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

An information processing method for use in an information processing system comprising a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus for transferring information via a network, said information processing method comprising the steps of:

• performing a connection procedure for transferring main information from said first information processing apparatus to said second information processing apparatus;
• determining whether said first information processing apparatus has a bidirectional function for transmitting the main information and for receiving the main information, or has a unidirectional function such that said first information processing apparatus has a transmission function but not a receiving function;
• and
• performing a connection procedure for transferring the main information from said second information processing apparatus to said first information processing apparatus when said first information processing apparatus has said bidirectional function.

An information processing method for use in an information processing system comprising a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus for transferring information via a network, said information processing method comprising the steps of:

• performing a connection procedure for transferring main information in a first direction between said first information processing apparatus and said second information processing apparatus;
• determining whether at least one of said first information processing apparatus and said second information processing apparatus has a bidirectional function for transmitting the main information and for receiving the main information, or has a unidirectional function such that the apparatus has a transmission function but not a receiving function;
• and
• performing a connection procedure for transferring the main information in a second direction differing from said first direction when said bidirectional function is possessed.

An information processing apparatus for receiving information from a second information processing apparatus via a network, said information processing apparatus comprising:

• communication means for transmitting and receiving information;
• and
• control means for performing various processes,
• wherein said control means performs:
• a first execution process for executing a connection procedure for receiving main information transmitted by said second information processing apparatus;
• a determination process for determining whether said second information processing apparatus has a bidirectional function for transmitting the main information and for receiving the main information, or has a unidirectional function such that the second information processing apparatus has a transmission function but not a receiving function;
• and
• a second execution process for executing a connection procedure for said second information processing apparatus to receive the main information transmitted by said information processing apparatus when it is determined in said determination process that said second information processing apparatus has said bidirectional function.

An information processing method for receiving information from a communication party via a network, said information processing method comprising:

• a first execution step of executing a connection procedure for receiving main information transmitted by said communication party;
• a determination step of determining whether the communication party has a bidirectional function for transmitting the main information and for receiving the main information, or has a unidirectional function such that said communication party has a transmission function but not a receiving function;
• and
• a second execution step of executing a connection procedure for transmitting the main information when it is determined in the process of said determination step that said communication party has said bidirectional function.

A computer program for allowing a computer to perform a process for receiving information from a communication party via a network, said computer program comprising:

• a first execution step of executing a connection procedure for receiving main information transmitted by said communication party;
• a determination step of determining whether said communication party has a bidirectional function for transmitting the main information and for receiving the main information, or has a unidirectional function such that said communication party has a transmission function but not a receiving function;
• and
• a second execution step of executing a connection procedure for transmitting said main information to said communication party when it is determined in said determination process that said communication party has said bidirectional function.

An information processing apparatus for transmitting information to a second information processing apparatus via a network, said information processing apparatus comprising:

• communication means for transmitting and receiving information;
• and
• control means for performing various processes,
• wherein said control means performs:
• a first execution process for executing a connection procedure for transmitting main information to said second information processing apparatus;
• a determination process for determining whether said second information processing apparatus has a bidirectional function for transmitting the main information and for receiving the main information, or has a unidirectional function such that the second information processing apparatus has a transmission function but not a receiving function;
• and
• a second execution process for executing a connection procedure for said information processing apparatus to receive the main information transmitted by said second information processing apparatus when it is determined in said determination process that said second information processing apparatus has said bidirectional function.

An information processing method for transmitting main information to a communication party via a network, said information processing method comprising:

• a first execution step of executing a connection procedure for transmitting main information to said communication party;
• a determination step of determining whether said communication party has a bidirectional function for transmitting the main information and for receiving the main information, or has a unidirectional function such that said communication party has a transmission function but not a receiving function;
• and
• a second execution step of executing a connection procedure for receiving the main information transmitted by said information processing apparatus when it is determined in the process of said determination step that said communication party has said bidirectional function.

A computer program for allowing a computer to perform a process for transmitting information to a communication party via a network, said computer program comprising:

• a first execution step of executing a connection procedure for transmitting main information to said communication party;
• a determination step of determining whether the communication party has a bidirectional function for transmitting the main information and for receiving the main information, or has a unidirectional function such that said communication party has a transmission function but not a receiving function;
• and
• a second execution step of executing a connection procedure for receiving the main information transmitted by said communication party when it is determined in said determination process that said communication party has said bidirectional function.