Data processing system, information processing apparatus, data processing method and computer program

Abstract

In an environment in which various usable information processing device exist in the neighborhood of a user, it is possible to a detect, from a main terminal used by a user, an information processing device having the function corresponding to a user request. By using the detected device, it is possible to perform data processing and data communication corresponding to the user request, which cannot be performed by one device. By transmitting a resources finding/using query packet to devices capable of data communication, the function confirmation and the environment setting of each information processing device can be performed. Even if the function of the information processing device dynamically changes, the device can be used based on the updated information.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
       1. A data processing system comprising:
 a main information processing apparatuses apparatus for issuing a resources finding query in which requested function information based on a user request is stored; 
 a plurality of peripheral information processing apparatuses each in communication with said main information processing apparatus for receiving said resources finding query and having an SCL processing section for dynamically detecting changes in resource capability of the peripheral information processing apparatus, each peripheral information processing apparatus determining whether a function, based on the requested function information stored in the received resources finding query and the processing by the SCL processing section, can be provided by the peripheral information processing apparatus, and transmitting a response in which the determination result is stored as status information to said main information processing apparatus; 
 wherein said main information processing apparatus selects a peripheral information processing apparatus for which the function is to be used on the basis of the response received by said main information processing apparatus from said plurality of peripheral information processing apparatus, issues a resources using query to the selected peripheral information processing apparatus, and provides the function corresponding to said requested function to the selected peripheral information processing apparatus, 
 wherein said main information processing apparatus includes at least one processor; and 
 wherein each of said plurality of peripheral information processing apparatuses include at least one processor. 
 
     
     
       2. A data processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of peripheral information processing apparatuses, including the at least one processor, comprises:
 an application section for inputting a user request; 
 rich communication assisting means for generating a resources finding query on the basis of a user request input to said application section and for issuing the resources finding query to at least one other peripheral information processing apparatus; 
 session management means for performing data processing using the function of a peripheral information processing apparatus on the basis of the transmission of a response to the resources finding query from the peripheral information processing apparatus; and 
 an environment adaptive engine for performing processing for setting the function corresponding to said requested function. 
 
     
     
       3. A data processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of peripheral information processing apparatuses, including the at least one processor, comprises:
 a service description database in which the capability information detected by said SCL processing section is stored, 
 wherein a process for determining the capability of providing a user requested function based on the reception of a resources finding query is performed based on the contents of said service description database. 
 
     
     
       4. A data processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said resources finding query comprises a transmission source address, which is the issuing source of the resources finding query; a transmission destination address which is the issuing destination of the resources finding query; and parameters as resources using period information and requested function information. 
     
     
       5. A data processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said resources using query comprises a transmission source address which is the issuing source of the resources using query; a transmission destination address which is the issuing destination of the resources using query; and parameters as resources using period information and requested function information. 
     
     
       6. A data processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said resources using query contains setting information of an information processing module in the information processing apparatus which is the destination of the resources using query. 
     
     
       7. A data processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of peripheral information processing apparatuses, including the at least one processor, comprises:
 rich communication assisting means for generating a resources finding query on the basis of a user request and issuing it the resources finding query to the other of said plurality of peripheral information processing apparatus, and 
 said rich communication assisting means performs processes for determining whether or not the determination of a peripheral information processing apparatus to be used is possible on the basis of the obtained function information of the peripheral information processing apparatus, generating said resources finding query only when the determination is not possible, and issuing the resources finding query to the peripheral information processing apparatus. 
 
     
     
       8. A data processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of peripheral information processing apparatuses, including the at least one processor, comprises;:
 session management means for performing data processing using the function of another peripheral information processing apparatus on the basis of the transmission of a response to a resources finding query from the another peripheral information processing apparatus; and 
 an environment adaptive engine for setting the function corresponding to a requested function, 
 wherein the peripheral information processing apparatus receiving said resources using query issued by said main information processing apparatus performs session management in said session management means and an environment adaptive process in said environment adaptive engine on the basis of said resources using query or an environment setting packet issued by said main information processing apparatus. 
 
     
     
       9. An information processing apparatus which is a constituent of a data processing system comprising a plurality of peripheral information processing apparatuses which can communicate with each other, said information processing apparatus comprising:
 means for generating a resources finding query in which requested function information based on a user requested function is stored and for transmitting the resources finding query to a peripheral information processing apparatus which is a constituent of said plurality of information processing apparatuses; 
 means for receiving a resources finding query from one of the peripheral information processing apparatuses; 
 an SCL processing section for dynamically detecting changes in resource capability of the peripheral information processing apparatus; 
 means for determining whether or not a function, based on a requested function information stored in the received resources finding query and the processing by the SCL processing section, can be provided, and generating a response to be transmitted, in which the determination result is stored as status information; 
 means for selecting a peripheral information processing apparatus for which the user requested function is to be used on the basis of the transmission of a response to the transmitted resources finding query and for issuing a resources using query to the selected peripheral information processing apparatus; and 
 means for performing a process of setting the provision of a function corresponding to said requested function information on the basis of the reception of said resources using query from the one of the information processing apparatuses, 
 wherein the information processing apparatus includes at least one processor. 
 
     
     
       10. An information processing apparatus including the at least one processor according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 an application section for inputting a user request; 
 rich communication assisting means included in the resources finding query generating means for generating said resources finding query on the basis of the user request input to said application section and for issuing the resources finding query to a peripheral information processing apparatus; 
 session management means for performing data processing using the function of the selected peripheral information processing apparatus on the basis of the transmission of the response to the transmitted resources finding query from the selected peripheral information processing apparatus; and 
 an environment adaptive engine for setting a function of the information processing apparatus corresponding to said user requested function. 
 
     
     
       11. An information processing apparatus including the at least one processor according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a service description database in which the capability information detected by said SCL processing section is stored, 
 wherein the capability of providing the requested function based on the reception of the resources finding query is performed based on the contents of said service description database. 
 
     
     
       12. An information processing apparatus including the at least one processor according to  claim 9 , wherein said resources generating means includes rich communication assisting means for generating said resources finding query on the basis of the user requested function and issuing the resources finding query to the peripheral information processing apparatus,
 wherein said rich communication assisting means performs processes for determining whether or not the determination of a peripheral information processing apparatus to be used on the basis of the obtained function information of the peripheral information processing apparatus is possible, for generating the resources finding query only when the determination is not possible, and for issuing the resources finding query to the peripheral information processing apparatus. 
 
     
     
       13. An information processing apparatus including the at least one processor according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 session management means for performing session management for performing data processing using the function of the selected peripheral information processing apparatus on the basis of the transmission of the response to the transmitted resources finding query from the selected peripheral information processing apparatus; and 
 an environment adaptive engine for setting a function of the information processing apparatus corresponding to said requested function, 
 wherein the peripheral information processing apparatus receiving said resources using query issued by said information processing apparatus performs session management in said session management means and an environment adaptive process in said environment adaptive engine on the basis of said resources using query or an environment setting packet issued by said information processing apparatus. 
 
     
     
       14. A data processing method for use with a data processing system comprising a plurality of information processing apparatuses which can communicate with each other, said data processing method comprising the steps of:
 issuing, from one main information processing apparatus, a resources finding query in which requested function information based on a user request is stored; 
 performing an SCL processing step of dynamically detecting changes in resource capability of the peripheral information processing apparatus 
 determining whether or not the functions, based on the requested function information stored in the received resources finding query and the SCL processing step, can be provided in the peripheral information processing apparatus receiving said resources finding query, and transmitting a response, in which the determination result is stored as status information, to said main information processing apparatus; 
 selecting a peripheral information processing apparatus for which the function is to be used on the basis of the transmission of the response received by said main information processing apparatus from said peripheral information processing apparatus and issuing a resources using query to the selected peripheral information processing apparatus; and 
 providing the function corresponding to said requested function in the peripheral information processing apparatus receiving the resources using query. 
 
     
     
       15. A data processing method according to  claim 14 , further comprising a step in which each of said information processing apparatuses stores in a service description database the capability information detected by said SCL processing step is stored,
 wherein the step of determining the capability of providing the requested function based on the reception of the resources finding query is performed based on the contents of said service description database. 
 
     
     
       16. A data processing method according to  claim 14 , further comprising a step in which said main information processing apparatus performs processes for determining whether or not the determination of a peripheral information processing apparatus to be used on the basis of the obtained function information of the peripheral information processing apparatus is possible, generating said resources finding query only when the determination is not possible, and issuing the resources finding query to the peripheral information processing apparatus. 
     
     
       17. A data processing method according to  claim 14 , further comprising a step in which the peripheral information processing apparatus receiving said resources finding/using query issued by said main information processing apparatus performs session management in session management means and an environment adaptive process in an environment adaptive engine on the basis of an environment setting packet issued by said main information processing apparatus. 
     
     
       18. A computer program stored on a computer readable medium memory processed by a computer for executing information processing in an information processing apparatus which is a constituent of a data processing system comprising a plurality of information processing apparatuses which can communicate with each other, said program comprising:
 a step of generating a resources finding query in which requested function information based on a user request is stored and transmitting the resources finding query to a peripheral information processing apparatus which is a constituent of said plurality of information processing apparatuses; 
 a step of receiving a resources finding query, dynamically detecting changes in resource capability of the peripheral information processing apparatus, and determining whether or not the function, based on the requested function information stored in the received resources finding query and the detected changes in resource capability, can be provided, and generating a response to be transmitted, in which the determination result is stored as status information; 
 a step of selecting a peripheral information processing apparatus for which the function is to be used on the basis of the transmission of the response for the resources finding query and issuing a resources using query to the selected peripheral information processing apparatus; and 
 a step of performing a process of setting the provision of the function corresponding to said requested function on the basis of the reception of said resources using query. 
 
     
     
       19. A first communication apparatus for communicating with a second communication apparatus and a plurality of peripheral apparatuses comprising:
 a processor configured to:
 (a) detect that a function in a communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended, 
 (b) for each of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses:
 (i) generate a query asking whether a function can be provided by said peripheral apparatus, said query being transmitted to said peripheral apparatus, and 
 (ii) receive a response indicating whether said peripheral apparatus can provide the function, 
 
 (c) select one of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses as a provider of the function, and 
 (d) generate an instruction which instructs the selected peripheral apparatus to provide the function, the instruction being transmitted to the selected peripheral apparatus. 
   
     
     
       20. The first communication according to claim 19, wherein the processor is configured to process data transmitted from the second apparatus via internet. 
     
     
       21. The first communication apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the processor is configured to process data transmitted from at least one of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses via a local network. 
     
     
       22. The first communication apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the processor is configured to processes data from a TV system. 
     
     
       23. The first communication apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a display device configured to display information from the second communication apparatus. 
     
     
       24. The first communication apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a switching processor configured to switch between the display device and the TV system. 
     
     
       25. The first communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein, if the first communication apparatus is in a home area network, the processor detects that the function in the communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended. 
     
     
       26. The first communication apparatus according to claim 24, wherein, if a user request is inputted, the processor detects that the function in the communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended. 
     
     
       27. A communication system comprising:
 a first communication apparatus for communicating with a second communication apparatus and a plurality of peripheral apparatuses including:
 a first processor configured to: 
 (i) detect that a function in a communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended, 
 (ii) for each of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses:
 (A) generate a query asking whether a function can be provided by said peripheral apparatus, the query being transmitted to said peripheral apparatus, 
 (B) receive a response indicating whether said peripheral apparatus can provide the function, 
 
 (iii) select one of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses as a provider of the function, and 
 (iv) generate an instruction which instructs the selected peripheral apparatus to provide the function, the instruction being transmitted to the selected peripheral apparatus; 
   the selected peripheral apparatus for communicating with the first communication apparatus including:
 a second processor configured to: 
 (i) receive the query transmitted to said selected peripheral apparatus from the first communication apparatus, 
 (ii) respond to the first communication apparatus according to the query, 
 (iii) receive the instruction from the first communication apparatus, and 
 (iv) provide the function according to the instruction from the first communication apparatus. 
   
     
     
       28. The communication system according to claim 27, wherein the first processor is configured to process data transmitted from the second apparatus via internet. 
     
     
       29. The communication system according to claim 28, wherein the first processor is configured to process data transmitted from at least one of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses via a local network. 
     
     
       30. The communication system according to claim 29, wherein the first processor is configured to process data transmitted from a TV system. 
     
     
       31. The communication system according to claim 30, wherein the first communication apparatus includes a display device configured to display information from the second communication apparatus. 
     
     
       32. The communication system according to claim 31, wherein the first communication apparatus further comprises a switching processor configured to switch between the display device and the TV system. 
     
     
       33. The communication system according to claim 27, wherein, if the first communication apparatus is in a home area network, the first processor detects that the function in the communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended. 
     
     
       34. The communication system according to claim 32, wherein, if a user request is inputted, the first processor detects that the function in the communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended. 
     
     
       35. A first communication apparatus for communicating with a second communication apparatus and a plurality of peripheral apparatuses comprising:
 an information processing means, including at least one processor, for:
 (a) detecting that a function in a communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended, 
 (b) for each of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses:
 (i) generating a query asking whether a function can be provided by said peripheral apparatus, the query being transmitted to said peripheral apparatus, and 
 (ii) receiving a response indicating whether said peripheral apparatus can provide the function, 
 
 (c) selecting one of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses as a provider of the function, and 
 (d) generating an instruction which instructs the selected peripheral apparatus to provide the function, the instruction being transmitted to the selected peripheral apparatus. 
   
     
     
       36. A communication system comprising:
 a first communication apparatus for communicating with a second communication apparatus and a plurality of peripheral apparatuses including:
 a first information processing means, including at least one processor, for: 
 (i) detecting that a function in a communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended, 
 (ii) for each of the peripheral apparatuses:
 (A) generating a query asking whether a function can be provided by said peripheral apparatus, the query being transmitted to said peripheral apparatus, and 
 (B) receiving a response indicating whether said peripheral apparatus can provide the function, 
 
 (iii) selecting one of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses as a provider of the function, and 
 (iv) generating an instruction which instructs the selected peripheral apparatus to provide the function, the instruction being transmitted to the selected peripheral apparatus; and 
   the selected peripheral apparatus for communicating with the first communication apparatus including:
 a second information processing means, including at least one processor, for: 
 (i) receiving the query transmitted to the selected peripheral apparatus from the first communication apparatus, 
 (ii) responding to the first communication apparatus according to the query, 
 (iii) receiving the instruction from the first communication apparatus, and 
 (iv) providing the function according to the instruction from the first communication apparatus. 
   
     
     
       37. A computer readable storing instructions structured to cause a first communication apparatus including at least one processor to:
 (a) communicate with a second communication apparatus and a plurality of peripheral apparatuses;   (b) detect that a function in a communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended;   (c) for each of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses:
 (i) generate a query asking whether a function can be provided by said peripheral apparatus, said query being transmitted to said peripheral apparatus, and 
 (ii) receive a response indicating whether said peripheral apparatus can provide the function; 
   (d) select one of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses as a provider of the function; and   (e) generate an instruction which instructs the selected peripheral apparatus to provide the function, the instruction being transmitted to the selected peripheral apparatus.   
     
     
       38. A computer readable medium storing instructions structured to cause:
 (a) a first communication apparatus including at least one processor to:
 (i) detect that a function in a communication with a second communication apparatus needs to be extended, 
 (ii) for each of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses,
 (A) generate a query asking whether a function can be provided by said peripheral apparatus, said query being transmitted to said peripheral apparatus, and 
 (B) receive a response indicating whether said peripheral apparatus can provide the function, 
 
 (iii) select one of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses as a provider of the function, and 
 (iv) generate an instruction which instructs the selected peripheral apparatus to provide the function, the instruction being transmitted to the selected peripheral apparatus; and 
   (b) the selected peripheral apparatus including at least one processor to:
 (i) receive the query transmitted to the selected peripheral apparatus from the first communication apparatus, 
 (ii) respond to the first communication apparatus according to the query, 
 (iii) receive the instruction from the first communication apparatus, and 
 (iv) provide the function according to the instruction from the first communication apparatus. 
   
     
     
       39. A method of operating a first communication apparatus, including a processor, for communicating with a second communication apparatus and a plurality of peripheral apparatuses, the method comprising:
 (a) causing the processor to detect that a function in a communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended;   (b) for each of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses:
 (i) causing the processor to generate a query asking whether a function can be provided by said peripheral apparatus, the query being transmitted to said peripheral apparatus; 
 (ii) causing the processor to receive a response indicating whether said peripheral apparatus can provide the function; 
   (c) causing the processor select one of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses as a provider of the function; and   (d) causing the processor to generate an instruction which instructs the selected peripheral apparatus to provide the function, the instruction being transmitted to the selected peripheral apparatus.   
     
     
       40. The communication method according to claim 39, which includes causing the processor to process data transmitted from the second apparatus via internet. 
     
     
       41. The communication method according to claim 40, which includes causing the processor to process data transmitted from at least one of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses via a local network. 
     
     
       42. The communication method according to claim 41, which includes causing the processor to process data transmitted from a TV system. 
     
     
       43. The communication method according to claim 42, which includes causing a display device to display information from the second communication apparatus. 
     
     
       44. The communication method according to claim 43, which includes causing a switching processor to switch between the display device and the TV system. 
     
     
       45. The communication method according to claim 39, which includes, if the first communication apparatus is in a home area network, causing processor to detect that the function in the communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended. 
     
     
       46. The communication method according to claim 44, which includes, if a user request is inputted, causing the processor to detect that the function in the communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended. 
     
     
       47. A method of operating a communication system which includes a first communication apparatus including a first processor, a second communication apparatus including a second processor, and a plurality of peripheral apparatuses, the method comprising:
 (a) causing the first processor to detect that a function in a communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended,   (b) for each of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses:
 (i) causing the first processor to generate a query asking whether a function can be provided by said peripheral apparatus, the query being transmitted to said peripheral apparatus, and 
 (ii) causing the first processor to receive a response indicating whether said peripheral apparatus can provide the function, 
   (c) causing the first processor to select one of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses as a provider of the function,   (d) causing the first processor to generate an instruction which instructs the selected peripheral apparatus to provide the function, the instruction being transmitted to the selected peripheral apparatus;   (e) causing the selected peripheral apparatus to receive the transmitted query,   (f) causing the second communication apparatus to respond to the first communication apparatus according to the query transmitted to the selected peripheral apparatus,   (g) causing the second communication apparatus to receive the instruction from the first communication apparatus, and   (h) causing the second communication apparatus to provide the function according to the instruction from the first communication apparatus.   
     
     
       48. The communication method according to claim 47, which includes causing the first processor to process data transmitted from the second communication apparatus via internet. 
     
     
       49. The communication method according to claim 48, which includes causing the first processor to process data transmitted from at least one of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses via a local network. 
     
     
       50. The communication method according to claim 49, which includes causing the first processor to communicate with a TV system. 
     
     
       51. The communication method according to claim 50, which includes causing a display device to display information from the second communication apparatus. 
     
     
       52. The communication method according to claim 51, which includes causing a switching processor to switch between the display device and the TV system. 
     
     
       53. The communication method according to claim 47, which includes, if the first communication apparatus is in a home area network, causing the first processor to detect that the function in the communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended. 
     
     
       54. The communication method according to claim 52, which includes, if a user request is inputted, causing the first processor to detect that the function in the communication with the second communication apparatus needs to be extended. 
     
     
       55. The communication system according to claim 27, wherein the second processor detects changes in resource capability of the selected peripheral apparatus, and the selected peripheral apparatus responds to the first communication apparatus according to the query and a detection by the second processor.