Information processing apparatus and method, and program storage medium

A personal computer including a function to transfer content data to a portable media player, the personal computer comprising:

• circuitry configured
• to perform a first mutual authentication process between the personal computer and a server via internet,
• to control purchasing of content data from the server based on a result of the first mutual authentication process,
• to control a display unit to display a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI receives an input to generate a list identifying a plurality of purchased content data stored in a storage, the plurality of purchased content data is to be automatically transferred to the portable media player via a local connection between the personal computer and the portable media player,
• to perform a second mutual authentication process between the personal computer and the portable media player via the local connection, and
• to automatically control transfer of the plurality of purchased content data to the portable media player via the local connection based on a result of the second mutual authentication process and without regard to a user input for initiating the transfer when the received input through the GUI is to automatically transfer the plurality of purchased content data to the portable media player.

A method of a personal computer for transferring content data to a portable media player, the method comprising:

• performing a first mutual authentication process between the personal computer and a server via internet;
• controlling, by circuitry of the personal computer, purchasing of content data from the server based on a result of the first mutual authentication process;
• controlling, by the circuitry, a display unit to display a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI receives an input to generate a list identifying a plurality of purchased content data stored in a storage, the plurality of purchased content data is to be automatically transferred to the portable media player via a local connection between the personal computer and the portable media player;
• performing a second mutual authentication process between the personal computer and the portable media player via the local connection;
• and
• automatically controlling, by the circuitry, transfer of the plurality of purchased content data to the portable media player via the local connection based on a result of the second mutual authentication process and without regard to a user input for initiating the transfer when the received input through the GUI is to automatically transfer the plurality of purchased content data to the portable media player.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method of a personal computer for transferring content data to a portable media player, the method comprising:

• performing a first mutual authentication process between the personal computer and a server via internet;
• controlling purchasing of content data from the server based on a result of the first mutual authentication process;
• controlling a display unit to display a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI receives an input to generate a list identifying a plurality of purchased content data stored in a storage, the plurality of purchased content data are to be automatically transferred to the portable media player via a local connection between the personal computer and the portable media player;
• performing a second mutual authentication process between the personal computer and the portable media player via the local connection;
• and
• automatically controlling transfer of the plurality of purchased content data to the portable media player via the local connection based on a result of the second mutual authentication process and without regard to a user input for initiating the transfer when the received input through the GUI is to automatically transfer the plurality of purchased content data to the portable media player.

A server comprising:

• a storage configured to store a plurality of content data;
• first circuitry configured
• to perform a first mutual authentication process between the server and a personal computer via internet,
• to control reception of a request to purchase the plurality of content data from the personal computer via the internet, and
• to control download of the plurality of content data to the personal computer based on a result of the first mutual authentication process,
• wherein the personal computer includes second circuitry configured
• to control purchasing of the plurality of content data from the server via the internet,
• to control a display unit to display a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI receives an input to generate a list identifying the plurality of purchased content data, the plurality of purchased content data is to be automatically transferred to a portable media player via a local connection between the personal computer and the portable media player,
• to perform a second mutual authentication process between the personal computer and the portable media player via the local connection, and
• to automatically control transfer of the plurality of purchased content data to the portable media player via the local connection based on a result of the second mutual authentication process and without regard to a user input for initiating the transfer when the received input through the GUI is to automatically transfer the plurality of purchased content data to the portable media player.

A method of a server for transferring content data to a personal computer, the method comprising:

• performing a first mutual authentication process between the server and the personal computer via internet;
• controlling, by first circuitry of the server, reception of a request to purchase a plurality of content data from the personal computer via the internet, the plurality of content data being stored in a storage of the server;
• and
• controlling, by the first circuitry, download of the plurality of content data to the personal computer based on a result of the first mutual authentication process,
• wherein the personal computer includes second circuitry configured
• to control purchasing of the plurality of content data from the server via the internet,
• to control a display unit to display a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI receives an input to generate a list identifying the plurality of purchased content data, the plurality of purchased content data is to be automatically transferred to a portable media player via a local connection between the personal computer and the portable media player,
• to perform a second mutual authentication process between the personal computer and the portable media player via the local connection, and
• to automatically control transfer of the plurality of purchased content data to the portable media player via the local connection based on a result of the second mutual authentication process and without regard to a user input for initiating the transfer when the received input through the GUI is to automatically transfer the plurality of purchased content data to the portable media player.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform a method of a server for transferring content data to a personal computer, the method comprising:

• performing a first mutual authentication process between the server and the personal computer via internet;
• controlling reception of a request to purchase a plurality of content data from the personal computer via the internet, the plurality of content data being stored in a storage of the server;
• and
• controlling download of the plurality of content data to the personal computer based on a result of the first mutual authentication process,
• wherein the personal computer includes circuitry configured
• to control purchasing of the plurality of content data from the server via the internet,
• to control a display unit to display a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI receives an input to generate a list identifying the plurality of purchased content data, the plurality of purchased content data is to be automatically transferred to a portable media player via a local connection between the personal computer and the portable media player,
• to perform a second mutual authentication process between the personal computer and the portable media player via the local connection, and
• to automatically control transfer of the plurality of purchased content data to the portable media player via the local connection based on a result of the second mutual authentication process and without regard to a user input for initiating the transfer when the received input through the GUI is to automatically transfer the plurality of purchased content data to the portable media player.