US 7,321,868 B2
Information processing apparatus and method, information processing system and method, and program
Yoshitaka Ukita, Tokyo (Japan); and Yoshikazu Kato, Tokyo (Japan)
Assigned to Sony Corporation, Tokyo (Japan)
Filed on Nov. 12, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/291,685.
Claims priority of application No. 2001-347123 (JP), filed on Nov. 13, 2001.
Prior Publication US 2003/0093336 A1, May 15, 2003
Int. Cl. G06Q 10/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 705—28 3 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An information processing system comprising a first information processing apparatus, a second information processing apparatus, and a third information processing apparatus, said first information processing apparatus including:
first storage means for storing electronic book data attached with information of an address on a network of said second information processing apparatus which receives a request for the delivery of a printed book corresponding to an electronic book and a user ID for identifying a user;
display means for displaying said electronic book;
instruction means for instructing the request for the delivery of said printed book corresponding to said electronic book, via a button displayed by said display means along with said electronic book;
first transmission means for transmitting, when the request for the delivery of said printed book corresponding to said electronic book is instructed by said instruction means, said request for the delivery of said printed book and said user ID to said second information processing apparatus corresponding to said address; and
first reception means for receiving a notice of the reception of said request for the delivery of said printed book from said third information processing apparatus;
said second information processing apparatus including:
second reception means for receiving the request for the delivery of the printed book corresponding to the electronic book and the user ID for identifying the user sent from said first information processing apparatus;
second storage means for storing personal information including address information of said user corresponding to said user ID;
stock checking means for checking a plurality of said third information processing apparatuses for a stock of said printed book;
selection means for selecting, on the basis of a result of the stock checking by said stock checking means and said address information of said user corresponding to said user ID, any one of said plurality of third information processing apparatuses; and
transfer means for transferring said request for the delivery of said printed book and said address information of said user to said selected third information processing apparatus; and
said third information processing apparatus including:
third reception means for receiving the request for the delivery of the printed book corresponding to the electronic book and the address of the user transferred from said second information processing apparatus;
third storage means for storing said request for the delivery of said printed book corresponding to said electronic book and said address of said user received by said third reception means; and
second transmission means for transmitting, on the basis of said request for the delivery of said printed book and said address of said user stored in said third storage means, a notice indicative of the reception of said request for the delivery of said printed book to said first information processing apparatus.