Operation system, search device and search method

A search device that is built in a first apparatus, which is one of (i) an operation apparatus that includes a display displaying information and an operation unit receiving an operation, is connected to a communication network, and, using the display and the operation unit, enables another apparatus to operate through the communication network and (ii) an operation target apparatus that is connected to the operation apparatus by way of the communication network and by way of a direct connection line and that receives an operation through the communication network, the search device being at least one central processing unit configured to function as:

• a first information acquiring unit that acquires, through the connection line and from a second apparatus connected to the first apparatus with the connection line, identification information used for identifying the second apparatus;
• a second information acquiring unit that acquires, through the communication network and from each of at least one apparatus connected to the first apparatus through the communication network, identification information used for identifying each of the at least one apparatus;
• an apparatus specifying unit that specifies, from among the at least one apparatus for which the identification information is acquired by the second information acquiring unit, an apparatus having same identification information as the identification information of the second apparatus;
• and
• a storage instructing unit that stores, in a memory built in the operation apparatus, information used for connecting the apparatus specified by the apparatus specifying unit and the first apparatus through the communication network as connection information used for connection to the operation target apparatus through the communication network and operating the operation target apparatus.

A search method comprising:

• acquiring, from a second apparatus connected through a connection line to a first apparatus, identification information used for identifying the second apparatus, the first apparatus being that is one of (i) an operation apparatus that includes a display displaying information and an operation unit receiving an operation, is connected to a communication network, and, using the display and the operation unit, enables another apparatus to operate through the communication network and (ii) an operation target apparatus that is connected to the operation apparatus by way of the communication network and by way of the direct connection line and that receives an operation through the communication network;
• acquiring, through the communication network and from each of at least one apparatus connected to the first apparatus through the communication network, identification information used for identifying each of the at least one apparatus;
• specifying, from among the at least one apparatus for which the identification information is acquired, an apparatus having same identification information as the identification information of the second apparatus;
• and
• storing, in a memory built in the operation apparatus, information used for connecting the apparatus specified and the first apparatus through the communication network as connection information used for connection to the operation target apparatus through the communication network and operating the operation target apparatus.