Patent Publication Number: US-2020285434-A1

Title: Apparatus setup system, apparatus setup method, and electronic apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2019-039661 filed Mar. 5, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to an apparatus setup system. The present disclosure further relates to an apparatus setup method using the apparatus setup system. The present disclosure further relates to an electronic apparatus included in the apparatus setup system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Typically, when an electronic apparatus (for example, device such as image forming apparatus) is replaced, a license is transferred from an old electronic apparatus to a new electronic apparatus. 
     In a known technical field of electronic apparatuses, an application software (application program. Hereinafter referred to as “application”) operates in the upper stage of basic software (including operating system and middleware. Hereinafter referred to as “platform”.) for operating an electronic apparatus. Further, an E-license key (hereinafter referred to as activation key) issued for license of an application is known. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     It is desirable to reduce a downtime without an activation key when an electronic apparatus is replaced, where the electronic apparatus has an application that requires an activation key for activation. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus setup system, including: 
     a first electronic apparatus; and 
     a second electronic apparatus, 
     the first electronic apparatus including
         a first storage device that stores an application and an application identifier unique to the application, and   a first controller module configured to generate a package file where an export instruction is input, the export instruction instructing to export an application, the package file at least including the application identifier and an electronic apparatus identifier of one different electronic apparatus,       

     the second electronic apparatus including
         a second storage device that stores an electronic apparatus identifier identifying the second electronic apparatus from a different electronic apparatus, and   a second controller module configured to
           where the package file is input, check the electronic apparatus identifier included in the input package file against the electronic apparatus identifier stored in the second storage device, and   where it is determined that the electronic apparatus identifier included in the input package file matches the electronic apparatus identifier stored in the second storage device, activate the application identified by the application identifier included in the package file.   
               

     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus setup method of setting up a second electronic apparatus executable by an apparatus setup system, the apparatus setup system including a first electronic apparatus and the second electronic apparatus, the first electronic apparatus including a first input module and a first controller module, the second electronic apparatus including a second input module and a second controller module, the apparatus setup method including: 
     inputting, by the first input module, an export instruction in the first controller module, the export instruction instructing to export an application; 
     outputting, by the first controller module, a package file where the export instruction is input, the package file at least including an electronic apparatus identifier of the second electronic apparatus and an application identifier unique to the application; 
     inputting, by the second input module, the package file in the second controller module; 
     where the package file is input, checking, by the second controller module, the electronic apparatus identifier of the second electronic apparatus included in the input package file against an electronic apparatus identifier stored in the second electronic apparatus; and 
     where it is determined that the electronic apparatus identifier of the second electronic apparatus included in the input package file matches the electronic apparatus identifier stored in the second electronic apparatus, activating, by the second controller module, the application identified by the application identifier included in the package file. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic apparatus, including: 
     a storage device; 
     an input module; and 
     a controller module, 
     the storage device storing
         an application,   an application identifier unique to the application, and   an electronic apparatus identifier identifying the electronic apparatus from a different electronic apparatus,       

     the input module being configured to input an export instruction and a package file in the electronic apparatus, the export instruction instructing to export the application, the package file being used to import the application, 
     the controller module being configured to
         generate the package file where the export instruction is input, the package file at least including the application identifier and the electronic apparatus identifier of one different electronic apparatus,   where the package file is input, check the electronic apparatus identifier included in the input package file against the electronic apparatus identifier stored in the storage device, and   where it is determined that the electronic apparatus identifier included in the input package file matches the electronic apparatus identifier stored in the storage device, activate the application identified by the application identifier included in the package file.       

     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of best mode embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an apparatus setup system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a hardware configuration of a first electronic apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  shows a hardware configuration of a second electronic apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  shows a functional configuration of the first electronic apparatus; 
         FIG. 5  shows a functional configuration of the second electronic apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  shows an operational flow of the first electronic apparatus and the second electronic apparatus; 
         FIG. 7  shows a network configuration of an apparatus setup system according to a modification example of the present embodiment; and 
         FIG. 8  shows a hardware configuration of a server apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     1. APPARATUS SETUP SYSTEM 
       FIG. 1  shows an apparatus setup system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The apparatus setup system  1  includes the first electronic apparatus  10  and the second electronic apparatus  20 . Each of the first electronic apparatus  10  and the second electronic apparatus  20  is, for example, an image forming apparatus (for example, Multifunction Peripheral, MFP). 
     The first electronic apparatus  10  is an old apparatus to be replaced. The second electronic apparatus  20  is a new apparatus to be carried into a site of the first electronic apparatus  10 . 
     In the first electronic apparatus  10 , a certain application is installed in the upper stage of a platform including an operating system and the like. 
     For example, a provider (application license seller, etc.) and a user (user of the first electronic apparatus  10  and the second electronic apparatus  20 ) have a license agreement, in which the application is installed in only one apparatus. In the present embodiment, the user activates the application with an activation key provided by the provider. As a result, it is assured that the application is installed in only one apparatus. 
     Various activation key modes are conceivable. In the present embodiment, an activation key is a text generated on a basis of an electronic apparatus identifier (serial number) unique to one electronic apparatus under a license agreement and an application identifier (serial number) identifying the application. 
     However, it may be burdensome for a user to file an application for an issue of an activation key. It may take time to issue the activation key. A provider may sometimes not issue the activation key promptly for sudden replacement. 
     In the present embodiment, when an electronic apparatus is replaced, an application for an issue of an activation key is not filed. Instead, an application is provisionally activated in a new electronic apparatus by means of provisional setup. In short, the second electronic apparatus  20  is set up in a provisional setup mode. As a result, it takes a shorter time for replacement. 
     The package file P, which includes information necessary for the provisional setup, is transferred from the first electronic apparatus  10  to the second electronic apparatus  20 . A method of transferring the package file P is not limited. 
     For example, in the present embodiment, a service person visits a client site of the first electronic apparatus  10 , and operates the first electronic apparatus  10 . The first electronic apparatus  10  outputs the package file P in the storage medium  40  such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. After that, the service person inputs the storage medium  40  in the second electronic apparatus  20  at a service center or the like. The second electronic apparatus  20  reads the storage medium  40 , and inputs the package file P in the read storage medium  40  in the second electronic apparatus  20 . Note that the package file P may be transferred online via a network. 
     2. HARDWARE CONFIGURATION OF ELECTRONIC APPARATUS 
       FIG. 2  shows a hardware configuration of a first electronic apparatus. 
     The first electronic apparatus  10  includes the controller circuit  11 . The controller circuit  11  includes the CPU (Central Processing Unit)  11   a , the RAM (Random Access Memory)  11   b , the ROM (Read Only Memory)  11   c , dedicated hardware circuits, and the like and performs overall operational control of the first electronic apparatus  10 . The CPU  11   a  loads information processing programs stored in the ROM  11   c  in the RAM  11   b  and executes the information processing programs. The ROM  11   c  is a nonvolatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU  11   a , data, and the like. The ROM  11   c  is an example of a non-transitory computer readable recording medium. 
     The controller circuit  11  is connected to the image scanner  12 , the image processor  14  (including GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)), the image memory  15 , the image forming device  16  (printer), the operation device  17  including the display device  17   a  (touch panel), the large volume nonvolatile storage device  18  such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), the facsimile communication device  19 , the network communication interface  13 , and the like. The controller circuit  11  performs operational control of the respective devices connected thereto and sends/receives signals and data to/from those devices. The operation device  17  (touch panel) is one mode of an input module. A sound input module including a microphone may be provided as an input module. 
       FIG. 3  shows a hardware configuration of a second electronic apparatus. 
     A hardware configuration of the second electronic apparatus  20  is similar to the hardware configuration of the first electronic apparatus  10 . The second electronic apparatus  20  includes the controller circuit  21 . The controller circuit  21  includes the CPU (Central Processing Unit)  21   a , the RAM (Random Access Memory)  21   b , the ROM (Read Only Memory)  21   c , dedicated hardware circuits, and the like and performs overall operational control of the second electronic apparatus  20 . The CPU  21   a  loads information processing programs stored in the ROM  21   c  in the RAM  21   b  and executes the information processing programs. The ROM  21   c  is a nonvolatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU  21   a , data, and the like. The ROM  21   c  is an example of a non-transitory computer readable recording medium. 
     The controller circuit  21  is connected to the image scanner  22 , the image processor  24  (including GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)), the image memory  25 , the image forming device  26  (printer), the operation device  27  including the display device  27   a  (touch panel), the large volume nonvolatile storage device  28  such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), the facsimile communication device  29 , the network communication interface  23 , and the like. The controller circuit  21  performs operational control of the respective devices connected thereto and sends/receives signals and data to/from those devices. The operation device  27  (touch panel) is one mode of an input module. A sound input module including a microphone may be provided as an input module. 
     3. FUNCTIONAL CONFIGURATION OF ELECTRONIC APPARATUS 
       FIG. 4  shows a functional configuration of the first electronic apparatus. 
     In the controller circuit  11  of the first electronic apparatus  10 , the CPU  11   a  loads an information processing program stored in the ROM  11   c  in the RAM  11   b  and executes the information processing program to operate as the input module  101 , the controller module  102 , and the output module  103 . 
     The input module  101  inputs an export instruction, the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1 , an application, and an application identifier in the controller module  102 . The electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  is a value unique to the second electronic apparatus  20 . The application identifier is, for example, a serial number, and includes information identifying the application. 
     For example, in the present embodiment, a service person inputs the export instruction by operating the operation device  17 . 
     For example, in the present embodiment, the service person inputs the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  by operating the operation device  17 . Alternatively, the input module  101  may download the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  from a server apparatus (not shown) via a network, and input the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  in the controller module  102 . 
     For example, in the present embodiment, the controller circuit  11  reads the application and the application identifier stored in the storage device  18 , and inputs the application and the application identifier in the controller module  102 . 
     Where an export instruction is input, the controller module  102  generates the package file P on the basis of the application, the application identifier, and the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1 . 
     The output module  103  writes the package file P in the storage medium  40 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a functional configuration of the second electronic apparatus. 
     In the controller circuit  21  of the second electronic apparatus  20 , the CPU  21   a  loads an information processing program stored in the ROM  21   c  in the RAM  21   b  and executes the information processing program to operate as the input module  201  and the controller module  202 . 
     The input module  201  inputs the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2  and the package file P in the controller module  202 . The electronic apparatus identifier Q 2  is a value unique to the second electronic apparatus  20 . 
     For example, in the present embodiment, the storage device  28  stores the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2 . The input module  201  reads the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2  from the storage device  28 , and inputs the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2  in the controller module  202 . Alternatively, the input module  201  may download the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2  from a server apparatus (not shown) via a network, and input the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2  in the controller module  202 . 
     For example, in the present embodiment, the package file P is stored in the storage medium  40 . The input module  201  reads the package file P from the storage medium  40 , and inputs the package file P in the controller module  202 . 
     Where the package file P is input, the controller module  202  determines whether or not the package file P matches a certain condition, decompresses the package file P, and provisionally sets up the application. 
     Functional configurations of the electronic apparatuses have been described above. Hereinafter, an operational flow of the electronic apparatuses will be described. 
     4. OPERATIONAL FLOW OF ELECTRONIC APPARATUSES 
       FIG. 6  shows an operational flow of the first electronic apparatus and the second electronic apparatus. 
     The controller module  102  of the controller circuit  11  determines whether or not an export instruction is input (Step S 101 ). For example, where the input module  101  inputs an export instruction in the controller module  102 , the controller module  102  determines that an export instruction is input (Step S 102 , YES). Meanwhile, where no export instruction is input in the controller module  102 , the controller module  102  determines that no export instruction is input (Step S 102 , NO). 
     Where an export instruction is input, the controller module  102  generates the package file P including an application, an application identifier, and the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  (Step S 103 ). 
     Subsequently, the controller module  102  controls the output module  103  to output the generated package file P to the storage medium  40  (Step S 104 ). 
     Note that, for example, in the present embodiment, the input module  101  inputs the export instruction and the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  on the basis of manual input of a service person. The output module  103  outputs the package file P by writing the package file P in the storage medium  40  such as a USB memory inserted by a service person. However, this is merely an example. Note that, in this case, the service person visits a client site of the first electronic apparatus  10  and operates as described above. 
     The package file P is output from the first electronic apparatus  10 , and is transferred to and input in the second electronic apparatus  20  (TR 201 ). For example, the package file P is transferred via the storage medium  40  and a service person. However, this is merely an example. 
     Where the input module  201  inputs the package file P (Step S 105 ), the controller module  202  of the controller circuit  21  determines whether or not the package file P includes an activation key (Step S 106 ). 
     Where the package file P has no activation key (Step S 106 , NO), the controller module  202  checks the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  included in the package file P against the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2  of the apparatus itself for check stored in the storage device  28  of the apparatus itself (the second electronic apparatus  20 ) (Step S 107 ). 
     Subsequently, the controller module  202  determines whether or not the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  matches the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2  (Step S 108 ). Where the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  matches the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2  (Step S 108 , YES), the controller module  202  installs the application such that a part of functions of the application, which is identified by the application identifier included in the package file P, is activated (Step S 109 ). The install for activating a part of functions will be referred to as provisional setup. 
     Details of the part of functions of the application activated by the controller module  202  are not limited. For example, in the present embodiment, in Step S 109 , the controller module  202  activates a function of changing setting of the application or newly configuring setting of the application. 
     The controller module  202  restricts a part of functions of the provisionally-setup application. Restricted functions are not limited. For example, in the present embodiment, the application is controlled such that the application is incapable of executing print jobs and the like. In addition, for example, the controller module  202  may control the application such that the application is incapable of using an API (Application-Program Interface) provided by the platform. Alternatively, the application may be controlled such that functions, which require authentication to use the second electronic apparatus  20 , are restricted. In this case, for example, an authenticated user is limited to a service person, and a user of the second electronic apparatus  20  may thereby be limited. 
     To activate an application or activation of an application at least means to install an application in an electronic apparatus and to establish a status where various settings of the application are acceptable, i.e., for example, a status where to display an application setting window is allowed. Then, according to the present embodiment, the second electronic apparatus  20  is capable of activating an application without an activation key. 
     There are levels of activation of an application. Then the processing from Step S 101  to Step S 109  of the apparatus setup system  1  realizes minimum-level activation. In the present embodiment, the following processing is further executed. As a result, full activation or finalized setup is realized, in which access to all the functions of the application is allowed. 
     Note that, for example, in the present embodiment, a service person inserts the storage medium  40  such as a USB memory in the second electronic apparatus  20  at a service center or the like to input the package file P. However, this is merely an example. 
     Meanwhile, the controller module  102  of the controller circuit  11  determines whether or not a function lock instruction is input (Step S 110 ). For example, where the input module  101  inputs a function lock instruction in the controller module  102 , the controller module  102  determines that a function lock instruction is input (Step S 111 , YES). Meanwhile, where a function lock instruction is not input in the controller module  102 , the controller module  102  determines that no function lock instruction is input (Step S 111 , NO). 
     Where a function lock instruction is input, the controller module  102  locks functions of the application installed in the first electronic apparatus  10  and inactivates the functions. In addition, the controller module  102  controls the output module  103  to output an activation key, with which the application is activated in one electronic apparatus (Step S 112 ). 
     An output mode of the activation key is not limited. In the present embodiment, for example, the output module  103  displays texts showing the activation key on the display device  17   a.    
     The activation key is output from the first electronic apparatus  10 , and is transferred to and input in the second electronic apparatus  20  (TR 202 ). For example, the activation key is transferred via the storage medium  40  and a service person. However, this is merely an example. 
     Where the input module  201  inputs the activation key (Step S 113 ), the controller module  202  of the controller circuit  21  activates all the functions of the application (Step S 114 ). 
     Note that, for example, in the present embodiment, a service person visits the client site of the first electronic apparatus  10 , locks the functions of the first electronic apparatus  10 , removes the first electronic apparatus  10 , carries the second electronic apparatus  20  into the client site, and executes finalized setup of the second electronic apparatus  20 . 
     According to the present embodiment described above, the first electronic apparatus  10  includes the controller module  102 . The controller module  102  generates the package file P including the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1 , which may be the same as the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2  of the second electronic apparatus  20 . The second electronic apparatus  20  includes the controller module  202  in which the package file P is input. The controller module  202  checks the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  included in the package file P against the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2 . Where the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  matches the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2 , the controller module  202  activates a part of functions of the application identified by the application identifier included in the package file P. As a result, the application is provisionally activated without an activation key, and an interface for various setting operations is thereby activated. As a result, a downtime is reduced. 
     5. MODIFICATION EXAMPLES 
     In the present embodiment, a data structure or a format of information included in the package file P is not limited. However, the controller module  102  of the first electronic apparatus  10  may encode the package file P to avoid changes of the file. Specifically, the controller module  102  encodes the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  of the second electronic apparatus  20  to avoid changes of the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1 . In this case, it is possible to prevent activation of an application in multiple electronic apparatuses by using the package file P output from one electronic apparatus (in this case, the first electronic apparatus  10 ). 
     In the present embodiment, when the input module  201  inputs the package file P in the controller module  202 , the controller module  202  confirms whether or not the package file P includes an activation key (Step S 106 ). After that, the controller module  202  checks the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  against the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2  (Step S 107 ). However, the order may be inversed. In this case, the controller module  202  firstly checks the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  against the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2 . If the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  matches the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2 , the controller module  202  determines that an activation key is not required. If the electronic apparatus identifier Q 1  does not match the electronic apparatus identifier Q 2 , the controller module  202  determines that an activation key is required. 
     In the present embodiment, when an activation key is input, the controller module  202  of the second electronic apparatus  20  activates all the functions of the application. However, the controller module  202  may activate not all the functions. Instead, the number of functions activated with an activation key may only be relatively larger than number of functions activated (provisionally setup) without an activation key. The number of activated functions in the provisional setup status is relatively smaller than the number of activated functions in the finalized setup status. In other words, functions are restricted in the provisional setup status. The reason is as follows. In the first electronic apparatus  10 , the application is still activated in the finalized setup status until functions are locked. 
     In an example of the present embodiment, a service person transfers the package file P (TR 201 ) and transfers an activation key (TR 202 ). However, an electronic apparatus may transfer them to another electronic apparatus via a network in the following mode. 
       FIG. 7  shows a network configuration of an apparatus setup system according to a modification example of the present embodiment. 
     In the present modification example, the apparatus setup system  1   a  includes the first electronic apparatus  10 , the second electronic apparatus  20 , and the server apparatus  30 . The first electronic apparatus  10 , the second electronic apparatus  20 , and the server apparatus  30  are communicably connected to each other via network N. 
     The configuration of each of the first electronic apparatus  10  and the second electronic apparatus  20  is the same as that of the embodiment, and will not be described. 
       FIG. 8  shows a hardware configuration of a server apparatus. 
     The server apparatus  30  includes the CPU  31 , the ROM  32 , the RAM  33 , the storage device  34 , which is a large-volume nonvolatile memory such as an HDD or an SSD, the network communication interface  35 , the operation device  36 , and the display device  37 , and the bus  38  connecting them to each other. 
     The controller circuit  300  includes the CPU  31 , the ROM  32 , and the RAM  33 . The CPU  31  loads information processing programs stored in the ROM  32  in the RAM  33  and executes the information processing programs. The ROM  32  stores programs executed by the CPU  31 , data, and the like nonvolatile. The ROM  32  is an example of a non-transitory computer readable recording medium. 
     In the present modification example, the server apparatus  30  transfers the package file P and the activation key of  FIG. 6  by using the network configuration and the hardware configuration. Further, the server apparatus  30  inputs the export instruction and the package file P. 
     Specifically, the controller module  102  of the first electronic apparatus  10  controls the output module  103  to output the package file P and the activation key to the server apparatus  30 . Further, the controller module  102  controls the input module  101  to input, to the controller module  102 , the export instruction and the function lock instruction input in the first electronic apparatus  10  from the server apparatus  30 . 
     The controller module  202  of the second electronic apparatus  20  controls the input module  201  to input, in the controller module  202 , the package file P and the activation key input in the second electronic apparatus  20  from the server apparatus  30 . 
     The controller circuit  300  of the server apparatus  30  receives the package file P from the first electronic apparatus  10  via network communication interface  35 . Then the controller circuit  300  temporarily stores the package file P in the storage device  34 , and controls the network communication interface  35  to send the package file P to the second electronic apparatus  20 . 
     According to the aforementioned modification example, a downtime may be reduced independent of work of a service person. 
     Any configurations disclosed in the present embodiment may be embodied in combination. 
     6. CONCLUSION 
     Typically, it is necessary to transfer a license and set up a new electronic apparatus at a site of an electronic apparatus. It takes time to transfer a license and set up a new electronic apparatus, which is a downtime. In other words, a user of the electronic apparatus is incapable of using the electronic apparatus during the downtime. Setup includes obtaining an activation key and application of the activation key in an electronic apparatus. 
     When an electronic apparatus is replaced suddenly, it may take long time to apply an obtained activation key after an application to issue the activation key is filed. In this case, according to the aforementioned method of transferring a license and setting up a new electronic apparatus at a site of an electronic apparatus, the whole schedule of replacement work may be longer or the work schedule may not be prepared, which is troublesome. 
     (1) To the contrary, according to the present embodiment, the first electronic apparatus exports a package file for transferring an application including the electronic apparatus identifier of the second electronic apparatus. When the second electronic apparatus imports the package file, the second electronic apparatus checks the electronic apparatus identifier included in the package file against the stored electronic apparatus identifier. Only if the electronic apparatus identifier included in the package file matches the stored electronic apparatus identifier after the check, the application is activated. According to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to issue an activation key or the like, which is used to activate the application by the second electronic apparatus for transferring a license of the application, to the second electronic apparatus. As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce a downtime without an activation key when an electronic apparatus is replaced, where the electronic apparatus has an application that requires an activation key for activation. 
     (2) According to the present embodiment, where the package file for transferring an application fails to include an activation key to activate the application in the second electronic apparatus, the second electronic apparatus checks the electronic apparatus identifier included in the package file against the stored electronic apparatus identifier, and activates the application. As a result, according to the present embodiment, even if an activation key is not issued to the second electronic apparatus, it is possible to reduce a downtime when an electronic apparatus is replaced, where the electronic apparatus has an application that requires transfer of a license. 
     (3) According to the present embodiment, the number of functions activated with an activation key is larger than the number of functions activated without an activation key. As a result, according to the present embodiment, functions are restricted when the application is activated without an activation key. As a result, a user of the second electronic apparatus is advised to have an activation key without losing an application provider&#39;s right unreasonably. 
     (4) According to the present embodiment, an application installed in the first electronic apparatus, from which the application is transferred, is inactivated. The second electronic apparatus outputs an activated activation key. As a result, according to the present embodiment, a downtime is reduced. Further, according to the present embodiment, an application provider does not need to issue a new activation key. As a result, a burden of the issue process may be reduced, which is beneficial. It is possible to reduce a situation where the application provider urgently supports a sudden application, which is beneficial. 
     (5) According to the present embodiment, a server apparatus inputs an export instruction in the first electronic apparatus, and inputs the package file in the second electronic apparatus. As a result, the input and output are executed independent of work of a service person or the like. 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof