Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US8250136B2/en
Timestamp: 2018-12-12 19:00:57
Document Index: 195485861

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1303', 'art 1303', 'art 1303', 'art 1303', 'art 1303', 'art 22404', 'art 22404', 'art\n1304', 'art\n14105', 'art\n14301', 'art\n14304', 'art\n22101', 'art\n1']

US8250136B2 - Server, electronic apparatus, external apparatus, and information processing system using them, and electronic apparatus setting and status acquisition method - Google Patents
Server, electronic apparatus, external apparatus, and information processing system using them, and electronic apparatus setting and status acquisition method Download PDF
US8250136B2
US8250136B2 US10518666 US51866604A US8250136B2 US 8250136 B2 US8250136 B2 US 8250136B2 US 10518666 US10518666 US 10518666 US 51866604 A US51866604 A US 51866604A US 8250136 B2 US8250136 B2 US 8250136B2
US10518666
US20060036354A1 (en )
In electronic apparatus 11, acquirer 1101 acquires operation information that is information with which electronic apparatus 11 operates, from server 13. Operation information includes, for example, operation commands such as for turning on the power, turning off the power, reserving video recording, and setting information to be set to electronic apparatus 11. If electronic apparatus 11 is a videocassette recorder or the like, with a video recording function, the command for reserving video recording serves many uses. The setting information refers to a broadcast area code with which electronic apparatus 11 receives broadcasts, and communication setting information such as a POP address and DNS address with which electronic apparatus 11 communicates with an external apparatus. Here an external apparatus is, for example, another device on the Internet. Electronic apparatus 11, if equipped with a tuner and a function for receiving broadcasts, refers to a broadcast area code to set frequencies and names of broadcast stations to each channel of the tuner. This enables electronic apparatus 11 to receive broadcasts. In addition, “acquire” here includes a case where electronic apparatus 11 passively receives operation information and a case where electronic apparatus 11 actively retrieves operation information. Timing when acquirer 1101 acquires the operation information is not especially limited. Preferably, acquirer 1101 regularly acquires the operation information; however, acquirer 1101 may acquire the operation information when triggered by a user, or when notified by server 13. Acquirer 1101 is usually composed of a wireless or wired communication device (a modem and its driver software, etc.) and control software for the above-mentioned operation. Here, hardware (i.e. electronic circuit) may be used instead of the software. Acquirer 1101 may be composed of a device for receiving broadcasts instead of a communication device.
Updating part 1303 updates the operation information control table in storage 1301 according to the operation setting information received by receiver 1302. This “update” includes adding a record to the operation information control table, and correcting a certain attribute value in the record. Updating part 1303 is usually composed of a central processing unit (CPU, not illustrated) and software for operating the CPU; however, it may be composed of hardware (an electronic circuit).
(S403) Updating part 1303 accumulates the operation setting information received at S401. Here, “accumulate” means, for example, “add” a record to the operation information control table stored in storage 1301. In addition, “accumulate” means, for example, “update” a record in the operation information control table stored in storage 1301. In other words, updating part 1303 changes one or more attribute values included in a record.
(S601) Acceptor 1402 judges whether or not input of the setting information including the electronic apparatus identifier and the operation information has been accepted. If the input of setting information has been accepted, the processing goes to S602; otherwise, returns to 601. Here, “accept input of the setting information” refers to accepting a series of input, for example, including accepting a command to transmit the setting information to server 13.
Hereinafter, a description is made for a concrete operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a concrete information processing system. The information processing system includes STB 11A, STB 11B, air conditioner 11C, router 12, server 13, and external apparatus 14. Here, the identifier, “ID”, for STB 11A is “1,” and its name is “my STB.” “ID” of STB 11B is “2,” and its name is “my son's STB.” “ID” of an air conditioner is “3,” and its name is “air conditioner in the living room.” Still, the global IP address allocated to router 12 is “132.182.5.10”. STB 11A, STB 11B, and air conditioner 11C are located at home and connected via router 12 to the Internet. Further, external apparatus 14 is a so-called mobile phone.
Next, FIG. 8 shows an example for the operation information control table retained by server 13. The operation information control table includes an operation information control record including the following attribute values: electronic apparatus identifier, name, operation information, external apparatus identifier, and polling result. The electronic apparatus identifier is composed of a global IP address and identifier (ID). The electronic apparatus identifier is information for identifying an electronic apparatus. Here, a global IP address and ID identify an electronic apparatus. The global IP address is an IP address for accessing router 12 from external apparatus 14 and server 13 therewith. The ID is information for identifying an electronic apparatus connected to router 12. The name is an appellation (a colloquial term) given to each electronic apparatus, with which a user identifies an electronic apparatus. The external apparatus identifier is information for identifying an external apparatus, where in this case, it is a phone number of a mobile phone. The polling result is information showing whether or not electronic apparatus 11 (STB 11A, STB 11B, or air conditioner 11C, in this case) has acquired operation information. If the polling result is “0,” it shows electronic apparatus 11 has not yet acquired operation information; if “1,” already acquired. The polling result is information showing that the operation information has been transmitted from server 13 to electronic apparatus 11, also called operation information transmission history information. In FIG. 8, the operation information of electronic apparatus 11B whose name is “my son's STB” shows that it has no data. That is to say, electronic apparatus 11B with “my son's STB” is registered; however, it isn't set with the operation information. Meanwhile, for electronic apparatus 11A with “my STB” or the like, the operation information is set. The operation information of “my STB” is “power ON, video recording ch. 140, 19:00-21:00.” This operation information is to direct as follows: turn on the power of “my STB” to record the broadcast of channel 140 from 19:00 to 21:00.
In the above-mentioned condition, operation setting information shown in FIGS. 9A through C is input from external apparatus 14, which is a mobile phone, and is transmitted to server 13. First, external apparatus 14 accesses server 13 to notify of transmitting operation setting information. In this case, the information including the phone number of external apparatus 14: “090-1111-2222” is transmitted from external apparatus 14 to server 13. Next, server 13 receives information including “090-1111-2222,” and acquires all information with names corresponding to the external apparatus identifier “090-1111-2222” from the table in FIG. 8. Then, server 13 transmits the information with the names acquired to external apparatus 14. Next, external apparatus 14 receives the information with the names transmitted from server 13, to display a menu. An example of this menu is shown in FIG. 9A. The information for button “End” composing the menu in FIG. 9A may be transmitted from server 13, or may be preliminarily retained by external apparatus 14. Next, the user of external apparatus 14 selects, for example, the menu entry “(2) my son's STB” from the menu in FIG. 9A. Next, external apparatus 14 displays a screen (panel) linked to the menu entry “(2) my son's STB” as shown in FIG. 9B. The information for composing the menu in FIG. 9B may be transmitted from server 13, or may be preliminarily retained by external apparatus 14. Next, the user of external apparatus 14, viewing the screen shown in FIG. 9B, inputs operation information as shown in FIG. 9C. FIG. 9C shows that the user of external apparatus 14 has checked the box “power ON,” and thus the operation information includes information for “power ON.” FIG. 9C further shows that the user of external apparatus 14 has checked the box “video recording,” and thus the operation information includes information for “video recording.” FIG. 9C still further shows that the user of external apparatus 14 has input channel “18”, start time “10:00”, stop time “12:00,” and thus the operation information includes information for ch. 18, 10:00-12:00.” That is to say, the operation information having been input in FIG. 9C is information for “power ON, video recording ch. 18, 10:00-12:00.”
FIG. 10 shows a structure of the operation setting information. The operation setting information includes an external apparatus identifier, ID, and operation information. The phone number of external apparatus 14 is substituted for the external apparatus identifier. The phone number of external apparatus 14, which is a mobile phone, is preliminarily stored in external apparatus 14. The ID is information for identifying a target electronic apparatus to be controlled with operation information. The ID is determined, for example, when a menu entry in FIG. 9A is selected. That is to say, the ID is maintained corresponding to the menu entry in FIG. 9A. The ID corresponding to the menu entry “(2) my son's STB” in FIG. 9A is “2.” The operation information is, for example, the information input from the panel in FIG. 9C. Consequently, the setting information including the operation information input from external apparatus 14 in FIG. 9C is a value set as shown in FIG. 11. Then, the setting information in FIG. 11 is transmitted to server 13.
Next, server 13 receives the operation setting information shown in FIG. 11. Then, server 13 accumulates “power ON, video recording ch. 18, 10:00-12:00” as a set of attribute values of operation information corresponding to the external apparatus identifier “090-1111-2222” and ID “2.” The above-mentioned operation updates the operation information control table in FIG. 8 as shown in FIG. 12.
Next, STB 11A, STB 11B, air conditioner 11C, or router 12 in FIG. 7 regularly operates to acquire operation information by means of polling server 13. Consequently, STB 11A and the like acquire each corresponding operation information from the operation information control table in FIG. 12 to execute and/or accumulate it. Then, the attribute value of the polling result corresponding to a part of operation information acquired by the electronic apparatus is updated from “0” to “1” in the operation information control table in FIG. 12. That is to say, updating part 1303 also updates operation information transmission history information (polling result), when operation information is transmitted to an electronic apparatus. FIG. 13 shows the operation information control table with the polling result being updated.
Hereinafter, a description is made for a concrete operation of the information processing system in this embodiment. In the block diagram of the information processing system shown in FIG. 14, electronic apparatus 141 is a set top box (STB), and external apparatus 144 is a mobile phone. Video recording information is set to electronic apparatus 141 with its power ON. For example, storage 14102 in electronic apparatus 141 stores “power ON, tape loaded, video recording ch. 24, 19:00-20:00.” This status information means the power is ON, a tape is loaded, information for reserving video recording is “record a broadcast on channel 24 from 19:00 to 20:00.” Storage 14101 stores “ID=1.” Still, the status information control table in server 143 is composed as shown in FIG. 19. The status information control table in FIG. 19 includes a status information control record composed of the attribute values of an electronic apparatus identifier, a name, operation information, and an external apparatus identifier. The electronic apparatus identifier, the name, and the external apparatus identifier are the same as described in the first exemplary embodiment using FIG. 8, thus the description is omitted. In FIG. 19, the status information of the electronic apparatus whose name is “STB at home” shows that it has no data. That is to say, the electronic apparatus, “STB at home”, is registered; however, status information has not been set.
In the above-mentioned status, for example, electronic apparatus 141 regularly acquires its own status information and transmits to server 143. Electronic apparatus 141, “STB at home”, acquires the status information stored in storage 14102: “power ON, tape loaded, video recording ch. 24, 19:00-20:00,” and the ID (the electronic apparatus identifier) of electronic apparatus 141: “1.” Then, electronic apparatus 141 transmits them to server 143 via router 12. The global IP address “131.181.0.1” is allocated to router 12. Router 12 transmits to server 143, the status information and the ID transmitted by electronic apparatus 141, with the global IP address added.
Next, server 143 receives the status information: “power ON, tape loaded, video recording ch. 24, 19:00-20:00”, ID: “1”, and global IP address “131.181.0.1”. Then, server 143 judges whether or not electronic apparatus 141 is a correct device, by the global IP address and ID received. Here, the global IP address “131.181.0.1” received exists as shown in FIG. 19, and ID “1” also exists corresponding to the global IP address “131.181.0.1”. Therefore, server 143 judges electronic apparatus 141 transmitted status information and the like as a correct electronic apparatus.
Here, the phone number of the external apparatus 144 that is a mobile phone is “090-7777-3333.” Therefore, status acquisition command including the external apparatus of the phone number “090-7777-3333” is transmitted from external apparatus 144 to server 143. Next, server 143 judges whether or not the phone number “090-7777-3333” is a correct (i.e. registered) external apparatus by the status information control table and others, and judges to be correct. Next, server 143 transmits to external apparatus 144, the electronic apparatus status information including the status information corresponding to the phone number: “power ON, tape loaded, video recording ch. 24, 19:00-20:00” and the ID: “1”. Then, external apparatus 144 receives the status information including the status information, “power ON, tape loaded, video recording ch. 24, 19:00-20:00”, and the ID: “1”, then outputs it. FIG. 21 shows an output example for status information in external apparatus 144.
Output part 22404 outputs the operation information received by receiver 22403. “Output” usually refers to display to a display device; however, it includes printing by a printer, voice output, transmitting to another device, vibration by a vibration, or the like. Output part 22404, for example, is composed of a display device and its driver software.
Hereinafter, a description is made for an operation to set operation information from electronic apparatus 221 to the operation information control table of server 223. An example for the operation information control table retained by server 223 is the same as in FIG. 8. The user of STB 221B that is “my son's STB” performs operation setting for STB 221B. Here, setting is made for power ON and reserving video recording. Specifically, the operation information input by the user of STB 221B is “power ON, video recording ch. 18, 10:00-12:00.” That is to say, the operation information input by the user of STB 221B is one showing the command: turn on the power; record the broadcast on channel 18 from 10:00 to 12:00. Then, STB 221B, for example, when operation information is input, automatically composes second operation setting information, and transmits the second operation setting information to server 223. The second operation setting information is information including operation information “power ON, video recording ch. 18, 10:00-12:00” and ID “2.” Then, STB 221B transmits to router 12, information including operation information “power ON, video recording ch. 18, 10:00-12:00” and ID “2.” Router 12 adds the global IP address “132.182.5.10” allocated to itself, to the information sent from STB 221B, and transmits it to server 223. Server 223 identifies a setting position for the operation information from the global IP address “132.182.5.10” and ID “2,” to accumulate the operation information “power ON, video recording ch. 18, 10:00-12:00,” and then transmits a message showing the process has been made normally, via router 12 to STB 221B. After the above-mentioned process, the operation information control table of server 223 is as in FIG. 12.
Hereinafter, a description is made for a concrete operation of the information processing system in this embodiment. FIG. 30 shows a block diagram of the information processing system. In FIG. 30, the information processing system includes two electronic apparatuses. One is STB 221D (ID=1), and the other is air conditioner 221E (ID=2). STB 221D and air conditioner 221E are connected to the Internet via router 12. The information processing system further includes three external apparatuses 224A through 224C. Three external apparatuses 224A through 224C are all mobile phones, an external apparatus identifier, namely a phone number is allocated to each of them. The phone numbers are “090-1234-5555,” “090-2222-5432,” and “090-3333-4444,” respectively. In addition, the information processing system includes server 283 and router 12.
Server 283 stores an operation information control table shown in FIG. 31. The operation information control table shown in FIG. 31 includes operation information control records, each composed of the attribute values such as an electronic apparatus identifier, a name, operation information, and an external apparatus identifier. The electronic apparatus identifier is composed of three attribute values: a global IP address, an identifier (ID), and priority. The priority refers to information showing priority (order) of operation information (operation setting information) transmitted from the electronic apparatus identified by a global IP address and an ID. If the value of priority is “1,” the electronic apparatus has top priority, where the operation information transmitted from the electronic apparatus is always stored in server 283. The higher value of priority shows the lower order of priority. The operation information includes contents and priority. The contents refer to information showing details of the operation information. The priority refers to information showing which priority order of apparatus has transmitted the operation information shown by the contents. The external apparatus identifier includes a phone number and priority. The phone number is one for an external apparatus to identify the external apparatus. The priority shows the order of priority of the operation information transmitted from the external apparatus identified by the phone number. In the first record in FIG. 31, the apparatus with first order of priority is “STB at home,” namely STB 221D. Similarly, the apparatus with the second order of priority is external apparatus 224B with its phone number “090-2222-5432,” and the third, external apparatus 224A with “090-1234-5555.” Further, the operation information in the first record in the operation information control table in FIG. 31: “video recording ch. 10, 19:00-21:00” shows that it is the operation information transmitted from the apparatus with the order of priority “2,” namely, external apparatus 224B.
In the above-mentioned situation, a description is made for a case where external apparatus 224A selects STB 221D, also the operation information: “video recording ch. 8, 19:00-20:00,” is input and external apparatus 224A transmits it to server 283. In such a case, server 283 receives the operation setting information including the above-mentioned operation information, and the external apparatus identifier: “090-1234-5555.” Next, server 283 acquires the order of priority “3” of external apparatus 224A from the external apparatus identifier received. Next, server 283 acquires the order of priority “2” that is the counterpart of the operation information in the operation information control table. Then, server 283 compares the order of priority “3” of external apparatus 224A, with the order of priority “2” that is the counterpart of the operation information, and then determines that server 283 does not accumulate the operation information received. Then, server 283 transmits a message showing that operation information exists that has already been registered by an apparatus with higher order of priority, to external apparatus 224A identified by the external apparatus identifier “090-1234-5555.”
Next, a description is made for a case where STB 221D transmits to server 283, the operation information: “video recording ch. 41, 9:00-22:00.” In such a case, router 12 adds the global IP address “132.182.5.10” to the operation information and the like, to transmit them to server 283. Next, server 283 receives information including the above-mentioned operation information, the global IP address “132.182.5.10,” and “ID=1.” Then, server 283 acquires from the operation information control table, “priority” corresponding to a combination of the above-mentioned global IP address and “ID=1.” As shown in FIG. 31, “priority” corresponding to a combination of the above-mentioned global IP address and “ID=1” is “1.” Server 283 acquires “2,” which is “priority” that is the counterpart of the operation information in the operation information control table. Next, server 283 compares “priority=1,” which corresponds to a combination of the global IP address “132.182.5.10” and “ID=1,” and “priority=2,” which is the counterpart of the operation information in the operation information control table. Then, server 283 judges that the operation information received can be accumulated. Next, server 283 rewrites “contents” of the operation information in the first record in the operation control table with “video recording ch. 4, 19:00-22:00”. Server 283 further updates “priority” of operation information in the first record in the operation control table, to “1.” With the above-mentioned operation, operation information transmitted by an apparatus with higher order of priority is set to server 283; and with lower, not set.
Next, a brief description is made for “air conditioner in the living room,” namely air conditioner 221E. In the operation information control table in FIG. 31, “power ON, temperature 20° C.” is registered as the operation information for air conditioner 221E. In addition, “priority” in the operation information is “1.” In such a case, even if the operation information “power ON, temperature 27° C.” is transmitted from external apparatus 224C with its phone number “090-3333-4444,” server 283 does not update the operation information. The order of priority of external apparatus 224C is “2,” which is lower than “1,” which is the order of priority of the apparatus that registered the operation information “power ON, temperature 20° C.” Accordingly, server 283 does not update the operation information.
11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 141, 221A, 221B, 221C, 221D, 221E Electronic apparatus
13, 143, 223, 283 Server
14, 144, 224A, 224B, 224C External apparatus
1101 Operation information acquirer
1102 Operation controller
1103 Operator
1301, 28301 Operation information control table storage
1302 Operation setting information receiver
1303, 28303 Operation information updating part
1304 Transmitter
1401 External information storage
1402 Setting information acceptor
1403 Operation setting information transmitter
1404 Receiver
1405 Annunciator
14101 Electronic apparatus identifier storage
14102 Status information storage
14103 Electronic apparatus status information transmitter
14104, 22104 Judgement part
14105, 22105 Output part
14301 Status information control table storage
14302 Electronic apparatus status information receiver
14303 Status information updating part
14304, 22304, 28304 Composer
14305, 22305, 28305 Transmitter
14402 Status information acquisition information acceptor
14403 Status information acquisition command transmitter
14404 Status information receiver
14405 Status information output part
22101 Operation information input acceptor
22102 Second operation setting information transmitter
22301 Operation information acquisition command receiver
22302 Operation information transmitter
22401 Operation information acquisition information input acceptor
22402 Operation information acquisition command transmitter
22403 Operation information receiver
22404 Operation information output part
1. An information processing system including an electronic apparatus, a server, and an external apparatus, wherein
an operation information acquirer for acquiring first operation information from the server, the electronic apparatus operating with the first operation information;
an operation controller for directing so that the electronic apparatus operates according to the first operation information;
an operation information input acceptor for accepting input of second operation information; and
a second operation information transmitter for transmitting the second operation information and an electronic apparatus identifier, to the server, the electronic apparatus identifier identifying the electronic apparatus,
an external information storage for storing an external apparatus identifier, the external apparatus identifier identifying the external apparatus;
a setting information acceptor for accepting input of the electronic apparatus identifier and of the first operation information; and
an operation setting information transmitter for transmitting the external apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the first operation information, to the server, and
an operation information control table storage for storing an operation information control table including at least one operation information control record, the record including the external apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the first operation information;
an operation setting information receiver for receiving the external apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the first operation information, from the external apparatus; and
an operation information updating part for updating the operation information control table, according to the external apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the first operation information,
wherein the server stores priority information showing a level of priority for each of the first operation information and the second operation information, when the server receives the first operation information from the external apparatus, and the second operation information from the electronic apparatus, and the operation information updating part updates the operation information control table, according to one of the first operation information and the second operation information that is given a higher priority level.
the external apparatus further comprises:
an operation information acquisition information input acceptor for accepting input of operation information acquisition information including the electronic apparatus identifier;
an operation information acquisition command transmitter for transmitting an operation information acquisition command to the server, the command including the operation information acquisition information and the external apparatus identifier;
an operation information receiver for receiving the second operation information acquired according to the operation information acquisition command; and
an operation information output part that outputs the second operation information.
the external apparatus is one of a plurality of external apparatuses, and
the server stores the priority information showing the level of priority among pieces of the first operation information when the server receives the pieces of the first operation information from the external apparatuses, and the operation information updating part updates the operation information control table according to one piece of the first operation information that is given the higher priority level.
the operation information control record further includes operation information transmission history information, the operation information transmission history information showing that the first operation information has been transmitted to the electronic apparatus, and the operation information updating part updates the operation information transmission history information when the first operation information is transmitted to the electronic apparatus.
the server notifies the electronic apparatus of the first operation information after updating, when the operation information updating part updates the operation information control table.
the external apparatus identifier includes an IP address defined in IP version 4, and identifying information inherent in the external apparatus.
the external apparatus identifier includes a host address in an IP address defined in IP version 6.
9. An information processing system including an electronic apparatus, a server, and an external apparatus, wherein
an electronic apparatus identifier storage for storing an electronic apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier identifying the electronic apparatus;
a status information storage for storing status information showing a status of the electronic apparatus;
an electronic apparatus status information transmitter for transmitting the electronic apparatus identifier and the status information to the server,
a status information control table storage for storing a status information control table including at least one status information control record including an external apparatus identifier that identifies the external apparatus, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the status information;
an electronic apparatus status information receiver for receiving the electronic apparatus identifier and the status information from the electronic apparatus; and
a status information updating part for updating the status information control table according to the electronic apparatus identifier and the status information received by the electronic apparatus status information receiver, and
an external information storage for storing the external apparatus identifier;
a status acquisition information acceptor for accepting input of status acquisition information, the status acquisition information including the electronic apparatus identifier;
a status acquisition command transmitter for transmitting a status acquisition command including the external apparatus identifier stored in the external information storage and the status acquisition information accepted by the status acquisition information acceptor, to the server; and
a status information receiver for receiving the status information acquired according to the status acquisition command,
wherein the electronic apparatus acquires first operation information from the server and accepts second operation information, the electronic apparatus operating responsive to one of the first operation information and the second operation information, and
the server stores priority information showing a level of priority for each of the first operation information and the second operation information, when the server receives the first operation information from the external apparatus and the second operation information from the electronic apparatus, the server updates an operation information control table, according to one of the first operation information and the second operation information that is given a higher priority level.
the external apparatus further includes a status information output part for outputting the status information received by the status information receiver.
13. An electronic apparatus for use in an information processing system, the system including the electronic apparatus, a server, and an external apparatus, the electronic apparatus comprising:
an acquirer for acquiring first operation information from the server, the electronic apparatus operating with the first operation information;
a controller for directing so that the electronic apparatus operates according to the first operation information;
an operation information acceptor for accepting input of second operation information; and
a second operation information transmitter for transmitting the second operation information and an electronic apparatus identifier, to the server, the electronic apparatus identifier identifying the electronic apparatus, wherein
a first storage for storing an external apparatus identifier, the external apparatus identifier identifying the external apparatus;
a first acceptor for accepting input of the electronic apparatus identifier and the first operation information;
a first transmitter for transmitting the external apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the first operation information, to the server, and
a second storage for storing an operation information control table, the table including at least one operation information control record, the record including the external apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the first operation information;
a first receiver for receiving the external apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the first operation information, from the external apparatus; and
a first updating part for updating the operation information control table according to the external apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the first operation information,
wherein the server stores priority information showing a level of priority for each of the first operation information and the second operation information, when the server receives the first operation information from the external apparatus, and the second operation information from the electronic apparatus, and the first updating part updates the operation information control table, according to one of the first operation information and the second operation information that is given a higher priority level.
15. An electronic apparatus for use in an information processing system including the electronic apparatus, a server, and an external apparatus, the electronic apparatus comprising:
a third storage for storing an electronic apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier identifying the electronic apparatus;
a fourth storage for storing status information, the status information showing a status of the electronic apparatus; and
a fourth transmitter for transmitting the electronic apparatus identifier and the status information to the server, wherein
a fifth storage for storing a status information control table including at least one status information control record, the record including an external apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the status information, the external apparatus identifier identifying the external apparatus;
a third receiver for receiving the electronic apparatus identifier and the status information from the electronic apparatus; and
a second updating part for updating the status information control table according to the electronic apparatus identifier and the status information receive by the third receiver, and
a sixth storage for storing the external apparatus identifier;
a fourth acceptor for accepting input of status acquisition information, the status acquisition information including the electronic apparatus identifier;
a fifth transmitter for transmitting a status acquisition command including the external apparatus identifier stored in the sixth storage and the status acquisition information accepted by the fourth acceptor, to the server; and
a fourth receiver for receiving status information acquired according to the status acquisition command,
16. A server for use in an information processing system, the system including an electronic apparatus, the server, and an external apparatus, the server comprising:
a second storage for storing an operation information control table including at least one operation information control record, the record including an external apparatus identifier, an electronic apparatus identifier, and first operation information, the external apparatus identifier identifying the external apparatus, the electronic apparatus identifier identifying the electronic apparatus, and the electronic apparatus operating with the first operation information;
a first updating part for updating the operation information control table according to the external apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the first operation information, wherein
an acquirer for acquires the first operation information from the server;
a second operation information transmitter for transmitting the second operation information and the electronic apparatus identifier, to the server; and
a first storage for storing the external apparatus identifier;
a first acceptor for accepting input of the electronic apparatus identifier and the first operation information; and
a first transmitter for transmitting the external apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the first operation information, to the server,
19. A server for use in an information processing system, the system including an electronic apparatus, the server, and an external apparatus, the server comprising:
a fifth storage for storing a status information control table, the table including at least one status information control record, the record including an external apparatus identifier, an electronic apparatus identifier and status information: the external apparatus identifier identifying the external apparatus, the electronic apparatus identifier identifying the electronic apparatus, and the status information showing a status of the electronic apparatus;
a third receiver for receiving a first electronic apparatus identifier and first status information from the electronic apparatus; and
a second updating part for updating the status information control table according to the first electronic apparatus identifier and the first status information, wherein
a third storage for storing the first electronic apparatus identifier;
a fourth storage for storing the first status information;
a fourth transmitter for transmitting the first electronic apparatus identifier and the first status information to the server, and
a sixth storage for storing the first external apparatus identifier;
a fourth acceptor for accepting input of status acquisition information, the status acquisition information including the first electronic apparatus identifier;
a fifth transmitter for transmitting a status acquisition command to the server, the command including the first external apparatus identifier stored in the sixth storage and the status acquisition information accepted by the fourth acceptor; and
20. An external apparatus for use in an information processing system, the system including an electronic apparatus, a server, and the external apparatus, the external apparatus comprising:
a first acceptor for accepting input of an electronic apparatus identifier and first operation information, the electronic apparatus identifier identifying the electronic apparatus and the electronic apparatus operating with the first operation information; and
a first transmitter for transmitting the external apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the first operation information, to the server, wherein
an acquirer for acquiring the first operation information from the server;
a second operation information transmitter for transmitting the second operation information and the electronic apparatus identifier, to the server, and
21. An external apparatus for use in an information processing system, the system including an electronic apparatus, a server, and the external apparatus, the external apparatus comprising:
a sixth storage for storing an external apparatus identifier,
the external apparatus identifier identifying the external apparatus;
a fourth acceptor for accepting input of status acquisition information including an electronic apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier identifying the electronic apparatus;
a fifth transmitter for transmitting a status acquisition command and status acquisition information accepted by the fourth acceptor, to the server, the command including the external apparatus identifier stored in the sixth storage; and
a fourth receiver for receiving status information acquired according to the status acquisition command, wherein
a third storage for storing the electronic apparatus identifier;
a fourth storage for storing the status information; and
a fourth transmitter for transmitting the electronic apparatus identifier and the status information, to the server, and
a fifth storage for storing a status information control table, the table including at least one status information control record, the record including the external apparatus identifier, the electronic apparatus identifier, and the status information;
a third receiver for receiving the electronic apparatus identifier and the status information, from the electronic apparatus; and
a second updating part for updating the status information control table according to the electronic apparatus identifier and the status information received by the third receiver,
US10518666 2002-06-19 2003-06-09 Server, electronic apparatus, external apparatus, and information processing system using them, and electronic apparatus setting and status acquisition method Active 2029-01-14 US8250136B2 (en)
JP2002178087 2002-06-19
JP2002-178087 2002-06-19
PCT/JP2003/007255 WO2004001611A1 (en) 2002-06-19 2003-06-09 Server, electronic apparatus, external apparatus and information processing system using them, and electronic apparatus setting and status acquisition method
US20060036354A1 true US20060036354A1 (en) 2006-02-16
US8250136B2 true US8250136B2 (en) 2012-08-21
ID=29996507
US10518666 Active 2029-01-14 US8250136B2 (en) 2002-06-19 2003-06-09 Server, electronic apparatus, external apparatus, and information processing system using them, and electronic apparatus setting and status acquisition method
US (1) US8250136B2 (en)
JP (1) JP4591083B2 (en)
CN (1) CN100524259C (en)
WO (1) WO2004001611A1 (en)
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JP4591083B2 (en) 2010-12-01 grant
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MAEKAWA, HAJIME;IWAMOTO, KOJI;IKEDA, TAKUMI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:017193/0173