Patent ID: 7546389

Claim:
An information processing apparatus for communicating with an other information processing apparatus that stores model-based product model information relating to a predetermined product model, the information processing apparatus comprising: a first storage area configured to store a model code uniquely identifying the product model of the information processing apparatus; a second storage area configured to store product model information including a written description relating to the model code of the information processing apparatus; a connector configured to connect the information processing apparatus with the other information processing apparatus; and a communication controller configured to control communication between the information processing apparatus and the other information processing apparatus as a connection destination of the connector, the communication controller configured to start a communication initialization process as a pre-operation for the communication at the discretion of the communication controller when the connector connects the information processing apparatus with the other information processing apparatus, as at least a portion of the communication initialization process, controlling transmission of the model code stored in the first storage from the information processing apparatus to the other information processing apparatus, and controlling the information processing apparatus in reception of the product model information and then storage of the product model information in the second storage if the other information processing apparatus has identified the product model of the information processing apparatus based on the model code, and has transmitted, to the information processing apparatus, the product model information relating to the identified product model; and an indication controller configured to automatically provide the product model information stored in the second storage to a user, after the execution of the communication initialization process.