Program, control method, communication device, and system

JP2024062162A5Active Publication Date: 2025-10-29CANON KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022169993
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-10-24
Publication Date
2025-10-29
Estimated Expiration
2042-10-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing methods fail to effectively transfer setting information from an existing wireless communication device to a new wireless communication device, particularly when direct wireless connection is not possible due to distance or lack of wireless functionality.

Method used

A communication system where the existing device searches for and establishes a direct connection with the new device, transmitting network and other setting information, even if the initial connection is through a wired LAN, using protocols like SNMP to ensure accurate transfer.

Benefits of technology

Enables successful transfer of network and print setting information from an existing to a new wireless communication device, ensuring seamless communication and functionality even when direct wireless connection is not feasible.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To hand over setting information set on an existing communication device to a new communication device.SOLUTION: A communication device capable of communicating with an information processing device includes transmission means for transmitting setting information to another communication device on the basis of instruction information transmitted from the information processing device indicating that the communication device transmits the setting information relating to communication between the information processing device and the other communication device that is different from the communication device to the other communication device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, a control method, a program, and a system. [Background technology]

[0002] When replacing an existing wireless communication device with a new wireless communication device, a method is known in which setting information related to wireless communication set in the existing wireless communication device is transferred to the new wireless communication device. As a related technique, the technique of Patent Document 1 is proposed. In the technique of Patent Document 1, when an information processing device wirelessly connects to the new wireless communication device and accesses an arbitrary WEB page, a guide page is displayed on the display unit of the information processing device. When a user performs a predetermined operation according to the guide page, the setting information related to wireless communication set in the existing wireless communication device is copied to the new wireless communication device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-119313 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the technology of Patent Document 1 described above, there are cases where setting information related to wireless communication set in an existing wireless communication device cannot be handed over to a new wireless communication device.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to transfer setting information set in an existing communication device to a new communication device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the communication device of the present invention is a communication device capable of communicating with an information processing device, and is characterized in that the communication device is equipped with a transmitting means for transmitting setting information regarding communication between the information processing device and another communication device different from the communication device, based on instruction information transmitted from the information processing device indicating to transmit the setting information to the other communication device. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, setting information set in an existing communication device can be carried over to a new communication device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration of a PC and a printer in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a takeover instruction process executed in the PC of FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a transmission control process executed in the printer of FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a network setting process executed in the printer of FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a takeover instruction process executed by a PC in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a first setting process executed by a printer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a second setting process executed by a printer according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0010] First, a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a communication system 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a PC 201 as an information processing device, a printer 251 as a wireless communication device, and a printer 261 as a wireless communication device. In the present embodiment, a PC is exemplified as an information processing device, but the information processing device is not limited to a PC. For example, the information processing device may be a communication device such as a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a digital camera. In the present embodiment, a printer is exemplified as a wireless communication device, but the wireless communication device is not limited to a printer and may be another device capable of wireless communication with a PC. The other devices are, for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, a music playback device, and a television.

[0012] The PC 201 is connected to the access point 101 via a wired LAN or wireless LAN. A LAN (Local Area Network) is an in-house network that connects devices in a room or building. A wired LAN is a LAN that uses a communication cable as a signal transmission medium. A wireless LAN is a LAN that uses radio waves for wireless communication as a signal transmission medium, such as Wi-Fi. The access point 101 is a device that relays data communication between devices (for example, between a PC and a printer), and is a wireless LAN router or a wireless relay device.

[0013] The printer 251 and the printer 261 are, for example, an inkjet printer, a full-color laser beam printer, or a monochrome printer. The printer 251 and the printer 261 may be a multifunction machine having multiple functions such as a copy function, a FAX function, a print function, and a scan function. In this embodiment, the printer 261 is not connected to anything, and the printer 251 is connected to the access point 101 by wireless LAN. That is, the PC 201 is in a state in which it can communicate with the printer 251 via the access point 101, but is not in a state in which it can communicate with the printer 261. Such a method of connecting via the access point 101 is generally called infrastructure (hereinafter, referred to as "infrastructure") connection. By establishing an infrastructure connection, the printer 251 and the PC 201 can communicate with devices belonging to a network formed by the access point 101. In addition, when the access point 101 is connected to the Internet, the printer 251 and the PC 201 can also use the Internet via the access point 101.

[0014] The printer 251 stores transmittable information 259. The transmittable information 259 is setting information that the printer 251 is permitted to transmit to other devices such as the printer 261, and includes, for example, network setting information, print setting information, and account setting information. The network setting information is information required for wireless communication with the PC 201. For example, the network setting information is connection information (SSID (Service Set Identifier), password, etc.) for connecting to the access point 101 used when the printer 251 performs wireless communication with the PC 201. The print setting information and the account setting information are setting information used by the printer 251 in the print process. The print setting information is, for example, setting information indicating the type of paper that can be used by the printer 251, setting information such as margins at the time of printing, etc. The account setting information is, for example, a user name and a password used when using a service that performs printing via the Internet, such as cloud printing.

[0015] The printer 261 stores a takeover available information list 269. The takeover available information list 269 is a list of setting information that the printer 261 supports, that is, setting information that can be set by the printer 261.

[0016] The PC 201 transmits a network setting instruction to the printer 251 according to an instruction input by the user. When the printer 251 receives the network setting instruction from the PC 201, it transmits network setting information to the printer 261, which is the data transfer destination. The printer 261 wirelessly connects to the access point 101 using the network setting information received from the printer 251. The printer 251 also transmits other setting information other than the network setting information to the printer 261, which is the data transfer destination. The other setting information is setting information that can be set by the printer 261, which is the data transfer destination, such as print setting information and account setting information. Note that in this embodiment, a configuration in which the printer 251 transmits the network setting information and other setting information to the printer 261 will be described, but a configuration in which only the network setting information is transmitted may also be used.

[0017] In this embodiment, assuming a case where printer 251 as an existing wireless communication device is replaced with printer 261 as a new wireless communication device, a process of transferring network setting information of printer 251 to printer 261 will be described. In communication system 100, this process is realized by cooperation between PC 201, printer 251, and printer 261.

[0018] Here, there are cases where the setting information regarding wireless communication cannot be handed over to the printer 261 as a new wireless communication device. For example, in a configuration in which the printer 261 as a new wireless communication device and the printer 251 as an existing wireless communication device each perform wireless communication with the PC 201 as an information processing device via an access point, the PC 201 may not be able to establish a wireless connection with the printer 261. Such cases in which a wireless connection cannot be established include, for example, when the printer 261 is far enough away from the PC 201 that wireless communication cannot be performed, or when the PC 201 does not have a wireless communication function and is connected to the access point by wire. In such cases, the PC 201 does not display a guide page showing an operation method for handing over information regarding wireless communication, so that the information regarding wireless communication set in the printer 251 cannot be handed over to the printer 261.

[0019] Therefore, in this embodiment, the printer 251 from which data is to be taken over searches for the printer to which data is to be taken over in accordance with an instruction from the PC 201. The printer 251 also disconnects the connection for wireless communication with the PC 201, and establishes a wireless connection with the printer 261 to which data is to be taken over. Furthermore, the printer 251 transmits network setting information, among the multiple pieces of setting information held by the printer 251, to the printer 261. With this configuration, even if the PC 201 cannot establish a wireless connection with the printer 261 to which data is to be taken over, the network setting information can be transmitted to the printer 261. In other words, the network setting information set in the printer 251 from which data is to be taken over can be taken over to the printer 261 to which data is to be taken over.

[0020] In the communication system 100, when the user inputs an instruction to the PC 201, the printer 251, or the printer 261, a process of transferring the network setting information of the printer 251 to the printer 261 is executed. Here, the display unit or the operation unit of the printer 251 and the printer 261 may be small, or the printer 251 and the printer 261 may not have a display unit or an operation unit. In such a case, it is difficult for the user to input an instruction to the printer 251 or the printer 261 to execute a process of transferring the network setting information of the printer 251 to the printer 261. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration in which the user inputs an instruction to the PC 201 and executes a process of transferring the network setting information of the printer 251 to the printer 261 will be described. Note that the user may input an instruction to the printer 251 or the printer 261 to execute a process of transferring the network setting information of the printer 251 to the printer 261.

[0021] Next, there will be described the hardware configuration of the PC 201, the printer 251, and the printer 261. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the PC 201, the printer 251, and the printer 261 in Fig. 1.

[0022] 2, a PC 201 includes an input I / F 202, a CPU 203, a ROM 204, an output I / F 205, a RAM 206, an external storage device 207, a network I / F 208, a USB I / F 209, and a display unit 210. The input I / F 202, the CPU 203, the ROM 204, the output I / F 205, the RAM 206, the external storage device 207, the network I / F 208, and the USB I / F 209 are connected to each other via a bus 211. Note that USB is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus.

[0023] The input I / F 202 is a mouse and a keyboard, which are operated by the user to allow the PC 201 to accept various instructions from the user. The CPU 203 is a system control unit, and is a processor that controls the entire PC 201. The ROM 204 stores fixed data such as control programs and data tables executed by the CPU 203, and an embedded operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") program. In this embodiment, the control programs stored in the ROM 204 perform software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 204.

[0024] The RAM 206 is composed of a static random access memory (SRAM) that requires a backup power source. The RAM 206 holds data by power supplied from a primary battery for data backup (not shown), so important data such as program control variables can be stored without volatilization. The RAM 206 also has a memory area for storing setting information for the PC 201, management data for the PC 201, and the like. The RAM 206 is also used as the main memory and work memory for the CPU 203.

[0025] The external storage device 207 stores an application that provides a print execution function, a print job generation program that generates a print job that can be interpreted by the printer, etc. The external storage device 207 also stores various programs such as an information transmission / reception control program that is transmitted to and received from the printer connected via the network I / F 208 or USB I / F 209, and various information used by these programs. A setup program, which will be described later, is also stored in the external storage device 207.

[0026] The output I / F 205 is an interface that controls the display unit 210 to display data and notify the status of the PC 201. The display unit 210 is composed of an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), etc., and displays data and notifies the status of the PC 201. The display unit 210 may also have operation units such as numeric input keys, a mode setting key, a decision key, a cancel key, and a power key on the display unit 210. This makes it possible to accept instructions from a user via the display unit 210.

[0027] The network I / F 208 controls communication processing via a wireless LAN and a wired LAN. Specifically, the network I / F 208 connects to the access point 101 via a wireless LAN or a wired LAN to perform data communication. The network I / F 208 can also connect to an access point 258 or an access point 268, which will be described later. The USB I / F 209 controls a USB connection via a USB cable. Specifically, the USB I / F 209 connects to a device such as a printer or an external access point via USB to perform data communication.

[0028] 2, the printer 251 includes a network I / F 252, a RAM 253, a ROM 254, a CPU 255, a print engine 256, and a USB I / F 257. The network I / F 252, the RAM 253, the ROM 254, the CPU 255, the print engine 256, and the USB I / F 257 are connected to each other via a bus 250.

[0029] The network I / F 252 includes an access point 258 for wirelessly connecting the printer 251 to an external device. The network I / F 252 controls communication processing via a wireless LAN or a wired LAN cable. In the present embodiment, the wireless LAN is used for wireless communication, but, for example, Bluetooth or the like may be used. The network I / F 252 may include hardware that functions as an access point, or may operate as an access point by software for functioning as an access point. The printer 251 may include a plurality of network I / Fs 252 in order to communicate by a plurality of communication methods. For example, the printer 251 may further include an interface for communicating by a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth Low Energy, Near Field Communication, or Wi-Fi Aware.

[0030] The RAM 253 is composed of an SRAM or the like that requires a backup power source. Since the RAM 253 holds data by power supply from a primary battery for data backup (not shown), important data such as program control variables can be stored without volatilization. The RAM 253 also has a memory area for storing setting information and management data for the printer 251. The RAM 253 is also used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 255. For example, the RAM 253 functions as a receiving buffer for temporarily storing print jobs received from the PC 201 or the like.

[0031] The ROM 254 is a memory (storage unit) that stores fixed data such as a control program executed by the CPU 255, a data table, and an OS program. In this embodiment, the control program stored in the ROM 254 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 254. The CPU 255 is a system control unit, and is a processor that controls the entire printer 251. The print engine 256 executes an image forming process that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper by applying a recording agent such as ink to the recording medium based on information stored in the RAM 253 or a print job received from the PC 201 or the like, and outputs a printed matter. Note that the print job is job data for causing the printer to execute the image forming process.

[0032] 2, the printer 261 includes a network I / F 262, a RAM 263, a ROM 264, a CPU 265, a print engine 266, and a USB I / F 267. The network I / F 262, the RAM 263, the ROM 264, the CPU 265, the print engine 266, and the USB interface 267 are connected to each other via a bus 260.

[0033] The RAM 263, the ROM 264, the CPU 265, the print engine 266, and the USB interface 267 have the same functions and configurations as the RAM 253, the ROM 254, the CPU 255, the print engine 256, and the USB interface 257 in the printer 251, respectively.

[0034] The network I / F 262 includes an access point 268 for wirelessly connecting the printer 261 to an external device. The network I / F 262 controls communication processing via a wireless LAN or a wired LAN cable. The network I / F 262 may directly communicate wirelessly with the printer 251, or may communicate wirelessly with the printer 251 via the access point 101. That is, the network I / F 262 may not only operate as the access point 268 itself, but also operate as a child device that connects to an external access point. In the present embodiment, the division of the processing among the PC 201, the printer 251, and the printer 261 has been shown as above as an example, but the division is not limited to this form and may be other forms.

[0035] Next, the handover of setting information executed in communication system 100 will be described. As described above, in this embodiment, it is assumed that printer 251, which is an existing wireless communication device, is replaced with printer 261, which is a new wireless communication device, and the network setting information of printer 251 is handed over to printer 261. As described above, it is assumed that PC 201 is in a state where it can communicate with printer 251 via access point 101, but is not in a state where it can communicate with printer 261.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 210 of Fig. 2. The various screens shown in Fig. 3 are screens displayed on the display unit 210 of the PC 201 when the setting information is handed over. The various screens shown in Fig. 3 are displayed on the display unit 210 by the CPU 203 of the PC 201 executing a setup program stored in the ROM 204 or the external storage device 207. The setup program is a program that is started when setting up the printer 251 or the printer 261, and is a program for making settings for printing, such as network settings and installing a printer driver.

[0037] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the handover instruction process executed in the PC 201 of Fig. 1. The handover instruction process of Fig. 4 is realized by the CPU 203 of the PC 201 reading a program such as a setup program stored in the ROM 204, the external storage device 207, etc. into the RAM 206 and executing it. The handover instruction process of Fig. 4 is executed, for example, in response to the user pressing the OK button 302 on the printer handover guidance screen 301 of Fig. 3(a) displayed on the display unit 210, or in response to the start of the setup program.

[0038] In FIG. 4, first, the CPU 203 displays the operation guide screen 303 of FIG. 3(b) on the display unit 210 (step S401). The operation guide screen 303 is a screen showing the operation content for setting the printer 261, which is the data transfer destination, to the setup mode. When the user presses the transfer button (not shown) on the printer 261 according to the operation guide screen 303, the printer 261 transitions to the setup mode. The setup mode is a mode for executing the network setup of the printer 261, and is a mode in which the printer 261 can receive network setting information by wireless communication. When the printer 261 operates in the setup mode, it operates as a predetermined access point having a predetermined SSID. The predetermined SSID is a preset SSID that cannot be changed by the user, and includes a serial number, a model name, and the like. The predetermined access point is an access point that is used only when the printer 261 is in the setup mode. For example, the predetermined access point is an access point that does not require a password, or an access point that can be connected with a fixed password. The PC 201 and the printer 251 can be wirelessly connected to a predetermined access point. When the PC 201 and the printer 251 are wirelessly connected to the printer 261 in the setup mode, the PC 201 and the printer 251 can wirelessly communicate with the printer 261. The printer 261 in the setup mode can wirelessly communicate with the PC 201 and the printer 251 without going through the access point 101, but cannot accept an instruction to execute a print process. The printer 261 may transition to the setup mode when the printer 261 is powered on for the first time. After the printer 261 transitions to the setup mode in response to the user pressing the takeover button, when the user presses the OK button 304 on the operation guide screen 303, the process proceeds to step S402.

[0039] In step S402, the CPU 203 transmits a takeover related information obtainment command to the data takeover source printer 251. The printer 251 that has received the takeover related information obtainment command performs the transmission control process of FIG.

[0040] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the transmission control process executed in the printer 251 of Fig. 1. The transmission control process of Fig. 5 is realized by the CPU 255 of the printer 251 reading a program stored in the ROM 254 into the RAM 253 and executing it.

[0041] In FIG. 5, the CPU 255 acquires information on the access points arranged around the printer 251 (step S501). In step S501, for example, the CPU 255 acquires information on the access points arranged around the printer 251 from a beacon signal transmitted from the access points. The access point arranged around the printer 251 is, for example, the printer 261 that transitions to a setup mode and operates as a predetermined access point. The access point information includes the SSID and MAC address of the access point. The MAC address is an identification number that is physically assigned to uniquely identify each communication subject on the communication network. In this embodiment, the printer 251 acquires information on the access points arranged around the printer 251 in accordance with receiving a takeover information acquisition command from the PC 201, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the printer 251 may acquire information on the access points arranged around the printer 251 in advance before receiving the takeover information acquisition command from the PC 201. The acquired access point information is stored in the RAM 253 or the like.

[0042] Next, CPU 255 extracts information on a takeover access point from the acquired access point information (step S502). Specifically, CPU 255 extracts information on printer 261 that transitions to the setup mode and operates as a predetermined access point.

[0043] Next, CPU 255 transmits handover-related information including the access point information extracted in step S502 and transmittable information 259 of printer 251 to PC 201 (step S503), and ends the transmission control process. Note that, in the present embodiment, a configuration has been described in which printer 251 performs processing to extract information on a takeover destination access point, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, printer 251 may transmit information on all access points acquired in step S501 to PC 201, and PC 201 may extract information on a takeover destination access point from the acquired access point information.

[0044] 4, the CPU 203 of the PC 201 receives handover related information from the printer 251 from which data is to be handovered (step S403). The CPU 203 performs a process of extracting the access point information and the transmittable information 259 of the printer 251 from the received handover related information. Next, the CPU 203 determines whether the extraction of the access point information and the transmittable information 259 of the printer 251 was successful (step S404).

[0045] If it is determined in step S404 that the extraction of the access point information and the transmittable information 259 of the printer 251 has failed, the process proceeds to step S413, which will be described later. If it is determined in step S404 that the extraction of the access point information and the transmittable information 259 of the printer 251 has succeeded, the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, the CPU 203 displays the printer selection screen 305 of FIG. 3C on the display unit 210. The printer selection screen 305 is composed of a printer selection area 306 and a selection button 307. The printer selection area 306 displays information on the printer to be taken over based on the takeover related information received in step S403, such as the model name and serial number of the printer 261 that has entered the setup mode and is operating as a specified access point. For example, if the takeover related information received in step S403 contains two or more access point information, the user can select the printer to be taken over from the multiple candidates displayed in the printer selection area 306. In this case, a cancel button may be displayed on the printer selection screen 305. If the user selects the cancel button, the handover instruction process ends. On the other hand, if the user selects a printer to be used as the handover destination from among the multiple candidates displayed in the printer selection area 306 and then presses the select button 307, the process proceeds to step S406.

[0046] If the handover related information received in step S403 includes only one access point, the printer selection screen 305 does not have to be displayed on the display unit 210. In this case, the printer corresponding to the access point information is determined as the handover destination.

[0047] In step S406, the CPU 203 displays the takeover information selection screen 308 of FIG. 3D on the display unit 210. The takeover information selection screen 308 is composed of a selection area 309 and a selection button 310. In the selection area 309, a list of setting information included in the transmittable information 259 extracted from the takeover related information received in step S403 is displayed. When the user selects setting information to be taken over to the takeover destination printer from the setting information displayed in the selection area 309 (hereinafter, referred to as "takeover setting information") and further presses the selection button 310, the process proceeds to step S407. Note that in this embodiment, all setting information included in the transmittable information 259 may be determined as the takeover setting information. In this way, when all setting information included in the transmittable information 259 is determined as the takeover setting information, step S406 is not performed and the takeover information selection screen 308 is not displayed on the display unit 210.

[0048] In step S407, the CPU 203 transmits a takeover setting execution command to the printer 251 from which data is to be taken over, to execute the network setting process of Fig. 6. This takeover setting execution command includes information indicating the destination printer selected by the user (hereinafter referred to as "destination printer information") and the takeover setting information. The CPU 203 waits until it receives a notification indicating the execution result of the network setting process from the printer 251.

[0049] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the network setting process executed in the printer 251 of Fig. 1. The network setting process of Fig. 6 is realized by the CPU 255 of the printer 251 reading a program stored in the ROM 254 into the RAM 253 and executing it.

[0050] 6, the CPU 255 performs a process of extracting the takeover destination printer information and the takeover setting information from the takeover setting execution command received from the PC 201 (step S601). Next, the CPU 255 determines whether the extraction of the takeover destination printer information and the takeover setting information was successful (step S602).

[0051] If the CPU 255 determines in step S602 that the extraction of the takeover destination printer information and the takeover setting information has failed, the process proceeds to step S611, which will be described later. If the CPU 255 determines in step S602 that the extraction of the takeover destination printer information and the takeover setting information has succeeded, the process proceeds to step S603.

[0052] In step S603, the CPU 255 performs wireless connection processing with the printer as the takeover destination. Specifically, the CPU 255 saves information about the access point 101 to which the printer 251 is connected, and temporarily disconnects the connection with the access point 101. This disconnects the printer 251 from wireless communication with the PC 201. After disconnecting the connection with the access point 101, the CPU 255 establishes a wireless connection with the printer 261 as the takeover destination printer. Note that the connection between the printer 251 and the printer 261 is a direct connection established by the printer 261 operating in the P2P mode. The P2P mode is a mode in which the printer communicates directly with another device such as the PC 201 without going through an external device that forms a network. Next, the CPU 255 determines whether the wireless connection with the printer 261 has been successful (step S604).

[0053] If it is determined in step S604 that the wireless connection with the printer 261 has been successful, the process proceeds to step S605. In step S605, the CPU 255 requests the printer 261, which is the data transfer destination, to transmit the transferable information list 269. Upon receiving this transmission request, the printer 261 transmits the transferable information list 269 to the printer 251.

[0054] The CPU 255 of the printer 251 compares the takeover information list 269 received from the printer 261 with the takeover setting information extracted in step S602 (step S606). Based on the result of the comparison, the CPU 255 separates the takeover setting information into setting information that the printer 261 can take over and setting information that the printer 261 cannot take over, and stores the separated information in the RAM 253. Note that the setting information that the printer 261 can take over is setting information that the printer 261 can set, and the setting information that the printer 261 cannot take over is setting information that the printer 261 cannot set. The CPU 255 also generates a setting packet. The setting packet includes, for example, setting information that the printer 261 can take over and network setting information (SSID, password) for connecting to the access point 101 that was wirelessly connected to the printer 251.

[0055] Next, the CPU 255 transmits the generated setting packet to the printer 261 using SNMP (Sinmple Network Management Protocol) (step S607). SNMP is a protocol for monitoring and controlling devices (including printers) on a network to which a communication device belongs. The printer 251 can acquire and set information in a database called MIB (Management Information Base) of the device to be monitored and controlled by communicating using SNMP. The printer 261 identifies the access point 101 that was wirelessly connected to the printer 251 based on the setting packet received from the printer 251, and searches for the identified access point 101. The printer 261 then transmits a connection request to the detected access point 101 using the password included in the setting packet. The access point 101 that receives this connection request establishes a wireless connection with the printer 261. The printer 261 then performs a process of reflecting setting information other than the network setting information included in the setting packet. When this process is completed, an infrastructure connection is established between the printer 261 and the PC 201, and the setting of the setting information in the printer 261 is completed. Note that printer 251 may obtain network setting information set in PC 201 from PC 201, and if this information matches the network setting information set in printer 251, transmit the network setting information to printer 261. This makes it possible to prevent network setting information different from the network setting information of the access point wirelessly connected to PC 201 from being mistakenly transmitted to printer 261.

[0056] After the setting of the setting information in the printer 261 is completed, the CPU 255 performs a process of connecting to the access point 101 that was disconnected in step S603 (step S608). This enables the printer 251 to wirelessly communicate with the PC 201 via the access point 101. Next, the CPU 255 transmits a handover success notice to the PC 201 by wireless communication (step S609). The handover success notice includes information indicating that the handover of the setting information to the printer 261 was successful. The handover success notice also includes the setting information that could not be passed on to the printer 261. The CPU 255 then ends the network setting process.

[0057] If it is determined in step S604 that the wireless connection with printer 261 has failed, the process proceeds to step S610. In step S610, CPU 255 performs a process to connect to access point 101 that was disconnected in step S603. This enables printer 251 to wirelessly communicate with PC 201 via access point 101. Next, CPU 255 transmits a takeover failure notice to PC 201 by wireless communication (step S611). The takeover failure notice includes information indicating that the takeover of the setting information to printer 261 has failed. Then, CPU 255 ends the network setting process.

[0058] 4, the CPU 203 of the PC 201 receives a notification indicating the execution result of the network setting process from the printer 251 (step S408). This notification is a takeover success notification sent by the printer 251 in step S609 or a takeover failure notification sent by the printer 251 in step S611. Next, the CPU 203 determines whether the takeover of the setting information to the printer 261 was successful or not based on the received notification (step S409).

[0059] If it is determined in step S409 that the setting information has not been transferred to the printer 261, the process proceeds to step S413, which will be described later. If it is determined in step S409 that the setting information has been transferred to the printer 261 successfully, the process proceeds to step S410.

[0060] In step S410, CPU 203 searches for printer 261 that has inherited the setting information. Since it may take time for printer 261 to wirelessly connect to access point 101, a time limit may be set in step S410 and the search may be performed multiple times. Next, CPU 203 determines whether or not detection of printer 261 was successful in step S410 (step S411).

[0061] If it is determined in step S411 that the detection of the printer 261 has been successful, the process proceeds to step S412. In step S412, the CPU 203 causes the display unit 210 to display a takeover success screen 311 of FIG. 3(e), which indicates that the takeover of the setting information has been completed. The takeover success screen 311 displays a message indicating that the takeover of the setting information to the printer 261 has been successful. The takeover success screen 311 also displays the setting information that could not be taken over to the printer 261. Note that the takeover success screen 311 does not have to display the setting information that could not be taken over to the printer 261. Thereafter, the takeover instruction process ends.

[0062] If it is determined in step S411 that the detection of the printer 261 has failed, the process proceeds to step S413. In step S413, the CPU 203 causes the display unit 210 to display a takeover failure screen 312 of Fig. 3(f), which indicates that the takeover of the setting information has failed. Thereafter, the takeover instruction process ends.

[0063] According to the above-described embodiment, the printer 251, which is the source of data transfer, searches for a destination of data transfer according to an instruction from the PC 201. The printer 251 also disconnects the connection for wireless communication with the PC 201 and establishes a wireless connection with the printer 261, which is the destination of data transfer. The printer 251 also transmits network setting information, among the multiple pieces of setting information held by the printer 251, to the printer 261. With this configuration, even if the PC 201 cannot establish a wireless connection with the destination printer 261, the network setting information can be transmitted to the printer 261. That is, the network setting information set in the printer 251, which is the source of data transfer, can be transferred to the destination printer 261. This enables the PC 201 and the printer 261 to communicate with each other.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the source printer 251 transmits, from among a plurality of pieces of setting information held by the printer 251, takeover setting information that is different from the network setting information to the destination printer 261. This allows the takeover setting information to be taken over to the destination printer 261 in addition to the network setting information.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the handover setting information is setting information selected by the user from among multiple pieces of setting information held by the printer 251. This allows the setting information selected by the user to be handover to the handover destination printer 261.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the handover setting information is setting information that can be set by the destination printer 261, among multiple pieces of setting information held by the printer 251. This allows the setting information held by the printer 251 and that can be set by the destination printer 261 to be handed over to the printer 261.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, for example, PC 201 wirelessly communicates with printer 251 via access point 101 connected to PC 201 via a wired LAN. In this case, PC 201 is a device that does not have a wireless communication function and cannot wirelessly communicate with printer 251 or printer 261 unless via access point 101 connected to the wired LAN. In such a configuration, network setting information for connecting to access point 101 can be easily transferred from printer 251 to printer 261, which is the successor.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the PC 201 wirelessly communicates with the printer 251 via the access point 101 connected to the PC 201 via a wireless LAN. In other words, the PC 201 is a device equipped with a wireless communication function. Even with this configuration, if the printer 261 is too far away from the PC 201 to wirelessly communicate with the PC 201 and is therefore unable to establish a wireless connection with the PC 201, the network setting information can be handed over from the printer 251 to the printer 261.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, printer 251 and printer 261 are devices that perform a print process to print an image on a recording medium. As a result, when replacing an existing printer with a new printer, the network setting information set in the existing printer can be carried over to the new printer.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the inherited setting information is setting information used in the print process. Thus, when replacing an existing printer with a new printer, the print setting information held by the existing printer can be inherited by the new printer.

[0071] In this embodiment, after completing the handover instruction process, with the consent of the user, CPU 203 may send a command to turn off the power to printer 251 from which data has been taken over. This makes it possible to prevent printing from being performed using printer 251 from which data has been taken over, rather than printer 261 from which the setting information has been taken over.

[0072] Next, a communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0073] In the above-described first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a list of setting information included in the transmittable information 259 of the printer 251 is displayed in the selection area 309 of the handover information selection screen 308. However, this list may include setting information that cannot be set by the printer 261, and there is a concern that the user may select setting information that cannot be set by the printer 261 on the handover information selection screen 308. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the user is allowed to select only setting information that can be set by the printer 261 to which data is to be transferred on the handover information selection screen 308. Note that in the second embodiment, the same communication system 100 as in the above-described first embodiment is used, and parts that are not particularly described are assumed to have the same configuration as in the above-described first embodiment.

[0074] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the takeover instruction process executed by the PC 201 in the second embodiment. The takeover instruction process in FIG. 7 is similar to the takeover instruction process in FIG. 4 described above, and the following will particularly describe the contents different from the takeover instruction process in FIG. 4. The takeover instruction process in FIG. 7 is realized by the CPU 203 of the PC 201 reading a program such as a setup program stored in the ROM 204 or the external storage device 207 into the RAM 206 and executing it, similar to the takeover instruction process in FIG. 4. The takeover instruction process in FIG. 7 is also executed, for example, in response to the user pressing the OK button 302 on the printer takeover guidance screen 301 displayed on the display unit 210, or in response to the start of a setup program, similar to the takeover instruction process in FIG. 4.

[0075] 7, first, steps S701 to S704 are performed, which are the same processes as steps S401 to S404. If it is determined in step S704 that the extraction of the access point information and the transmittable information 259 of the printer 251 has failed, the process proceeds to step S718, which will be described later. If it is determined in step S704 that the extraction of the access point information and the transmittable information 259 of the printer 251 has been successful, the process proceeds to step S705. In step S705, CPU 203 causes display unit 210 to display printer selection screen 305, similar to step S405.

[0076] Next, CPU 203 transmits a takeover setting execution command to printer 251 from which data is to be taken over, to execute the first setting process of Fig. 8 (step S706). This takeover setting execution command includes destination printer information indicating printer 261 selected by the user as the destination printer on printer selection screen 305. Thus, in the takeover instruction process of Fig. 7, unlike the takeover instruction process of Fig. 4, the takeover setting execution command transmitted to printer 251 in step S706 does not include the takeover setting information. CPU 203 waits until it receives a notification indicating the execution result of the first setting process from printer 251.

[0077] Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the first setting process executed by printer 251 in the second embodiment. The first setting process is a process for transferring network setting information set in printer 251 to printer 261. Note that the first setting process in Fig. 8 is a process similar to the network setting process in Fig. 6 described above, and the following will particularly explain the contents that differ from the network setting process in Fig. 6 described above. The first setting process in Fig. 8 is also realized by CPU 255 of printer 251 reading a program stored in ROM 254 into RAM 253 and executing it, similar to the network setting process in Fig. 6 described above.

[0078] 8, the CPU 255 performs a process of extracting the takeover destination printer information from the takeover setting execution command received from the PC 201 (step S801). Next, the CPU 255 determines whether the extraction of the takeover destination printer information has been successful (step S802).

[0079] If it is determined in step S802 that the extraction of the takeover destination printer information has failed, the process proceeds to step S809, which will be described later. If it is determined in step S802 that the extraction of the takeover destination printer information has succeeded, the process proceeds to step S803.

[0080] In step 803, similar to step S603 described above, CPU 255 performs wireless connection processing with printer 261, which is the takeover printer. Next, similar to step S604 described above, CPU 255 determines whether or not the wireless connection with printer 261 has been successful (step S804).

[0081] If it is determined in step S804 that the wireless connection with the printer 261 has been successful, the process proceeds to step S805. In step S805, the CPU 255 uses SNMP to send a setting packet to the printer 261. This setting packet includes network setting information (SSID, password) for connecting to the access point 101 that was wirelessly connected to the printer 251. The printer 251 can acquire and set information about the printer 261 by communicating using SNMP. The printer 261 identifies the access point 101 that was connected to the printer 251 based on the setting packet received from the printer 251, and searches for the identified access point 101. The printer 261 then sends a connection request to the detected access point 101 using the password included in the setting packet. The access point 101 that receives this connection request wirelessly connects to the printer 261. 6, in the first setting process, processing is not performed to reflect setting information other than the network setting information when the wireless connection between the printer 261 and the access point 101 is completed. When the wireless connection with the access point 101 is completed, an infrastructure connection is established between the printer 261 and the PC 201, and the setting of the network setting information in the printer 261 is completed.

[0082] After the setting of the network setting information in the printer 261 is completed, the CPU 255 performs a process of connecting to the access point 101 that was disconnected in step S803 (step S808). This enables the printer 251 to wirelessly communicate with the PC 201 via the access point 101. Next, the CPU 255 transmits a handover success notification to the PC 201 (step S809). This handover success notification includes information indicating that the handover of the network setting information to the printer 261 has been successful. Thereafter, the first setting process ends.

[0083] If it is determined in step S804 that the wireless connection with the printer 261 has failed, the CPU 255 performs a process of connecting to the access point 101 that was disconnected in step S803 (step S808). This enables the printer 251 to wirelessly communicate with the PC 201 via the access point 101. Next, the CPU 255 transmits a takeover failure notice to the PC 201 (step S809). This takeover failure notice includes information indicating that the takeover of the network setting information to the printer 261 has failed. Thereafter, the first setting process ends.

[0084] 7, the CPU 203 of the PC 201 receives a notification indicating the execution result of the first setting process from the printer 251 (step S707). This notification is a notification of success or failure of the transfer. Next, the CPU 203 determines whether the transfer of the network setting information to the printer 261 was successful or not based on the received notification (step S708).

[0085] If it is determined in step S708 that the transfer of the network setting information to printer 261 has failed, the process proceeds to step S718, which will be described later. If it is determined in step S708 that the transfer of the network setting information to printer 261 has been successful, the process proceeds to step S709. In step S709, CPU 203 searches for printer 261 that has transferred the network setting information from printer 251 (step S709). Note that in step S709, a time limit may be set and multiple searches may be performed, similar to step S410 described above. Next, CPU 203 determines whether or not the detection of printer 261 in step S709 was successful (step S710).

[0086] If it is determined in step S710 that the detection of the printer 261 has failed, the process proceeds to step S718. In step S718, the CPU 203 causes the takeover failure screen 312 to be displayed on the display unit 210, similar to step S413 described above. Thereafter, the takeover instruction process ends.

[0087] If it is determined in step S710 that the detection of printer 261 was successful, the process proceeds to step S711. In step S711, CPU 203 transmits a list request command to printer 261, requesting transmission of takeover available information list 269. Printer 261, which has received this list request command, transmits takeover available information list 269 to PC 201. Note that, since printer 261 has successfully established a wireless connection with access point 101, PC 201, printer 251, and printer 261 become devices on the same network and can communicate with each other.

[0088] The CPU 203 of the PC 201 compares the takeover available information list 269 received from the printer 261 with the transmittable information 259 of the printer 251 included in the takeover related information received in step S703 (step S712). The CPU 203 stores the setting information that matches as a result of the comparison in the RAM 206 as takeover candidate information. Next, the CPU 203 displays the takeover information selection screen 308 on the display unit 210 (step S713). The takeover candidate information stored in the RAM 206 is displayed in the selection area 309 of the takeover information selection screen 308. In this way, in the second embodiment, only setting information other than the network setting information that can be set by the printer 261 is displayed in the selection area 309 of the takeover information selection screen 308. This allows the user to select only setting information that can be set by the printer 261 on the takeover information selection screen 308. When the user selects the handover setting information from the setting information displayed in the selection area 309 and then presses the select button 310, the process proceeds to step S714.

[0089] In step S714, the CPU 203 transmits to the printer 251 a takeover setting execution command for executing the second setting process of Fig. 9. This takeover setting execution command includes takeover destination printer information indicating the printer 261 selected by the user as the takeover destination printer on the printer selection screen 305, and the takeover setting information selected by the user on the takeover information selection screen 308. The CPU 203 waits until it receives a notification indicating the execution result of the second setting process from the printer 251.

[0090] Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the second setting process executed by the printer 251 in the second embodiment. The second setting process is a process for transferring the inherited setting information to the printer 261. Note that the second setting process in Fig. 9 is a process similar to the network setting process in Fig. 6 described above, and the following will particularly explain the contents that are different from the network setting process in Fig. 6 described above. The second setting process in Fig. 9 is also realized by the CPU 255 of the printer 251 reading a program stored in the ROM 254 into the RAM 253 and executing it, similar to the network setting process in Fig. 6 described above.

[0091] In FIG. 9, steps S901 and S902 are performed, which are the same processes as steps S601 and S602 described above.

[0092] If it is determined in step S902 that the extraction of the takeover destination printer information and the takeover setting information has failed, the process proceeds to step S907, which will be described later. If it is determined in step S902 that the extraction of the takeover destination printer information and the takeover setting information has been successful, the process proceeds to step S903.

[0093] In step S903, the CPU 255 searches for the takeover destination printer 261 based on the takeover destination printer information extracted in step S901. Next, the CPU 255 determines whether or not the detection of the printer 261 in step S903 was successful (step S904).

[0094] If it is determined in step S904 that detection of printer 261 was successful, CPU 255 generates a setting packet including the inherited setting information. For example, if the inherited setting information includes print setting information, the setting packet includes the print setting information of printer 251. Next, CPU 255 uses SNMP to send this setting packet to printer 261 (step S905). Printer 261 performs processing to reflect the setting information included in the received setting packet.

[0095] Next, CPU 255 transmits a takeover success notification to PC 201 (step S906). This takeover success notification includes information indicating that the takeover of the setting information to printer 261 has been successful. Thereafter, the second setting process ends.

[0096] If it is determined in step S904 that detection of printer 261 has failed, CPU 255 transmits a takeover failure notification to PC 201 (step S907). This takeover failure notification includes information indicating that the takeover of the setting information to printer 261 has failed. Thereafter, the second setting process ends.

[0097] 9 may be executed by the PC 201. Specifically, the CPU 203 of the PC 201 acquires handover setting information from the printer 251 among a plurality of pieces of setting information stored in the ROM 254 of the printer 251. Next, the CPU 203 transmits the acquired handover setting information to the printer 261. The information of the printer 251 is acquired and the information is transmitted to the printer 261 using SNMP.

[0098] 7, the CPU 203 of the PC 201 receives a notification indicating the execution result of the second setting process from the printer 251 (step S715). This notification is the handover success notification transmitted in the above-mentioned step S906, or the handover failure notification transmitted in the above-mentioned step S907. Next, the CPU 203 determines whether the handover of the handover setting information to the printer 261 was successful or not based on the received notification (step S716).

[0099] If it is determined in step S716 that the setting information has been successfully handed over to the printer 261, the process proceeds to step S717. In step S717, the CPU 203 displays a handover success screen 311 on the display unit 210. Note that in the second embodiment, the handover setting information is selected by the user from among the information that can be set by the printer 261, as described above. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment described above, the handover success screen 311 does not display setting information that could not be handed over to the printer 261. Thereafter, the CPU 203 ends the handover instruction process.

[0100] If it is determined in step S716 that the transfer of the setting information to the printer 261 has failed, the process proceeds to step S719. In step S719, the CPU 203 causes the display unit 210 to display the partial transfer failure screen 313 of FIG. 3(g). The partial transfer failure screen 313 displays a message indicating that the transfer of the network setting information to the printer 261 has been successful. The partial transfer failure screen 313 also displays a message indicating that the transfer of the setting information to the printer 261 has failed. Thereafter, the CPU 203 ends the transfer instruction process.

[0101] As described above, the takeover setting information is transmitted to the printer 261 at a predetermined timing after the printer 261, to which the data is to be taken over, joins the same network as the PC 201 and the printer 251 using the network setting information. As a result, in a configuration in which the takeover information selection screen 308 is displayed on the display unit 210 of the PC 201, the PC 201 can acquire setting information that can be set by the printer 261 from the printer 261 by wireless communication via the access point 101, without forcing the user to perform a special operation on the printer 261. As a result, it is possible to allow the user to select the takeover setting information from the setting information that can be set by the printer 261.

[0102] (Other embodiments) The above-mentioned embodiment can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program. The program may be executed by one computer, or may be executed by multiple computers in cooperation with each other. It is not necessary to realize all of the above-mentioned processes by software, and some or all of the processes may be realized by hardware such as ASIC. The CPU is also not limited to one that performs all processes by one CPU, and multiple CPUs may perform processes in cooperation with each other as appropriate.

[0103] In addition, the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are not only realized by a computer reading and executing the program code, but also include cases where an OS running on a computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0104] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, programs, and systems. (Configuration 1) A communication device capable of communicating with an information processing device, characterized in that the communication device is equipped with a transmitting means for transmitting setting information regarding communication between the information processing device and another communication device different from the communication device, based on instruction information transmitted from the information processing device indicating to transmit the setting information to the other communication device. (Configuration 2) The communication device according to configuration 1, wherein the setting information is network setting information relating to communication between the communication device and another communication device different from the communication device. (Configuration 3) The communication device according to configuration 2, wherein the setting information is other setting information different from the network setting information. (Configuration 4) The communication device according to configuration 3, wherein the other setting information is setting information selected by a user from among a plurality of setting information stored in a storage means of the communication device. (Configuration 5) The communication device described in configuration 3, wherein the other setting information is setting information stored in a storage means of the communication device and selected by a user from among setting information that can be set by the other communication device. (Configuration 6) The communication device described in configuration 3, wherein the other setting information is setting information that can be set by the other communication device among a plurality of setting information stored in a storage means of the communication device. (Configuration 7) The communication device described in configuration 3, characterized in that the other setting information is transmitted to the other communication device at a predetermined timing after the specified wireless communication device joins the same network as the information processing device and the communication device using the network setting information. (Configuration 8) The communication device described in any one of configurations 2 to 7, characterized in that the information processing device further includes a means for shutting down the communication device after the communication device completes the process of transmitting the network setting information to the other communication device. (Configuration 9) The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the information processing device performs wireless communication with the communication device via a wireless relay device connected to the information processing device by a wired LAN. (Configuration 10) The communication device described in any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that the information processing device performs wireless communication with the communication device via a wireless relay device connected to the information processing device via a wireless LAN. (Configuration 11) The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the communication device and the other communication device are printers. (Configuration 12) The communication device according to configuration 3, wherein the other setting information is setting information used in a print process for printing an image on a recording medium. (Configuration 13) A communication device described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the network setting information is transmitted to the other communication device when it matches network setting information set in the information processing device. (Method 1) A control method for a communication device capable of communicating with an information processing device, characterized in that the communication device has a transmission step of transmitting to the other communication device setting information regarding communication between the information processing device and another communication device different from the communication device. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the communication device according to claim 1. (System 1) A system comprising an information processing device, a first communication device capable of communicating with the information processing device, and a second communication device different from the first communication device, wherein the information processing device is equipped with an instruction means for transmitting instruction information to the first communication device indicating that setting information regarding communication between the information processing device and the second communication device is to be transmitted to the second communication device, and the first communication device is equipped with a transmission means for transmitting the setting information to the second communication device based on the instruction information indicating that the setting information is to be transmitted to the second communication device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 100 Communication Systems 201 PC 251 Printer 261 Printer

Claims

1. A program that causes a computer to execute a control method for a communication device that can communicate with an information processing device, The control method for the communication device includes: performing a search process to search for at least one communication device operating in a predetermined mode for receiving configuration information; When another communication device is detected by the search process, transmitting predetermined information corresponding to the fact that the other communication device has been detected by the search process to the information processing device; receiving instruction information transmitted from the information processing device based on the transmission of the predetermined information; when instruction information is received from the information processing device, establishing a direct connection for direct communication with the other communication device without going through an external access point; and transmitting, to the other communication device, information used for connecting to an access point to which the communication device was connected before the direct connection was established and configuration information that is information related to communication with the other communication device, using the direct communication; The program, wherein the setting information includes an SSID used to connect to an access point to which the communication device is connected before the direct connection is established.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the setting information is network setting information relating to communication between the information processing device and the other communication device.

3. The program described in Claim 2, characterized in that it causes the communication device to send non-network setting information different from the network setting information to the other communication device based on the received instruction information.

4. 4. The program according to claim 3, wherein the non-network setting information is setting information selected by a user from among a plurality of setting information stored in a storage unit of the communication device.

5. The program according to claim 3, characterized in that the non-network setting information is setting information stored in a storage means of the communication device and selected by a user from setting information that can be set by the other communication device.

6. 4. The program according to claim 3, wherein the non-network setting information is setting information that can be set by the other communication device, among a plurality of setting information stored in a storage unit of the communication device.

7. The program described in claim 3, characterized in that the communication device is caused to transmit the non-network setting information to the other communication device at a predetermined timing after the other communication device joins the same network as the information processing device and the communication device using the network setting information.

8. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that the communication device performs wireless communication with the information processing device via a wireless relay device connected to the information processing device via a wired LAN.

9. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that the communication device performs wireless communication with the information processing device via a wireless relay device connected to the information processing device via a wireless LAN.

10. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the communication device and the other communication device are printers.

11. 4. The program according to claim 3, wherein the non-network setting information is setting information used in a print process for printing an image on a print medium.

12. 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the program causes the communication device to transmit the network setting information to the other communication device when the network setting information matches the network setting information set in the information processing device.

13. A method for controlling a communication device capable of communicating with an information processing device, comprising: performing a search process to search for at least one communication device operating in a predetermined mode for receiving configuration information; When another communication device is detected by the search process, transmitting predetermined information corresponding to the fact that the other communication device has been detected by the search process to the information processing device; receiving instruction information transmitted from the information processing device based on the transmission of the predetermined information; when instruction information is received from the information processing device, establishing a direct connection for direct communication with the other communication device without going through an external access point; and transmitting, to the other communication device, information used for connecting to an access point to which the communication device was connected before the direct connection was established and configuration information that is information related to communication with the other communication device, using the direct communication; The control method, wherein the setting information includes an SSID used to connect to an access point to which the communication device was connected before the direct connection was established.

14. A communication device capable of communicating with an information processing device, means for executing a search process for searching for at least one communication device operating in a predetermined mode for receiving configuration information; means for transmitting, when another communication device is detected by the search process, predetermined information corresponding to the fact that the other communication device has been detected by the search process to the information processing device; a means for receiving instruction information transmitted from the information processing device based on the transmission of the predetermined information; means for establishing a direct connection for direct communication with the other communication device without going through an external access point when instruction information is received from the information processing device; means for transmitting, to the other communication device, information used for connecting to an access point to which the communication device was connected before the direct connection was established and setting information which is information related to communication with the other communication device, using the direct communication; The communication device, wherein the setting information includes an SSID used to connect to an access point to which the communication device was connected before the direct connection was established.

15. A system including an information processing device, a first communication device capable of communicating with the information processing device, and a second communication device different from the first communication device, the first communication device, performing a search process for searching for at least one communication device operating in a predetermined mode for receiving configuration information; When the second communication device is detected by the search process, predetermined information corresponding to the detection of the second communication device by the search process is transmitted to the information processing device; The information processing device includes: transmitting instruction information from the information processing device to the first communication device based on the transmission of the predetermined information; the first communication device, receiving instruction information transmitted from the information processing device; When the instruction information is received, a direct connection is established for direct communication with the second communication device without going through an external access point; Using the direct communication, transmit to the second communication device information used for connecting to an access point to which the first communication device was connected before the direct connection was established and configuration information that is information regarding communication with the second communication device; The system, wherein the configuration information includes an SSID used to connect to an access point to which the first communication device was connected prior to establishing the direct connection.

16. The setting information includes network setting information regarding communication between the information processing device and the second communication device, 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the information processing device is configured to shut down the first communication device after the first communication device has completed the process of transmitting the network setting information to the second communication device.

17. The system described in Claim 15, characterized in that the information processing device performs wireless communication with the first communication device via a wireless relay device connected to the information processing device by a wired LAN.

18. The system described in Claim 15, characterized in that the information processing device performs wireless communication with the first communication device via a wireless relay device connected to the information processing device by wireless LAN.

19. The setting information includes print setting information used in the print process, 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program causes the communication device to transmit setting information selected by a user to the other communication device via the information processing device.

20. The program described in Claim 1, characterized in that it causes the communication device to terminate a connection to an external access point used for communication with the information processing device, establish a connection for direct communication with the other communication device, and further re-establish a connection to the external access point when the setting information is sent to the other communication device.