the text box  167  on the screen  160  and the user of the information processing apparatus  100  inputs the processing details into the text box  167  has hitherto been described. Next, an applied example in which when the user of the information processing apparatus  100  inputs processing details into the text box  167 , the control application  162  displays applications and sample data on the screen  160  will be described. 
         [0238]      FIG. 34  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example when the control application  162  displays the applications and the sample data on the screen  160 . When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects one function from among the functions displayed on the screen  160  by the control application  162 , the control application  162  displays a sample display area  165  and displays the sample data. 
         [0239]    On the other hand,  FIG. 35  is an explanatory diagram illustrating another display example when the control application  162  displays the applications and the sample data on the screen  160 . In the example shown in  FIG. 35 , the control application  162  displays the text box  167  on the screen  160 , and the control application  162  displays the sample display area  165  based on the details input into the text box  167  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  to display the sample data. In  FIG. 35 , the control application  162  analyzes a sentence “input shading in a face” input into the text box  167 , extracts a process of inputting shading in the face, and displays the process as the sample data in the sample display area  165 . By analyzing the sentence input into the text box  167  and extracting the applications and the sample data matched with the details input into the text box  167  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  by the control application  162 , the process which the user of the information processing apparatus  100  desires can be introduced to the user. 
         [0240]      FIG. 36  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process of extracting the sample data from the details input into the text box  167  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  by the control application  162 . Hereinafter, the exemplary process of extracting the sample data from the details input into the text box  167  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  by the control application  162  will be described with reference to  FIG. 36 . 
         [0241]    First, the user of the information processing apparatus  100  activates the image editing application  161  in the information processing apparatus  100 , and selects an image to be processed from among the images displayed in the image editing application  161  (step S 3601 ). When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the image to be processed, the control application  162  displays the text box  167  on the screen  160 . When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  inputs a processing purpose in characters into the text box  167  (step S 3602 ), the control application  162  converts information on the image selected in step S 3601  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  into input information (step S 3603 ), and then converts a purpose character line input into the text box  167  in step S 3602  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  into a format of the purpose written in the sample (step S 3604 ). 
         [0242]    The conversion from the purpose character line into the format of the purpose written in the sample in step S 3604  may be performed with reference to a dictionary, for example, which is prepared to clear ambiguity of the sentence up, by the control application  162 . For example, when the user of the information processing apparatus  100  inputs a character line “input shading in a face”, as in  FIG. 35 , into the text box  167 , the control application  162  converts the expression “input shading” into a process (for example, a mosaic process or a process of inputting an eye line) of processing the image data, and extracts the samples stored in the information processing apparatus  100  or the management server  120 . 
         [0243]    When the conversion from the purpose character line into the format of the purpose written in the sample in step S 3604  is completed, the control application  162  extracts the suitable sample based on the environment information, the input information, the output information of the information processing apparatus  100 , or the purpose information (step S 3605 ). When the extraction of the suitable sample is completed, the control application  162  displays the sample display area  165  on the screen  160  to displays the extracted samples (step S 3606 ). 
         [0244]    The exemplary process of extracting the sample data from the details input into the text box  167  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  by the control application  162  has hitherto been described with reference to  FIG. 36 . 
         [0245]    When the processes in  FIGS. 35 and 36  are applied, the control application  162  may analyze the received syntax associated with the input sentence to introduce the samples linked and matched with the plurality of processes on the screen  160 . Hereinafter, an exemplary process of analyzing the input sentence to introduce the samples linked and matched with the plurality of processes on the screen  160  will be described. 
         [0246]      FIG. 37  is an explanatory diagram illustrating another display example when the control application  162  displays the applications and the sample data on the screen  160 . In the example shown in  FIG. 37 , like the example shown in  FIG. 35 , the control application  162  displays the text box  167  on the screen  160 , and the control application  162  displays the sample display area  165  based on the details input into the text box  167  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  to display the sample data. In  FIG. 37 , the control application  162  analyzes a sentence “input shading in a face and upload it” input into the text box  167 , extracts a process of inputting shading in the face and a process of uploading the images to a predetermined server, and displays the processes as the sample data in the sample display area  165 . By analyzing the received syntax associated with the sentence input into the text box  167  and extracting the applications and the sample data matched with the details input into the text box  167  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  by the control application  162 , the process which the user of the information processing apparatus  100  desires can be introduced to the user. 
         [0247]      FIG. 38  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process of extracting the sample data from the details input into the text box  167  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  by the control application  162 . Hereinafter, the exemplary process of extracting the sample data from the details input into the text box  167  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  by the control application  162  will be described with reference to  FIG. 38 . 
         [0248]    First, the user of the information processing apparatus  100  activates the image editing application  161  in the information processing apparatus  100 , and selects an image to be processed from among the images displayed in the image editing application  161  (step S 3801 ). When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  selects the image to be processed, the control application  162  displays the text box  167  on the screen  160 . When the user of the information processing apparatus  100  inputs a processing purpose in characters into the text box  167  (step S 3802 ), the control application  162  converts information of the image selected in step S 3801  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  into input information (step S 3803 ), and then converts a purpose character line input into the text box  167  in step S 3802  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  into a format of the purpose written in the sample (step S 3804 ). 
         [0249]    Then, the control application  162  analyzes the received syntax associated with the character line input into the text box  167  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  and converts the syntax into a plurality of input and output (step S 3805 ). The conversion into the plurality of input and output in step S 3805  may be performed with reference to the dictionary, for example, which is prepared, recording the received syntax associated with the sentence by the control application  162 . 
         [0250]    The control application  162  determines 5W1H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How) by analyzing the syntax. However, when there is lack information, an interface for asking the user of the information processing apparatus  100  about the lack of information may be prepared. For example, when information regarding Where among 5W1H is lack as the analysis result of the syntax, the control application  162  may display a message “Where uploaded?” on the screen  160  and then may display a new text box. For example, when information regarding Where among 5W1H is missing in the analysis result of the syntax, the control application  162  may display a message “upload to ox?” on the screen  160 . When the control application  162  displays the text box or the message and receives the input from the user of the information processing apparatus  100  in this way, the control application  162  can display an interactive application. 
         [0251]    When the conversion from the purpose character line to the plurality of input and output in step S 3805  is completed, the control application  162  extracts the suitable sample based on the environment information of the information processing apparatus  100 , the input information, or the output information and the purpose information (step S 3806 ). When the extraction of the suitable sample is completed, the control application  162  displays the sample display area  165  on the screen  160  to display the extracted samples (step S 3807 ). 
         [0252]    The exemplary process of extracting the sample data from the details input into the text box  167  by the user of the information processing apparatus  100  by the control application  162  has hitherto been described with reference to  FIG. 38 . 
         [0253]    In the examples shown in  FIGS. 35 to 38 , the control application  162  displays the text box  167  on the screen  160  and receives the purpose process from the user of the information processing apparatus  100 , but the invention is not limited to this examples. For example, when the sample introducing process described hitherto is performed by a device, such as a portable phone, by performing a voice input rather than simply the input of character, the voice of the user is converted into a sentence in a portable phone  400 , the sentence is analyzed, and then the suitable sample may be extracted, as shown in  FIG. 39 . In  FIG. 39 , the above-described sample displaying process is performed using the portable phone  400 . 
       2. Overview 
       [0254]    According to the above-described embodiment of the invention, the samples are introduced together to readily understand the states before and after the execution of the application, when the application executed in cooperation with the application being executed on the information processing apparatus  100  is recommended on the screen. Since the samples indicating the states before and after the execution of the application are introduced on the screen, it is possible to obtain the advantage of readily understanding the reason for recommending the application to the user of the information processing apparatus  100  and the work which can be done when the application is executed. 
         [0255]    The invention is not necessarily limited to the application installed on the information processing apparatus  100 . The sample data obtained by an application which is not installed may be introduced on the screen. Since sample data obtained by an application which is not installed are introduced, it is possible to obtain the advantage that the user of the information processing apparatus  100  can grasp executable processes to be executed before the user buys and installs the application. 
         [0256]    The present application contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2009-270587 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Nov. 27, 2009, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0257]    It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.