JP2011053841A - Information processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing technology allowing change of GUI design in another information processing apparatus connected to a relevant information processing apparatus according to change of GUI design in the relevant information processing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A first determination part 51 determines whether unification of the GUI design with that of a connected apparatus is possible or not. A second determination part 52 determines whether there is a connected apparatus design matching the GUI design of a target to be changed by a TV apparatus 50. A third determination part 53 determines whether connected apparatus design information can be acquired by the connected apparatus itself. When the determination result is affirmative, a notice part 56 transmits a design ID notification of the connected apparatus design information to be obtained by the connected apparatus to the connected apparatus. When the determination result by the third determination part 53 is negative, the design acquisition part 54 itself acquires the connected apparatus design information to be obtained by the connected apparatus. A design transmission part 55 transmits the acquired connected apparatus design information to the connected apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

  Conventionally, for example, there is an information processing apparatus such as a TV (Television) capable of reproducing various contents (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4). A GUI (Graphical User Interface) for a user to input various instructions such as content playback on a TV is generally an information processing apparatus such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) recorder connected to the TV. It is different from the provided GUI.

JP 2007-282048 A JP-A-10-178597 JP 2003-283970 A JP 2005-12469 A

  In recent years, it has been considered that a user can freely change a GUI provided on a TV. Further, it is desired to automatically change the GUI design of the information processing apparatus connected to the TV in accordance with the change of the GUI design on the TV, and to unify these GUI designs without the user's trouble. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and can change the GUI design in another information processing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus in accordance with the change in the GUI design in the information processing apparatus. It is an object to provide a processing device and a program.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is an information processing apparatus connected to another information processing apparatus and capable of changing the design of a GUI (Graphical User Interface). If the GUI design with the first information processing unit and the other information processing device can be unified, the information processing device is changed if the GUI design with the processing device can be unified. A first transmission unit that transmits information for changing to a second design applicable to the other information processing apparatus to the other information processing apparatus, the design corresponding to the first design of the GUI to be processed It is characterized by providing.

The present invention also relates to an information processing apparatus connected to another information processing apparatus capable of changing a GUI (Graphical User Interface) design, in response to an inquiry from the other information processing apparatus. A first transmission unit that transmits device identification information for identifying a device to the other information processing device, and a design corresponding to a design of a GUI to be changed by the other information processing device, and applied to the information processing device If the information processing device itself cannot acquire design information representing the design to be performed, the design receiving unit that receives the design information from the other information processing device, and the information processing device itself can acquire the design information, A notification receiving unit for receiving a notification designating the design information to be acquired by the information processing apparatus from the other information processing apparatus; and the designated designator Characterized in that it comprises a design obtaining unit for obtaining emissions information.

In addition, the present invention can unify the GUI design with the other information processing apparatus by using the computer of the information processing apparatus connected to the other information processing apparatus and capable of changing the GUI (Graphical User Interface) design. If it is possible to unify the GUI design between the first determination means for determining whether or not and the other information processing apparatus, it corresponds to the first design of the GUI to be changed by the information processing apparatus. It is a program for functioning as a first transmission unit that transmits information to the other information processing apparatus that is a design and is changed to a second design applicable to the other information processing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, a GUI design in another information processing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus can be changed in accordance with a change in GUI design in the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a connection system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the TV apparatus 50. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the DVD recorder 60. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of GUI unification processing performed when the TV apparatus 50 changes the GUI design. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing in which the DVD recorder 60 changes its GUI design in accordance with the change of the GUI design of the TV apparatus 50.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information processing apparatus and a program according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the present embodiment, a TV apparatus is applied as the information processing apparatus, and a DVD recorder is applied as a connection-side information processing apparatus connected to the TV apparatus. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, an information processing apparatus such as a DVD recorder connected to the TV apparatus may be referred to as a connected device. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a connection system according to the present embodiment. In the connection system according to the present embodiment, the TV apparatus 50 and the DVD recorder 60 are connected via an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable to perform communication. The TV device 50 and the DVD recorder 60 can also communicate wirelessly via infrared rays or radio waves. A memory card 110 can be detachably attached to the TV apparatus 50. Further, a hub 70 is connected to the TV device 50, and a router 80 is connected to the hub 70, and the TV device 50 is connected to the network 90 via these, and can communicate with the content server 100 via the network 90. It is. The hub 70 is a communication device that relays a transmission signal for transmitting data. The router 80 is a communication device that interconnects networks. The network 90 is, for example, a local area network (LAN), an intranet, Ethernet (registered trademark), or the Internet. A memory card 120 can be detachably attached to the DVD recorder 60. Further, a hub 70 is connected to the DVD recorder 60, and a router 80 is connected to the hub 70, and the DVD recorder 60 is connected to the network 90 via these, and can communicate with the content server 100 via the network 90. It is.

  In the memory card 110 and the content server 100, design information indicating a GUI design applied to the TV apparatus 50, and design information (referred to as a connected device design) applied to the connected device (designed for the connected device). Design information) can be stored. The memory card 120 can store design information for connected devices. The design information includes, for example, images such as windows and icons and buttons arranged on the screen, layout information indicating the arrangement of images such as windows, icons and buttons, information on operation menus, Each information such as an operation program for performing display transition and processing according to an operation input is included. Each design is given a design ID for identifying each design, and the design information includes this design ID.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the TV apparatus 50 will be described. Here, the part regarding the process which unifies GUI concerning this Embodiment is demonstrated. The TV apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire apparatus, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various data and various programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. A main storage unit, an auxiliary storage unit such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a CD (Compact Disk) drive device for storing various data and various programs, a display unit for displaying information, and an audio output unit for outputting audio And a communication I / F (interface) for controlling communication with an external device, and a bus for connecting them. As the communication I / F, for example, a network I / F for communicating with another information processing apparatus such as the content server 100 via the hub 70, the router 80, and the network 90, or HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) HDMI communication I / F for communicating with the DVD recorder 60 according to the standard, Infrared communication I / F according to the IrDA standard for communicating with the DVD recorder 60 via infrared, and the DVD recorder via radio waves For example, there is a wireless communication I / F that conforms to the Bluetooth standard for communicating with 60. In addition, the TV device 50 includes a card slot in which a memory card is inserted and an operation input unit such as an operation button for receiving a user operation input. The hardware configuration of the DVD recorder 60 is substantially the same as the hardware configuration of the TV apparatus 50 with respect to the process for unifying the GUI according to the present embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The device ID assigned to the DVD recorder 60 is stored in at least one of the ROM or the auxiliary storage unit of the DVD recorder 60.

  In this TV apparatus 50, the design of the GUI displayed on the display unit can be changed by a user operation input via the operation input unit. Since this function is known, its description is omitted here. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are each connection device design applicable to the connection device, which is a design corresponding to all or a part of the various GUI designs applied in the TV apparatus 50. . By providing the corresponding connected device design by the connected device, the GUI design is unified between the TV device 50 and the connected device connected to the TV device 50.

  Next, various functions realized when the CPU of the TV apparatus 50 executes various programs stored in the main storage unit and the auxiliary storage unit will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the TV apparatus 50. The TV apparatus 50 includes a first determination unit 51, a second determination unit 52, a third determination unit 53, a design acquisition unit 54, a design transmission unit 55, a notification unit 56, a unified device table 57, a design. And a correspondence table 58. The first determination unit 51, the second determination unit 52, the third determination unit 53, the design acquisition unit 54, the design transmission unit 55, and the notification unit 56 are a main storage unit such as a RAM when the CPU program is executed. It is generated above. The unified device table 57 and the design correspondence table 58 are stored in an auxiliary storage unit such as an HDD.

  The unified device table 57 stores device IDs for identifying connected devices that can unify the design of the TV device 50 and the GUI. The device ID may be, for example, a manufacturing number assigned to a connected device at the time of manufacturing, or may be a MAC address. Here, it is assumed that at least the device ID of the DVD recorder 60 is stored in the unified device table 57.

  The design correspondence table 58 stores the correspondence relationship of the connected device design corresponding to the GUI design applied in the TV apparatus 50. As the correspondence relationship, for example, the design ID of the GUI design applied in the TV apparatus 50 and the design ID of the GUI design applicable to the connected device corresponding to the design are stored in association with each other.

  The first determination unit 51 inquires of the connected device connected to the TV apparatus 50 about the device ID, refers to the unified device table 57, and determines whether the connected device is a connected device that can unify the GUI design. Determine whether. The second determination unit 52 refers to the design correspondence table 58 to determine whether there is a connected device design corresponding to the GUI design to be changed by the TV device 50. The third determination unit 53 inquires of the connection device connected to the TV device 50 about the connection status regarding the acquisition of the design information for the connection device, and the connection corresponding to the design of the GUI to be changed by the TV device 50. It is determined whether or not the connected device itself can acquire design information (designated information for connected device) representing the device design.

  The design acquiring unit 54 determines that the connected device connected to the TV apparatus 50 cannot acquire the connected device design information corresponding to the GUI design to be changed by the TV apparatus 50 by itself. If it is determined, the design information for the connected device is acquired. The design transmission unit 55 transmits the connection device design information acquired by the design acquisition unit 54 to the connection device connected to the TV apparatus 50.

  The notification unit 56 determines that the connected device connected to the TV device 50 can acquire the connected device design information corresponding to the design of the GUI to be changed by the TV device 50 by itself. Is determined, the TV device 50 changes the GUI design, sends a notification of the design ID of the design information for the connected device, and a request for acquisition of the design information for the connected device to the connected device. By this notification, the design ID of the design information for the connected device to be acquired by the connected device is specified.

  Next, various functions realized when the CPU of the DVD recorder 60 executes various programs stored in the main storage unit and the auxiliary storage unit will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the DVD recorder 60. The DVD recorder 60 includes a device ID transmission unit 61, a detection unit 62, an answer transmission unit 63, a design reception unit 64, a notification reception unit 65, and a design acquisition unit 66. These units are generated on a main storage unit such as a RAM when the CPU program is executed.

  In response to the inquiry from the TV apparatus 50, the apparatus ID transmission unit 61 transmits its own apparatus ID to the TV apparatus 50. In response to the inquiry from the TV apparatus 50, the detection unit 62 detects a connection status related to acquisition of connected device design information. Specifically, the detection unit 62 includes a memory card that stores design information for connected devices corresponding to whether the DVD recorder 60 is connected to the network 90 or the design of the GUI to be changed by the TV device 50. Whether it is connected to the DVD recorder 60 or not is detected. The answer transmission unit 63 transmits an answer indicating the detection result of the detection unit 62 to the TV apparatus 50.

  The design receiving unit 64 connects the DVD recorder 60 with a memory card that stores design information for connected devices corresponding to the GUI design to be changed by the TV device 50 when the DVD recorder 60 is not connected to the network 90. If not, the connected device design information transmitted from the TV apparatus 50 is received.

  The notification receiving unit 65 notifies that the TV device 50 connected to the DVD recorder 60 has changed the GUI design and the design ID of the connected device design information corresponding to the GUI design to be changed by the TV device 50. And a request for acquiring the connected device design information from the TV apparatus 50. The design acquisition unit 66 acquires connection device design information having a design ID designated in the notification from the TV apparatus 50. For example, when the DVD recorder 60 is connected to the network 90, the design acquisition unit 66 acquires the connection device design information of the design ID from the content server 100 or stores the connection device design information of the design ID. When the memory card is connected to the DVD recorder 60, the connected device design information is acquired from the memory card.

  Next, the procedure of the GUI unification process performed when the TV apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment changes the GUI design will be described with reference to FIG. The TV device 50 transmits a command for inquiring the device ID to the DVD recorder 60 connected to the TV device 50, and receives the device ID from the DVD recorder 60 corresponding to the command. Then, the TV device 50 determines whether or not the DVD recorder 60 is a connected device capable of unifying the GUI design by determining whether or not the device ID is stored in the unified device table 57. (Step S1). When the determination result is affirmative (step S1: YES), the TV apparatus 50 refers to the design correspondence table 58, and there is a connected device design corresponding to the design of the GUI to be changed by the TV apparatus 50. It is determined whether or not to perform (step S2). For example, the TV apparatus 50 determines whether or not the design ID of the connected device design corresponding to the design ID of the GUI design to be changed by the TV apparatus 50 is stored in the design correspondence table 58. When the determination result is affirmative (step S2: YES), the TV apparatus 50 acquires the design ID of the connected device design, and the connected device design is obtained for the DVD recorder 60 connected to the TV device 50. A command for inquiring about the connection status related to information acquisition is transmitted, and it is determined whether or not the DVD recorder 60 itself can acquire design information representing the connected device design based on a response from the DVD recorder 60 according to the command. (Step S3). For example, the TV apparatus 50 transmits a command for inquiring whether or not the DVD recorder 60 is connected to the network 90 to the DVD recorder 60 and receives a response from the DVD recorder 60 corresponding to the command. Further, the TV apparatus 50 designates a command for inquiring whether or not a memory card storing design information indicating a design to which the design ID is assigned and the design ID is assigned is connected to the DVD recorder 60. And the response is received from the DVD recorder 60 corresponding to the command. Note that command transmission and response reception may be performed via an HDMI cable, or may be performed wirelessly via infrared rays or radio waves.

  When a response from the DVD recorder 60 determines that the DVD recorder 60 is connected to the network 90, a memory card storing design information representing a design to which the design ID is assigned is connected to the DVD recorder 60. When it is determined that the TV device 50 is connected, the DVD recorder 60 connected to the TV device 50 acquires the design information for the connected device corresponding to the GUI design to be changed by the TV device 50 by itself. Judge that it is possible. In this case (step S3: YES), the TV apparatus 50 notifies that the TV apparatus 50 has changed the GUI design and the notification of the design ID of the connected device design corresponding to the GUI design to be changed by the TV apparatus 50, and A request for acquiring the design information for the connected device having the design ID is transmitted to the DVD recorder 60 (step S4). On the other hand, when it is determined that the DVD recorder 60 is not connected to the network 90, it is determined that the memory card storing the design information representing the design to which the design ID is assigned is not connected to the DVD recorder 60. In this case, the TV device 50 determines that the DVD recorder 60 connected to the TV device 50 cannot acquire connection device design information corresponding to the GUI design to be changed by the TV device 50 by itself. In this case (step S3: NO), the TV apparatus 50 performs a process of acquiring the connected device design information (step S5). Specifically, for example, when the connection device design information is stored in the memory card 110 connected to the TV device 50, the TV device 50 reads the connection device design information from the memory card 110. To get this. Alternatively, the TV device 50 transmits a message including the design ID of the connection device design information and requesting the connection device design information to the content server 100 via the hub 70, the router 80, and the network 90, and the message In response to this, the connection device design information transmitted from the content server 100 is received to obtain the information. Then, the TV apparatus 50 transmits the connected device design information acquired in step S5 to the DVD recorder 60 (step S6). The connection device design information may be transmitted via an HDMI cable or wirelessly via infrared rays or radio waves. If the determination result in step S1 is negative or the determination result in step S2 is negative, the TV device 50 is assumed that the connected device connected to the TV device 50 and the GUI design cannot be unified. The process is terminated.

  Next, a procedure of processing in which the DVD recorder 60 according to the present embodiment changes its GUI design in accordance with the change of the GUI design of the TV apparatus 50 will be described with reference to FIG. When the DVD recorder 60 receives a command for inquiring about the device ID from the TV device 50 connected to the DVD recorder 60 (step S20: YES), the DVD recorder 60 transmits the device ID assigned to the TV device 50 to the TV device 50 (step S20). S21). Further, when the DVD recorder 60 receives from the TV device 50 a command for inquiring about the connection status relating to the acquisition of the design information for connected devices (step S22: YES), the DVD recorder 60 detects the connection status (step S23) and detects the connection status. Is sent to the TV apparatus 50 (step S24). Specifically, when the DVD recorder 60 receives a command for inquiring whether or not it is connected to the network 90 from the TV device 50, it detects whether or not it is connected to the hub 70 and is connected to the hub 70. In this case, an answer indicating that it is connected to the network 90 is transmitted to the TV apparatus 50. If it is not connected to the hub 70, an answer indicating that it is not connected to the network 90 is sent to the TV apparatus 50. 50. Further, the DVD recorder 60 determines whether or not a memory card storing design information (designation information for connected devices) indicating a design to which the design ID is assigned and the design ID is attached is connected to the DVD recorder 60. When the inquiry command is received from the TV device 50, it is detected whether or not the memory card 120 is connected to the TV device 50. When the memory card 120 is connected to the TV device 50, the memory card 120 is accessed to specify the design. It is determined whether the design information for the connected device with ID is stored. When the design information for the connected device having the designated design ID is stored in the memory card 120, the DVD recorder 60 has the memory card storing the design information for the connected device connected to the DVD recorder 60. Is sent to the TV apparatus 50. When the memory card 120 is not connected to the DVD recorder 60 and when the design information for the connected device having the designated design ID is not stored in the memory card 120, the DVD recorder 60 stores the design information for the connected device. An answer indicating that the current memory card is not connected to the DVD recorder 60 is transmitted to the TV apparatus 50.

  When the DVD recorder 60 is not connected to the hub 70 or when the memory card storing the designated connected device design information is not connected to the DVD recorder 60, the DVD recorder 60 is connected to the TV device 50. Then, the connected device design information corresponding to the design of the GUI to be changed by the TV device 50 is received (step S25: YES). In this case, the DVD recorder 60 stores the received connection device design information in an auxiliary storage unit such as an HDD (step S27), and then changes the GUI design using the connection device design information (step S27). S29). Further, when the DVD recorder 60 is connected to the hub 70 or when a memory card storing the designated connected device design information is connected to the DVD recorder 60, the DVD recorder 60 is connected to the TV device 50. Instead of receiving the connected device design information (step S25: NO), the connected device design corresponding to the TV device 50 changing the GUI design and the design of the GUI to be changed by the TV device 50. When the notification of the design ID of information and the request for acquiring the design information for the connected device are received (step S26: YES), the process for acquiring the design information for the connected device is performed (step S28). For example, when the DVD recorder 60 is connected to the hub 70, the DVD recorder 60 sends a message requesting the design information for the connected device including the designated design ID to the hub 70, the router 80, and the network 90. This is acquired by receiving the design information for connected devices transmitted from the content server 100 in response to the message. When the memory card (memory card 120) storing the design information for the connected device having the designated design ID is connected to the DVD recorder 60, the DVD recorder 60 accesses the memory card 120 and designates it. This is acquired by reading the design information for the connected device having the design ID. Then, the DVD recorder 60 stores the acquired connected device design information in an auxiliary storage unit such as an HDD. Thereafter, in step S29, the DVD recorder 60 changes the GUI design using the acquired connected device design information.

  According to the above configuration, the GUI design of the DVD recorder 60 connected to the TV device 50 is automatically changed in accordance with the change of the GUI design in the TV device 50, and these can be performed without the user's trouble. It becomes possible to unify the GUI design.

[Modification]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined. Further, various modifications as exemplified below are possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, various programs executed by the TV apparatus 50 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The various programs are recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) in a file in an installable or executable format. The computer program product may be provided. The same applies to various programs stored in the DVD recorder 60.

  In the above-described embodiment, the correspondence relationship stored in the design correspondence table 58 is not limited to that described above. The design ID of the GUI design applied in the TV apparatus 50 and the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the storage location storing the connected device design information corresponding to the design are stored in association with each other. May be. In this case, in step S4 of FIG. 4, the TV apparatus 50 receives a notification specifying the URL instead of the design ID of the design information for the connected device corresponding to the design of the GUI to be changed by the TV apparatus 50 as a DVD recorder. 60 may be transmitted. On the other hand, when the DVD recorder 60 receives the notification designating the URL in step S26 of FIG. 5, the DVD recorder 60 accesses the URL via the hub 70, the router 80, and the network 90 to download the design information for the connected device. To do.

  In the above-described embodiment, if there is always a connected device design for the GUI design applied in the TV apparatus 50, the TV apparatus 50 does not include the design correspondence table 58, and step S1. If the result of the determination is affirmative, the process of step S3 may be performed without performing the process of step S2 of FIG.

  In the above-described embodiment, the notification method in which the TV device 50 designates the connected device design information to be acquired by the connected device is not limited to that described above. For example, when the memory card storing the designated connected device design information is connected to the DVD recorder 60, the design ID of the connected device design information to be acquired by the connected device is designated in step S3. Therefore, in step S4, the TV device 50 may transmit a request for acquiring the design information for the connected device with the design ID to the DVD recorder 60 without notifying the design ID again. good.

  In the embodiment described above, the GUI design in the DVD recorder 60 is changed as another information processing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus in accordance with the GUI design change in the TV apparatus 50 as the information processing apparatus. Configured. Conversely, the GUI design in the TV apparatus 50 may be changed in accordance with the change in the GUI design in the DVD recorder 60. In addition, any information processing apparatus may be a personal computer (PC), an HDD recorder, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, or the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first determination unit 51, the second determination unit 52, the third determination unit 53, the design acquisition unit 54, the design transmission unit 55, and the notification unit 56 included in the TV device 50. All or a part of them may be configured by hardware such as a processor or an electronic circuit. The same applies to all or part of the device ID transmission unit 61, the detection unit 62, the response transmission unit 63, the design reception unit 64, the notification reception unit 65, and the design acquisition unit 66 of the DVD recorder 60. is there.

  In the above-described embodiment, after step S6 of FIG. 4, the TV apparatus 50 sends a notification from the DVD recorder 60 indicating that the DVD recorder 60 has completed the GUI design change using the connected device design information. You may make it receive. If the notification is not received within a predetermined time, the TV apparatus 50 may not have transmitted the connection device design information normally, and the connection device design information acquired in step S5 is obtained. May be retransmitted to the DVD recorder 60. On the other hand, after step S29 of FIG. 5, the DVD recorder 60 uses the connected device design information to transmit a notification indicating that the change of the GUI design has been completed to the TV apparatus 50. According to such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably unify the GUI design.

50 TV apparatus 51 1st judgment part 52 2nd judgment part 53 3rd judgment part 54 Design acquisition part 55 Design transmission part 56 Notification part 57 Unified equipment table 58 Design correspondence table 60 DVD recorder 61 Equipment ID transmission part 62 Detection part 63 Reply Transmission unit 64 Design reception unit 65 Notification reception unit 66 Design acquisition unit 70 Hub 80 Router 90 Network 100 Content server 110, 120 Memory card

Claims (8)

An information processing apparatus connected to another information processing apparatus and capable of changing a GUI (Graphical User Interface) design,
A first determination unit that determines whether or not the GUI design with the other information processing apparatus can be unified;
When the GUI design with the other information processing apparatus can be unified, the design corresponds to the first design of the GUI to be changed by the information processing apparatus and can be applied to the other information processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus comprising: a first transmission unit configured to transmit information for changing to a second design to the other information processing apparatus. A second determination unit that determines whether or not the second design exists when the GUI design with the other information processing apparatus can be unified;
A third determination unit that determines whether the other information processing apparatus itself can acquire design information representing the second design when the second design exists;
When it is determined that the other information processing apparatus itself can acquire the design information, the first transmission unit sends a notification specifying the design information to be acquired by the other information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus transmits the information to the information processing apparatus. When it is determined that the other information processing apparatus itself is not capable of acquiring the design information, the design information further includes a design acquisition unit that acquires the design information,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first transmission unit transmits the design information to the other information processing apparatus. The information processing according to claim 3, wherein the design acquisition unit performs one of acquiring the design information via a network and acquiring from the storage medium attached to the information processing apparatus. apparatus. The third determination unit determines whether the other information processing apparatus is connected to a network and determines whether a storage medium storing the design information is connected to the other information processing apparatus. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the operations is performed. An information processing apparatus connected to another information processing apparatus capable of changing a GUI (Graphical User Interface) design,
A first transmission unit that transmits device identification information for identifying the information processing apparatus to the other information processing apparatus in response to an inquiry from the other information processing apparatus;
If the information processing apparatus itself is unable to obtain design information representing a design applied to the information processing apparatus corresponding to the GUI design to be changed by the other information processing apparatus, the design information A design receiving unit for receiving from another information processing apparatus;
When the information processing apparatus itself can acquire the design information, a notification receiving unit that receives a notification designating the design information that the information processing apparatus should acquire from the other information processing apparatus;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a design acquisition unit that acquires the specified design information. The information processing according to claim 6, wherein the design acquisition unit performs one of acquiring the design information via a network and acquiring the design information from a storage medium attached to the information processing apparatus. apparatus. A computer having an information processing apparatus connected to another information processing apparatus and capable of changing a GUI (Graphical User Interface) design;
First determination means for determining whether or not GUI design with the other information processing apparatus can be unified;
When the GUI design with the other information processing apparatus can be unified, the design corresponds to the first design of the GUI to be changed by the information processing apparatus and can be applied to the other information processing apparatus. A program for functioning as first transmission means for transmitting information for changing to the second design to the other information processing apparatus.

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