Patent Publication Number: US-10785379-B2

Title: Server system, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions for server system, and method performed by server system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-015093 filed on Jan. 31, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure herein discloses a server system providing a specific service. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     An information management server is known which provides a shipping service for automatically shipping a new ink cartridge when an ink remaining amount in an ink cartridge mounted in a printer becomes small. In order to receive provision of such a shipping service, a user operates a PC to access a website of the information management server, and obtains a PIN code from the information management server. Then, the user operates the printer to cause the printer to send the PIN code and printer information to the information management server. As a result, the printer information is registered in the information management server, and the information management server provides the shipping service by using the registered printer information. 
     SUMMARY 
     In the above technique, in order to access the website of the information management server, the user needs to input a URL of the website to the PC, or needs to search for the website. 
     The disclosure herein provides a technique for improving user convenience in registering service information in a server system. 
     A server system disclosed herein may be configured to provide a specific service. The server system may comprise: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing one or more computer-readable instructions therein, the one or more computer-readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, causing the server system to: in a case where first identification information for identifying a first apparatus is inputted to a first terminal device, receive the first identification information from the first terminal device; in a case where the first identification information is received from the first terminal device, generate a first Uniform Resource Locator (URL) indicating a location in the server system, the first URL including first related information being related to the first identification information; send a message including the generated first URL to a second terminal device; in a case where a selection instruction of selecting the first URL included in the message displayed on the second terminal device is inputted to the second terminal device, receive the first related information included in the first URL from the second terminal device; and in a case where the first related information is received from the second terminal device, send screen information to the second terminal device, the screen information representing a registration screen being related to a process for registering service information in the server system, the service information including information for a user of the first apparatus identified by the first identification information being related to the first related information to receive provision of the specific service from the server system. 
     A control method and computer-readable instructions for implementation of the server system described above, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium in which the computer-readable instructions are stored, are also novel and useful. A communication system comprising the server system described above and another device (e.g. at least one of the first terminal device, the first apparatus and the second terminal device) is also novel and useful. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a configuration of a communication system; 
         FIG. 2  shows a sequence diagram of a registration process; 
         FIG. 3  shows a continuation of the sequence diagram of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a continuation of the sequence diagram of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a sequence diagram of a cartridge shipping process; 
         FIG. 6  shows a sequence diagram of a registration process different from  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 7  shows a sequence diagram of a registration process of a second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     (Configuration of Communication System  2 ;  FIG. 1 ) 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a communication system  2  comprises a service server  100 , an account server  200  configured separately from the service server  100 , and a storage server  300  configured separately from the servers  100 ,  200 . The servers  100 ,  200 ,  300  are provided on the Internet  6  by a vendor of a printer (e.g.,  50 ), and are capable of executing mutual communication via the Internet  6 . The servers  100  to  300  are servers for providing a shipping service of shipping a consumable article (e.g., ink cartridge, toner cartridge, etc.) to be used in a printer (e.g.,  50 ) to a user of that printer. In a variant, at least one of the servers  100  to  300  may be provided by an operator different from the printer vendor. 
     The communication system  2  further comprises a store terminal  10  and a user terminal  40 . The store terminal  10  is a terminal used by an employee of a store selling a printer (e.g.,  50 ). The user terminal  40  is a terminal used by a user of the printer. Each of the terminals  10 ,  40  is a desktop PC (abbreviation of Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc. The terminals  10 ,  40  are capable of executing communication with each of the servers  100  to  300  via the Internet  6 . 
     Each of printers  50 ,  60  is a printer purchased at a specific store provided with the store terminal  10 , and is not currently connected with the Internet  6 . Upon being connected with the Internet  6 , the printers  50 ,  60  are capable of communicating with each of the servers  100  to  300  via the Internet  6 . A printer  70  is a printer purchased at a store other than the specific store, and is currently connected with the Internet  6 . The printer  70  is capable of communicating with each of the servers  100  to  300  via the Internet  6 . The printers  50 ,  60 ,  70  have serial numbers “br001”, “br002”, “br003”, respectively. 
     (Configurations of Servers  100 ,  200 ,  300 ) 
     The service server  100  is a server mainly for collecting information related to users receiving provision of a shipping service, and executing a shipping process of a consumable article. The service server  100  comprises a network interface  102  and a controller  110 . Hereinbelow, an interface will be denoted as “I/F”. The units  102 ,  110  are connected to a bus line (of which reference number is omitted). The network I/F  102  is connected to the Internet  6 . The controller  110  comprises a CPU  112  and a memory  114 . The CPU  112  executes various processes in accordance with a program  116  stored in the memory  114 . The memory  114  is constituted of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The memory  114  stores a model table  120 . 
     For each of the one or more printers, the model table  120  stores an association of a serial number (e.g., “br001”) for identifying the printer, a model name (e.g., “xxx”) assigned to the printer, and a list of ink cartridge names (e.g., “AAA”, “BBB”) that can be used by the printer. 
     The account server  200  is a server mainly for issuing accounts to users and for providing various screens for accepting user operations. The account server  200  comprises a network I/F  202  and a controller  210 . The units  202 ,  210  are connected to a bus line (of which reference number is omitted). The network I/F  202  is connected to the Internet  6 . The controller  210  comprises a CPU  212  and a memory  214 . The CPU  212  executes various processes in accordance with a program  216  stored in the memory  214 . The memory  214  is constituted of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The memory  214  stores a model table  220  which is the same as the model table  120  in the service server  100 . 
     In a case of receiving an instruction for registering account information from, for example, the user terminal  40 , the account server  200  generates account information AI and sends the generated account information AI to the user terminal  40 . Further, the account server  200  sends the generated account information AI to the storage server  300 . Thereby, the account information AI is registered in the storage server  300 . 
     The storage server  300  is a server mainly for registering information related to the shipping service. The storage server  300  comprises a network I/F  302  and a controller  310 . The units  302 ,  310  are connected to a bus line (of which reference number is omitted). The network I/F  302  is connected to the Internet  6 . The controller  310  comprises a CPU  312  and a memory  314 . The CPU  312  executes various processes in accordance with a program  316  stored in the memory  314 . The memory  314  is constituted of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The memory  314  stores an account table  322 . 
     One or more pieces of account information are registered in the account table  322 . Each account information is a combination of an account name indicating a user and a password. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the account information AI that was issued to the user of the user terminal  40  is registered in the account table  322 . Further, service information for the user to receive provision of the shipping service from the servers  100  to  300  can also be registered in the memory  314 . 
     (Processes Executed by Devices  10 , Etc.;  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 6 ) 
     Next, processes executed by the devices  10  to  70 ,  100  to  300  will be described with reference to  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 6 . In the present embodiment, various types of information for providing the shipping service are stored in the service server  100  when a printer is purchased by the user. After the purchase of the printer, service information including the various types of information is registered in the storage server  300  when the user terminal  40  and the printer are operated by the user. The shipping service for a consumable article using the service information is thereby started. Processes to realize this will be described in detail below. 
     Hereinbelow, for ease of understanding, when processes executed by the CPU  112 , etc. of the servers  100  to  300  in accordance with the program  116 , etc. are described, the servers will be described as subjects of action, and the CPUs are not described as subjects of action. Further, since all communications described hereinbelow are executed via the Internet  6 , the description “via the Internet  6 ” will be omitted. 
     (Registration Process;  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 4 ) 
     A process to register the service information in the storage server  300  will be described with reference to  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 4 . A user purchases one printer  50  at a specific store provided with the store terminal  10 . 
     When the printer  50  is purchased by the user, in S 10 , the store terminal  10  accepts input of the serial number “br001” for identifying the printer  50 , from an employee of the store. Further, the store terminal  10  accepts inputs of an e-mail address MA that can be used by the user and user information UI related to the user, from the employee. The mail address MA is a mail address of the user terminal  40  set in a mailer (not shown) of the user terminal  40 . The user information UI includes a name, an address, billing information (e.g., credit card information), etc. of the user. 
     In S 12 , the store terminal  10  sends a mail request including the serial number “br001”, the mail address MA, and the user information UI, to the service server  100 . The mail request is a command for requesting sending of an e-mail including the mail address MA as its destination. 
     Upon receiving the mail request from the store terminal  10  in S 12 , the service server  100  stores, in the memory  114 , each information (i.e., the serial number “br001”, the mail address MA, the user information UI) included in the mail request in S 20 . 
     In S 26 , the service server  100  generates a URL (abbreviation of Uniform Resource Locator)  500  “http://server200.com/?serial=br001”. The URL  500  includes a location string “http://server200.com” indicating a location within the account server  200  (e.g., a specific area in the memory  214 ), and a query string “?serial=br001” indicating a query. The query string includes the serial number “br001” stored in S 20 . 
     In S 28 , the service server  100  generates an e-mail EM 1  which includes the mail address MA stored in S 20  as the destination and includes a text in which the URL  500  generated in S 26  is written. In S 30 , the service server  100  sends the e-mail EM 1 . Thereby, the e-mail EM 1  is sent to the user terminal  40  via a mail server (not shown). 
     Upon receiving the e-mail EM 1  from the service server  100  in S 30 , the user terminal  40  (i.e., the mailer (not shown)) displays the e-mail EM 1  in S 32 . In S 34 , the user terminal  40  accepts a selection instruction of selecting the URL  500  in the e-mail EM 1  from the user. 
     The process continues to be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . In S 40 , the user terminal  40  (i.e., a browser (not shown)) sends a screen request including the URL  500  as its destination, to the account server  200 . The screen request is a command for requesting a registration screen that accepts an operation for registering the service information. 
     Upon receiving the screen request from the user terminal  40  in S 40 , the account server  200  obtains the serial number “br001” from the query string “?serial=br001” in the URL  500 , and then obtains the model name “xxx” and the cartridge names “AAA”, “BBB” associated with the serial number “br001” from the model table  220  in the memory  214 , in S 42 . Further, in S 42 , the account server  200  generates registration screen information that represents a registration screen by using the model name “xxx” and the cartridge names “AAA”, “BBB”. The registration screen includes a start screen SC 1 , a selection screen SC 2 , and an input screen SC 3 . 
     The start screen SC 1  is a screen indicating that an operation for registering the service information starts. The start screen SC 1  includes the model name “xxx”, the serial number “br001”, a printer image IM 1 , and a button B 1  for causing the selection screen SC 2  to be displayed. The printer image IM 1  is a photo image of the printer having the model name “xxx” obtained in S 42 . 
     The selection screen SC 2  is a screen for selecting a cartridge name of an ink cartridge to be shipped by the shipping service. The selection screen SC 2  includes the cartridge names “AAA”, “BBB” obtained in S 42 . The input screen SC 3  includes an input field IF for inputting the account information AI and a generation button B 2 . If account information that can be used by the user is not registered in the account table  322 , the user selects the generation button B 2 . Thereby, an instruction for registering account information is sent to the account server  200 , and account information that can be used by the user is newly registered in the account table  322 . 
     In S 44 , the account server  200  sends the generated registration screen information to the user terminal  40 . 
     Upon receiving the registration screen information from the account server  200  in S 44 , the user terminal  40  displays the start screen SC 1  in S 50 . By viewing the model name “xxx” and the printer image IM 1  in the start screen SC 1 , the user can learn the printer  50  for which the operation for registering the service information is to be executed. 
     When the button B 1  in the start screen SC 1  is selected in S 52 , the user terminal  40  displays the selection screen SC 2  in S 54 . By viewing the cartridge names “AAA”, “BBB” in the selection screen SC 2 , the user can learn the cartridge names “AAA”, “BBB” that can be used in the printer  50 . 
     The user selects, from among the cartridge names “AAA”, “BBB”, the cartridge name “AAA” indicating a cartridge which the user wishes to use in the purchased printer  50 . When the cartridge name “AAA” in the selection screen SC 2  is selected in S 56 , the user terminal  40  displays the input screen SC 3  in S 58 . When the account information AI is inputted to the input field IF in the input screen SC 3  in S 60 , the user terminal  40  sends the cartridge name “AAA” selected in the selection screen SC 2  and the account information AI inputted in the input screen SC 3 , to the account server  200  in S 62 . 
     Upon receiving the cartridge name “AAA” and the account information AI in S 62 , the account server  200  sends the account information AI to the storage server  300  in S 64 . 
     Upon receiving the account information AI from the account server  200  in S 64 , the storage server  300  succeeds in authentication of the account information AI in S 70 . In this case, the storage server  300  generates an account number “A01” which is a unique number, and stores the account number “A01” in association with the account information AI in the account table  322 . In S 72 , the storage server  300  sends a success notification indicating that authentication of the account information AI succeeded, to the account server  200 . The success notification includes the account number “A01”. 
     Upon receiving the success notification from the storage server  300  in S 72 , the account server  200  sends redirect information to the user terminal  40  in S 74 . The redirect information is information for causing the user terminal  40  to send a PIN (abbreviation of Personal Identification Number) request (to be described later) to the service server  100 . The redirect information includes the account number “A01” included in the success notification and the cartridge name “AAA” received in S 62 . 
     Upon receiving the redirect information from the account server  200  in S 74 , the user terminal  40  sends a PIN request to the service server  100  in S 76 . The PIN request is a command for requesting the service server  100  to send a PIN code. The PIN code is used when the service information is registered in the storage server  300 . The PIN request includes the account number “A01” included in the redirect information and the cartridge name “AAA” included in the redirect information. 
     Upon receiving the PIN request from the user terminal  40  in S 76 , the service server  100  stores the account number “A01” and the cartridge name “AAA” included in the PIN request in association with one another in the memory  114  in S 78 . In S 80 , the service server  100  sends, to the storage server  300 , a generation request for requesting the storage server  300  to generate a PIN code. The generation request includes the account number “A01” stored in S 78 . 
     Upon receiving the generation request from the service server  100  in S 80 , the storage server  300  generates a PIN code PC 1  which is a unique string, in S 82 . Then the storage server  300  stores the generated PIN code PC 1  in the memory  314  in association with the account number “A01” stored in S 70 . Thereby, the account information AI, the account number “A01”, and the PIN code PC 1  are associated with one another in the memory  314 . In S 84 , the storage server  300  sends the PIN code PC 1  to the service server  100 . 
     Upon receiving the PIN code PC 1  from the storage server  300  in S 84 , the service server  100  sends, to the user terminal  40 , PIN screen information representing a PIN screen SC 4  that includes the received PIN code PC 1 , in S 86 . That is, in S 84  and S 86 , the PIN code PC 1  is sent from the storage server  300  to the user terminal  40  via the service server  100 . 
     Upon receiving the PIN screen information from the service server  100  in S 86 , the user terminal  40  displays the PIN screen SC 4  in S 90 . The PIN screen SC 4  includes a character string indicating the PIN code PC 1  and a character string “Waiting” indicating that the process for registering the service information is being executed. 
     The process continues to be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . After viewing the PIN screen SC 4 , the user operates a printer (e.g.,  50 ) to input a PIN code (e.g., PC 1 ) to the printer. Hereafter, the printer operated by the user will be described as “target printer”, and the PIN code inputted to the target printer will be described as “target PIN code”. Since the serial number “br001” of the printer  50  was sent to the service server  100  in S 12  of  FIG. 2 , the service information for providing the shipping service for the printer  50  is supposed to be registered. For this purpose, the user is supposed to operate the printer  50  as the target printer to input the target PIN code to the printer  50 . However, it is possible that the user wrongly operates the printer  70 , which is different from the printer  50 , as the target printer, and wrongly inputs the target PIN code to the printer  70 . In the present embodiment, the service information is not registered in the storage server  300  in a case where such a wrong operation is performed since the process described below is executed. 
     Upon accepting input of the target PIN code from the user in S 110 , the target printer sends the target PIN code and a target serial number (e.g., “br001”) for identifying the target printer, to the storage server  300  in S 112 . 
     Upon receiving the target PIN code and the target serial number from the target printer in S 112 , the storage server  300  determines whether the target PIN code and the PIN code PC 1  in the memory  314  are identical in S 114 . For example, in a case where the user wrongly inputted a PIN code different from the PIN code PC 1  to the target printer, or in a case where a third party different from the user inputted a PIN code different from the PIN code PC 1  to the target printer, the storage server  300  determines that the target PIN code and the PIN code PC 1  are not identical (NO in S 114 ), and sends the target printer a failure notification indicating that authentication of the PIN code failed. In this case, service information is not registered in the storage server  30 . Further, for example, in a case where the user inputted the PIN code PC 1  to the target printer, the storage server  300  determines that the target PIN code and the PIN code PC 1  are identical (YES in S 114 ), and proceeds to S 118 . As such, since authentication of the PIN code PC 1  is executed, the service information can be registered in response to an instruction from an appropriate user. 
     In S 118 , the storage server  300  stores the target serial number in association with the PIN code PC 1  in the memory  314 . Thereby, the account information AI, the account number “A01”, the PIN code PC 1 , and the target serial number are associated with one another in the memory  314 . 
     Here, the service server  100  repeatedly sends an inquiry signal to the storage server  300  (S 100  and S 120  of  FIG. 4 ), with reception of the PIN code PC 1  from the storage server  300  as a trigger (S 84  of  FIG. 3 ). The inquiry signal is a signal for inquiring whether the storage server  300  has received the target serial number and the target PIN code from the target printer. The inquiry signal includes the account number “A01”. 
     In a case of receiving the inquiry signal before the target serial number and the target PIN code are received from the target printer (in a case of S 100 ), the storage server  300  does not send the service server  100  a response to the inquiry signal since the target serial number is not associated with the account number “A01” included in the inquiry signal in the memory  314 . Further, in a case of receiving the inquiry signal after the target serial number and the target PIN code have been received from the target printer (in a case of S 120 ), the storage server  300  obtains the target serial number associated with the account number “A01” from the memory  314 , and sends the target serial number to the service server  100  in S 122 . 
     Here, a comparative example is assumed in which repetitive sending of the inquiry signal is started at a predetermined timing before the PIN code PC 1  is sent to the service server  100  in S 84  of  FIG. 3 . The predetermined timing is, for example, the timing of sending the e-mail EM 1  in S 30  of  FIG. 2 . In this case, during a period from the sending of the e-mail EM 1  until the sending of the PIN code PC 1 , the inquiry signal is sent repeatedly despite the storage server  300  not receiving the PIN code PC 1 , and thus a communication load is high. In contrast, as in the present embodiment, the service server  100  starts repeatedly sending the inquiry signal with the reception of the PIN code PC 1  from the storage server  300  as the trigger (S 100 ). Therefore, the communication load between the servers  100 ,  300  can be reduced compared to the comparative example. 
     Upon receiving the target serial number from the storage server  300  in S 122 , the service server  100  determines whether the target serial number and the serial number “br001” in the memory  114  are identical in S 130 . For example, in the case where the user wrongly inputted the target PIN code to the printer  70 , not to the printer  50 , the service server  100  determines that the target serial number, which is the serial number “br003” of the printer  70 , and the serial number “br001” in the memory  114  are not identical (NO in S 130 ), and sends error information to the storage server  300  in S 132 . The error information indicates that the target PIN code was inputted to the wrong printer  70 . In this case, the storage server  300  deletes the target serial number in the memory  314 . Thus, the service information is not registered in the storage server  30 . 
     Further, in the case of determining NO in S 130 , the service server  100  sends in S 133 , to the user terminal  40 , update information for updating the PIN screen SC 4  displayed in S 90  of  FIG. 3 . The update information includes the error information. 
     Upon receiving the update information from the service server  100  in S 133 , the user terminal  40  updates the PIN screen SC 4  by using the error information in the update information in S 134 . Specifically, instead of the character string “Waiting” in the PIN screen SC 4 , a character string “Error” indicating that the target PIN code was inputted to the wrong printer is displayed. Thereby, the user can learn that the target PIN code was inputted to the wrong printer. 
     Further, for example, in a case where the user has correctly inputted the target PIN code to the printer  50 , the service server  100  determines that the target serial number, which is the serial number “br001” of the printer  50 , and the serial number “br001” in the memory  114  are identical (YES in S 130 ), and proceeds to S 136 . 
     In S 136 , the service server  100  registers the serial number “br001” and the cartridge name “AAA” (i.e., the cartridge name “AAA” stored in S 78  of  FIG. 3 ) in association with one another in the memory  114 . 
     In S 138 , the service server  100  sends the storage server  300  a registration request for requesting the storage server  300  to register the service information. The registration request includes each information stored in the memory  114  in S 20  of  FIG. 2  (i.e., the serial number “br001”, the mail address MA, the user information UI). 
     Upon receiving the registration request from the service server  100  in S 138 , the storage server  300  registers service information SI in the memory  314  in S 140 . Specifically, by using the serial number “br001” included in the registration request, the storage server  300  obtains the account information AI stored in association with the serial number “br001” (see S 118 ) from the memory  314 . Then, the storage server  300  registers, in the memory  314 , the service information SI including the obtained account information AI and each information included in the registration request (i.e., the serial number “br001”, the mail address MA, the user information UI). In S 142 , the storage server  300  sends, to the printer  50 , communication information for executing communication with the storage server  300 . The communication information is, for example, an access token generated by the storage server  300 . 
     Further, in the case of determining YES in S 130 , the service server  100  sends update information including success information to the user terminal  40  in S 144 . The success information indicates that the target PIN code was inputted to the correct printer  50  and that registration of the service information SI succeeded. 
     Upon receiving the update information from the service server  100  in S 144 , the user terminal  40  updates the PIN screen SC 4  by using the success information in the update information in S 146 . Specifically, a character string “Success” indicating that the registration of the service information SI succeeded is displayed in the PIN screen SC 4 , instead of the character string “Waiting”. Thereby, the user can learn that the registration of the service information SI succeeded. When S 146  ends, the registration process ends. 
     (Cartridge Shipping Process;  FIG. 5 ) 
     Next, a process executed for shipping an ink cartridge to the user after the registration process of  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 4  will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     In S 150 , the printer  50  uses the communication information received in S 142  of  FIG. 4  to send, to the storage server  300 , the serial number “br001” of the printer  50  and remaining amount information that indicates a remaining amount of an ink cartridge currently being used by the printer  50 . The printer  50  may execute the communication of S 150  on a regular basis, or may execute the communication of S 150  when the remaining amount of the ink cartridge has become less than a threshold. 
     In case of receiving the serial number “br001” and the remaining amount information from the printer  50  in S 150 , the storage server  300  sends the serial number “br001” and the remaining amount information to the service server  100  in S 152 . 
     Upon receiving the serial number “br001” and the remaining amount information from the storage server  300  in S 152 , the service server  100  determines in S 154  whether the remaining amount indicated by the remaining amount information is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In a case of determining that the remaining amount is greater than the predetermined value, the service server  100  does not execute processes thereafter. On the other hand, in case of determining that the remaining amount is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the service server  100  sends, to the storage server  300 , an information request for requesting the user information in the service information SI in S 156 . The information request includes the serial number “br001”. 
     Upon receiving the information request from the service server  100  in S 156 , the storage server  300  obtains the service information SI including the serial number “br001” from the memory  314 , and sends the user information UI included in the obtained service information SI to the service server  100  in S 158 . 
     Upon receiving the user information UI from the storage server  300  in S 158 , the service server  100  obtains the cartridge name “AAA” associated with the serial number “br001” from the memory  114  and executes a shipping process for shipping the ink cartridge indicated by the cartridge name “AAA” in S 160 . Specifically, the service server  100  makes payment for the purchase of the ink cartridge indicated by the cartridge name “AAA” by using the billing information (e.g., the credit card information) included in the user information UI. Then, the service server  100  designates the name and address of the user included in the user information UI, and arranges shipping of the ink cartridge. Thereby, an employee of a shipping agent ships the ink cartridge. When S 160  ends, the cartridge shipping process ends. 
     (Registration Process Different From  FIG. 2 ;  FIG. 6 ) 
     Unlike the case of  FIG. 2 , the user purchases the two printers  50 ,  60 . S 210  is the same as S 10  of  FIG. 2  except for accepting input of the serial numbers “br001”, “br002” of the two printers  50 ,  60 . S 212  is the same as S 12  of  FIG. 2  except for the two serial numbers “br001”, “br002” being sent. Thereby, in S 220 , the service server  100  stores each information included in the mail request (the serial number “br001”, the serial number “br002”, the mail address MA, the user information UI) in the memory  114 . 
     In S 226 , the service server  100  generates the URL  500  and a URL  502  “http://server200.com/?serial=br002”. The URL  502  is the same as the URL  500  except for including the serial number “br002”. In S 228 , the service server  100  generates one e-mail EM 2  including a text in which the URL  500  and the URL  502  are written. In S 230 , the service server  100  sends the generated e-mail EM 2  to the user terminal  40 . 
     S 232  is the same as S 32  of  FIG. 2  except for displaying the e-mail EM 2 . The process executed in the case where the URL  500  in the e-mail EM 2  is selected is the same as that of  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 . On the other hand, a process executed in a case where the URL  502  in the e-mail EM 2  is selected is the same as that of  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  except for a start screen SC 12  including the serial number “br002” being displayed, and a PIN code PC 2  different from the PIN code PC 1  being generated. 
     For example, a comparative example is assumed in which, instead of S 228 , one e-mail including a text in which the URL  500  is written and another e-mail including a text in which the URL  502  is written are sent. In this case, the user has to view the two e-mails in the user terminal  40 . In contrast, in the present embodiment, the user simply needs to view the single e-mail EM 2  including the two URLs  500 ,  502  (S 232 ), and therefore user convenience is improved compared to the comparative example. 
     (Effects of Present Embodiment) 
     According to the above configuration, in the case of receiving the serial number “br001” for identifying the printer  50  from the store terminal  10  (S 12  of  FIG. 2 ), the service server  100  generates the URL  500  including the serial number “br001” (S 26 ) and sends the e-mail EM 1  including the URL  500  to the user terminal  40  (S 30 ). Then, in the case where the URL  500  in the e-mail EM 1  is selected by the user (S 34 ), the account server  200  sends the registration screen information to the user terminal  40  (S 44  of  FIG. 3 ). Thereby, the screens SC 1  to SC 3  for registering the service information are displayed on the user terminal  40 . As a result, the user can register the service information SI in the storage server  300  by using the screens SC 1  to SC 3 , even without inputting a URL for accessing the account server  200  or searching for the URL. As such, user convenience for registering the service information SI in the storage server  300  can be improved. 
     Further, for example, a comparative example is assumed in which the process of S 130  of  FIG. 4  is not executed. In this case, when the PIN code PC 1  is inputted to the printer  70 , the authentication of the PIN code PC 1  succeeds, as a result of which the storage server  300  can register service information including a serial number “br003” of the printer  70 . In this case, the service server  100  comes to provide the shipping service for the printer  70  that is not a target of the shipping service. In contrast, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the service server  100  receives the serial number “br001” from the store terminal  10  and stores the serial number “br001” in the memory  114  (S 12 , S 20 ). Then, in the case where the target serial number and the serial number “br001” in the memory  114  are identical (YES in S 130  of  FIG. 4 ) due to the PIN code PC 1  having been inputted to the printer  50 , the storage server  300  registers the service information SI that includes information (e.g., the user information UI) for the user of the printer  50  to receive provision of the shipping service (S 140 ). On the other hand, in the case where the target serial number and the serial number “br001” in the memory  114  are not identical (NO in S 130  of  FIG. 4 ) due to the PIN code PC 1  having been inputted to the printer  70 , the storage server  300  does not register the service information SI (S 132 , S 133 ). As such, the service server  100  can provide the shipping service for the appropriate printer  50 . 
     (Correspondence Relationships) 
     The shipping service and the servers  100  to  300  are examples of “specific service” and “server system”, respectively. The printer  50 , the serial number “br001”, the printer  60 , and the serial number “br002” are examples of “first apparatus”, “first identification information”, “second apparatus”, and “second identification information”, respectively. The service server  100  and the account server  200  are examples of “first server” and “second server”, respectively. The store terminal  10  and the user terminal  40  are examples of “first terminal device” and “second terminal device”, respectively. The URL  500  and the URL  502  are examples of “first URL” and “second URL”, respectively. The serial number “br001” and the e-mail EM 1  (or EM 2 ) are examples of “first related information” and “message”. The screens SC 1  to SC 3  of  FIG. 3  and the registration screen information of S 44  are examples of “registration screen” and “screen information”, respectively. The model table  120  is an example of “table”. The model name “xxx”, and the model name “xxx” and the printer image IM 1  in the start screen SC 1  of  FIG. 3  are examples of “first model information” and “image representing the model”, respectively. The mail address MA is an example of “destination information”. The remaining amount information of  FIG. 5  and the shipping process of S 160  are examples of “status information” and “service process”, respectively. 
     S 12 , S 26 , and S 30  of  FIG. 2  are examples of “receiving the first identification information from the first terminal device”, “generating first URL”, and “sending the message”, respectively. S 40  and S 44  of  FIG. 3  are examples of “receiving the first related information from the second terminal device” and “sending screen information to the second terminal device”, respectively. 
     Second Embodiment 
     The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment mainly in the process of the service server  100  generating a URL. The user purchases the two printers  50 ,  60 . S 310  to S 320  are the same as S 210  to S 220  of  FIG. 6 . In S 322 , the service server  100  obtains, from the model table  120  in the memory  114 , the model name “xxx” associated with the serial number “br001” and the model name “xxx” associated with the serial number “br002”. 
     In S 324 , the service server  100  determines whether the two model names obtained in S 322  are identical. In the case of  FIG. 7 , since the model name “xxx” associated with the serial number “br001” and the model name “xxx” associated with the serial number “br002” are identical, the service server  100  determines YES in S 324  and proceeds to S 326 . On the other hand, for example, in a case where the models of the two printers  50 ,  60  are different, the two model names obtained in S 322  are not identical, and therefore the service server  100  determines NO in S 324  and executes the same process as S 226  to S 232  of  FIG. 6 . 
     In S 326 , the service server  100  generates one URL  504  “http://server200.com/?serial=br001&amp;serial=br002”. The URL  504  is the same as the URL  500  except for including a query string “?serial=br001&amp;serial=br002”. The query string of the URL  504  includes the serial number “br001” and the serial number “br002”. In S 328 , the service server  100  generates an e-mail EM 3  including the URL  504 . In S 330 , the service server  100  sends the generated e-mail EM 3  to the user terminal  40 . 
     S 332  is the same as S 32  of  FIG. 2  except for displaying the e-mail EM 3 . The user terminal  40  accepts, from the user, a selection instruction of selecting the URL  504  in the e-mail EM 3 . In this case, the user terminal  40  sends, to the account server  200 , a screen request including the URL  504  as its destination (see S 40  of  FIG. 3 ). Thereby, the user terminal  40  receives registration screen information from the account server  200  and displays a start screen SC 14  (see S 50  of  FIG. 3 ). The start screen SC 14  is the same as the start screen SC 1  of  FIG. 3  except for including the serial number “br001” and the serial number “br002”. In a case where the button B 1  in the start screen SC 14  is selected, the selection screen SC 2  is displayed. The subsequent processes are the same as S 54  to S 90  of  FIG. 3  except for a PIN code PC 3 , which is different from the PIN code PC 1 , being generated and displayed. The PIN code PC 3  is inputted to the printer  50  and to the printer  60  (see S 110  of  FIG. 4 ). As a result, the service server  100  registers the serial number “br001”, the serial number “br002”, and the cartridge name “AAA” in association with one another in the memory  114  (see S 136  of  FIG. 4 ), and the storage server  300  registers the service information SI including both the serial number “br001” and the serial number “br002” in the memory  314  (see S 140 ). 
     According to such a configuration, the user can register the service information SI for the printers  50 ,  60  by selecting the one URL  504  in the e-mail EM 3  and inputting the same PIN code PC 3  to the two printers  50 ,  60 . Therefore, user convenience can be improved. 
     Further, as described above, in the case of determining that the two model names obtained in S 322  are identical (YES in S 324 ), the service server  100  generates the one URL  504  (S 326 ) and sends the e-mail EM 3  including the URL  504  (S 330 ). Then, after selecting the URL  504  in the e-mail EM 3 , the user can use the selection screen SC 2  to appropriately select one ink cartridge (i.e., the cartridge name “AAA”) that can be used in the two printers  50 ,  60  having the same model “xxx”. On the other hand, in the case of determining that the two model names obtained in S 322  are not identical (NO in S 324 ), the service server  100  generates the two URLs  500 ,  502  corresponding to the two printers and sends the e-mail EM 2  including the two URLs  500 ,  502  (S 230  of  FIG. 6 ). After selecting the URL  500 , the user can select an appropriate ink cartridge that can be used in the printer corresponding to the URL  500 , and further, after selecting the URL  502 , the user can select an appropriate ink cartridge that can be used in the printer corresponding to the URL  502 . Therefore, the user can receive provision of the shipping service for the ink cartridge corresponding to the model of the printer. 
     The technique of the present embodiment can also be adopted to a case where three or more printers are purchased and three or more serial numbers are inputted. For example, in a case where three model names of three printers are all identical, one URL including the three serial numbers is generated. Further, for example, in a case where two model names among the three model names of the three printers are identical, one URL including two serial numbers corresponding to the two model names and one URL including a serial number corresponding to the model name other than the two model names may be generated. The serial number “br002” and the model name “xxx” are examples of “second related information” and “second model information”, respectively. The URL  504  is an example of “one first URL”. 
     (Variant 1) The communication system  2  may comprise one server, instead of the servers  100  to  300 . In this case, the processes of  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 7  may be executed by the one server. One server executes various processes in the present variant, whereas the three servers execute various processes in each of the embodiments above. Therefore, each of the embodiments above can reduce a processing load compared to the present variant. In the present variant, the one server is an example of “server system”. 
     (Variant 2) In each of the above embodiments, the URL  500  includes the serial number “br001”. Instead, the URL  500  may include an encrypted serial number. In this case, the account server  200  may decrypt the encrypted serial number included in the screen request of S 40  of  FIG. 3  to obtain the serial number “br001”. Further, the URL  500  may include predetermined information (e.g., a sequence number) stored in association with the serial number “br001” in the service server  100 . In this case, the account server  200  may obtain the serial number “br001” from the service server  100  by using the predetermined information included in the screen request of S 40  of  FIG. 3 . Further, the URL  500  may include an area character string (e.g., “areal”) indicating a specific area in the server in which the serial number “br001” is stored. In this case, the URL  500  may not include the query string, and may be, for example, “http://server200.com/areal”. In the present variant, the encrypted serial number, the predetermined information, and the area character string are examples of “first related information”. 
     (Variant 3) In each of the above embodiments, the service server  100  sends an e-mail (S 30  of  FIG. 2 ). Instead, the service server  100  may send an SMS (abbreviation of Short Message Service) message, or may send an SNS (Social Networking Service) message. In this case, the service server  100  may receive a telephone number, or an SNS account name from the store terminal  10  as the destination of the message. In the present variant, the SMS message and the SNS message are examples of “message”, and the telephone number and the SNS account name are examples of “destination information”. 
     (Variant 4) In each of the above embodiments, the model table  120  stores a model name Instead, the model table  120  may store a part of a model name (e.g., a character string representing one model group). In the present variant, the part of the model name is an example of “model information”. 
     (Variant 5) In S 42  of  FIG. 3 , the process of obtaining the model name may not be executed. According to the present variant, “obtaining first model information” can be omitted. 
     (Variant 6) The service server  100  may not store the model table  120 . According to the present variant, “server system” may not comprise a memory storing “table”. 
     (Variant 7) In each of the above embodiments, in the case where the serial number “br001” and the mail address MA are inputted to the store terminal  10 , the service server  100  receives the mail address MA from the store terminal  10 . Instead, the mail address MA may be stored in the service server  100  before the serial number “br001” is inputted to the store terminal  10 . According to the present variation, “destination information” may not be received from the first terminal device together with the first identification information. 
     (Variant 8) The process of S 324  of  FIG. 7  may not be executed. The service server  100  may generate one URL even in the case where the two obtained model names are different from one another. In the present variant, “obtaining second model information” can be omitted. 
     (Variant 9) In the second embodiment described above, in the case where the two model names are not identical (S 324  of  FIG. 7 ), the service server  100  sends the one e-mail EM 2  including the two URLs  500 ,  502  to the user terminal  40  (S 230  of  FIG. 6 ). Instead, the service server  100  may send, to the user terminal  40 , one e-mail including the URL  500  and another e-mail including the URL  502 . In the present variant, the one e-mail and the other e-mail are examples of “message”. 
     (Variant 10) In the above embodiments, information related to the printer  50  is registered in the service server  100  and the storage server  300 , and the shipping service for the consumable article to the user of the printer  50  is executed from the service server  100 . Instead, each of the servers  100 ,  300  may be a server provided by a vendor of a terminal device such as a PC, a smartphone, etc. In this case, each of the servers  100 ,  300  may register information related to the terminal device, and upon receiving a serial number from the terminal device in S 150  of  FIG. 5 , may execute an information providing service of providing a user with the information related to the terminal device (e.g., information regarding new model, etc.). In the present variant, the terminal device and the information providing service are examples of “first apparatus” and “specific service” respectively, and “receiving status information from the first apparatus” and “executing a service process” can be omitted. 
     (Variant 11) In each of the above embodiments, the processes of  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 7  are realized by the CPU  112 , etc. of the server  100 , etc. executing the program  116 , etc. (i.e., software). Instead, any of the processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.