Abstract: An information processing apparatus in which television channel setting processing and provider setting processing can be completed expeditiously. The information processing apparatus has the function of connecting to the Internet and the function of receiving television broadcast from the broadcasting stations. If, when the broadcast territory of using the information processing apparatus is set and registered, and the Internet service provider is to be set, the Internet service providers are demonstrated in the display unit of the information processing apparatus beginning from those geographically closest to the user's territory.

Abstract: An information processing method and apparatus for enabling more prompt sign-up. A network management server at step S62 received am equipment serial number from an information processing apparatus and, at step s63, references a database to retrieve a received equipment serial number. If the equipment serial number has not been found, the program moves to step S16 where a command for initiating manual setting is sent to an information processing apparatus. If the equipment serial number has been found, the program moves to step S81 to verify whether or not the admittance made or admittance not as yet made, recorded in the database in association with the equipment serial number received is admittance made. If the verified result indicates admittance not as yet made, the program moves to step S82 where the network management server sends an automatic setting initiating command to the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: An information processing method and apparatus for enabling more prompt sign-up. A network management server at step S62 received am equipment serial number from an information processing apparatus and, at step s63, references a database to retrieve a received equipment serial number. If the equipment serial number has not been found, the program moves to step S16 where a command for initiating manual setting is sent to an information processing apparatus. If the equipment serial number has been found, the program moves to step S81 to verify whether or not the admittance made or admittance not as yet made, recorded in the database in association with the equipment serial number received is admittance made. If the verified result indicates admittance not as yet made, the program moves to step S82 where the network management server sends an automatic setting initiating command to the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus in which television channel setting processing and provider setting processing can be completed expeditiously. To this end, the information processing apparatus 4 has the function of connecting to the Internet 2 and the function of receiving television broadcast from the broadcasting stations 5-1 to 5-3. If, when the broadcast territory of using the information processing apparatus 4 is set and registered, the Internet service provider is to be set, the Internet service providers are demonstrated in the display unit of the information processing apparatus 4 beginning from those geographically closest to the user's territory.