Method and apparatus for information processing, and medium for storing information

An information processing method carried out in a personal computer having a function to transfer a subset of a plurality of pieces of content data to a portable media player connected to the personal computer, the method comprising:

• storing the plurality of pieces of content data to a storage medium;
• receiving an input via a graphical user interface of the personal computer corresponding to the plurality of pieces of content data, the input being used by the personal computer to generate a list identifying the subset of the plurality of pieces of content data stored in the storage medium that are to be automatically transferred to the portable media player via a direct local connection for storage at the portable media player;
• performing a mutual authentication process between the personal computer and the portable media player via the direct local connection between the personal computer and the portable media player;
• and
• automatically transferring the subset of the plurality of pieces of content data stored in the storage medium to the connected portable media player via the direct local connection based on a result of the mutual authentication process performed between the personal computer and the portable media player via the direct local connection and without regard to a user input initiating the transfer when the input received at the graphical user interface is to automatically transfer the subset of the plurality of pieces of content data stored in the storage medium to the portable media player via the direct local connection for storage at the portable media player.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored therein an information processing program, which when executed by a personal computer, causes the personal computer to perform a method of transferring a subset of a plurality of pieces of content data to a portable media player connected to the personal computer, the method comprising:

• storing the plurality of pieces of content data to a storage medium;
• receiving an input via a graphical user interface of the personal computer corresponding to the plurality of pieces of content data, the input being used by the personal computer to generate a list identifying the subset of the plurality of pieces of content data stored in the storage medium that are to be automatically transferred to the portable media player via a direct local connection for storage at the portable media player;
• performing a mutual authentication process between the personal computer and the portable media player via the direct local connection between the personal computer and the portable media player;
• and
• automatically transferring the subset of the plurality of pieces of content data stored in the storage medium to the connected portable media player via the direct local connection based on a result of the mutual authentication process performed between the personal computer and the portable media player via the direct local connection and without regard to a user input initiating the transfer when the input received at the graphical user interface is to automatically transfer the subset of the plurality of pieces of content data stored in the storage medium to the portable media player via the direct local connection for storage at the portable media player.

A personal computer having a function to transfer a subset of a plurality of pieces of content data to a portable media player connected to the personal computer, the personal computer comprising:

• a recording unit configured to store the plurality of pieces of content data to a storage medium;
• a graphical user interface configured to receive an input corresponding to the plurality of pieces of content data, the input being used by the personal computer to generate a list identifying the subset of the plurality of pieces of content data stored in said storage medium that are to be automatically transferred to the portable media player via a direct local connection for storage at the portable media player;
• an authentication unit configured to perform a mutual authentication process between the personal computer and the portable media player via the direct local connection between the personal computer and the portable media player;
• and
• a communications interface configured to automatically transfer the subset of the plurality of pieces of content data stored in the storage medium to the portable media player via a direct local connection based on a result of the mutual authentication process performed between the personal computer and the portable media player via the direct local connection and without regard to a user input initiating the transfer when the input received at the graphical user interface is to automatically transfer the subset of the plurality of pieces of content data stored in said storage medium to the portable media player via the direct local connection for storage at the portable media player.