Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing system, and an information processing apparatus and method in which authentication processing on a network can be easily performed. A setting terminal device sends registration information input by a user to a CE-device registration setting server. The CE-device registration setting server generates connection information for connecting CE devices to the Internet based on the registration information. The setting terminal device receives the connection information from the CE-device registration setting server and stores it in a memory card. When the memory card is attached, the CE device reads the connection information so as to connect to a network. The present invention can be applied to electronic devices connected to a network.

Abstract: This invention relates to a service providing system and a service providing method for allowing users to receive a service from a service server without having to submit their security-critical information to that server. A CE device 1 requests provision of the service by transmitting authentication information such as a device ID to a surrogate authentication server 2. The surrogate authentication server 2 authenticates the CE device 1 based on the authentication information and transmits a result of the authentication to the service server 3. In turn, the service server 3 provides the CE device 1 with the requested service based on the result of the authentication received from the surrogate authentication server 2. The CE device 1 then uses the service provided by the service server 3. This system can be applied advantageously to network-based marketing systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to a service providing system and a service providing method for allowing users to receive a service from a service server without having to submit their security-critical information to that server. A CE device 1 requests provision of the service by transmitting authentication information such as a device ID to a surrogate authentication server 2. The surrogate authentication server 2 authenticates the CE device 1 based on the authentication information and transmits a result of the authentication to the service server 3. In turn, the service server 3 provides the CE device 1 with the requested service based on the result of the authentication received from the surrogate authentication server 2. The CE device 1 then uses the service provided by the service server 3. This system can be applied advantageously to network-based marketing systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing system, and an information processing apparatus and method in which authentication processing on a network can be easily performed. A setting terminal device 109 sends registration information input by a user 611 to a CE-device registration setting server 105. The CE-device registration setting server 105 generates connection information for connecting CE devices 132A and 132B to the Internet based on the registration information. The setting terminal device 109 receives the connection information from the CE-device registration setting server 105 and stores it in a memory card 104. When the memory card 114 is attached, the CE device 132A reads the connection information so as to connect to a network. The present invention can be applied to electronic devices connected to a network.