Information providing system, information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

An information processing apparatus for displaying images and outputting sounds based on image data and sound data representing a TV program, said image data and said sound data being provided by an information providing apparatus over a network, said information processing apparatus comprising:

• storage controlling means for storing connecting information and a name of said information providing apparatus, said connecting information being set to specify whether or not to establish connection with said information providing apparatus;
• connection controlling means which, if said connecting information is set to establish connection with said information providing apparatus, then establishes connection with said information providing apparatus based on the stored name of said information providing apparatus;
• and
• reception controlling means which, if connection is established with said information providing apparatus, then receives said image data and said sound data from said information providing apparatus.

An information processing method for use with an information processing apparatus for displaying images and outputting sounds based on image data and sound data representing a TV program, said image data and said sound data being provided by an information providing apparatus over a network, said information processing method comprising the steps of:

• storing connecting information and a name of said information providing apparatus, said connecting information being set to specify whether or not to establish connection with said information providing apparatus;
• if said connecting information is set to establish connection with said information providing apparatus, then establishing connection with said information providing apparatus based on the stored name of said information providing apparatus;
• and
• if connection is established with said information providing apparatus, then receiving said image data and said sound data from said information providing apparatus.

A program for use by a computer for controlling an information processing apparatus for displaying images and outputting sounds based on image data and sound data representing a TV program, said image data and said sound data being provided by an information providing apparatus over a network, said program causing said computer to execute the steps of:

• storing connecting information and a name of said information providing apparatus, said connecting information being set to specify whether or not to establish connection with said information providing apparatus;
• if said connecting information is set to establish connection with said information providing apparatus, then establishing connection with said information providing apparatus based on the stored name of said information providing apparatus;
• and
• if connection is established with said information providing apparatus, then receiving said image data and said sound data from said information providing apparatus.