Programs, control methods, communication devices, and systems

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

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Program, a method, Communication device , Reach and a system.

Background Art

[0002] When replacing an existing wireless communication device with a new wireless communication device, a method of transferring the setting information related to the wireless communication set in the existing wireless communication device to the new wireless communication device is known. As a related technology, the technology of Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In the technology of Patent Document 1, when an information processing device wirelessly connects to a new wireless communication device and accesses an arbitrary WEB page, a guidance page is displayed on the display unit of the information processing device. When the user performs a predetermined operation according to this guidance page, the setting information related to the 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

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

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

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

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the programThis is a communication device capable of communicating with an information processing device. A program that instructs a computer to execute control methods. And, The control method for the communication device includes the steps of: performing a search process to search for at least one communication device operating in a predetermined mode for receiving configuration information; if another communication device is detected by the search process, transmitting predetermined information corresponding to the detection of the other communication device 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; if 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 using the direct communication, transmitting configuration information to the other communication device, which is information used to connect to the access point to which the communication device is connected before the establishment of the direct connection and information related to communication with the other communication device, wherein the configuration information includes the SSID used to connect to the access point to which the communication device is connected before the establishment of the direct connection. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, configuration information set in an existing communication device can be transferred to a new communication device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a configuration diagram showing an example of a communication system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram that schematically shows the hardware configuration of the PC and printer. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the screen displayed on the display unit in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the handover instruction process executed on the PC. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the steps of the transmission control process performed in the printer shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows the steps involved in the network configuration process performed on the printer shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the procedure for the handover instruction processing performed by the PC in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows the procedure for the first setup process performed by the printer in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the procedure for the second configuration process performed by the printer in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in these embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present invention.

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

[0011] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a communication system 100 according to this embodiment. In Figure 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 this embodiment, a PC is used as an example of an information processing device, but the information processing device is not limited to a PC. For example, the information processing device may be a mobile terminal, smartphone, tablet terminal, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), digital camera, or other communication device. Also, in this embodiment, a printer is used as an example of a wireless communication device, but the wireless communication device is not limited to a printer and may be any other device capable of wireless communication with a PC. Other devices include, for example, a copier, facsimile machine, mobile terminal, smartphone, PC, tablet terminal, PDA, digital camera, music playback device, and television.

[0012] PC201 is connected to access point 101 via a wired or wireless LAN. A LAN (Local Area Network) is a local area network that connects devices within a room or building. A wired LAN is a type of LAN that uses communication cables as the medium for transmitting signals. A wireless LAN is a type of LAN that uses radio waves for wireless communication as the medium for transmitting signals, such as Wi-Fi. 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 wireless relay device.

[0013] Printers 251 and 261 are, for example, inkjet printers, full-color laser beam printers, and monochrome printers. Printers 251 and 261 may also be multifunction devices with multiple functions such as copying, faxing, printing, and scanning. In this embodiment, printer 261 is not connected to anything, while printer 251 is connected to access point 101 via wireless LAN. That is, PC 201 can communicate with printer 251 via access point 101, but not with printer 261. This method of connecting via access point 101 is generally called infrastructure connection (hereinafter referred to as "infrastructure"). Once infrastructure connection is established, printer 251 and PC 201 can communicate with devices belonging to the network formed by access point 101. Furthermore, if access point 101 is connected to the internet, printer 251 and PC 201 can also use the internet via access point 101.

[0014] Printer 251 stores transmittable information 259. Transmittable information 259 is configuration information that printer 251 is permitted to transmit to other devices such as printer 261, and includes, for example, network configuration information, print configuration information, and account configuration information. Network configuration information is information necessary for wireless communication with PC 201. For example, network configuration information is connection information (SSID (Service Set Identifier), password, etc.) for connecting to access point 101 used when printer 251 performs wireless communication with PC 201. Print configuration information and account configuration information are configuration information used by printer 251 for printing. Print configuration information is, for example, configuration information indicating the types of paper available on printer 251, and configuration information such as margins for printing. Account configuration information is, for example, the username and password used when using services that print over the internet, such as cloud printing.

[0015] The printer 261 stores a list of transferable information 269. The list of transferable information 269 is a list of setting information supported by the printer 261, that is, a list of setting information that can be set in 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. Also, the printer 251 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 in the printer 261 which is the data transfer destination, for example, print setting information or account setting information. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the printer 251 transmits 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 the present embodiment, a case where the printer 251 as an existing wireless communication device is replaced with the printer 261 as a new wireless communication device is assumed, and the process of transferring the network setting information of the printer 251 to the printer 261 will be described. In the communication system 100, this process is realized by the cooperation of the PC 201, the printer 251, and the printer 261.

[0018] In this case, it may not be possible to transfer the wireless communication settings to the new wireless communication device, printer 261. For example, in a configuration where printer 261 (the new wireless communication device) and printer 251 (the existing wireless communication device) each communicate wirelessly with PC 201 (the information processing device) via an access point, PC 201 may not be able to establish a wireless connection with printer 261. Such cases where a wireless connection cannot be established may occur, for example, when printer 261 is too far away from PC 201 to communicate wirelessly, or when PC 201 does not have wireless communication capabilities and is connected to the access point via a wired connection. In such cases, PC 201 does not display a guidance page showing how to transfer wireless communication information, and therefore cannot transfer the wireless communication information set on printer 251 to printer 261.

[0019] Therefore, in this embodiment, the printer 251 that is the source of the data transfer searches for the destination of the data transfer according to instructions from the PC 201. The printer 251 also disconnects the wireless connection with the PC 201 and establishes a wireless connection with the printer 261 that will receive the data. Furthermore, the printer 251 sends the network settings information from among the multiple settings information it holds to the printer 261. With this configuration, even if the PC 201 cannot establish a wireless connection with the destination printer 261, the network settings information can still be sent to the printer 261. In other words, the network settings information set on the source printer 251 can be transferred to the destination printer 261.

[0020] In the communication system 100, when a user inputs an instruction to either PC 201, printer 251, or printer 261, a process is executed to transfer the network settings information of printer 251 to printer 261. However, there are cases where the display or operation panel on printers 251 and 261 is small, or where printers 251 and 261 do not have a display or operation panel. In such cases, it is difficult for the user to input an instruction to printer 251 or printer 261 to execute the process of transferring the network settings information of printer 251 to printer 261. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration is described in which the user inputs an instruction to PC 201 to execute the process of transferring the network settings information of printer 251 to printer 261. Alternatively, the user may input an instruction to printer 251 or printer 261 to execute the process of transferring the network settings information of printer 251 to printer 261.

[0021] Next, we will describe the hardware configuration of PC201, printer 251, and printer 261. Figure 2 is a block diagram that schematically shows the hardware configuration of PC201, printer 251, and printer 261 in Figure 1.

[0022] In Figure 2, PC201 includes an input interface 202, a CPU 203, a ROM 204, an output interface 205, a RAM 206, an external storage device 207, a network interface 208, a USB interface 209, and a display unit 210. The input interface 202, CPU 203, ROM 204, output interface 205, RAM 206, external storage device 207, network interface 208, and USB interface 209 are connected to each other via a bus 211. USB is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus.

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

[0024] RAM206 consists of SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) and other components that require a backup power supply. Since RAM206 retains data through power supplied from a primary battery (not shown) for data backup, it can store important data such as program control variables without loss. RAM206 also includes a memory area for storing PC201 configuration information and management data. Furthermore, RAM206 is used as the main memory and work memory for CPU203.

[0025] External storage device 207 stores applications that provide print execution functionality, print job generation programs that generate print jobs that the printer can interpret, and other similar programs. External storage device 207 also stores various programs, such as information transmission and reception control programs that are sent and received with the printer connected via network interface 208 and USB interface 209, as well as various information used by these programs. The setup program, described later, is also stored in external storage device 207.

[0026] Output I / F 205 is an interface that controls the display unit 210 for displaying data and notifying the status of PC 201. The display unit 210 consists of LEDs (light-emitting diodes), LCDs (liquid crystal displays), etc., and displays data and notifies the status of PC 201. The display unit 210 may also be equipped with operation buttons such as numerical input keys, mode setting keys, OK keys, cancel keys, and power keys. This allows the display unit 210 to receive instructions from the user.

[0027] The network interface 208 controls communication processing via wireless LAN and wired LAN. Specifically, the network interface 208 connects to access point 101 via wireless LAN or wired LAN to perform data communication. The network interface 208 can also connect to access points 258 and 268, which will be described later. The USB interface 209 controls USB connections via USB cables. Specifically, the USB interface 209 connects to devices such as printers and external access points via USB to perform data communication.

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

[0029] The network interface 252 includes an access point 258 for the printer 251 to wirelessly connect with external devices. The network interface 252 controls communication processing via wireless LAN or wired LAN cable. In this embodiment, a wireless LAN configuration is used for wireless communication, but a configuration using, for example, Bluetooth, may also be used. Furthermore, the network interface 252 may have hardware that functions as an access point, or it may operate as an access point through software that enables it to function as an access point. In addition, the printer 251 may have multiple network interfaces 252 to communicate using multiple communication methods. For example, the printer 251 may further have interfaces that communicate using short-range wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth Low Energy, Near Field Communication, or Wi-Fi Aware.

[0030] RAM253 is composed of SRAM and other components that require a backup power supply. Since RAM253 retains data through power supplied from a primary battery (not shown) for data backup, it can store important data such as program control variables without loss. RAM253 also includes a memory area for storing printer 251 settings and management data. Furthermore, RAM253 is used as the main memory and work memory for the CPU 255. For example, RAM253 functions as a receive buffer for temporarily storing print jobs received from PC201, etc.

[0031] ROM254 is a memory (storage unit) that stores fixed data such as control programs, data tables, and OS programs executed by the CPU255. In this embodiment, the control programs stored in ROM254 perform software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt handling under the management of the embedded OS stored in ROM254. CPU255 is the system control unit and is a processor that controls the entire printer251. The print engine256 performs image formation processing to form an image on a recording medium such as paper by adding a recording material such as ink to the recording medium, based on information stored in RAM253 or print jobs received from PC201, etc., and outputs a printed document. A print job is job data that causes the printer to perform image formation processing.

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

[0033] Furthermore, RAM263, ROM264, CPU265, print engine266, and USB interface267 have the same function and configuration as RAM253, ROM254, CPU255, print engine256, and USB interface257 in printer251, respectively.

[0034] The network interface 262 includes an access point 268 for the printer 261 to wirelessly connect to an external device. The network interface 262 controls communication processing via a wireless LAN or wired LAN cable. The network interface 262 may communicate wirelessly with the printer 251 directly, or it may communicate wirelessly with the printer 251 via the access point 101. In other words, the network interface 262 may not only operate as an access point 268 itself, but may also operate as a slave device connecting to an external access point. In this embodiment, the division of processing between the PC 201, printer 251, and printer 261 is shown as an example, but the division of processing is not limited to this form and may be in other forms.

[0035] Next, the transfer of configuration information performed in the communication system 100 will be described. In this embodiment, as described above, we assume a case where the existing wireless communication device, printer 251, is replaced with a new wireless communication device, printer 261, and the network configuration information of printer 251 is transferred to printer 261. Also, as described above, PC 201 is in a state where it can communicate with printer 251 via access point 101, but it is not in a state where it can communicate with printer 261.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 210 in Figure 2. The various screens shown in Figure 3 are displayed on the display unit 210 of the PC 201 when transferring setting information. The various screens shown in Figure 3 are displayed on the display unit 210 when the CPU 203 of the PC 201 executes a setup program stored in the ROM 204 or external storage device 207. The setup program is a program that is started when setting up printers 251 and 261, and is a program that performs settings necessary for printing, such as network settings and installing printer drivers.

[0037] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the handover instruction process executed in PC201 in Figure 1. The handover instruction process in Figure 4 is realized when the CPU203 of PC201 reads a program, such as a setup program, stored in ROM204 or an external storage device207, into RAM206 and executes it. The handover instruction process in Figure 4 is executed, for example, when the user presses the OK button302 on the printer handover guidance screen301 shown on the display unit210 in Figure 3(a), or when the setup program is started.

[0038] In Figure 4, first, the CPU 203 displays the operation guide screen 303 shown in Figure 3(b) on the display unit 210 (step S401). The operation guide screen 303 is a screen that shows the operations required to set the printer 261, which is the data transfer destination, to 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 enters setup mode. Setup mode is a mode for performing network setup of the printer 261, and is a mode in which the printer 261 can receive network setting information wirelessly. When the printer 261 is operating in setup mode, it operates as a predetermined access point with a predetermined SSID. The predetermined SSID is a pre-configured SSID that cannot be changed by the user, and includes the serial number and model name, etc. The predetermined access point is an access point that is used only when the printer 261 is in 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. PC201 and printer251 can wirelessly connect to a designated access point. When PC201 and printer251 wirelessly connect to printer261 in setup mode, PC201 and printer251 can communicate wirelessly with printer261. Printer261 in setup mode can communicate wirelessly with PC201 and printer251 without going through access point101, but it cannot accept instructions to execute print processes. Note that printer261 may enter setup mode when it is powered on for the first time. After printer261 enters setup mode in response to the user pressing the handover button, the process proceeds to step S402 when the user presses the OK button 304 on the operation guide screen 303.

[0039] In step S402, the CPU 203 sends a command to acquire transfer-related information to the printer 251, which is the source of the data transfer. Upon receiving the command to acquire transfer-related information, the printer 251 performs the transmission control process shown in Figure 5.

[0040] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the steps of the transmission control process performed in the printer 251 shown in Figure 1. The transmission control process in Figure 5 is achieved when the CPU 255 of the printer 251 reads the program stored in the ROM 254 into the RAM 253 and executes it.

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

[0042] Next, the CPU 255 extracts information about the target access point from the acquired access point information (step S502). Specifically, the CPU 255 extracts information about the printer 261 that will enter setup mode and operate as a designated access point.

[0043] Next, the CPU 255 sends the handover-related information, including the access point information extracted in step S502 and the printer 251's transmittable information 259, to the PC 201 (step S503), and terminates the transmission control process. In this embodiment, a configuration in which the printer 251 extracts information about the access point to be handed over has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the printer 251 may send the information of all access points acquired in step S501 to the PC 201, and the PC 201 may extract the information of the access point to be handed over from the acquired access point information.

[0044] Returning to Figure 4, the CPU 203 of PC 201 receives data transfer-related information from the printer 251, which is the source of the data transfer (step S403). The CPU 203 extracts the access point information and the printer 251's transmittable information 259 from the received data transfer-related information. Next, the CPU 203 determines whether the extraction of the access point information and the printer 251's transmittable information 259 was successful (step S404).

[0045] If, in step S404, it is determined that the extraction of the access point information and the printer 251's transmittable information 259 has failed, the process proceeds to step S413, which will be described later. If, in step S404, it is determined that the extraction of the access point information and the printer 251's transmittable information 259 has been successful, the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, the CPU 203 displays the printer selection screen 305 shown in Figure 3(c) on the display unit 210. The printer selection screen 305 consists of a printer selection area 306 and selection buttons 307. The printer selection area 306 displays information about the printer to be transferred, based on the transfer-related information received in step S403. For example, it displays information such as the model name and serial number of the printer 261 that will enter setup mode and operate as a predetermined access point. For example, if there are two or more access point information entries in the transfer-related information received in step S403, the user can select the printer to be transferred from among 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 take over 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 information received in step S403 contains only one access point, the printer selection screen 305 does not need 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 handover information selection screen 308 shown in Figure 3(d) on the display unit 210. The handover information selection screen 308 consists of a selection area 309 and a selection button 310. The selection area 309 displays a list of setting information included in the transmittable information 259 extracted from the handover-related information received in step S403. When the user selects the setting information to be handed over to the destination printer (hereinafter referred to as "handover setting information") from the setting information displayed in the selection area 309 and then presses the selection button 310, the process proceeds to step S407. In this embodiment, all the setting information included in the transmittable information 259 may be designated as handover setting information. If all the setting information included in the transmittable information 259 is designated as handover setting information in this way, step S406 is not performed, and the handover information selection screen 308 is not displayed on the display unit 210.

[0048] In step S407, the CPU 203 sends a handover configuration execution command to the printer 251, which is the source of the data transfer, to execute the network configuration process shown in Figure 6. This handover configuration execution command includes information indicating the destination printer selected by the user (hereinafter referred to as "destination printer information") and handover configuration information. The CPU 203 waits until it receives a notification from the printer 251 indicating the result of the network configuration process.

[0049] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the network configuration process performed in the printer 251 shown in Figure 1. The network configuration process in Figure 6 is achieved when the CPU 255 of the printer 251 reads a program stored in the ROM 254 into the RAM 253 and executes it.

[0050] In Figure 6, the CPU 255 extracts the destination printer information and the transfer settings information from the transfer settings execution command received from the PC 201 (step S601). Next, the CPU 255 determines whether or not the extraction of the destination printer information and the transfer settings information was successful (step S602).

[0051] In step S602, if the CPU 255 determines that it has failed to extract the transfer destination printer information and transfer settings information, the process proceeds to step S611, which will be described later. In step S602, if it determines that it has succeeded in extracting the transfer destination printer information and transfer settings information, the process proceeds to step S603.

[0052] In step S603, the CPU 255 performs the wireless connection process with the printer to be taken over. Specifically, the CPU 255 saves the information of access point 101 to which printer 251 is connected, and then disconnects the connection with access point 101. As a result, printer 251 loses its connection to PC 201 for wireless communication. After disconnecting from access point 101, the CPU 255 establishes a wireless connection with printer 261, which is the printer to be taken over. The connection between printer 251 and printer 261 is a direct connection established by printer 261 operating in P2P mode. P2P mode is a mode in which the printer communicates directly with other devices such as PC 201 without going through external devices that form a network. Next, the CPU 255 determines whether or not the wireless connection with printer 261 was successful (step S604).

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

[0054] The CPU 255 of printer 251 compares the transferable information list 269 received from printer 261 with the transferable setting information extracted in step S602 (step S606). Based on the comparison result, the CPU 255 divides the transferable setting information into setting information that printer 261 can transfer and setting information that printer 261 cannot transfer, and saves them in RAM 253. The setting information that printer 261 can transfer is the setting information that printer 261 can configure, and the setting information that printer 261 cannot transfer is the setting information that printer 261 cannot configure. The CPU 255 also generates a configuration packet. The configuration packet includes, for example, the setting information that printer 261 can transfer and network setting information (SSID, password) for connecting to the access point 101 that was wirelessly connected to printer 251.

[0055] Next, the CPU 255 sends the generated configuration packet to the printer 261 using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) (step S607). SNMP is a protocol for monitoring and controlling devices (including printers) on the network to which a communication device belongs. By communicating via SNMP, the printer 251 can obtain and configure information from a database called MIB (Management Information Base) of the devices to be monitored and controlled. Based on the configuration packet received from the printer 251, the printer 261 identifies the access point 101 that was wirelessly connected to the printer 251 and searches for the identified access point 101. Then, the printer 261 sends a connection request to the detected access point 101 using the password contained in the configuration packet. Upon receiving this connection request, the access point 101 establishes a wireless connection with the printer 261. After that, the printer 261 processes the configuration information other than the network configuration information contained in the configuration packet. Once this process is complete, an infrastructure connection is established between the printer 261 and the PC 201, and the configuration information setting on the printer 261 is completed. Furthermore, printer 251 may obtain the network configuration information set on PC 201 from PC 201, and if this information matches the network configuration information set on itself, it may send the network configuration information to printer 261. This prevents network configuration information that differs from the network configuration information of the access point wirelessly connected to PC 201 from being mistakenly sent to printer 261.

[0056] After the configuration information for printer 261 is completed, CPU 255 performs a connection process with access point 101, which was disconnected in step S603 (step S608). This enables printer 251 to communicate wirelessly with PC 201 via access point 101. Next, CPU 255 sends a success notification wirelessly to PC 201 (step S609). The success notification includes information indicating that the configuration information has been successfully transferred to printer 261. The success notification also includes configuration information that could not be transferred to printer 261. After that, CPU 255 terminates the network configuration 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 connection process with access point 101, which was disconnected in step S603. This enables printer 251 to communicate wirelessly with PC 201 via access point 101. Next, CPU 255 sends a handover failure notification to PC 201 via wireless communication (step S611). The handover failure notification includes information indicating that the transfer of configuration information to printer 261 failed. After that, CPU 255 terminates the network configuration process.

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

[0059] If it is determined in step S409 that the transfer of configuration information to printer 261 has failed, the process proceeds to step S413, which will be described later. If it is determined in step S409 that the transfer of configuration information to printer 261 has been successful, the process proceeds to step S410.

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

[0061] If it is determined in step S411 that the printer 261 has been successfully detected, the process proceeds to step S412. In step S412, the CPU 203 displays the success screen 311 shown in Figure 3(e) on the display unit 210, indicating that the transfer of setting information has been completed. The success screen 311 displays a message indicating that the transfer of setting information to the printer 261 has been successful. The success screen 311 also displays setting information that could not be transferred to the printer 261. Note that the success screen 311 does not need to display setting information that could not be transferred to the printer 261. After that, the transfer 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 displays the transfer failure screen 312 shown in Figure 3(f) on the display unit 210, indicating that the transfer of setting information has failed. After that, the transfer instruction process ends.

[0063] According to the embodiment described above, the printer 251, which is the source of the data transfer, searches for the destination of the data transfer in accordance with instructions from the PC 201. The printer 251 also disconnects the wireless connection with the PC 201 and establishes a wireless connection with the printer 261, which will be the destination of the data transfer. Furthermore, the printer 251 sends the network setting information from among the multiple 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 sent to the printer 261. In other words, the network setting information set in the source printer 251 can be transferred to the destination printer 261. This enables communication between the PC 201 and the printer 261.

[0064] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the printer 251 that is taking over transmits to the printer 261 that is taking over settings information that is different from the network settings information from among the multiple settings information that the printer 251 holds. In this way, in addition to the network settings information, the transfer settings information can also be transferred to the printer 261 that is taking over.

[0065] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the transfer settings information is the settings information selected by the user from among the multiple settings information held by the printer 251. This allows the settings information selected by the user to be transferred to the receiving printer 261.

[0066] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the transfer setting information is the setting information that the transfer destination printer 261 can set, from among the multiple setting information held by the printer 251. This makes it possible to transfer the setting information held by the printer 251 that the transfer destination printer 261 can set to the printer 261.

[0067] In the embodiment described above, for example, PC201 communicates wirelessly with printer 251 via access point 101, which is connected to PC201 by a wired LAN. In this case, PC201 is a device that does not have wireless communication capabilities and cannot communicate wirelessly with printer 251 or printer 261 without going through access point 101, which is connected by a wired LAN. In such a configuration, network setting information for connecting to access point 101 can be easily transferred from printer 251 to the receiving printer 261.

[0068] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, PC201 communicates wirelessly with printer 251 via access point 101, which is connected to PC201 via a wireless LAN. In other words, PC201 is a device equipped with wireless communication capabilities. Even with this configuration, if the receiving printer 261 is too far away to communicate wirelessly with PC201 and therefore cannot establish a wireless connection with PC201, network configuration information can be transferred from printer 251 to printer 261.

[0069] In the embodiment described above, printers 251 and 261 are devices that perform printing operations to print images onto a recording medium. This makes it possible to transfer network settings information configured on the existing printer to the new printer when replacing an existing printer with a new one.

[0070] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the inherited settings information is the settings information used for the printing process. This makes it possible to transfer the print settings information held by the existing printer to the new printer when replacing an existing printer with a new one.

[0071] In this embodiment, after completing the handover instruction process, the CPU 203 may, with the user's consent, send a power-off command to the printer 251 that inherited the data. This prevents the printer 251 from being used to print instead of the printer 261 that inherited the settings information when printing is performed.

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

[0073] In the first embodiment described above, the selection area 309 of the transfer information selection screen 308 displays a list of setting information included in the transmittable information 259 of the printer 251. However, this list may include setting information that the printer 261 cannot set, raising concerns that the user may select setting information that the printer 261 cannot set on the transfer information selection screen 308. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a configuration is described in which the user is allowed to select only the setting information that the printer 261, the data transfer destination, can set on the transfer information selection screen 308. In the second embodiment as well, the same communication system 100 as in the first embodiment described above is used, and unless otherwise specified, the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment described above.

[0074] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the handover instruction process executed by PC201 in the second embodiment. The handover instruction process in Figure 7 is similar to the handover instruction process in Figure 4 described above, and the differences from the handover instruction process in Figure 4 will be explained below. The handover instruction process in Figure 7 is implemented by the CPU203 of PC201 reading a program such as a setup program stored in ROM204 or an external storage device 207 into RAM206 and executing it, similar to the handover instruction process in Figure 4. The handover instruction process in Figure 7 is also executed, for example, when the user presses the OK button 302 on the printer handover guidance screen 301 displayed on the display unit 210, or when the setup program is started.

[0075] In Figure 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 printer 251's transmittable information 259 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 printer 251's transmittable information 259 has been successful, the process proceeds to step S705. In step S705, the CPU 203 displays the printer selection screen 305 on the display unit 210, similar to step S405.

[0076] Next, the CPU 203 sends a handover setting execution command to the printer 251, the source of the data transfer, to execute the first setting process shown in Figure 8 (step S706). This handover setting execution command includes information about the destination printer, which is the printer 261 selected by the user as the destination printer on the printer selection screen 305. Thus, in the handover instruction process shown in Figure 7, unlike the handover instruction process shown in Figure 4, the handover setting execution command sent to the printer 251 in step S706 does not include handover setting information. The CPU 203 waits until it receives a notification from the printer 251 indicating the result of the first setting process.

[0077] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first setup process performed by the printer 251 in the second embodiment. The first setup process is for transferring the network setting information set in the printer 251 to the printer 261. The first setup process in Figure 8 is similar to the network setup process in Figure 6 described above, and the differences from the network setup process in Figure 6 described above will be explained below. The first setup process in Figure 8 is also realized by the CPU 255 of the printer 251 reading the program stored in the ROM 254 into the RAM 253 and executing it, similar to the network setup process in Figure 6 described above.

[0078] In Figure 8, the CPU 255 extracts the destination printer information from the handover setting execution command received from the PC 201 (step S801). Next, the CPU 255 determines whether or not the extraction of the destination printer information was successful (step S802).

[0079] If it is determined in step S802 that the extraction of the transfer 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 transfer destination printer information has been successful, the process proceeds to step S803.

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

[0081] If it is determined in step S804 that the wireless connection with printer 261 has been successfully established, the process proceeds to step S805. In step S805, CPU 255 sends a configuration packet to printer 261 using SNMP. This configuration packet contains network configuration information (SSID, password) for connecting to access point 101, which was previously wirelessly connected to printer 251. Printer 251 can obtain and configure information about printer 261 by communicating via SNMP. Based on the configuration packet received from printer 251, printer 261 identifies access point 101, which was previously connected to printer 251, and searches for the identified access point 101. Then, printer 261 sends a connection request to the detected access point 101 using the password included in the configuration packet. Upon receiving this connection request, access point 101 establishes a wireless connection with printer 261. In the first configuration process, unlike the network configuration process shown in Figure 6, no processing is performed to reflect configuration information other than network configuration information when the wireless connection between the printer 261 and the access point 101 is completed. Once 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 network configuration information on the printer 261 is completed.

[0082] After the network configuration information on printer 261 is completed, CPU 255 performs a connection process with access point 101, which was disconnected in step S803 (step S808). This enables printer 251 to communicate wirelessly with PC 201 via access point 101. Next, CPU 255 sends a success notification to PC 201 (step S809). This success notification includes information indicating that the network configuration information has been successfully transferred to printer 261. After this, the first configuration process is completed.

[0083] If, in step S804, the CPU 255 determines that the wireless connection with the printer 261 has failed, it performs a connection process with the access point 101 that was disconnected in step S803 (step S808). As a result, the printer 251 can communicate wirelessly with the PC 201 via the access point 101. Next, the CPU 255 sends a handover failure notification to the PC 201 (step S809). This handover failure notification includes information indicating that the handover of network configuration information to the printer 261 failed. After that, the first configuration process ends.

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

[0085] If it is determined in step S708 that the transfer of network configuration 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 network configuration information to printer 261 has been successful, the process proceeds to step S709. In step S709, CPU 203 searches for printer 261, which has taken over the network configuration information from printer 251 (step S709). In step S709, as with step S410 described above, a time limit may be set and the search may be performed multiple times. Next, CPU 203 determines whether or not it was successful in detecting printer 261 in step S709 (step S710).

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

[0087] If it is determined in step S710 that the printer 261 has been successfully detected, the process proceeds to step S711. In step S711, the CPU 203 sends a list request command to the printer 261 requesting the transmission of the transferable information list 269. Upon receiving this list request command, the printer 261 sends the transferable information list 269 to the PC 201. Now that the printer 261 has successfully established a wireless connection with the access point 101, the PC 201, printer 251, and printer 261 are all devices on the same network and can communicate with each other.

[0088] The CPU 203 of PC201 compares the transferable information list 269 received from printer 261 with the sendable information 259 of printer 251 included in the transfer-related information received in step S703 (step S712). The CPU 203 saves the matching setting information as transfer candidate information in RAM 206. Next, the CPU 203 displays the transfer information selection screen 308 on the display unit 210 (step S713). The selection area 309 of the transfer information selection screen 308 displays the transfer candidate information saved in RAM 206. Thus, in the second embodiment, the selection area 309 of the transfer information selection screen 308 displays only the setting information other than network setting information that can be set by printer 261. This allows the user to select only the setting information that can be set by printer 261 on the transfer information selection screen 308. When the user selects the inherited settings from the settings 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 sends a handover setting execution command to the printer 251 to execute the second setting process shown in Figure 9. This handover setting execution command includes the handover destination printer information, which indicates the printer 261 selected by the user as the handover destination printer on the printer selection screen 305, and the handover setting information selected by the user on the handover information selection screen 308. The CPU 203 waits until it receives a notification from the printer 251 indicating the result of the execution of the second setting process.

[0090] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the second setting process performed by the printer 251 in the second embodiment. The second setting process is for transferring the inheritance setting information to the printer 261. The second setting process in Figure 9 is similar to the network setting process in Figure 6 described above, and the differences from the network setting process in Figure 6 described above will be explained below. The second setting process in Figure 9 is also realized by the CPU 255 of the printer 251 reading the program stored in the ROM 254 into the RAM 253 and executing it, similar to the network setting process in Figure 6 described above.

[0091] In Figure 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 transfer destination printer information and transfer settings 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 transfer destination printer information and transfer settings information has been successful, the process proceeds to step S903.

[0093] In step S903, the CPU 255 searches for printer 261, which is the printer to be transferred to, based on the printer transfer information extracted in step S901. Next, the CPU 255 determines whether or not it was successful in detecting printer 261 in step S903 (step S904).

[0094] In step S904, if the detection of printer 261 is determined to be successful, the CPU 255 generates a configuration packet containing the handover configuration information. For example, if the handover configuration information includes print configuration information, the configuration packet will contain the print configuration information for printer 251. Next, the CPU 255 sends this configuration packet to printer 261 using SNMP (step S905). Printer 261 then processes the information contained in the received configuration packet to reflect its configuration.

[0095] Next, CPU255 sends a success notification to PC201 (step S906). This success notification includes information indicating that the transfer of the settings information to printer261 was successful. After that, the second setting process is completed.

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

[0097] Note that PC201 may perform the process corresponding to the second setting process in Figure 9. Specifically, the CPU203 of PC201 obtains the inheritance setting information from printer 251 from among the multiple setting information stored in printer 251's ROM254, etc. Next, CPU203 sends the obtained inheritance setting information to printer 261. SNMP is used to obtain information from printer 251 and to send information to printer 261.

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

[0099] In step S716, if it is determined that the transfer of the settings information to the printer 261 has been successful, the process proceeds to step S717. In step S717, the CPU 203 displays the transfer success screen 311 on the display unit 210. In the second embodiment, as described above, the user has selected the transfer settings information from among the information that the printer 261 can set. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment described above, the transfer success screen 311 does not display any settings information that could not be transferred to the printer 261. After that, the CPU 203 terminates the transfer instruction process.

[0100] If it is determined in step S716 that the transfer of the settings information to the printer 261 has failed, the process proceeds to step S719. In step S719, the CPU 203 displays the partial transfer failure screen 313 shown in Figure 3(g) on ​​the display unit 210. The partial transfer failure screen 313 displays a message indicating that the transfer of the network settings information to the printer 261 was successful. The partial transfer failure screen 313 also displays a message indicating that the transfer of the settings information to the printer 261 failed. After that, the CPU 203 terminates the transfer instruction process.

[0101] As explained above, the transfer settings information is sent to the printer 261 at a predetermined timing after the printer 261, the data transfer destination, joins the same network as PC 201 and printer 251 using the network settings information. In this configuration, where the transfer information selection screen 308 is displayed on the display unit 210 of PC 201, PC 201 can obtain the settings information that printer 261 can set from printer 261 via wireless communication through the access point 101 without requiring the user to perform any special operations on printer 261. As a result, the user can select the transfer settings information from among the settings information that printer 261 can set.

[0102] (Other embodiments) The embodiments described above can also be realized by performing the following process: supplying software (programs) that realize the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and having the computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of that system or device read and execute the program. The program may be executed on a single computer or executed in conjunction with multiple computers. Furthermore, it is not necessary to realize all of the above processes in software; some or all of the processes may be realized in hardware such as ASICs. Also, the CPU is not limited to one CPU that performs all the processing; multiple CPUs may perform the processing in coordination as appropriate.

[0103] Furthermore, the functionality of the aforementioned embodiment is not only realized by the execution of program code read by the computer. It also includes cases where the operating system running on the computer performs some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of that program code, and the functionality of the aforementioned embodiment is realized through that processing.

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

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

Claims

1. A program that causes a computer to execute a control method for a communication device capable of communicating with an information processing device, The control method for the aforementioned communication device is: A step of performing a search process to find at least one communication device that operates in a predetermined mode for receiving configuration information, If another communication device is detected by the search process, the process includes transmitting predetermined information corresponding to the detection of the other communication device by the search process to the information processing device. A step of receiving instruction information transmitted from the information processing device based on the transmission of the predetermined information, When instruction information is received from the aforementioned information processing device, the process involves establishing a direct connection for direct communication with the other communication device without going through an external access point. The process includes a step of using the direct communication to transmit to the other communication device configuration information, which is information used to connect to the access point to which the communication device is connected before the direct connection is established, and information related to communication with the other communication device. The program is characterized in that the configuration information includes an SSID used to connect to the access point to which the communication device is connected before the direct connection is established.

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

3. The program according to claim 2, characterized in that the communication device causes the communication device to transmit non-network setting information different from the network setting information to the other communication device based on the received instruction information.

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

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

6. The program according to claim 3, characterized in that the non-network configuration information is configuration information that can be configured by the other communication device, among a plurality of configuration information stored in the storage means of the communication device.

7. The program according to claim 3, characterized in that the communication device causes the other communication device to transmit the non-network configuration information to the other communication device at a predetermined timing after the other communication device has joined the same network as the information processing device and the communication device using the network configuration information.

8. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication device is made to perform wireless communication with the information processing device via a wireless relay device connected to the information processing device by a wired LAN.

9. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication device is made to perform wireless communication with the information processing device via a wireless relay device connected to the information processing device by a wireless LAN.

10. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication device and the other communication device are printers.

11. The program according to claim 3, characterized in that the non-network configuration information is configuration information used in a printing process for printing an image on a printing medium.

12. The program according to claim 2, characterized in that when the network configuration information matches the network configuration information set in the information processing device, the communication device causes the communication device to transmit the network configuration information to the other communication device.

13. A control method for a communication device capable of communicating with an information processing device, A step of performing a search process to find at least one communication device that operates in a predetermined mode for receiving configuration information, If another communication device is detected by the search process, the process includes transmitting predetermined information corresponding to the detection of the other communication device by the search process to the information processing device. A step of receiving instruction information transmitted from the information processing device based on the transmission of the predetermined information, When instruction information is received from the aforementioned information processing device, the process involves establishing a direct connection for direct communication with the other communication device without going through an external access point. The process includes a step of using the direct communication to transmit to the other communication device configuration information, which is information used to connect to the access point to which the communication device is connected before the direct connection is established, and information related to communication with the other communication device. The control method is characterized in that the aforementioned configuration information includes an SSID used to connect to the access point to which the communication device is connected before the establishment of the direct connection.

14. A communication device capable of communicating with an information processing device, Means for performing a search process to search for at least one communication device operating in a predetermined mode for receiving configuration information, If another communication device is detected by the search process, means for transmitting predetermined information corresponding to the detection of the other communication device by the search process to the information processing device, means for receiving instruction information transmitted from the information processing device based on the transmission of the predetermined information, When instruction information is received from the aforementioned information processing device, means for establishing a direct connection for direct communication with the other communication device without going through an external access point, The device includes means for transmitting, using the direct communication described above, configuration information to the other communication device, which is information used to connect to the access point to which the communication device is connected before the establishment of the direct connection, and information related to communication with the other communication device. The communication device is characterized in that the configuration information includes an SSID used to connect to an access point to which the communication device is connected before the establishment of the direct connection.

15. 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, The first communication device is A search process is performed to find at least one communication device operating in a predetermined mode for receiving configuration information. If 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 aforementioned information processing device is Based on the transmission of the predetermined information, the information processing device transmits instruction information to the first communication device. The first communication device is The information processing device receives instruction information transmitted from the aforementioned information processing device. Upon receiving the aforementioned instruction information, a direct connection for direct communication with the second communication device is established without going through an external access point. Using the direct communication described above, the second communication device is sent configuration information, which is information used to connect to the access point to which the first communication device is connected before the direct connection is established, and information related to communication with the second communication device. The system is characterized in that the configuration information includes an SSID used to connect to the access point to which the first communication device is connected before the establishment of the direct connection.

16. The setting information includes network setting information relating to communication between the information processing device and the second communication device, The system according to claim 15, characterized in that the information processing device is configured to shut down the first communication device after the process of the first communication device transmitting the network configuration information to the second communication device is completed.

17. The system according to 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 according to 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 wireless LAN.

19. The setting information includes print setting information used for printing, The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication device causes the communication device to transmit setting information selected by the user via the information processing device to the other communication device.

20. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication device terminates its connection to the external access point used for communication with the information processing device, establishes a connection for direct communication with the other communication device, and further re-establishes its connection to the external access point when it has transmitted the setting information to the other communication device.

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