FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
“INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING
METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM, AND SERVER DEVICE”
SONY CORPORATION, of 1-7-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed.
2
Description
Title of Invention
INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING
METHOD, C 5 OMPUTER PROGRAM, AND SERVER DEVICE
Technical Field
[0001]
The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an
10 information processing method, a computer program, and a server device.
Background Art
[0002]
There is a technology called push notification in which a device used by a
15 user, such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a wearable information
processing device (hereinafter, those devices are generally referred to as "device"),
actively acquires information from a server via a network and notifies the user of the
information (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). For example, by using this push
notification, the device can immediately notify the user of reception of an email and
20 can notify of the user of an event to be held soon. Further, this push notification
can also specify an application to be started by the device and cause the application
to be started in the device on the basis of user operation.
Citation List
25 Patent Literature
[0003]
Patent Literature 1: JP 2014-225261A
Disclosure of Invention
30 Technical Problem
[0004]
3
However, in order to specify an application by using a push notification and
start the application in a device, it is necessary to install the application in the device
in advance. However, causing a user of the device to search and install the
application in advance is a burden for some users, and, also for a service provider
who transmits the push notification, notice 5 and promotion to the user to cause the
user to install the application is a burden.
[0005]
In view of this, the present disclosure proposes an information processing
device, an information processing method, a computer program, and a server device,
10 each of which is new, is improved, and is capable of, in response to reception of a
push notification in which an application to be started is specified, determining
operation to the application.
Solution to Problem
15 [0006]
According to the present disclosure, there is provided an information
processing device including: a communication unit configured to acquire information
of an application that transmits a push notification to a user; and a control unit
configured to automatically install the application on the basis of the acquired
20 information.
[0007]
Further, according to the present disclosure, there is provided an information
processing method including: acquiring information of an application that transmits a
push notification to a user; and automatically installing the application on the basis of
25 the acquired information.
[0008]
Further, according to the present disclosure, there is provided a computer
program for causing a computer to execute: acquiring information of an application
that transmits a push notification to a user; and automatically installing the
30 application on the basis of the acquired information.
[0009]
4
Further, according to the present disclosure, there is provided a server
device including a communication unit configured to transmit, to an information
processing device, information of an application to be automatically installed in the
information processing device on the basis of the information of the application that
5 transmits a push notification to a user.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0010]
As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to
10 provide an information processing device, an information processing method, a
computer program, and a server device, each of which is new, is improved, and is
capable of, in response to reception of a push notification in which an application to
be started is specified, determining operation to the application.
[0011]
15 Note that the effects described above are not necessarily limitative. With
or in the place of the above effects, there may be achieved any one of the effects
described in this specification or other effects that may be grasped from this
specification.
20 Brief Description of Drawings
[0012]
[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a functional configuration example
of an information processing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
25 [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an application downloading method
of an information processing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an application downloading method
of an information processing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present
30 disclosure.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of an information
5
processing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of an information
processing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of an information
processing device 5 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example of a user interface.
[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an example of a user interface.
[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing an example of a user interface.
[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an example of a user interface.
10 [FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an example of a user interface.
[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an example of a user interface.
[FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory view for describing a use case example of
operation of an information processing device 100 according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
15 [FIG. 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing an example of notification data.
[FIG. 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory view for describing a use case example of
operation of an information processing device 100 according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[FIG. 16] FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an example of notification data.
20 [FIG. 17] FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing an example of notification data.
[FIG. 18] FIG. 18 is an explanatory view for describing a use case example of
operation of an information processing device 100 according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[FIG. 19] FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing an example of notification data.
25 [FIG. 20] FIG. 20 is an explanatory view showing a hardware configuration example.
[FIG. 21] FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing a hardware configuration example.
Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention
[0013]
30 Hereinafter, (a) preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure will be
described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. In this specification
6
and the appended drawings, structural elements that have substantially the same
function and structure are denoted with the same reference numerals, and repeated
explanation of these structural elements is omitted.
[0014]
5 Note that description will be provided in the following order.
1. Embodiment of present disclosure
1.1. Background
1.2. Functional configuration example
1.3. Operation example
10 2. Hardware configuration example
3. Conclusion
[0015]
<1. Embodiment of present disclosure>
[1.1. Background]
15 First, a background of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described before detailed description of the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016]
There is a technology called push notification in which a device used by a
user (indicating overall devices that have a function of connecting to a network, such
20 as a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and a wearable device)
actively acquires information from a server via a network and notifies the user of the
information. For example, by using this push notification, the device can
immediately notify the user of reception of an email and can notify of the user of an
event to be held soon. Further, this push notification can also specify an application
25 to be started by the device and cause the application to be started in the device on the
basis of user operation.
[0017]
In order to specify an application by using a push notification and start the
application in a device, it is necessary to install the application in the device in
30 advance. However, causing a user of the device to search and install the application
in advance is a burden for some users, and, also for a service provider who transmits
7
the push notification, notice and promotion to the user to cause the user to install the
application is a burden.
[0018]
The number of applications is continuously increased day by day. An
application that is automatically started in response 5 to a push notification exists in
applications that have not yet been stored by a user in a device in some cases, and it
is difficult for an inexperienced user to search such an application.
[0019]
Even if a user is caused to install an application in a device in advance and
10 the application can be automatically started when a server transmits a push
notification, it is considered that, in a case where a large number of push notifications
are transmitted to an information processing device, a large number of applications
are automatically started in response to the large number of push notifications. This
may confuse the user.
15 [0020]
In view of the background described above, a disclosing party of the present
disclosure has diligently studied a technology capable of automatically starting an
application in response to reception of a push notification, regardless of whether or
not the application is installed in a device. As a result, as described below, the
20 disclosing party of the present disclosure has derived a technology capable of
automatically starting an application in response to reception of a push notification,
regardless of whether or not the application is installed in a device.
[0021]
Hereinabove, the background of the embodiment of the present disclosure
25 has been described. Next, the embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described in detail.
[0022]
[1.2. Functional configuration example]
First, a functional configuration example of an information processing
30 device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the functional configuration example of the
8
information processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure. Hereinafter, the functional configuration example of the information
processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described with reference to FIG. 1.
5 [0023]
The information processing device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a
smartphone (high-performance mobile phone), a wearable device (indicating a
computer device for the purpose of being worn on a body of a user), or the like.
[0024]
10 As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 100 according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to include an input device 110, a
notification processing unit 120, an application selection unit 130, a storage unit 140,
an application starting unit 150, an application execution unit 160, and an output
device 170.
15 [0025]
The input device 110 is various input devices for accepting input from the
user and can be made up of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touchscreen.
[0026]
Further, various sensing devices can also function as the input device 110.
20 The sensing devices can include, for example, sensors for acquiring a current
position, such as a global positioning system (GPS), a global navigation satellite
system (GLONASS), a BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS), and iBeacon, a
camera, a camera with depth information, a motion sensor, and a microphone.
[0027]
25 Those sensing devices detect acceleration and an angular velocity of the
device, a direction, an illuminance, a temperature, an atmospheric pressure, and the
like. In a case where, for example, a device including the sensing devices is carried
or worn by the user, the various sensing devices can detect various kinds of
information as information on the user, for example, as information indicating
30 movement and a direction of the user. In addition, the sensing devices may further
include a sensor for detecting biological information on the user, such as a pulse,
9
perspiration, a brain wave, a sense of touch, a sense of smell, and a sense of taste.
[0028]
The input device 110 outputs information input by the user or generated by
sensing to the application selection unit 130.
5 [0029]
The notification processing unit 120 receives notification data in which
information of an application that transmits a push notification to the user is written,
the notification data being transmitted from an external notification server 10 at an
arbitrary timing. Upon receipt of the notification data transmitted from the external
10 notification server 10, the notification processing unit 120 analyzes the received
notification data and transfers information included in the notification data to the
application selection unit 130. The notification processing unit 120 may analyze
the notification data transmitted from the external notification server 10 and,
depending on a type of notification or content of a target application, may block the
15 information included in the notification data, instead of transferring the information
to the application selection unit 130. The notification processing unit 120 can
function as an example of a communication unit of an information processing device
of the present disclosure.
[0030]
20 The notification server 10 is a server for executing a service for transmitting
notification data to the information processing device 100. The notification server
10 may not only transmit notification data to the information processing device 100
but also collect information from the information processing device 100. The
notification server 10 may collect, for example, position information of the
25 information processing device 100, biological information of the user, and the user's
operation history of the information processing device 100 from the information
processing device 100.
[0031]
The notification server 10 is configured to include a communication unit 11,
30 a storage unit 12, and a processing unit 13.
[0032]
10
The communication unit 11 performs data communication with another
device. For example, the communication unit 11 transmits notification data to the
information processing device 100 and receives the above information from the
information processing device 100. The storage unit 12 stores information for use
in the notification server 10, a computer program 5 for causing the notification server
10 to operate, and the like.
[0033]
The processing unit 13 provides various functions of the notification server
10. The processing unit 13 includes an acquisition unit 14 and a control unit 15.
10 Note that the processing unit 13 can further include another constituent element in
addition to those constituent elements. That is, the processing unit 13 can also
perform operation in addition to operation of those constituent elements.
[0034]
The acquisition unit 14 acquires information for operation of the notification
15 server 10 and information received from another device. The acquisition unit 14
can acquire the information for operation of the notification server 10 and a computer
program from the storage unit 12. For example, the acquisition unit 14 acquires
position information of the information processing device 100, biological
information of the user, the user's operation history of the information processing
20 device 100, and the like and stores the acquired information on the storage unit 12 as
necessary.
[0035]
The control unit 15 controls operation of the notification server 10. The
control unit 15 can operate on the basis of information acquired by the acquisition
25 unit 14. For example, the control unit 15 executes processing of generating
notification data to be transmitted to the information processing device 100 and
processing of transmitting the generated notification data to the information
processing device 100 via the communication unit 11.
[0036]
30 An application distribution server 20 is a server for executing a service for
managing an application that operates in the information processing device 100 and
11
distributing the application to the information processing device 100 in response to a
request from the information processing device 100. The application distribution
server 20 may provide information of an application matching a search condition to
the information processing device 100 in response to a search request of the
application from the information processing 5 device 100. Further, at the time of
distributing the application, the application distribution server 20 may charge for the
application in order to grant usage authorization of the application to the information
processing device 100.
[0037]
10 The application distribution server 20 is configured to include a
communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a processing unit 23.
[0038]
The communication unit 21 performs data communication with another
device. For example, the communication unit 21 transmits execution data of an
15 application to the information processing device 100. Further, for example, the
communication unit 21 receives a search request of an application from the
information processing device 100 and transmits information of an application
matching a search condition. The storage unit 22 stores information for use in the
application distribution server 20, a computer program for causing the application
20 distribution server 20 to operate, execution data of an application executed in the
information processing device 100, and the like.
[0039]
The processing unit 23 provides various functions of the application
distribution server 20. The processing unit 23 includes an acquisition unit 24 and a
25 control unit 25. Note that the processing unit 23 can further include another
constituent element in addition to those constituent elements. That is, the
processing unit 23 can also perform operation in addition to operation of those
constituent elements.
[0040]
30 The acquisition unit 24 acquires information for operation of the application
distribution server 20 and information received from another device. The
12
acquisition unit 24 can acquire the information for operation of the application
distribution server 20 and a computer program from the storage unit 22.
[0041]
The control unit 25 controls operation of the application distribution server
20. The control unit 25 can operate 5 on the basis of information acquired by the
acquisition unit 24. For example, the control unit 25 executes processing of, in
response to a request of an application from the information processing device 100,
acquiring execution data of the application from the storage unit 22 and transmitting
the execution data of the application to the information processing device 100 via the
10 communication unit 21. Further, for example, at the time of transmitting an
application to the information processing device 100, the control unit 25 may
perform processing for charging for the application in order to grant usage
authorization of the application to the information processing device 100.
[0042]
15 An external server 30 is a server for providing an external service that
transmits/receives information to/from an application executed by the information
processing device 100. The external server 30 can be provided for each external
service. The external server 30 cooperates with the notification server 10 and
transmits, to, for example, the notification server 10, a trigger serving as an
20 opportunity to transmit notification data to the information processing device 100.
[0043]
The notification server 10 may transmit notification data to the information
processing device 100 via the communication unit 11 on the basis of, for example, an
instruction from the external server 30 for executing an external service or may
25 transmit notification data to the information processing device 100 via the
communication unit 11 in a case where the information processing device 100
satisfies a notification condition registered in advance from the external server 30.
[0044]
Note that, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the notification
30 server 10, the application distribution server 20, and the external server 30 are shown
as separate devices. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example.
13
For example, the notification server 10 and the application distribution server 20 may
be integrated as a single server device. When the notification server 10 and the
application distribution server 20 are integrated as a single server device, the server
device can function as an example of a server device of the present disclosure.
5 [0045]
In notification data transmitted from the external notification server 10 (for
example, communication unit 11), information of an application that transmits a push
notification to the user is written as described above, and the notification data can
include, for example, a transmission source, a term of validity of a notification, a
10 category of the notification, a degree of urgency of the notification, and information
of the application to be started. The information of the application to be started can
include, for example, a name of the application, an identifier for uniquely identifying
the application, sex of a target, age of the target, a source of supply of the application
(URL, identifier, or the like), a term of validity of the application, a complete
15 deletion determination flag of the application (in a case where a value is True, the
application including data is deleted at the time of deletion), an install only flag of
the application (in a case where a value is True, only installation is performed), a
starting condition of the application (specifying that, for example, the application is
started only in response to a notification or the application can be started by user
20 operation), and information inherent to the application. A structure of the
notification data will be described in detail below.
[0046]
The install only flag is a flag for determining whether the application
selection unit 130 downloads an application from the application distribution server
25 20, installs the application, and starts the installed application or only installs the
application. By setting the install only flag, in the application executed in the
information processing device 100, it is possible to separate a timing of installing the
application from a timing of starting the application. As a case where it is desirable
to separate a timing of installing an application from a timing of starting the
30 application, for example, the following cases are considered: a case where a location
where the application is executed is expected to be a location where a network is
14
hardly connected; and a case where it is desirable to install the application via Wi-Fi
or the like in advance because the application has a large size.
[0047]
The application selection unit 130 selects an application to be started.
When the application selection unit 5 130 selects the application to be started, the
application selection unit 130 transfers information of the selected application to the
application starting unit 150. The application selection unit 130 changes operation
to the application depending on whether the application has been explicitly selected
by the user or has been selected on the basis of data transmitted from the external
10 notification server 10 (for example, communication unit 11). The application
selection unit 130 can function as an example of a control unit of the information
processing device of the present disclosure.
[0048]
In a case where the user explicitly selects an application to be started by
15 using the input device 110, the application selection unit 130 selects an application
stored on the storage unit 140 on the basis of input by the user. Meanwhile, in a
case where an application is automatically started in response to a notification from
the external notification server 10, the application selection unit 130 determines an
application to be started on the basis of information transferred from the notification
20 processing unit 120. In a case where the application selection unit 130 determines
an application to be started on the basis of information transferred from the
notification processing unit 120, the application selection unit 130 determines
whether or not the application is stored on the storage unit 140. In a case where the
application to be started is stored on the storage unit 140, the application selection
25 unit 130 selects the application stored on the storage unit 140. Meanwhile, in a case
where the application to be started is not stored on the storage unit 140, the
application selection unit 130 downloads the application from the external
application distribution server 20 and stores (installs) the downloaded application on
the storage unit 140. Note that the application selection unit 130 may delete
30 (uninstall) the application stored on the storage unit 140.
[0049]
15
The storage unit 140 stores an application to be started by the application
starting unit 150 and can be configured as, for example, a non-volatile memory such
as a flash memory. The storage unit 140 stores, for example, a substance of the
application, data generated by executing the application, and information on a
storage location (for example, URL) of the application. 5 The storage unit 140 stores
an application downloaded by the application selection unit 130. The information
stored on the storage unit 140 is referred to by the application selection unit 130 and
the application starting unit 150. Further, the application stored on the storage unit
140 can be deleted as necessary.
10 [0050]
The application starting unit 150 is an example of the control unit of the
present disclosure and reads out an application selected by the application selection
unit 130 from the storage unit 140 and starts the application. Further, at the time of
terminating the application, the application starting unit 150 performs predetermined
15 termination processing such as deletion of unnecessary data and recording that the
application has been started. Further, at the time of starting or terminating of the
application, the application starting unit 150 also performs payment processing of a
fee charged for the application as necessary in order to obtain usage authorization of
the application. The application starting unit 150 can also function as an example
20 of the control unit of the information processing device of the present disclosure.
[0051]
The application starting unit 150 acquires and manages statistics
information of the application. The statistics information of the application can
include, for example, timings of starting and terminating the application and a
25 starting time of the application. In addition, the application starting unit 150 may
instruct the application selection unit 130 to uninstall the application on the basis of
user operation, a notification from a notification service, the statistics information of
the application, or the like.
[0052]
30 The application execution unit 160 presents a user interface (UI), sound, an
image, or the like generated as a result of starting an application by the application
16
starting unit 150 to the user via the output device 170. The application execution
unit 160 exchanges information with the external server 30 by communicating
therewith as necessary.
[0053]
The output device 170 is a device for presenting 5 a UI, sound, an image, and
the like presented by the application execution unit 160 to the user and is made up of,
for example, a display, a speaker, or a vibrator. The output device 170 presents, to
the user, not only the UI, the sound, the image, and the like presented by the
application execution unit 160 but also a UI, sound, an image, and the like based on
10 notification data that the notification processing unit 120 receives from the
notification server 10.
[0054]
Note that the input device 110 and the output device 170 in the information
processing device 100 shown in FIG. 1 may be devices separate from the information
15 processing device 100.
[0055]
The information processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure has the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and therefore the
information processing device 100 can automatically start an application in response
20 to reception of a push notification, regardless of whether or not the application
automatically started in response to reception of the push notification is installed in
the information processing device 100.
[0056]
Hereinabove, the functional configuration example of the information
25 processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has
been described with reference to FIG. 1. Next, an operation example of the
information processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure will be described.
[0057]
30 [1.3. Operation example]
First, an application downloading method of the information processing
17
device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are explanatory views showing application downloading methods of
the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure. Both FIGS. 2 and 3 show application downloading methods performed
in a case where an application is downloaded 5 from the application distribution server
20 on the basis of reception of notification data from the notification server 10.
[0058]
FIG. 2 shows an explanatory view showing an application downloading
method performed in a case where the information processing device 100 generates a
10 request for downloading an application. When the notification server 10 transmits
notification data from, for example, the control unit 15 via the communication unit
11 (Step S11), the information processing device 100 receives the notification data
(Step S12).
[0059]
15 In a case where the application to be started in response to the notification
data is not installed, the information processing device 100 transmits a request for
downloading the application to the application distribution server 20 (Step S13). In
the application distribution server 20, for example, the acquisition unit 24 acquires
the application from the storage unit 22, and the application is distributed from the
20 control unit 25 via the communication unit 21 in response to the request from the
information processing device 100. In other words, the information processing
device 100 downloads the application requested to be downloaded from the
application distribution server 20 (Step S14). Then, the information processing
device 100 installs the application downloaded from the application distribution
25 server 20 (Step S15).
[0060]
FIG. 3 shows an explanatory view showing an application downloading
method performed in a case where a notification service provided by the notification
server 10 and an application distribution service provided by the application
30 distribution server 20 cooperate with each other. Also in a case where the
notification service and the application distribution service cooperate with each other,
18
when the notification server 10 transmits notification data (Step S21), the
information processing device 100 receives the notification data (Step S22).
[0061]
Furthermore, the notification server 10 also transmits the notification data to
the application distribution server 20 (5 Step S23). Upon receipt of the notification
data from the notification server 10, the application distribution server 20 distributes
an application to be started in the information processing device 100 in response to
the notification data to the information processing device 100 to which the
notification server 10 has transmitted the notification data (Step S24). Therefore,
10 the application distribution server 20 distributes the application to the information
processing device 100 in a push format.
[0062]
Then, the information processing device 100 installs the application
transmitted from the application distribution server 20 (Step S25).
15 [0063]
The information processing device 100 according to the present
embodiment downloads an application from the application distribution server 20 on
the basis of reception of notification data from the notification server 10 by using any
one of the above two application downloading methods.
20 [0064]
Hereinabove, the application downloading methods of the information
processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure have
been described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Next, an operation example of the
information processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present
25 disclosure will be described in detail.
[0065]
FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an operation example of the
information processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the operation example of the information
30 processing device 100 performed in a case where notification data is received from
the notification server 10, an application is started on the basis of the notification
19
data, and the application is finally deleted. Note that, in the following description,
"the notification server 10 (for example, communication unit 11) transmits
notification data" will also be referred to simply as "the notification server 10
transmits a notification", and "the information processing device 100 (for example,
notification processing unit 120) 5 receives notification data from the notification
server 10" will also be referred to simply as "the information processing device 100
receives a notification". Hereinafter, the operation example of the information
processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
10 [0066]
In a state in which the information processing device 100 waits a
notification from the notification server 10 (Step S101), the information processing
device 100 receives a notification from the notification server 10 (Step S102).
Reception of the notification from the notification server 10 in Step S102 is executed
15 by, for example, the notification processing unit 120.
[0067]
Upon receipt of the notification from the notification server 10 in Step S102,
the information processing device 100 filters the notification from the notification
server 10 (Step S103). Filtering of the notification in Step S103 may be executed
20 by, for example, the notification processing unit 120 or the application selection unit
130.
[0068]
Herein, filtering processing of a notification from the notification server 10
will be described. The information processing device 100 automatically starts an
25 application on the basis of a notification from the notification server 10. However,
in a case where the information processing device 100 responds to all notifications,
an application that is not necessarily important for a user may also be automatically
started when a large number of notifications are received in a short time.
[0069]
30 In view of this, in the present embodiment, the information processing
device 100 may have a function of filtering notifications from the notification server
20
10. Based on, for example, a filtering condition set in advance, the information
processing device 100 operates so that a notification whose value is determined to be
low by the user is not responded and the notification is discarded. Further, the
information processing device 100 operates so as to not only filter notifications from
the notification server 10 but also sort the notifications, 5 thereby arranging the
notifications to be displayed on the output device 170.
[0070]
Conditions of the above filtering and sorting can encompass, for example, a
notification type, application information, feedback on a past notification by the user,
10 a profile of the user such as age and sex, and a user context. The user context can
encompass an activity status of the user, behavior of the user obtained by analyzing
sensing data, a starting status of an application in the information processing device
100, and the like.
[0071]
15 In a case where the notification type is set as a condition of filtering, the
information processing device 100 may perform filtering, such as discarding a
notification whose degree of urgency is equal to or less than a predetermined
threshold, discarding a notification whose term of validity is later than a
predetermined term, discarding a notification other than a notification from a service
20 registered by the user, and discarding a notification other than a notification in a
category in which the user is interested.
[0072]
In a case where the notification type is set as a condition of sorting, the
information processing device 100 may perform sorting, such as sorting notifications
25 in order from a notification having the highest degree of urgency, sorting
notifications in order from a notification having the shortest term of validity, sorting
notifications in order from a notification of a service registered by the user, and
sorting notifications in order from a notification of a category in which the user is
interested.
30 [0073]
In a case where the application information is set as a condition for filtering,
21
the information processing device 100 may perform filtering, such as discarding a
notification of an application whose rating (indicating evaluation of the application
by another user in a numerical form) is equal to or less than a predetermined
threshold, discarding a notification whose developer does not match a predetermined
condition, discarding a notification of an application 5 whose evaluation result is equal
to or less than a predetermined threshold, discarding a notification of an application
whose language does not match a predetermined condition, and discarding a
notification of an application whose permission necessary for the application does
not match a predetermined condition. The permission necessary for the application
10 is, for example, whether or not the application needs to connect to a network and
whether or not the application needs to access the device.
[0074]
In a case where the application information is a condition of sorting, the
information processing device 100 may perform sorting, such as sorting notifications
15 in order from a notification of an application having the highest rating, sorting
notifications in order from a notification whose developer matches a predetermined
condition, sorting notifications in order from a notification of an application having
the highest evaluation result, sorting notifications in order from a notification of an
application whose language matches a predetermined condition, and sorting
20 notifications in order from a notification of an application whose permission
necessary for the application matches a predetermined condition.
[0075]
The information processing device 100 may automatically delete a
notification whose presentation to the user is considered to be unnecessary on the
25 basis of the above condition of filtering. The information processing device 100
does not display a notification whose presentation to the user is considered to be
unnecessary on the output device 170, and, in a case where an application to be
started in response to the notification is not installed, the information processing
device 100 does not download the application from the application distribution server
30 20.
[0076]
22
The conditions of filtering and sorting may be set to the information
processing device 100 by the user in advance or may be appropriately changed by
learning by the information processing device 100. For example, in a case where
the information processing device 100 can grasp that the user frequently uses an
application in a specified genre on the basis of a 5 starting history of applications, the
information processing device 100 may not delete a notification to an application in
the genre and may delete a notification to an application in a genre different from the
genre or a genre having a bad compatibility with the genre. Even in a case where a
plurality of applications having a similar function or a plurality of applications
10 belonging to a similar genre exist in the information processing device 100, it is
highly possible that the user of the information processing device 100 only needs a
single application among those applications. In addition, it is highly possible that
an application that the user does not need is not used. Therefore, it may be
determined that the plurality of applications having the similar function and the
15 applications belonging to the similar genre may have bad compatibility. For
example, the following cases are considered as bad compatibility between
applications.
[0077]
• Combination of applications in the same category (genre)
20 For example, a baseball application and a soccer application, both of which
belong to a sport category, have bad compatibility.
• Combinations of applications having the same function
For example, a running application and a map application, both of which
have a function of navigating a current position, have bad compatibility.
25 • Difference in language
For example, an application prepared in Japanese and an application
prepared in English have bad compatibility.
[0078]
When the information processing device 100 filters a notification in Step
30 S103, then the information processing device 100 determines whether or not an
application to be started in response to a notification that has not been deleted by the
23
filtering in Step S103 is an application that can be automatically started (Step S104).
This determination in Step S104 is executed by, for example, the application
selection unit 130.
[0079]
As a result of the determination 5 in Step S104, in a case where the
application is not an application that can be automatically started (Step S104, No),
the information processing device 100 instructs the user to start the application (Step
S105). The instruction in Step S105 is output to, for example, the output device
170 in the form of a letter, an image, sound, vibration, or the like. As a result of the
10 determination in Step S104, in a case where the application is an application that can
be automatically started (Step S104, Yes) or in a case where the information
processing device 100 instructs the user to start the application in Step S105 and the
user selects to start the application in response to the instruction (Step S105), then the
information processing device 100 determines whether or not the application is
15 installed in the information processing device 100 (Step S106). The determination
in Step S106 is executed by, for example, the application selection unit 130.
[0080]
As a result of the determination in Step S106, in a case where the
application is installed in the information processing device 100 (Step S106, Yes), the
20 information processing device 100 starts the application (Step S107). The start
processing in Step S107 is executed by, for example, the application starting unit 150.
When the information processing device 100 starts the application in Step S107, the
information processing device 100 executes the application (Step S108). The
execution processing in Step S108 is executed by, for example, the application
25 execution unit 160.
[0081]
The user can operate the application executed in Step S108 by using the
input device 110. Then, when the user performs operation to terminate the
application executed in Step S108 by using the input device 110, the information
30 processing device 100 performs termination processing of the application (Step
S109) and further performs deletion processing of the terminated application as
24
necessary (Step S110). The termination processing in Step S109 is executed by, for
example, the application execution unit 160, and the deletion processing in Step S110
is executed by, for example, the application starting unit 150.
[0082]
On the contrary, as a result of the determination 5 in Step S106, in a case
where the application is not installed in the information processing device 100 (Step
S106, No), the information processing device 100 determines whether or not a
satisfactory free space for installing the application exists in the storage unit 140
(Step S111). The determination in Step S111 is executed by, for example, the
10 application selection unit 130. Existence of the satisfactory free space for installing
the application may mean that, for example, an enough free space to store a
substance of the application exists, or means that, for example, an enough free space
to store not only the substance of the application but also data generated by executing
the application exists.
15 [0083]
As a result of the determination in Step S111, in a case where the
satisfactory free space for installing the application does not exist in the storage unit
140 (Step S111, No), the information processing device 100 deletes an application
that satisfies a predetermined deletion condition among other applications stored on
20 the storage unit 140 (Step S112). The deletion processing in Step S112 is executed
by, for example, the application selection unit 130. The deletion processing of the
application will be described in detail below.
[0084]
When the deletion processing in Step S112 is executed, the information
25 processing device 100 returns to the determination processing in Step S111 again,
and repeats the deletion processing until the satisfactory free space for installing the
application to be started on the basis of the notification can be secured in the storage
unit 140.
[0085]
30 On the contrary, as a result of the determination in Step S111, in a case
where the satisfactory free space for installing the application exists in the storage
25
unit 140 (Step S111, Yes), the information processing device 100 determines whether
or not the application to be installed is an application that can be automatically
installed (Step S113). The determination in Step S113 is executed by, for example,
the application selection unit 130.
5 [0086]
As a result of the determination in Step S113, in a case where the
application to be installed is an application that can be automatically installed (Step
S113, Yes), the information processing device 100 downloads the application from
the application distribution server 20 (Step S114) and installs the downloaded
10 application (Step S115). The processing in Steps S114 and S115 is executed by, for
example, the application selection unit 130. When the installation processing of the
application in Step S115 is completed, the information processing device 100
transitions to the application start processing in Step S107 of FIG. 4.
[0087]
15 On the contrary, as a result of the determination in Step S113, in a case
where the application to be installed is not an application that can be automatically
installed (Step S113, No), the information processing device 100 performs
processing of causing the user to confirm whether to download the application from
the application distribution server 20 and install the application (Step S116). The
20 confirmation processing in Step S116 is executed by, for example, the application
selection unit 130. The information processing device 100 may perform this
confirmation by, for example, outputting a predetermined user interface to the
display of the output device 170 or by outputting predetermined sound from the
speaker of the output device 170.
25 [0088]
Then, the information processing device 100 determines whether or not
installation of the application has been permitted by the user (Step S117). The
determination in Step S117 is executed by, for example, the application selection unit
130.
30 [0089]
As a result of the determination in Step S117, in a case where installation of
26
the application is permitted by the user (Step S117, Yes), then the information
processing device 100 downloads the application from the application distribution
server 20 (Step S114) and installs the downloaded application (Step S115). On the
contrary, as a result of the determination in Step S117, in a case where installation of
the application is not permitted by 5 the user (Step S117, No), then the information
processing device 100 terminates a series of processing without downloading the
application.
[0090]
By executing the series of processing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in response
10 to reception of a notification from the notification server 10, the information
processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can
start an application in a case where the application to be started in response to the
notification is installed. In a case where the application to be started in response to
the notification is not installed, the information processing device 100 according to
15 the embodiment of the present disclosure can download the application from the
application distribution server 20, install the downloaded application, and start the
installed application.
[0091]
Note that, in a case where an application in which the above install only flag
20 is set to True is downloaded from the application distribution server 20, the
information processing device 100 only installs the application and does not start the
installed application.
[0092]
Hereinabove, the operation example of the information processing device
25 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described with
reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0093]
As described above, in a case where an application to be started in response
to a notification is not installed, the information processing device 100 according to
30 the embodiment of the present disclosure can automatically download the application
from the application distribution server 20 and install the downloaded application.
27
However, it is expected that an enough space to install the downloaded application
cannot be secured in the storage unit 140 in some cases.
[0094]
In view of this, in a case where an application that satisfies a predetermined
deletion condition exists among applications 5 that have been automatically
downloaded, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment of
the present disclosure may delete the application from the storage unit 140.
[0095]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the information
10 processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.
6 shows the operation example of the information processing device 100 according
to the embodiment of the present disclosure, which is performed in a case where,
when an application that satisfies a predetermined deletion condition exists among
applications that have been automatically downloaded, the application is deleted
15 from the storage unit 140. Hereinafter, the operation example of the information
processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described with reference to FIG. 6.
[0096]
In a case of deleting an application, first, the information processing device
20 100 searches, from the storage unit 140, an application that satisfies a predetermined
deletion condition and is deletable among applications that have been dynamically
downloaded among applications automatically downloaded from the application
distribution server 20 (Step S121). The processing in Step S121 is executed by, for
example, the application selection unit 130.
25 [0097]
When the search processing in Step S121 is executed, then, as a result of the
search, the information processing device 100 determines whether or not the
deletable application exists (Step S122). The determination processing in Step
S122 is executed by, for example, the application selection unit 130.
30 [0098]
As a result of the determination in Step S122, in a case where the deletable
28
application does not exist (Step S122, No), the information processing device 100
deletes no application and terminates the processing. On the contrary, as a result of
the determination in Step S122, in a case where the deletable application exists (Step
S122, Yes), then the information processing device 100 determines whether or not
the deletable application is restorable even if the 5 application is completely deleted
(which means that all data including data generated by the application is deleted)
(Step S123). The determination processing in Step S123 is executed by, for
example, the application selection unit 130.
[0099]
10 As a result of the determination in Step S123, in a case where the
application is an application that is restorable even if the application is completely
deleted (Step S123, Yes), then the information processing device 100 determines
whether or not the application is set to be completely deleted by a user setting (Step
S124). The determination processing in Step S124 is executed by, for example, the
15 application selection unit 130.
[0100]
As a result of the determination in Step S124, in a case where the
application is set to be completely deleted by the user setting (Step S124, Yes), the
information processing device 100 completely deletes the application from the
20 storage unit 140 (Step S125). The deletion processing in Step S125 is executed by,
for example, the application selection unit 130. Note that, as a result of the
determination in Step S123, also in a case where the application is not an application
that is restorable when the application is completely deleted (Step S123, No), the
information processing device 100 completely deletes the application from the
25 storage unit 140 (Step S125). On the contrary, as a result of the determination in
Step S124, in a case where the application is not set to be completely deleted by the
user setting (Step S124, No), the information processing device 100 reserves data
necessary for restoring the application and deletes only execution data from the
storage unit 140 (Step S126).
30 [0101]
When the information processing device 100 automatically deletes an
29
application that has been automatically downloaded from the application distribution
server 20, the information processing device 100 may transmit information on the
deleted application to the application distribution server 20. The application
distribution server 20 stores, on the storage unit 22, information on which application
has been automatically downloaded in 5 which information processing device 100, and
therefore, for example, the control unit 25 can grasp which application has been
automatically downloaded in which information processing device 100, and, in
addition, for example, the control unit 25 can grasp which application that was
automatically downloaded has been deleted.
10 [0102]
Various deletion conditions are considered. For example, expiring of a
term of validity of an application, receiving, from the user, feedback showing that an
application may be deleted, and determining that an application may be deleted on
the basis of a usage status of the user are considered as the deletion conditions. In a
15 case where the usage status of the user is set as the deletion condition, an application
that is determined not to be frequently used on the basis of a frequency of use by the
user, an application that is determined to have not been used for a long time on the
basis of the latest date and time of use by the user, and an application that is
determined to have difficulty in being used in a current network bandwidth may be
20 set as a target to be deleted.
[0103]
The information processing device 100 may delete an application that has
been automatically downloaded without confirmation by the user and satisfies a
predetermined deletion condition or may seek confirmation from the user before
25 deletion. Further, in a case where the user provides a setting in which the user does
not desire to delete an application, the information processing device 100 may not
delete an application even in a case where the application is an application that
satisfies a predetermined deletion condition.
[0104]
30 FIGS. 7 to 9 are explanatory views showing examples of a user interface
presented by the information processing device 100 to the user in order to cause the
30
user to provide a setting for automatically deleting an application. The user
interfaces shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 are displayed on, for example, the display of the
output device 170.
[0105]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example 5 of a user interface that
presents a list of settings regarding an application (application settings). When the
user selects "Application deletion settings", the information processing device 100
transitions to a user interface that presents a list of settings regarding deletion of an
application.
10 [0106]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an example of a user interface that
presents a list of settings regarding deletion of an application. FIG. 8 shows an
example of a user interface that displays a user interface on which a deletion setting
for each installed application is displayed. When the user selects a frame in which a
15 name of an application (for example, "○○ coupon") is displayed, the information
processing device 100 transitions to a user interface for causing a deletion setting of
the application to be set.
[0107]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing an example of a user interface for
20 causing the user to set a deletion setting of an individual application. FIG. 9 shows
an example of a user interface on which four settings, i.e., "Completely delete" "Hold
data", "Not delete", and "Confirm", are displayed as deletion settings of an
application. When the user selects "Completely delete", in the application, all data
including data generated by the application is deleted at the time of deletion. When
25 the user selects "Hold data", in the application, all data including data generated by
the application is deleted at the time of deletion. The application is deleted while
data generated by the application is being reserved at the time of deletion. When
the user selects "Hold data", the application is not automatically deleted even in a
case where the application satisfies a deletion condition. When the user selects
30 "Confirm", confirmation from the user is sought at the time of deletion and, in a case
where the user permits deletion, the application is deleted.
31
[0108]
The information processing device 100 may execute deletion processing at a
time when a storage space of the storage unit 140 becomes equal to or less than a
predetermined value, may regularly execute the deletion processing, or may execute
the de 5 letion processing in response to an instruction from the user.
[0109]
By executing a series of processing shown in FIG. 6, in a case where an
application that satisfies a predetermined deletion condition exists among
applications that have been automatically downloaded, the information processing
10 device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can delete the
application from the storage unit 140. In a case of deleting an application from the
storage unit 140, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment
of the present disclosure can determine which data to delete in accordance with a
user setting and appropriately delete an application.
15 [0110]
As described above, in a case where an application to be started in response
to a notification is not installed, the information processing device 100 according to
the embodiment of the present disclosure can automatically download the application
from the application distribution server 20 and install the downloaded application.
20 However, when applications are installed in response to all notifications, the free
space of the storage unit 140 is reduced or the user cannot grasp which application is
installed.
[0111]
In view of this, the information processing device 100 according to the
25 embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether to automatically
download and install an application on the basis of content of a notification,
application information, a user setting, or the like.
[0112]
For example, in a case where a notification transmitted as a notification
30 whose degree of urgency is high is received, the information processing device 100
may automatically download and install an application, and, in a case where a
32
notification transmitted as a notification whose degree of urgency is not high is
received, the information processing device 100 may seek confirmation from the user
before an application is automatically downloaded and installed.
[0113]
Further, for example, in a case where 5 the user receives a notification from a
service registered in advance, the information processing device 100 may
automatically download and install an application, and, in a case where the user
receives a notification from a service that is not a service registered in advance, the
information processing device 100 may seek confirmation from the user before an
10 application is automatically downloaded and installed.
[0114]
Further, in a case where the application information is set as a condition of
automatic installation, for example, the information processing device 100 may
install an application whose rating (indicating evaluation of the application by
15 another user in a numerical form) is equal to or greater than a predetermined
threshold, may install an application whose developer matches a predetermined
condition, may install an application whose evaluation result is equal to or greater
than a predetermined threshold, may install an application whose language matches a
predetermined condition, may install an application whose permission necessary for
20 the application matches a predetermined condition, or may install an application
whose price is equal to or less than a predetermined price.
[0115]
Further, in a case where an application acquired from the application
distribution server 20 is started thereafter by the user's explicit selection operation
25 and payment of a fee of the application is necessary, the information processing
device 100 may present necessity of payment of the fee of the application to the user.
However, regardless of whether the application is started by the user's explicit
selection operation or is automatically started on the basis of reception of notification
data, the information processing device 100 may present necessity of payment of the
30 fee of the application to the user when the application is started a predetermined
plurality of times or more.
33
[0116]
Further, in a case where the user setting is a condition of automatic
installation, the information processing device 100 may install, for example, an
application specified by the user and an application in a category of the specified
5 application.
[0117]
FIGS. 10 to 12 are explanatory views showing examples of a user interface
presented by the information processing device 100 to the user in order to cause the
user to provide a setting for automatically installing an application. The user
10 interfaces shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 are displayed on, for example, the display of the
output device 170.
[0118]
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an example of a user interface that
presents a list of settings regarding an application (application settings). When the
15 user selects "Application automatic installation", the information processing device
100 transitions to a user interface that presents a list of settings regarding automatic
installation of an application.
[0119]
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an example of a user interface that
20 presents a list of settings regarding automatic installation of an application. FIG. 11
shows an example of a user interface that displays a user interface on which a setting
regarding automatic installation of all applications and a setting regarding automatic
installation of each category of an application to be installed are displayed. When
the user selects a frame in which "Automatic installation" is displayed, the
25 information processing device 100 transitions to a user interface for causing an
automatic installation setting of all applications to be set. Further, when the user
selects a frame in which a name of a category of an application (for example, "A
company") is displayed, the information processing device 100 transitions to a user
interface for causing an automatic installation setting of the category to be set.
30 [0120]
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an example of a user interface for
34
causing the user to set an automatic installation setting of an application in a certain
category. FIG. 12 shows a user interface for causing the user to set an automatic
installation setting of an application provided by a certain company (A company).
FIG. 12 shows an example of a user interface on which three settings, i.e., "Permit",
"Confirm", and "Not permit", are displayed as an 5 automatic installation setting.
When the user selects "Permit", an application in the category is automatically
installed without confirmation by the user. When the user selects "Confirm",
confirmation from the user is sought before installation and, in a case where the user
permits installation, an application in the category is installed. When the user
10 selects "Not permit", an application in the category is not automatically installed.
[0121]
Note that, when the user selects a frame in which "Automatic installation" is
displayed on the user interface shown in FIG. 11, the user interface shown in FIG. 12
becomes a user interface for causing the user to set an automatic installation setting
15 of all applications.
[0122]
As described above, in a case where an application to be started in response
to a notification is not installed, the information processing device 100 according to
the embodiment of the present disclosure can automatically download the application
20 from the application distribution server 20 and install the downloaded application.
However, it is considered that the information processing device 100 receives a
notification unnecessary for the user in some cases.
[0123]
In a case where, when the information processing device 100 receives a
25 notification from the notification server 10, the user determines that the notification
is unnecessary and provides a setting to block the notification, the information
processing device 100 does not output information based on the notification to the
output device 170 even in a case where the information processing device 100
receives the notification thereafter.
30 [0124]
In a case where, when the information processing device 100 receives a
35
notification from the notification server 10, the user does not determine that the
notification is unnecessary at that time, but, after the application is automatically
installed, the user determines that the notification is unnecessary and provides a
setting to block the notification, the user explicitly deletes the application that has
been automatically installed. In a case where 5 the user deletes the application, the
information processing device 100 may cause the user to confirm complete deletion
or partial deletion. In a case where the user selects complete deletion, the
information processing device 100 does not automatically install the application
thereafter, and, in a case where the user selects partial deletion, the information
10 processing device 100 automatically installs the application.
[0125]
Among applications that are automatically downloaded by the information
processing device 100 from the application distribution server 20, there exists an
application whose usage fee needs to be paid in order to download the application or
15 continuously use the application. However, it is basically impossible to pay the
usage fee of the application without permission of the user. In view of this, in the
present embodiment, in a case where an application whose usage fee needs to be paid
is automatically downloaded from the application distribution server 20, the
following processing may be performed.
20 [0126]
For example, behavior of an application may be changed between start
based on a notification from the notification server 10 and explicit start based on user
operation. In a case of start based on a notification from the notification server 10,
the application may be usable for free, and, in a case of explicit start based on user
25 operation, payment of a fee may be needed to use the application.
[0127]
For example, there is a charged earthquake information application for
providing earthquake information, and, in a case where occurrence of an earthquake
of high magnitude is notified from the notification server 10 and the earthquake
30 information application is downloaded on the basis of the notification, the earthquake
information application can be used for free. Thereafter, in a case where the user
36
explicitly starts the earthquake information application, payment of a fee may be
needed to use the earthquake information application.
[0128]
Further, this system can also be used as a kind of advertisement system.
Conventionally, it has been possible to install 5 an application in the terminal device
100 only by the user's manual operation, except to update an application that has
already been installed. However, this system can automatically install an
application in the information processing device 100 on the basis of
presence/absence of a push notification, and therefore a developer of an application
10 who desires to distribute the application to a large number of information processing
devices 100 also has a strong motivation for using the system.
[0129]
Thus, for example, the notification server 10 may count the number of times
of transmitting notification data of each application to the information processing
15 device 100 in the control unit 15 and hold the number of times thereof in the storage
unit 12. Then, the notification server 10 may calculate an amount of fee for
charging a developer of each application on the basis of the number of times of
transmitting the notification data in the control unit 15 and charge the developer of
the application the calculated amount of fee.
20 [0130]
The notification server 10 or a charging server for receiving a notification of
the number of times of transmission from the notification server 10 may calculate an
amount of fee, and a developer of an application may execute charging with respect
to the notification server 10 or a credit card or bank account registered in the
25 charging server in advance.
[0131]
Further, when each application is installed, the notification server 10 or the
application distribution server 20 may receive, from the information processing
device 100, a notification that the application has been installed. The notification
30 server 10 or the application distribution server 20 can count the number of times of
installing each application in the information processing device 100 in the control
37
unit 15 or the control unit 25 on the basis of the notification, hold the number thereof
in the storage unit 12 or the storage unit 22, and calculate an amount of fee to an
application developer on the basis of the number thereof.
[0132]
5 (Use case example 1)
Next, a use case example of operation of the information processing device
100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. First,
operation of the information processing device 100 performed in a case where a
coupon application is distributed by considering an event to be an opportunity will be
10 described. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view for describing a use case example of
operation of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0133]
The user of the information processing device 100 is assumed to register
15 information in a net service provided by a certain store. The store distributes a
notification to the information processing device 100 of the user who has registered
the information from the net service via the notification server 10 because the store
starts a sales event one week later. The notification processing unit 120 of the
information processing device 100 displays information on the display of the output
20 device 170 in response to reception of the notification (a).
[0134]
When the user of the information processing device 100 selects the
information displayed on the display, the notification processing unit 120 transfers
information of an application to be started in response to the notification to the
25 application selection unit 130 on the basis of the selection. In a case where the
application is not installed, the application selection unit 130 downloads the
application from the application distribution server 20. Depending on a setting, the
application selection unit 130 seeks confirmation from the user before installation in
some cases (b).
30 [0135]
When the user permits installation, the application selection unit 130
38
downloads the application from the application distribution server 20. The
information processing device 100 displays a downloading status on the display of
the output device 170 as necessary (c).
[0136]
In a case where the application is installed 5 in advance or the application is
downloaded from the application distribution server 20 and is installed, the
information processing device 100 starts the application (d). FIG. 13 shows a state
in which the application displaying information on the sales event to be held is
displayed on the display of the output device 170.
10 [0137]
When the user executes operation to terminate the application displayed on
the display of the output device 170, the information processing device 100
terminates the application (e). In this use case, the application is not deleted.
[0138]
15 FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing an example of notification data to
be transmitted from the notification server 10 to the information processing device
100. The notification data to be transmitted from the notification server 10 to the
information processing device 100 is generated by, for example, the control unit 15.
The information processing device 100 that has received the notification data shown
20 in FIG. 14 can determine content to be displayed on the display or select an
application to be started by analyzing content of the notification data.
[0139]
As a matter of course, the notification data shown in FIG. 14 is merely an
example. Although, in the present disclosure, a format of notification data is not
25 limited to a format of the notification data shown in FIG. 14, content of elements of
the notification data shown in FIG. 14 will be described.
[0140]
(sender) indicates a transmission source of the notification data.
(expired) indicates a term of validity of the notification data.
30 (category) indicates a category of the notification data.
(urgency) indicates a degree of urgency of the notification data.
39
(title) indicates a title of the notification data.
(body) indicates text of the notification data.
(appInfo) indicates information of an application corresponding to the
notification data.
5 [0141]
Content of elements included in the appInfo element of the notification data
shown in FIG. 14 will be described.
(name) indicates a name of the application.
(id) indicates an identifier of the application.
10 (sex) indicates sex of a target of the application.
(age) indicates age of a target of the application.
(url) indicates a storage location of the application in the form of URL.
(expired) indicates a term of validity of the application.
(remove) indicates a complete deletion determination flag of the application.
15 (installOnly) indicates an install only flag of the application.
(appData) indicates data used by the application.
[0142]
By analyzing notification data written as in FIG. 14, the notification
processing unit 120 can determine what application corresponds to this notification
20 data and transfer information of the application to the application selection unit 130.
In particular, when the notification processing unit 120 transfers content of an
appInfo element of the notification data written as in FIG. 14 to the application
selection unit 130, the application selection unit 130 can determine which application
to select.
25 [0143]
(Use case example 2)
Next, operation of the information processing device 100 performed in a
case where an application is automatically started in an event hall will be described.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view for describing a use case example of operation of the
30 information processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure.
40
[0144]
In a case where a large number of people gather in an event hall, such as a
music event, when an application is downloaded by a large number of users at a time
in a location where the event is held, a network becomes congested, and therefore it
may take time to download the application 5 or downloading itself may fail. In view
of this, regarding an application of such an event in which gathering of a large
number of people is expected, it is desirable to download and install the application
in advance before a date at which the event is held.
[0145]
10 The user of the information processing device 100 is assumed to register
information in a net service provided by an event in which the user plans to
participate. The event distributes a notification to the information processing
device 100 of the user who has registered the information from the net service via the
notification server 10 because the event is to be held one week later. The
15 notification processing unit 120 of the information processing device 100 displays
information on the display of the output device 170 in response to reception of the
notification (a).
[0146]
When the user of the information processing device 100 selects the
20 information displayed on the display, the notification processing unit 120 transfers
information of an event application to be started in response to the notification to the
application selection unit 130 on the basis of the selection. In a case where the
event application is not installed, the application selection unit 130 downloads the
event application from the application distribution server 20 (b) and installs the event
25 application (c). However, the event is not held yet at this time, and therefore the
information processing device 100 does not start the downloaded event application.
[0147]
The downloaded event application collects position information of the
information processing device 100. Then, in a case where the information
30 processing device 100 exists in an area where the event is held at a date at which the
event is held, the notification server 10 transmits a notification to the information
41
processing device 100 (d). The information processing device 100 automatically
starts the event application on the basis of reception of the notification (e). When
the event is terminated, the information processing device 100 may automatically
delete the event application depending on a setting (f).
5 [0148]
FIGS. 16 and 17 are explanatory views showing examples of notification
data to be transmitted from the notification server 10 to the information processing
device 100. The notification data to be transmitted from the notification server 10
to the information processing device 100 is generated by, for example, the control
10 unit 15. FIG. 16 is an example of notification data to be transmitted before a date at
which an event is held, and FIG. 17 is an example of notification data to be
transmitted at a date at which the event is held. The information processing device
100 that has received the notification data shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 can determine
content to be displayed on the display or select an application to be started by
15 analyzing content of the notification data. In addition, in the notification data
shown in FIG. 16, an install only flag (installOnly) is set to True, and therefore the
information processing device 100 installs an application but does not automatically
start the application. The notification data shown in FIG. 16 is transmitted from the
notification server 10, and therefore a host of the event can separate a timing of
20 downloading the application from a timing of starting the application in the
information processing device 100.
[0149]
(Use case example 3)
Next, operation of the information processing device 100 performed in a
25 case where a charged earthquake information application for displaying earthquake
information is automatically started will be described. FIG. 18 is an explanatory
view for describing a use case example of operation of the information processing
device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0150]
30 A case where occurrence of an earthquake in the vicinity of a position of the
information processing device 100 is notified from the notification server 10 on the
42
basis of, for example, information of a current position acquired by the information
processing device 100 will be described as an example. A net service for providing
earthquake information transmits notification data for notifying occurrence of an
earthquake from the notification server 10 to the information processing device 100.
The notification processing 5 unit 120 of the information processing device 100
displays information on the display of the output device 170 in response to reception
of the notification (a).
[0151]
When the user of the information processing device 100 selects the
10 information displayed on the display, the notification processing unit 120 transfers
information of an application to be started in response to the notification to the
application selection unit 130 on the basis of the selection. In a case where the
application is not installed, the application selection unit 130 downloads the
application from the application distribution server 20. In this use case, an
15 emergency situation that is occurrence of an earthquake is notified, and therefore the
application selection unit 130 downloads the application without confirmation by the
user (b) and installs the application (c). Then, the information processing device
100 displays a downloading status on the display of the output device 170 as
necessary (b).
20 [0152]
In a case where the earthquake information application is installed in
advance or the earthquake information application is downloaded from the
application distribution server 20 and is installed, the information processing device
100 starts the earthquake information application (d). FIG. 18 shows a state in
25 which a screen for notifying the user that a tsunami warning has been issued with the
occurrence of the earthquake is displayed on the display of the output device 170 by
starting the earthquake information application. In order to start this earthquake
information application, it is necessary to pay a developer of the application a usage
fee under normal circumstances. However, the notification for notifying the
30 emergency situation that is the occurrence of the earthquake is distributed from the
notification server 10 to the information processing device 100, and therefore it is
43
possible to start the earthquake information application without paying the usage fee
at a time when the earthquake information application is automatically started in
response to the notification of the occurrence of the earthquake.
[0153]
Thereafter, the user is assumed to explicitly 5 start the earthquake information
application at a time when the tsunami warning is canceled and the situation is
settled. In that case, the application starting unit 150 displays a screen showing that
it is necessary to pay the usage fee on the display of the output device 170 (e).
[0154]
10 FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing an example of notification data to
be transmitted from the notification server 10 to the information processing device
100. The notification data to be transmitted from the notification server 10 to the
information processing device 100 is generated by, for example, the control unit 15.
FIG. 19 is an example of notification data transmitted when an earthquake occurs.
15 In the notification data shown in FIG. 19, "urgency" indicating a degree of urgency is
"Urgent". In a case where an application is automatically started in response to
notification data having a high degree of urgency as described above, the application
may be started in the information processing device 100 even in a case where a usage
fee of the application is not paid.
20 [0155]
Hereinabove, the operation of the information processing device 100
according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described by
showing the three use cases. As a matter of course, it is needless to say that the
operation of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment of
25 the present disclosure is not limited to the above three use cases. For example, in
the use case where a timing of installing an application and a timing of starting the
application are different, which is shown in the use case example 2, the application to
be started may be a charged application.
[0156]
30 <2. Hardware configuration example>
Next, a hardware configuration of the notification server 10 and the
44
application distribution server 20 according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 20. FIG. 29 is a block diagram
showing an example of a schematic configuration of a server 700. The server 700
includes a processor 701, a memory 702, a storage 703, a network interface 704, and
5 a bus 706.
[0157]
The processor 701 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or
a digital signal processor (DSP) and controls various functions of the server 700.
The memory 702 includes a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory
10 (ROM) and stores a program executed by the processor 701 and data. The storage
703 can include a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk.
[0158]
The network interface 704 is a wired communication interface for
connecting the server 700 to a communicate network 705.
15 [0159]
The bus 706 connects the processor 701, the memory 702, the storage 703
and the network interface 704 to one another. The bus 706 may include two or
more buses having different speeds (for example, high-speed bus and low-speed bus).
[0160]
20 In the server 700 shown in FIG. 20, one or more constituent elements
(acquisition unit 14 and/or control unit 15, acquisition unit 24 and/or control unit 25)
included in the processing unit 13 or the processing unit 23 described with reference
to FIG. 1 may be mounted on the processor 701. As an example, a program for
causing the processor to function as the above one or more constituent elements may
25 be installed in the server 700, and the processor 701 may execute the program. As
another example, a module including the processor 701 and the memory 702 may be
mounted on the server 700, and the above one or more constituent elements may be
mounted on the module. In this case, the above module may store the program for
causing the processor to function as the above one or more constituent elements on
30 the memory 702 and cause the processor 701 to execute the program. As described
above, the server 700 or the above module may be provided as a device including the
45
above one or more constituent elements, and the above program for causing the
processor to function as the above one or more constituent elements may be provided.
Further, a readable recording medium on which the above program is recorded may
be provided.
5 [0161]
Next, a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with
reference to FIG. 21. FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware
configuration example of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the
10 embodiment of the present disclosure. Each of the algorithms described above can
be performed by using, for example, the hardware configuration of the information
processing apparatus shown in FIG. 21. That is, the processing of each of the
algorithms can be realized by controlling the hardware shown in FIG. 21 using a
computer program.
15 [0162]
Note that the mode of this hardware of hardware 900 shown in FIG. 21 is
arbitrary, and may be, for example, a personal computer, a mobile information
terminal such as a mobile phone, a PHS or a PDA, a game machine, a contact or noncontact
IC chip, a contact or non-contact IC card, a loud speaker, a television set, a
20 monitor, a wearable device, or various types of information appliances. Moreover,
the PHS is an abbreviation for Personal Handy-phone System. Also, the PDA is an
abbreviation for Personal Digital Assistant.
[0163]
As shown in FIG. 21, this hardware 900 mainly includes a CPU 902, a
25 ROM 904, a RAM 906, a host bus 908, and a bridge 910. Furthermore, this
hardware includes an external bus 912, an interface 914, an input unit 916, an output
unit 918, a storage unit 920, a drive 922, a connection port 924, and a communication
unit 926. Moreover, the CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. Also,
the ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory. Furthermore, the RAM is an
30 abbreviation for Random Access Memory.
[0164]
46
The CPU 902 functions as an arithmetic processing unit or a control unit,
and controls entire operation or a part of the operation of each structural element on
the basis of various programs recorded on the ROM 904, the RAM 906, the storage
unit 920, or a removable recording medium 928. The ROM 904 is a device for
storing a program to be read by the CPU 902 or data 5 or the like used in an arithmetic
operation. The RAM 906 temporarily or perpetually stores, for example, a program
to be read by the CPU 902 or various parameters or the like appropriately changed in
execution of the program.
[0165]
10 These structural elements are connected to each other by, for example, the
host bus 908 capable of performing high-speed data transmission. For its part, the
host bus 908 is connected through the bridge 910 to the external bus 912 whose data
transmission speed is relatively low, for example. Furthermore, the input unit 916
is, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, or a lever.
15 Also, the input unit 916 may be a remote controller that can transmit a control signal
by using an infrared ray or other radio waves.
[0166]
The output unit 918 is, for example, a display device such as a CRT, an LCD,
a PDP or an ELD, an audio output device such as a speaker or headphones, a printer,
20 a mobile phone, or a facsimile, that can visually or auditorily notify a user of
acquired information. The CRT is an abbreviation for Cathode Ray Tube. In
addition, the LCD is an abbreviation for Liquid Crystal Display. The PDP is an
abbreviation for Plasma Display Panel. Also, the ELD is an abbreviation for
Electro-Luminescence Display.
25 [0167]
The storage unit 920 is a device for storing various data. The storage unit
920 is, for example, a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a
semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or a magneto-optical storage
device. The HDD is an abbreviation for Hard Disk Drive.
30 [0168]
The drive 922 is a device that reads information recorded on the removable
47
recording medium 928, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a magnetooptical
disc, or a semiconductor memory, or writes information in the removable
recording medium 928. The removable recording medium 928 is, for example, a
DVD medium, a Blu-ray medium, an HD-DVD medium, various types of
semiconductor storage media, or 5 the like. Of course, the removable recording
medium 928 may be, for example, an electronic device or an IC card on which a noncontact
IC chip is mounted. The IC is an abbreviation for Integrated Circuit.
[0169]
The connection port 924 is, for example, a USB port, an IEEE1394 port, a
10 SCSI, an RS-232C port, or a port for connecting an externally connected device 930
such as an optical audio terminal. The externally connected device 930 is, for
example, a printer, a mobile music player, a digital camera, a digital video camera, or
an IC recorder. The USB is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. Also, the
SCSI is an abbreviation for Small Computer System Interface.
15 [0170]
The communication unit 926 is a communication device to be connected to
a network 932, and is, for example, a communication card for a wired or wireless
LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or WUSB, an optical communication router,
an ADSL router, or a device for contact or non-contact communication. In addition,
20 the network 932 connected to the communication unit 926 is configured from a wireconnected
or wirelessly connected network, and is the Internet, a home-use LAN,
infrared communication, visible light communication, broadcasting, or satellite
communication, for example. The LAN is an abbreviation for Local Area Network.
Also, the WUSB is an abbreviation for Wireless USB. Furthermore, the ADSL is an
25 abbreviation for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line.
[0171]
In the hardware 900 shown in FIG. 21, at least one of constituent elements
(notification processing unit 120, application selection unit 130, application starting
unit 150, and application execution unit 160) included in the information processing
30 device 100 described with reference to FIG. 1 may be mounted on the CPU 902.
[0172]
48
<3. Conclusion>
As described above, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
there is provided the information processing device 100 for, in response to reception
of notification data transmitted from the notification server 10, automatically starting
an application regarding the notification data. In 5 a case where, when the application
regarding the notification data is automatically started, the application is not installed,
the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure downloads the application from the application distribution server 20 and
installs the application.
10 [0173]
Even in a case where the application regarding the notification data is not
installed by a user in advance, the information processing device 100 according to
the embodiment of the present disclosure can acquire the application in response to
reception of the notification data from the notification server 10 and automatically
15 start the application.
[0174]
Further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there are
provided the notification server 10 for transmitting notification data including
application information to the information processing device 100 and the application
20 distribution server 20 for, when a request for downloading an application
corresponding to the application information is transmitted from the information
processing device 100, distributing the application in response to the request.
[0175]
The notification server 10 and the application distribution server 20
25 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can effectively distribute an
application to the information processing device 100 by transmitting notification data
to the information processing device 100 used by a user. Further, by appropriately
setting content of notification data, the notification server 10 according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure can separate a timing of downloading an
30 application based on reception of notification data in the information processing
device 100 from a timing of automatically starting the application based on reception
49
of notification data.
[0176]
It may not be necessary to chronologically execute respective steps in the
processing, which is executed by each device of this specification, in the order
described in the sequence diagrams or the flow charts. 5 For example, the respective
steps in the processing which is executed by each device may be processed in the
order different from the order described in the flow charts, and may also be
processed in parallel.
[0177]
10 Furthermore, it becomes possible to generate a computer program which
makes a hardware device, such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM incorporated in each
device demonstrate the functions equivalent to the configurations of the above
described devices. In addition, it becomes also possible to provide a storage
medium which stores the computer program. In addition, respective functional
15 blocks shown in the functional block diagrams may be constituted from hardware
devices or hardware circuits so that a series of processes may be implemented by the
hardware devices or hardware circuits.
[0178]
In addition, some or all of the functional blocks shown in the functional
20 block diagrams used in the above description may be implemented by a server device
that is connected via a network, for example, the Internet. In addition,
configurations of the functional blocks shown in the functional block diagrams used
in the above description may be implemented in a single device or may be
implemented in a system in which a plurality of devices cooperate with one another.
25 The system in which a plurality of devices cooperate with one another may include,
for example, a combination of a plurality of server devices and a combination of a
server device and a terminal device.
[0179]
The preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure has/have been
30 described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst the present
disclosure is not limited to the above examples. A person skilled in the art may find
50
various alterations and modifications within the scope of the appended claims, and it
should be understood that they will naturally come under the technical scope of the
present disclosure.
[0180]
Further, the effects described in this specification 5 are merely illustrative or
exemplified effects, and are not limitative. That is, with or in the place of the above
effects, the technology according to the present disclosure may achieve other effects
that are clear to those skilled in the art from the description of this specification.
[0181]
10 Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.
(1)
An information processing device including:
a communication unit configured to acquire information of an application
that transmits a push notification to a user; and
15 a control unit configured to automatically install the application on the basis
of the acquired information.
(2)
The information processing device according to (1),
in which the control unit automatically starts the installed application on the
20 basis of the information.
(3)
The information processing device according to (2),
in which, in a case where the application has already been installed, the
control unit automatically starts the application on the basis of the information
25 without installing the application.
(4)
The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (3),
in which the control unit automatically installs the application on the basis
of a condition of automatic installation of the application set in advance and the
30 information.
(5)
51
The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (4),
in which the control unit automatically uninstalls the application on the
basis of the information.
(6)
The 5 information processing device according to (5),
in which the control unit determines, on the basis of the information,
whether to uninstall the application including data prepared by the application.
(7)
The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (6),
10 in which, in a case where the number of times of starting the application by
user operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, the
control unit executes processing for obtaining authorization to continuously use the
application.
(8)
15 The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (7),
in which, in a case where the application is started, the control unit makes
operation of the application differ between in a case of automatic start based on the
acquired information and in a case of start based on user operation.
(9)
20 The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (8),
in which, in a case where the information processing device exists in a
predetermined location, the communication unit acquires the information.
(10)
The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (9),
25 in which the information includes a degree of urgency of the push
notification, and
the control unit automatically installs the application on the basis of the
degree of urgency.
(11)
30 An information processing method including:
acquiring information of an application that transmits a push notification to
52
a user; and
automatically installing the application on the basis of the acquired
information.
(12)
A computer p 5 rogram for causing a computer to execute:
acquiring information of an application that transmits a push notification to
a user; and
automatically installing the application on the basis of the acquired
information.
10 (13)
A server device including
a communication unit configured to transmit, to an information processing
device, information of an application to be automatically installed in the information
processing device on the basis of the information of the application that transmits a
15 push notification to a user.
(14)
The server device according to (13), further including
a control unit configured to manage the number of automatic installations of
the application in a plurality of the information processing devices based on the
20 information.
Reference Signs List
[0182]
100 information processing device
25 110 input device
120 notification processing unit
130 application selection unit
140 storage unit
150 application starting unit
30 160 application execution unit
170 output device
53
CLAIMS
Claim 1
An information processing device comprising:
a communication unit configured to acquire information of an application
5 that transmits a push notification to a user; and
a control unit configured to automatically install the application on the basis
of the acquired information.
Claim 2
10 The information processing device according to claim 1,
wherein the control unit automatically starts the installed application on the
basis of the information.
Claim 3
15 The information processing device according to claim 2,
wherein, in a case where the application has already been installed, the
control unit automatically starts the application on the basis of the information
without installing the application.
20 Claim 4
The information processing device according to claim 1,
wherein the control unit automatically installs the application on the basis of
a condition of automatic installation of the application set in advance and the
information.
25
Claim 5
The information processing device according to claim 1,
wherein the control unit automatically uninstalls the application on the basis
of the information.
30
Claim 6
54
The information processing device according to claim 5,
wherein the control unit determines, on the basis of the information, whether
to uninstall the application including data prepared by the application.
5 Claim 7
The information processing device according to claim 1,
wherein, in a case where the number of times of starting the application by
user operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, the
control unit executes processing for obtaining authorization to continuously use the
10 application.
Claim 8
The information processing device according to claim 1,
wherein, in a case where the application is started, the control unit makes
15 operation of the application differ between in a case of automatic start based on the
acquired information and in a case of start based on user operation.
Claim 9
The information processing device according to claim 1,
20 wherein, in a case where the information processing device exists in a
predetermined location, the communication unit acquires the information.
Claim 10
The information processing device according to claim 1,
25 wherein the information includes a degree of urgency of the push
notification, and
the control unit automatically installs the application on the basis of the
degree of urgency.
30 Claim 11
An information processing method comprising:
55
acquiring information of an application that transmits a push notification to
a user; and
automatically installing the application on the basis of the acquired
information.
5
Claim 12
A computer program for causing a computer to execute:
acquiring information of an application that transmits a push notification to
a user; and
10 automatically installing the application on the basis of the acquired
information.
Claim 13
A server device comprising
15 a communication unit configured to transmit, to an information processing
device, information of an application to be automatically installed in the information
processing device on the basis of the information of the application that transmits a
push notification to a user.
20 Claim 14
The server device according to claim 13, further comprising
a control unit configured to manage the number of automatic installations of
the application in a plurality of the information processing devices based on the
information.