Abstract: Disclosed is an information processing apparatus for switching a first session and a second session in executing processing, the apparatus comprising: storage controlling means which, if a first module belonging to a group is activated in the first session, then stores correspondence between the first session and the group; and activation controlling means which, if a second module belonging to the group is activated in the second session, then stops activation of the second module based on the stored correspondence between the first session and the group.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information providing system which comprises: an information providing apparatus with elements for receiving a TV program, generating image data and sound data representing a received TV program, and transmitting the image data and sound data; and an information processing apparatus with connecting information set to specify whether or not to establish connection with the information providing apparatus, and a storing element for storing the name of the information providing apparatus. If the connecting information is judged set to establish connection, then the information processing apparatus establishes connection with the information providing apparatus based on the stored name of the latter, so that the image data and sound data are received by the information processing apparatus from the information providing apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information providing system in which the information providing apparatus first receives a connection request from the first information processing apparatus. Upon receipt of the connection request, a check is made to see whether the information providing apparatus is providing any image data or sound data to the second information processing apparatus. If the information providing apparatus is judged to be providing any image data or sound data to the second information processing apparatus, then information related to a chat program is transmitted to the first and the second information processing apparatus. After transmitting the connection request to the information providing apparatus, the first information processing apparatus receives the information related to the chat program from the information providing apparatus. Upon reception of the information, the first information processing apparatus executes a process based on the received information related to the chat program.

Abstract: Disclosed are an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, an information providing apparatus and an information providing method, and a program thereof. In an information processing apparatus, the apparatus comprises: an acquiring element for acquiring a file which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to the provider; a generating element for generating internal data based on the channel data in the acquired file, the generated internal data specifying the numbers and names of the channels; and a reception controlling element for controlling reception of the TV programs by selecting the channels based on the internal data.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing system according to the invention is made up of a server apparatus and its terminals connected over a local area network that is administered independently in a limited area. In the system, any one of the terminals may generate a reproduction request and send it to the server apparatus over the LAN. In response to the request, the server apparatus reproduces video data from a storage medium installed therein and sends the reproduced video data to the requesting terminal over the LAN. In this manner, a user may reproduce video data and enjoy images thereof by remotely operating the server apparatus with ease from any terminal configured in the system.