Non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer readable instructions for terminal device, terminal device and communication device

A first terminal device may obtain address information by using a communication device different from the first terminal device, the address information being for sending information to a second terminal device different from both the first terminal device and the communication device; send connection information to the communication device, the connection information being for the communication device to connect to a network; and after the connection information has been sent to the communication device, send notification information with the obtained address information as a destination, the notification information indicating that the connection information has been sent to the communication device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-063609, filed on Mar. 31, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure herein relates to art in which connection information for connecting a communication device to a network is communicated between a terminal device and the communication device.

BACKGROUND

Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP) scheme, which is a scheme for establishing a wireless connection between a pair of devices, is known.

SUMMARY

For example, it is assumed that after a worker has connected a communication device to a network by using a terminal device, information related to this connection should be notified to another worker. In such a situation, the worker may call the other worker to notify the information, for example. Alternatively, the worker may activate a mailer in the terminal device and manually input an e-mail address of the other worker to notify the information. It is desirable to reduce such workload.

The disclosure herein provides art that enables a reduction in workload on a user of a terminal device in a situation where connection information for connecting a communication device to a network is sent from the terminal device to the communication device and this sending of the connection information is to be notified by the user of the terminal device to another user.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer readable instructions for a first terminal device is disclosed herein. The computer readable instructions, when executed by a processor of the first terminal device, may cause the first terminal device to: obtain address information by using a communication device different from the first terminal device, the address information being for sending information to a second terminal device different from both the first terminal device and the communication device; send connection information to the communication device, the connection information being for the communication device to connect to a network; and after the connection information has been sent to the communication device, send notification information with the obtained address information as a destination, the notification information indicating that the connection information has been sent to the communication device.

Also, a communication device is disclosed herein. The communication device may include: an output unit; a memory storing address information for sending information to a second terminal device different from the communication device; and a controller. The controller may be configured to: cause the output unit to output the address information in the memory, wherein the address information is obtained by a first terminal device different from both the communication device and the second terminal device; receive connection information from the first terminal device, the connection information being for the communication device to connect to a network, wherein in a case where the connection information is sent to the communication device, the first terminal device sends notification information by using the address information as a destination, the notification information indicating that the connection information has been sent to the communication device; in a case where the connection information is received from the first terminal device, connect the communication device to the network by using the connection information; and after the communication device has been connected to the network, execute predetermined communication via Internet by using the network with the second terminal device which has received the notification information.

A computer-readable recording medium storing the aforementioned computer program for the first terminal device, the first terminal device itself, and a method executed by the first terminal device are also novel and useful. A computer program for the aforementioned communication device, a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, and a method executed by the communication device are also novel and useful. Further, a communication system that comprises the first terminal device and the communication device is also novel and useful.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview of Embodiment; FIG.1

An overview of an embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.1. In the present embodiment, a purchased printer10stored in a warehouse of a business entity is shipped to a certain office of this business entity according to an instruction from an administrator who belongs to a network administration department of the business entity. The administration department, the warehouse, and the office are respectively situated at different locations.

A PC100M used by the administrator is installed in the administration department. The PC100M is connected to the Internet6. An administrator e-mail address “MA1”, which is an e-mail address of the administrator, is set in the PC100M. Hereinbelow, an e-mail address will be denoted simply as “MA”. The administrator gives a shipping instruction to a worker in the warehouse (hereinbelow, termed “warehouse worker”) by using a contact measure such as telephone, e-mail, or the like. Specifically, the administrator informs the warehouse worker of the administrator MA “MA1”, shipping destination office information (such as the address of the office), and an IP address “IPpr” to be set in the printer10.

A PC100A used by the warehouse worker is installed in the warehouse. The PC100A is connected to the Internet6. The warehouse stores a plurality of purchased printers including the printer10. The warehouse worker performs a setting process on the printer10according to the shipping instruction from the administrator. Specifically, the warehouse worker connects the PC100A to the printer10via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable and sets the administrator MA “MA1” and the IP address “IPpr” in the printer10by using the PC100A. When completing the setting process on the printer10, the warehouse worker ships the printer10to the office identified by the shipping destination office information.

An access point8(hereinbelow, an access point will be denoted simply as “AP”) and a terminal200used by a worker in the office (hereinbelow, termed “office worker”) are installed in the office. The AP8forms a wireless Local Area Network (LAN)4and is connected to the Internet6. The terminal200is connected to the wireless LAN4. The office worker uses the terminal200to cause the terminal200to obtain the administrator MA “MA1” and the IP address “IPpr” set in the printer10. The terminal200further sends to the printer10information for establishing a Wi-Fi connection between the printer10and the AP8. As a result, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer10and the AP8. Then, the terminal200sends a notification e-mail with the obtained administrator MA “MA1” as the destination. The notification e-mail indicates that the aforementioned information has been sent to the printer10, that is, that the printer10has been connected to the wireless LAN4formed by the AP8.

The above notification e-mail is received by the PC100M of the administrator via an e-mail server60. The e-mail server60serves as both a Post Office Protocol (POP) server, which is an e-mail receiving server, and a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) server, which is an e-mail sending server. The administrator can acknowledge that the printer10has been connected to the wireless LAN4by reading the notification e-mail. In this case, the administrator registers information related to the printer10to a service provision server (hereinbelow denoted simply as “SP server”)50on the Internet6by using the PC100M. The SP server50is installed on the Internet6by a vendor of the printer10. In a variant, the SP server50may be installed on the Internet6by an entity different from the vendor.

Next, hardware configurations of the printer10and the terminal200will be described with reference toFIG.2.

The printer10is a peripheral device (e.g., a peripheral device of a PC) configured to execute a print function. In a variant, the printer10may be a multi-function device configured to execute a scan function, a FAX function, and the like in addition to the print function. The printer10is further includes a web server function. The printer10includes an operation unit12, a display unit14, a print executing unit16, a network interface18(hereinbelow, an interface will be denoted simply as “I/F”), a USB I/F20, and a controller30. The units12to30are connected to a bus line (reference sign omitted).

The operation unit12is provided with a plurality of keys. A user can input various instructions to the printer10by operating the operation unit12. The display unit14is a display configured to display various types of information. The print executing unit16is provided with a print mechanism of an inkjet scheme, a laser scheme, or the like. The USB I/F20is an I/F to which a USB cable can be connected.

The network I/F18is a wireless interface configured to execute Wi-Fi communication according to Wi-Fi standard. The Wi-Fi standard is, for example, a standard for executing wireless communication according to the 802.11 standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) or standards complying therewith (such as 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n). The network I/F18supports Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP) scheme established by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The DPP scheme is described in the Standard “Device Provisioning Protocol Specification Version 1.1.13” created by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

The controller30is provided with a CPU32and a memory34. The CPU32is configured to execute various processes according to a program36stored in the memory34. The memory34is configured of a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The memory34has been storing a public key “PPK” of the printer10, a serial number “1234” of the printer10, and a MAC address “MACpr” of the network I/F18since a shipping stage of the printer10(i.e., before the printer10was stored in the warehouse).

The terminal200is a portable terminal device such as a cellphone (e.g., a smartphone), a PDA, or a tablet PC. In a variant, it may be a stationary terminal device. The terminal200includes an operation unit212, a display unit214, a camera216, a network I/F218, and a controller230. The units212to230are connected to a bus line (reference sign omitted).

The operation unit212is provided with a plurality of keys. A user can input various instructions to the terminal200by operating the operation unit212. The display unit214is a display configured to display various types of information. The camera216is a device configured to capture images of objects. In the present embodiment, the camera216is used to capture a QR Code (registered trademark) displayed by the printer10. The network I/F218is a wireless I/F configured to execute Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi standard. The network I/F218supports the DPP scheme.

The controller230is provided with a CPU232and a memory234. The CPU232is configured to execute various processes according to an OS program236and an application238stored in the memory234. The memory234is configured of a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The OS program236is a program for executing basic processes. The application238is a program for executing processes according to the DPP scheme and sending a notification e-mail to an MA obtained through the processes. The application238is installed in the terminal200from a server provided by the vendor of the printer10or a storage medium.

Next, a process executed in the warehouse will be described with reference toFIG.3. As described, the printer10stores in advance the public key “PPK”, the serial number “1234”, and the MAC address “MACpr”. Hereinbelow, to facilitate understanding, processes executed by a CPU (such as the CPU32) of each device (such as the printer10) will be described with the device (such as the printer10) as the subject of action, instead of describing the CPU as the subject of action.

When receiving the shipping instruction from the administrator, the warehouse worker turns on the printer10in T10and connects the PC100A to the printer10via a USB cable in T20. In the following processes ofFIG.3, every communication between the PC100A and the printer10is executed via the USB cable. As such, in the following description, a phrase “via the USB cable” will be omitted in explaining processes related to the communication.

In T22, the PC100A accepts an operation for logging into the web server of the printer10from the warehouse worker. When accepting the login operation, the PC100A sends a top screen request to the printer10in T30.

When receiving the top screen request from the PC100A in T30, the printer10sends top screen data to the PC100A in T32.

When receiving the top screen data from the printer10in T32, the PC100A displays a top screen SC0represented by the top screen data in T34. The top screen SC0includes a plurality of buttons including a setting button for setting an MA and an IP address in the printer10(i.e., a letter string “MA and IP Address Settings”) and an input button for inputting a PIN code (i.e., a letter string “PIN Code Input”).

When accepting selection of the setting button in the top screen SC0from the warehouse worker in T36, the PC100A sends a setting screen request to the printer10in T40.

When receiving the setting screen request from the PC100A in T40, the printer10sends setting screen data to the PC100A in T42.

When receiving the setting screen data from the printer10in T42, the PC100A displays a setting screen SC1represented by the setting screen data in T44. The setting screen SC1includes a message that prompts the user of the PC100A (i.e., the warehouse worker) to input an MA and an IP address, an MA input box, an IP address input box, an OK button, and a cancel button.

As described, the warehouse worker has already obtained the administrator MA “MA1” and the IP address “IPpr” from the administrator. In T46, the PC100A accepts, from the warehouse worker, input of the administrator MA “MA1” to the MA input box, input of the IP address “IPpr” to the IP address input box, and selection of the OK button in the setting screen SC1. In response to this, the PC100A sends setting information including the MA “MA1” and the IP address “IPpr” inputted in T46to the printer10in T50.

When receiving the setting information from the PC100A in T50, the printer10stores the MA “MA1” and the IP address “IPpr” included in the setting information in the memory34in T52. As above, in response to receiving the MA “MA1” and the IP address “IPpr” from the PC100A, the printer10can suitably store these pieces of information. After this, the printer10accepts a turn-off operation in T60. As a result, the printer10is turned off. As described, the warehouse worker has already obtained the shipping destination office information from the administrator. Thus, the warehouse worker can ship the printer10to the office identified by the obtained shipping destination office information.

Next, a process executed in the office will be described with reference toFIG.4. In an initial state ofFIG.4, communication according to the DPP scheme has already been executed between the terminal200and the AP8. In this situation, the terminal200operates as a Configurator of the DPP scheme and the AP8operates as an Enrollee of the DPP scheme. The Configurator refers to a device that sends a Configuration Object to the Enrollee in Configuration of the DPP scheme. Hereinbelow, the Configuration and the Configuration Object will respectively be denoted simply as “Config” and “CO”. The Enrollee refers to a device that receives the CO from the Configurator in the Config. As such, a CO for AP is sent from the terminal200being the Configurator to the AP8being the Enrollee, and the CO for AP is stored in the AP8. The CO for AP is information to be used by the AP8to establish a Wi-Fi connection between the AP8and the printer10. Every communication executed by the printer10and the terminal200is executed via the network I/Fs18,218. As such, in the following description, a phrase “via the network I/F18(or218)” will be omitted in explaining processes related to the communication.

The printer10accepts a turn-on operation from the office worker in T110and accepts a setting button operation for establishing a Wi-Fi connection between the printer10and the AP8in T112. In this case, in T114, the printer10causes the display unit14to display a QR Code. This QR Code is a code image obtained by coding information including the public key “PPK”, the serial number “1234”, the MAC address “MACpr”, the administrator MA “MA1” (see T52ofFIG.3), and the IP address “IPpr” (see T52) which have been already stored in the printer10.

When accepting a camera activation operation from the office worker in T120, the terminal200activates the camera216and captures the QR Code displayed on the printer10(see T114) in T122. Then, in T124, the terminal200decodes the captured QR Code by using the application238to obtain the public key “PPK”, the serial number “1234”, the MAC address “MACpr”, the administrator MA “MA1”, and the IP address “IPpr”. In other words, the processes of T122and T124are Bootstrapping (hereinbelow denoted as “BS”) of the DPP scheme executed between the terminal200and the printer10. All the following processes executed by the terminal200are executed by the application238.

As above, the office worker can cause the terminal200to obtain the pieces of information stored in the printer10by capturing the QR Code displayed on the printer10with the terminal200. The office worker does not have to manually input these pieces of information to the terminal200. Thus, convenience for the office worker is improved.

When the BS is completed, the terminal200executes Authentication (hereinbelow denoted as “Auth”) of the DPP scheme with the printer10in T130. Specifically, the terminal200firstly generates a shared key by using the public key “PPK” and a private key (not shown) of the terminal200, and then generates encrypted data by using the shared key. Then, the terminal200sends an Auth Request including the encrypted data and a public key (not shown) of the terminal200to the printer10. This Request is a signal that requests the printer10to execute authentication and further includes information indicating that the terminal200is to operate as the Configurator. Hereinbelow, a Request will be denoted as “Req”.

When receiving the Auth Req from the terminal200, the printer10executes authentication for the encrypted data included in the Auth Req. When the authentication succeeds, the printer10sends an Auth Response indicating that the authentication succeeded to the terminal200. This Response includes information indicating that the printer10is to operate as the Enrollee. Hereinbelow, a Response will be denoted as “Res”. As a result of the Auth being executed, it is determined that the terminal200operates as the Configurator and the printer10operates as the Enrollee.

When sending the Auth Res to the terminal200(T130), the printer10executes Config of the DPP scheme with the terminal200in T132. Specifically, the printer10, which is the Enrollee, sends a Config Req to the terminal200which is the Configurator. This Req is a signal that requests the terminal200to send a CO for printer. The CO for printer is information to be used by the printer10to establish a Wi-Fi connection between the printer10and the AP8.

When receiving the Config Req from the printer10, the terminal200generates a CO for printer. The CO for printer includes a Signed-Connector (hereinbelow denoted as “SC”) for printer. Then, the terminal200sends a Config Res including the CO for printer to the printer10.

When receiving the Config Res from the terminal200(T132), the printer10stores the CO for printer in the memory34in T134. As above, to establish a Wi-Fi connection between the printer10and the AP8, the terminal200can send the CO for printer to the printer10(T132) by using the public key “PPK” (T130). The office worker does not have to manually input an SSID and a password of the wireless LAN4formed by the AP8to the printer10. As such, convenience for the office worker is improved.

Next, in T140, the printer10executes Network Access of the DPP scheme with the AP8. Specifically, the printer10firstly obtains the SC for printer included in the CO for printer stored in T134. Then, the printer10sends a DPP Peer Discovery Req including the SC to the AP8. This Req is a signal that requests the AP8to execute authentication. Hereinbelow, DPP Peer Discovery will be simply denoted as “Discovery”.

When receiving the Discovery Req from the printer10, the AP8executes authentication by using the SC for printer included in the Req. When the authentication succeeds, the AP8generates a connection key and sends a Discovery Res including an SC for AP in the CO for AP to the printer10.

When receiving the Discovery Res from the AP8, the printer10executes authentication by using the SC for AP included in the Res. When the authentication succeeds, the printer10generates a connection key. This connection key is identical to the connection key generated by the AP8. The connection key is shared between the printer10and the AP8in this way.

The printer10executes 4-way handshake communication with the AP8by using the connection key. As a result, in T142, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer10and the AP8. That is, the printer10connects to the wireless LAN4formed by the AP8.

When the Wi-Fi connection with the AP8is established in T142, the printer10sends a DPP Status Query Result (hereinbelow denoted simply as “Result”) to the terminal200in T144. This Result includes information indicating that the Wi-Fi connection has been established between the printer10and the AP8, that is, information indicating that the CO for printer has been sent from the terminal200to the printer10.

When receiving the Result from the printer10in T144, the terminal200generates a notification e-mail EM1. This notification e-mail EM1includes the administrator MA “MA1” obtained in T124as its recipient address. The body of the notification e-mail EM1includes information “successful” indicated by the Result, the serial number “1234” obtained in T124, the MAC address “MACpr” obtained in T124, and the IP address “IPpr” obtained in T124. Further, the terminal200generates a URL1which is used to access the web server of the printer10by adding a predetermined character string (such as “https://”) to the IP address “IPpr”. The body of the notification e-mail EM1further includes the generated URL1. In T150, the terminal200sends the generated notification e-mail EM1to the PC100M via the e-mail server60.

(Registration Process to SP Server50;FIGS.5and6)

Next, a process for registering information related to the printer10to the SP server50will be described with reference toFIGS.5and6. In an initial state ofFIG.5, a user name “UN” and a password “PW” of the administrator have been already registered in the SP server50.

The PC100M receives the notification e-mail EM1from the terminal200in T150ofFIG.4, and then accepts an operation for displaying the notification e-mail EM1from the administrator in T210ofFIG.5. As a result, the PC100M displays the notification e-mail EM1in T212. The administrator can identify the printer10based on the serial number “1234”, the MAC address “MACpr”, and the IP address “IPpr” in the body of the notification e-mail EM1. The administrator can acknowledge that the printer10has been connected to the wireless LAN4based on the setup result “successful” in the body of the notification e-mail EM1.

After that, the PC100M accepts an operation of designating a URL of the SP server50and an operation of inputting the user name “UN” and the password “PW” from the administrator. In this case, the PC100M sends a login request including the user name “UN” and the password “PW” to the SP server50in T220.

When receiving the login request from the PC100M in T220, the SP server50executes authentication for the user name “UN” and the password “PW” included in the login request. Since the combination of the user name “UN” and the password “PW” has been registered in the SP server50, the SP server50determines that the authentication is successful in T222. In this case, the SP server50generates a PIN code “C” in T224and stores the PIN code “C” in association with the user name “UN” and the password “PW”. Then, the SP server50sends the PIN code “C” to the PC100M in T230.

When receiving the PIN code “C” from the SP server50in T230, the PC100M displays the PIN code “C” in T232. As a result, the administrator can acknowledge the PIN code “C”.

After that, the operation for displaying the notification e-mail EM1is performed again by the administrator in T234, and the notification e-mail EM1is displayed again in T236. In T238, the PC100M accepts selection of the URL1included in the body of the notification e-mail EM1from the administrator. When accepting the selection of the URL1, the PC100M sends a top screen request including the selected URL1to the printer10in T240. Here, the communication between the PC100M and the printer10is executed via the Internet6with use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which is a virtual LAN. As such, the printer10can receive a trigger signal (i.e., the top screen request) from the PC100M over a firewall of the LAN4via the Internet6even though a trigger signal for initiating the communication between the PC100M and the printer10is not sent from the printer10to the PC100M. The VPN is also used in communication to be described hereinbelow (such as T242and T252ofFIG.6). Processes of T242and T244are similar to the processes to T32and T34ofFIG.3.

When accepting selection of the PIN code input button in the top screen SC0(see the top screen SC0in T34ofFIG.3) from the administrator in T250ofFIG.6, the PC100M sends an input screen request to the printer10in T252.

When receiving the input screen request from the PC100M in T252, the printer10sends input screen data to the PC100M in T254.

When receiving the input screen data from the printer10in T254, the PC100M displays an input screen SC2represented by the input screen data in T256. The input screen SC2includes a message that prompts the user of the PC100M (i.e., the administrator) to input a PIN code, a PIN code input box, an OK button, and a cancel button.

As described, the administrator has already obtained the PIN code “C” in T232ofFIG.5. The PC100M accepts input of the PIN code “C” to the PIN code input box in the input screen SC2and selection of the OK button from the administrator in T258. In response to this, the PC100M sends the PIN code “C” inputted in T258to the printer10in T260.

When receiving the PIN code “C” from the PC100M in T260, the printer10sends a registration request to the SP server50in T262. This registration request is a signal for registering the printer10to the SP server50and includes the serial number “1234” of the printer10and the PIN code “C”.

When receiving the registration request from the printer10in T262, the SP server50executes authentication for the PIN code “C” included in the registration request. Since the PIN code “C” has been already stored in the SP server50(see T224ofFIG.5), the SP server50determines that the authentication is successful in T264. In this case, the SP server50identifies the user name “UN” associated with the PIN code “C” (see T224ofFIG.5). Then, the SP server50generates an access token “AT1” in T266. After this, the SP server50registers information related to the printer10in T268. Specifically, the SP server50stores the serial number “1234” included in the registration request and the generated access token “AT1” in association with the pieces of information stored in T224ofFIG.5. Next, the SP server50sends the access token “AT1” to the printer10in T270.

As above, the administrator performs the work for registering the information related to the printer10to the SP server50(see the processes ofFIGS.5and6), thus the office worker does not have to perform this work. Thus, the convenience for the office worker is improved.

When receiving the access token “AT1” from the SP server50in T270, the printer10sends the access token “AT1” to the SP server50in T280to establish an Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) connection, which is a so-called full-time connection, with the SP server50. The XMPP connection enables the SP server50to send information to the printer10over the firewall of the LAN4via the Internet6even though a signal requesting the information is not sent from the printer10to the SP server50.

After that, the SP server50sends a Subscribe request to the printer10using the XMPP connection (not shown). The Subscribe request is a signal that requests the printer10to periodically (e.g., every day) send remaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of ink in a cartridge attached to the printer10.

When receiving the Subscribe request from the SP server50, the printer10periodically sends the remaining amount information to the SP server50in T290. As a result, the SP server50can acknowledge the remaining amount of the ink in the cartridge attached to the printer10. Due to this, the SP server50can execute a process for shipping a new cartridge to the user of the printer10(i.e., the office worker) when the remaining amount is less than a threshold, for example.

Effects of Present Embodiment

Before explanation for effects of the present embodiment, a comparative example will be described with reference toFIG.7. In the comparative example, the administrator of the administration department firstly gives a shipping instruction to the warehouse worker in T300. This shipping instruction does not include the administrator MA “MA1”. In T310, the warehouse worker performs a setting process on the printer10according to the shipping instruction from the administrator. In this setting process, the administrator MA “MA1” is not set in the printer10. Then, the warehouse worker ships the printer10to the office in T320. In T330, the warehouse worker informs the administrator of the shipping completion by using a contact measure such as telephone, e-mail, or the like. Specifically, the warehouse worker informs the administrator of the serial number “1234” of the printer10shipped to the office. As a result, the administrator can acknowledge that the printer10has been shipped to the office and that the printer10will be connected to the LAN4soon.

When the printer10has been delivered to the office, the office worker performs a process for establishing a Wi-Fi connection between the printer10and the AP8in T340. This process is the same as T110to T144ofFIG.4except that the administrator MA “MA1” is not obtained by the terminal200. When the printer10is connected to the LAN4, the office worker informs in T350the administrator of the connection completion by using a contact measure such as telephone, e-mail, or the like. Specifically, the office worker informs the administrator of the serial number “1234”, the MAC address “MACpr”, and the IP address “IPpr” of the printer10connected to the LAN4. As a result, the administrator can acknowledge that the printer10has been connected to the LAN4, that is, that the administrator can perform the work to register the information related to the printer10to the SP server50.

When informed of the connection completion from the office worker, the administrator performs the process for registering the printer10to the SP server50in T360. Specifically, the administrator firstly logs into the SP server50and obtains a PIN code (see T220to T232ofFIG.5). After this, the administrator operates the PC100M to perform the operation for logging into the web server of the printer10by using the IP address “IPpr” set in the printer10. As a result, the PC100M sends the top screen request to the printer10, and when receiving the top screen data from the printer10, displays the top screen SC0(see T240to T244). Processes after this are similar to the processes ofFIG.6.

Contrary to the above, in the present embodiment, the terminal200obtains the administrator MA “MA1” by using the printer10(T124ofFIG.4). Then, after the CO for printer has been sent to the printer10(T132), the terminal200sends the notification e-mail EM1with the obtained administrator MA “MA1” as the destination (T150). As a result, the administrator can acknowledge, by reading the notification e-mail EM1using the PC100M, that the CO for printer has been sent to the printer10, that is, the printer10has been connected to the LAN4. Therefore, the office worker does not have to inform the administrator of the connection completion as in T350ofFIG.7. That is, the office worker does not have to contact the administrator by calling the administrator or manually inputting the administrator MA “MA1”. As a result, workload on the office worker can be reduced.

Further, when the administrator uses the PC100M in response to reading the notification e-mail EM1, the printer10can suitably execute communication with the PC100M via the Internet6(T240and T242ofFIGS.5, T252and T254ofFIG.6).

In the above-described comparative example, the administrator has to manually input the IP address “IPpr” of the printer10to the PC100M to access the web server of the printer10in T360. To the contrary, in the present embodiment, the administrator can simply select the URL1in the notification e-mail EM1in T238ofFIG.5. Therefore, workload on the administrator can be reduced.

The printer10, the terminal200, the PC100M, and the PC100A are respectively an example of “communication device”, “first terminal device”, “second terminal device”, and “third terminal device”. The application238is an example of “computer readable instructions” for the “first terminal device”. The administrator MA “MA1”, the notification e-mail EM1, the serial number “1234” of the printer10, and the PIN code “C” are respectively an example of “address information”, “notification information”, “device information”, and “authentication information”. The serial number “1234”, the MAC address “MACpr”, and the IP address “IPpr” of the printer10are examples of “identification information”. The CO for printer and the public key PPK are respectively an example of “connection information” and “communication information”. The Result sent in T144ofFIG.4is an example of “result information”. The communication in T240and T242ofFIG.5and T252, T254, and T260ofFIG.6is an example of “predetermined communication”. The top screen request sent from the PC100M to the printer10in T240ofFIG.5is an example of “trigger signal”.

The process of T124, the process of T132, the process of T144, and the process of T150ofFIG.4are respectively an example of “obtain address information”, “send connection information”, “receive result information”, and “send notification information” by the “first terminal device”.

The display unit14is an example of “output unit” of the “communication device”. The process of T52ofFIG.3is an example of “store the address information” by the “communication device”. The process of T114, the process of T132, and the process of T142ofFIG.4are respectively an example of “cause the output unit to output the address information”, “receive connection information”, and “connect the communication device to the network” by the “communication device”. The processes of T240and T242ofFIG.5and T252, T254, and T260ofFIG.6are examples of “execute predetermined communication” by the “communication device”. The process of T262is an example of “register the device information to the server” by the “communication device”.

(Variant 1) The art described in the above embodiment is effective in situations different from the situation in the embodiment. Specifically, in a case where a client orders the printer10to a manufacturing business entity of the printer10, a worker of the manufacturing business entity may give the shipping instruction to a worker of a logistics business entity that is in charge of logistics for the manufacturing business entity (the logistics business entity may be the same business entity as the manufacturing business entity or a different business entity). The worker of the logistics business entity may perform the setting process on the printer10stored in the logistics business entity and then ship the printer10to the client. That is, in the present variant, the “administration department”, the “warehouse”, and the “office” in the above embodiment are respectively replaced with the “manufacturing business entity”, the “logistics business entity”, and the “client”. In another variant, in a case where a client orders the printer10to a sales business entity of the printer10, a worker of the sales business entity may give the shipping instruction to a worker in a warehouse of the sales business entity. The worker in the warehouse may perform the setting process on the printer10stored in the warehouse and then ship the printer10to the client. That is, in this variant, the “administration department”, the “warehouse”, and the “office” in the above embodiment are respectively replaced with the “sales business entity”, the “warehouse (of the sales business entity)”, and the “client”.

(Variant 2) The administrator may give the warehouse worker a shipping instruction including an IP address of the PC100M which the administrator uses instead of the administrator MA “MA1”. In this case, the warehouse worker inputs the IP address of the PC100M in T46ofFIG.3instead of the administrator MA “MA1” to set the IP address of the PC100M in the printer10. Then, the terminal200obtains the IP address of the PC100M in T124ofFIG.4, and sends a Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) command including the result information “successful” and the like with the IP address as the destination in T150. In the present variant, the IP address of the PC100M and the aforementioned HTTP command are respectively an example of the “address information” and the “notification information”.

(Variant 3) The terminal200may send the notification e-mail to the PC100M after the CO for printer has been sent to the printer10(T132ofFIG.4) and before the Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer10and the AP8. In general terms, “send notification information” may be executed after the connection information has been sent to the communication device. In the present variant, the notification e-mail does not include the setup result. In general terms, the “notification information” may not include the “result information”.

(Variant 4) The notification e-mail may not include the serial number “1234”, the MAC address “MACpr”, nor the IP address “IPpr” of the printer10. In general terms, the “notification information” may not include the “identification information”. In another variant, the notification e-mail may not include the URL “URL1”. In general terms, the “notification information may not be used by the second terminal device to execute the predetermined communication.

(Variant 5) The printer10may execute any one of processes of the following variants 5-1 to 5-3 instead of displaying the QR Code in T114ofFIG.4.

(Variant 5-1) The printer10may cause the print executing unit16to print the QR Code. In this case, the terminal200obtains the information such as the administrator MA “MA1” by capturing the printed QR Code. In the present variant, the process in which the terminal200obtains the information by capturing the printed QR Code is an example of “obtain address information”. Further, the print executing unit16of the printer10is an example of the “output unit”.

(Variant 5-2) The QR Code may be attached to a housing, a user's manual, or a packaging box of the printer10in the warehouse. In this case, the terminal200obtains the information such as the administrator MA “MA1” by capturing the attached QR Code. In the present variant, the process in which the terminal200obtains the information by capturing the attached QR Code is an example of “obtain address information”.

(Variant 5-3) The printer10may establish a Wi-Fi connection according to Wi-Fi Direct (WFD; registered trademark) scheme with the terminal200. In this case, the terminal200may receive the information such as the administrator MA “MA1” from the printer10by using the established Wi-Fi connection. In the present variant, the process in which the terminal200receives the information from the printer10by using the Wi-Fi connection is an example of “obtain address information”. Further, the network I/F18of the printer10is an example of the “output unit”.

(Variant 6) The communication according to the DPP scheme may not be executed between the printer10and the terminal200. In this case, in T114ofFIG.4, the printer10displays a QR code obtained by coding information (e.g., the administrator MA “MA1”) that does not include the public key “PPK”. The terminal200does not obtain the public key “PPK” in T124, and instead obtains the information such as the administrator MA “MA1”. T130to T144are not executed. Then, any one of the following variants 6-1 to 6-3 may be realized.

(Variant 6-1) The office worker may connect the printer10to the terminal200via a USB cable, for example. In this case, the terminal200may send authentication information used in an authentication server in a wired LAN to the printer10through the USB cable. After this, each of the terminal200and the printer10is connected to the wired LAN. The printer10is authenticated by the authentication server using the authentication information, as a result of which the printer10can execute communication via the wireless LAN. A process after this is similar to T150. In the present variant, the wired LAN is an example of the “network”, and the process in which the terminal200sends the authentication information to the printer10is an example of “send connection information”. Further, in general terms, the “connection information” may not be information for establishing a wireless connection with an access point, and the “code image” may not include the communication information.

(Variant 6-2) The printer10may operate as a Group Owner of the WFD scheme, and may display a QR Code obtained by coding an SSID and a password for WFD for establishing a Wi-Fi connection according to the WFD scheme with the printer10in T114ofFIG.4. The terminal200uses the SSID and the password for WFD to establish a Wi-Fi connection according to the WFD scheme with the printer10. Then, the terminal200sends an SSID and a password for AP for establishing a Wi-Fi connection with the AP8to the printer10by using the Wi-Fi connection according to the WFD scheme. The printer10establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the AP8by using the SSID and the password for AP. A process after this is similar to T150. In the present variant, the process in which the terminal200sends the SSID and the password for AP to the printer10is an example of “send connection information”. Further, the SSID and the password for WFD are examples of the “communication information”.

(Variant 6-3) The office worker may connect the printer10to the terminal200via a USB cable, for example. In this case, the terminal200may send an SSID and a password for SoftAP to the printer10through the USB cable. The SSID for SoftAP and the password are information for establishing a Wi-Fi connection with the terminal200operating as a SoftAP. The printer10uses the SSID and the password for SoftAP to establish a Wi-Fi connection with the terminal200. A process after this is similar to T150. In the present variant, a wireless network in which the terminal200operates as the SoftAP is an example of the “network”, and the process in which the terminal200sends the SSID for SoftAP and the password to the printer10is an example of “send connection information”.

(Variant 7) The PC100M may not execute the processes from T220ofFIG.5. In the present variant, the “predetermined communication” is not executed. Further, in the present variant, “register the device information to the server” may be omitted.

(Variant 8) The PC100M may send the printer10a status request that requests the printer10to send status information of the printer10and receive the status information from the printer10, instead of the processes from T220ofFIG.5. In the present variant, the communication of the status request and the status information is an example of the “predetermined communication”. Further, in the present variant, “register the device information to the server” may be omitted.

(Variant 9) The warehouse worker may directly input the administrator MA “MA1” to the printer10by operating the operation unit12of the printer10, instead of the processes of T20to T50ofFIG.3. In this case, the printer10stores the administrator MA “MA1” inputted by the warehouse worker. In the present variant, “store the address information” may be omitted.

(Variant 10) In the above embodiment, the processes ofFIGS.3to6are realized by software (e.g., the program36, the OS program236, and the application238), however, at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.