JP2003216840A - Apparatus, method, and program for consumption article supply mediation - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism which can efficiently supply consumption articles at low costs. <P>SOLUTION: A consumption state gathering server 101 gathers information regarding the consumption states of consumption articles of office machines (122 to 126) connected to a network. A consumption state opening server 103 receives the information on the consumption states from the consumption state gathering server 101 and opens the information to consumption article suppliers through the network. The consumption article suppliers refer to the information which is made open and sends their desired sale prices of the consumption articles to the consumption state opening server 103. The consumption article consumer determines a supplier by reference to the desired sale prices presented on the consumption state opening server 103. The consumption state opening server 103 charges the consumption article supplier for the access to the information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a program for mediating between a user of a device having a predetermined consumable item and a consumable item supplier supplying the consumable item.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Examples of equipment provided with predetermined consumables include copiers, printers, facsimiles, and other office machines provided with consumables such as toner, process cartridges, and sheet materials, and canned juice, canned beer, cigarettes, and the like. There are vending machines with consumables. For this type of equipment, it is necessary to manage the consumption status of the consumables and the missing items, and supply the consumables appropriately.

Conventionally, the following methods have been proposed as a method for automatically replenishing consumables of office machines such as copying machines and printers or automatically supplying missing items.

That is, (1) an office machine is provided with a detector for detecting the consumption state, (2) the consumption state acquired from the detector is transmitted to a centralized management server for consumables via a telephone line, and (3) ) A method in which a consumables supplier having a central management server performs a replenishment work for consumables.

[0005]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned prior art, the following problems have occurred.

Since the data is always sent to a certain centralized management server, it is easy to receive supply from a consumable goods supplier who can access the server. As a result, depending on the circumstances of the supplier, delivery of consumables may be delayed, or even if there is some trouble in the equipment, it may take a lot of time to repair it. However, increasing the frequency of equipment inspections increases equipment management costs and maintenance costs for consumables suppliers. In addition, price competition for the supply of consumables is unlikely to occur, so the price of consumables does not decrease.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of supplying consumables efficiently and at low cost.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a consumable goods supply intermediary device of the present invention mediates between a user of a device having a predetermined consumable goods and a consumable goods supplier who supplies the consumable goods. A consumables supply intermediary device, including: a consumables status collecting unit that collects information on the consumables status of consumables provided in a user's device through a network; and the collected information that can be used by a consumables supplier through the network. Consumable status disclosure means, recording means for recording usage information to the effect that the consumables supplier has used the available information, and consideration to be received from the consumables supplier based on the recorded usage information. And a consideration calculation means for calculating.

Further, a consumable goods supply intermediary device according to another invention is
A consumable supply mediation device for mediating between a user of a device having a predetermined consumable and a consumable supplier supplying the consumable, wherein information about the consumption status of the consumable provided in the user's device is provided through a network. A consumption status receiving means for receiving the collected information from a consumption status collecting device for collecting, a consumption status disclosure means for making the received information available to a consumable goods supplier through a network, and a consumable goods supplier A recording means for recording the use information to that effect when the available information is used, and a consideration calculation means for calculating the consideration to be received from the consumable supplier based on the recorded use information. Characterize.

[0010] Here, it is preferable that the user is provided with a billing means for charging the above-mentioned consideration to the consumables supplier when the user knows that the consumables supplier will supply the consumables.

It is also preferable to include price receiving means for receiving the desired selling price of the consumable goods from the consumable goods supplier and price presenting means for presenting the received desired sales price to the user through the network. .

[0012] Further, it is more preferable that the price presenting means presents a user with desired selling prices of a plurality of consumable goods suppliers.

The consumable goods supply intermediary device can be configured by a single information processing device, or a combination of a plurality of information processing devices (for example, each of the above means is realized by a separate information processing device). It is also possible to configure.

The consumable supply mediation method of the present invention is a consumable supply mediation method for mediating between a user of a device having a predetermined consumable product and a consumable product supplier supplying the consumable product. A consumption status collecting step of collecting information on the consumption status of the consumables provided in the device through the network, a consumption status disclosure step of making the collected information available to the consumables supplier through the network, and the consumption supplier utilizing the information. When the available information is used, a recording step of recording the usage information to that effect, and a consideration calculation step of calculating a consideration to be received from the consumable supplier based on the recorded usage information are included. To do.

Further, the consumable supply supply mediating method of another invention is as follows:
A consumable supply mediation method for mediating between a user of a device equipped with a predetermined consumable product and a consumable product supplier supplying the consumable product, wherein information about the consumable condition of the consumable product of the user's device is provided through a network. A consumption status receiving step of receiving the collected information from a consumption status collecting device to collect, a consumption status disclosure step of making the received information available to a consumable goods supplier through a network, and the consumable goods supplier When the available information is used, a recording step of recording the usage information to that effect, and a consideration calculation step of calculating a consideration to be received from the consumable supplier based on the recorded usage information are included. And

[0016] Here, it is preferable that when the user knows that the consumable goods supplier will supply the consumable goods, the method further comprises the step of billing the consumable goods supplier for the consideration.

It is also preferable that the method further includes a price receiving step of receiving a desired selling price of the consumable item from a consumable item supplier, and a price presenting step of presenting the received desired selling price to the user through a network. is there.

Further, in the price presenting step, it is more preferable to present the user with desired selling prices of a plurality of consumable goods suppliers.

The consumable goods supply mediation program of the present invention is a consumable goods supply mediation program for mediating between a user of a device having a predetermined consumable goods and a consumable goods supplier supplying the consumable goods, and A consumption status collecting step of collecting information on the consumption status of the consumables provided in the user's equipment through a network, a consumption status disclosure step of making the collected information available to the consumables supplier via the network, and a consumable supplier Executes a recording step of recording usage information to that effect when the above-mentioned available information is used, and a consideration calculation step of calculating a consideration to be received from the consumable supplier based on the recorded usage information. It is characterized by

A consumable goods supply intermediary program of another invention is a consumable goods supply mediation program for mediating between a user of a device having a predetermined consumable goods and a consumable goods supplier supplying the consumable goods. A consumption status receiving step of receiving the collected information from a consumption status collecting device, which collects information on the consumption status of the consumable goods provided in the user's equipment to the computer through the network, and the received information via the network. Consumable status disclosure step to make available to the supplier, recording step to record usage information to that effect when the consumable supplier uses the available information, and the consumable article based on the recorded usage information And a consideration calculation step of calculating a consideration to be received from the supplier.

[0021] Here, when the user knows that the consumable goods supplier will supply the consumable goods, it is preferable that the consumable goods supplier further execute the billing step for charging the consideration.

It is also preferable to further execute a price receiving step of receiving a desired selling price of the consumable item from the consumable item supplier and a price presenting step of presenting the received desired selling price to the user through the network. Is.

Further, in the price presenting step, it is more preferable to execute a process of presenting the desired selling price of a plurality of consumable goods suppliers to the user.

The consumable supplies supply intermediary program is
It can be configured by a single module, or can be configured by combining a plurality of modules (for example, realizing the above steps by separate modules).

A computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is characterized by recording any one of the above-mentioned consumable goods supply intermediary programs.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a basic system configuration diagram of a consumable supply system.

As shown in the figure, the consumable goods supply system is roughly composed of a consumption status collection server 101, an office network 102, a consumption status disclosure server 103, and a consumable goods supplier terminal 104. These devices and networks are communicatively connected to each other via an electric communication line such as the Internet.

The figure schematically shows a consumables supply system, and normally, there are a plurality of office networks 102 and consumables supplier terminals 104. That is, the network that can communicate with the consumption status collection server 101 and the consumption status disclosure server 103 through the electric communication line can be the office network 102, and the communicable computer can be the consumable supplier terminal 104.

The office network 102 shows an example of installation of office machines (devices) in an office. On the office network 102, a consumable consumer terminal 121 for a user (device user) to perform office work and the like, and a copying machine 12 for printing and transmitting the result.
2, office machines such as printers 123 and 124, plotter 125, and facsimile 126 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other.

These office machines are provided with predetermined consumables suitable for their respective models. Consumables refer to all items that need to be replenished or replaced in order to continuously use the office machine. For example, toner, process cartridges,
Ink cartridges, ink ribbons, sheet materials, and other user-replaceable items that can be exchanged by the consumer, and manufacturer-replaceable items such as motors and roller components that need to be replaced by the office machine maintainer are envisioned.

The consumption status collection server 101 communicates directly with the office machines connected to these networks or indirectly through the consumables consumer terminal 121,
Collect information on the consumption status of consumables in office machines. The collected information regarding the consumption status is recorded in the database in the server.

The consumption status disclosure server 103 collects information on the consumption status of the consumables collected, and the consumption status collection server 1
01, and makes the received information available to the consumables supplier (consumables supplier) through the network.

The consumable goods supplier terminal 104 is a terminal used by the consumable goods supplier.

The server and terminal may be a computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be any other information processing device capable of installing and executing software.

In the system example of FIG. 1, the consumable goods supply intermediary apparatus according to the present invention refers to an apparatus constructed by cooperation between the consumption status collection server 101 and the consumption status disclosure server 103. In some cases, only the consumption status disclosure server 103 is referred to. That is, the consumable goods supply intermediary device can be configured by a single information processing device, or can be configured by combining a plurality of information processing devices. This is because each function (means) of the consumable goods supply intermediary device is realized by a computer program, so that a single program is operated by a single information processing device, and a plurality of programs (modules) are integrated. This is because various configurations such as an aspect of operating in the information processing apparatus and an aspect of operating a plurality of programs (modules) in the plurality of information processing apparatuses can be adopted.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the sequence of the consumable supply system according to this embodiment.

Unless otherwise specified, each process described below is realized by the program being read by the server or terminal and the software and hardware resources cooperating with each other. Is a server or terminal (CPU thereof).

Steps S2a01 to S2a0
2 shows the flow of processing of the consumption status collection server 101.

The consumption status collecting server 101 executes step S
In 2a01, information on the consumption status of the consumables provided in the office machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as “consumption status”) is collected from the consumable goods consumer terminal 121 or the office machine (122 to 126). In step S2a02, the consumption status collection server 101 transmits the consumption status collected in step S2a01 to the consumption status disclosure server 103 via the network.

Steps S2b01 to S2b1
0 shows the flow of processing of the consumption status disclosure server 103.

The consumption status disclosure server 103 executes step S
In 2b01, the collected consumption status is received from the consumption status collection server 101. In step S2b02, the consumption status received in step S2b01 is disclosed. In step S2b03, a notification that the consumption status has been updated and is ready for disclosure (consumption consumption disclosure notification) is transmitted to the consumables supplier terminal. As a result, the consumption status becomes available through the network.

Steps S2d01 to S2d0
Reference numeral 2 denotes a processing flow of the consumables supplier terminal 104.

The consumables supplier terminal 104 executes step S
In 2d01, the disclosure notification from the consumption status disclosure server 103 is received. In step S2d02, a consumption status disclosure request is transmitted to the consumption status disclosure server 103.

The consumption status disclosure server 103 executes step S
In 2b04, the consumption status disclosure request is received from the consumables supplier terminal 104, and in step S2b05,
The consumption status is transmitted to the consumable goods supplier terminal 104. At this time, the consumption status disclosure server 103 considers that the consumable goods supplier has used the consumption status.

Here, the consumption status may be unconditionally transmitted to the consumables supplier terminal 104 for which the consumption status disclosure request has been made, or an accessible supplier list may be provided in advance. The consumption status may be transmitted only to the consumable goods supplier terminal 104 registered in the list. For example, it is possible to design the list so that the location of the consumable consumer's office matches the consumable supplier's delivery area. If you have an accessible supplier like this,
The contractor who receives the order for the actual consumable item is more likely to be selected from the list.

Next, the consumption status disclosure server 103 records a transmission log of the consumption status in step S2b06. The transmission log serves as an access record (use information) indicating that the consumable goods supplier has used the consumption condition.

The consumable goods supplier terminal 104 executes step S
In 2d03, when the consumption status of the consumable goods is received, the selling price of the consumable goods is determined, and in step S2d04, the desired selling price of the consumable goods is determined by the consumption status disclosure server 10.
Send to 3. The selling price of the consumable item may be automatically calculated by the consumable item supplier terminal 104, or may be input by the person who operates the terminal.

The consumption status disclosure server 103 executes step S
In 2d07, the desired selling price of the consumable item is received from the consumable item supplier terminal 104, and it is disclosed in step S2d08. Then, in step S2d09, a notification that the desired selling price of the consumable item has been set is transmitted to the consumable item consumer terminal 121. As a result, the desired selling price of the consumable item is presented to the consumable item consumer through the network.

Steps S2c01 to S2c0
2 shows a processing flow of the consumables consumer terminal 121.

The consumables consumer terminal 121, step S2
In c01, the desired selling price of the consumable item is received. The information about the desired selling price at this time includes the desired selling price of one or more consumable supplies suppliers. In addition, information about delivery date and other additional services may be included. When information on a plurality of consumable goods suppliers is included, it is preferable that the respective information items are displayed in a comparable manner. The consumables consumer selects and decides an ordering company from this information. Specifically, step S2
In c02, information regarding the ordering of consumables is transmitted to the consumables supplier terminal 104.

The consumables supplier terminal 104 executes step S
In 2d05, information regarding the ordering of consumables is received (order reception).

On the other hand, in step S2b10, the consumption status disclosure server 103 calculates the consideration to be received from the consumable goods supplier for the use of the consumption status of the consumable goods, based on the access record of the consumption status.

Then, the consumption status disclosure server 103 has learned that the transaction between the consumable goods consumer and the consumable goods supplier has been established, and the consumable goods consumer will receive the supply of the consumable goods from the consumable goods supplier. In this case, in step S2b11,
The consumables supplier terminal 104 charges the price.

The above is the outline of the sequence of the present system.

Next, the configurations and functions of the consumption status collection server 101 and the consumption status disclosure server 103 for executing the above sequence will be described in more detail.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the consumption status collection server 101. As shown in the figure, the consumption status collection server 101 has at least a device search unit 301, a data acquisition unit 302, and a communication control unit 303, and constitutes a consumption status collection unit or a consumption status collection device as a whole.

The device search unit 301 searches for an office machine (device) connected to the network, and further determines whether the found office machine has a function of sending the consumption status of consumables to the remote host. , Create a list of devices that can acquire consumption (device list). The consumption amount acquisition-capable device is an office machine that is connected to a network and has a function of transmitting the consumption state of consumables to a remote host.

The data acquisition unit 302 is the device search unit 3
A consumption amount acquisition request is transmitted to each device included in the device list generated by 01, and the reply result is held.

The communication control unit 303 controls communication processing between this server and external equipment.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the consumption status disclosure server 103. As shown in the figure, the consumption status disclosure server 103 includes at least a database 401, a communication control unit 402, a data conversion unit 403, and a data disclosure unit 40.
4, a data disclosure consideration calculation unit 405 and a data disclosure consideration billing unit 406.

The database 401 is a storage means for holding information regarding the consumption status of consumables received from the consumption status collection server 101.

The communication control section 402 controls communication processing between this server and external equipment. For example, a consumption status receiving unit that receives the consumption status from the consumption status collection server 101,
Transmission means for transmitting the consumption status disclosure notification and the consumption status to the consumable goods supplier terminal 104, the consumable goods supplier terminal 10
4, a receiving means for receiving a consumption status disclosure request, a price receiving means for receiving a desired sales price of the consumables from the consumables supplier terminal 104, and a desired sales price for the consumables consumer terminal 121.
It functions as a price presenting means for sending to

The data conversion unit 403 uses the database 40.
The information about the consumption state held in 1 is converted into a data format according to the purpose.

The data disclosure unit 404 functions as a consumption status disclosure means for transmitting a disclosure notification to the consumable goods supplier terminal 104 and a recording means for recording access to the published consumption status data in a transmission log.

The data disclosure consideration calculation unit 405 functions as a consideration calculation unit for calculating the consideration for the access to the consumption status data based on the access record recorded by the data disclosure unit 404.

The data disclosure fee billing unit 406 functions as a billing means for billing the person who has accessed the consumption data.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the consumption status collection server 101.

First, in step S501, the device searching section 301 enumerates the devices connected to the network and creates an address list for uniquely identifying the devices. Examples of addresses include MAC addresses and IP addresses.

In step S502, step S5
It is determined whether or not all the devices acquired in 01 have been processed, and if all the devices have been processed, the process ends.

In step S503, it is determined whether or not the target device is a device capable of acquiring the amount of consumption, and if it is a possible device, the process proceeds to step S504, and if it is an incapable device, the process proceeds to step S502.

In step S504, the consumption amount list is acquired from the target device. The consumption amount list is a collection of data that directly or indirectly indicates the consumption state of the consumables included in the target device.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the consumption amount list concerning the copying machine.
Shown in. The numerical values of A3 plain paper / A4 plain paper / A4 glossy paper / B5 plain paper indicate the number of sheet materials actually consumed. For toner, the percentage of the current storage amount with respect to the maximum storage amount is shown. For cassette 1 / cassette 2, the number of times the sheet material is delivered from the cassette is shown. For the duplex unit, the number of times the sheet material has been conveyed through the duplex unit is shown.

As shown here, in the consumed amount list, sheet materials, toners and the like that require regular replenishment during normal use, and cassettes and double-sided units that do not show visible deterioration during normal use. However, both include those that deteriorate over the long term.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the data conversion unit 403 of the consumption status disclosure server 103.

The data conversion unit 403, step S601.
At, the consumption amount list is received from the consumption state collection server 101.

In step S602, step S6
The consumption amount list received in 01 is stored in the database 401.

Next, in step S603, the consumption amount list is retrieved from the database 401 and converted into a data format that can be disclosed. Here, the consumption amount list for one office machine may be taken out, or the consumption amount list of all the devices capable of acquiring the consumption amount connected to the network may be taken out. The open data format is http
When it is published on the server, it may be in HTML format.

In step S604, a process for disclosing information regarding the consumption status of each device is performed. h
If you want to publish on the ttp server, HTM in a predetermined place
Stores L format files.

After that, in step S605, the disclosure process is performed (the state becomes available).
Notify your consumable supplier. As the notification means, it is conceivable to send an electronic mail to the consumables supplier terminal 104.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the processing of the data disclosure unit 404 of the consumption status disclosure server 103.

The data disclosure unit 404, step S701.
At, a request for disclosure of consumption status is received. In the case of an http server, it is a method such as Get or Put.

In step S702, step S7
Data of the consumption state is transmitted as a reply of 01.

In step S703, step S7
01, the details of the processing of S702 are recorded in the database. As the recorded contents, for example, an access time, an access person, a device, an element of a consumable item list accessed, and the like are assumed. An example of the access record is shown in FIG. This access record is the original data for calculating and billing the access charge.

FIG. 8 shows a data disclosure consideration calculation unit 405 and a data disclosure consideration billing unit 4 of the consumption status disclosure server 103.
It is a flow chart which shows processing of 06.

First, in step S801, the data disclosure consideration calculation unit 405 acquires an access record from the database 401.

Next, in step S802, the consideration is calculated based on the access record. As a method of converting access into consideration, a method of setting a unit price for each access, a method of setting a unit price for each device, a method of setting a unit price for each element of the consumption amount list, etc. are assumed. The method does not matter. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide an accessible period and calculate the consideration for each time unit.

Then, the data disclosure consideration requesting unit 406
In step S803, the consumables supplier is charged with the consideration calculated in step S802. Alternatively, a service such as automatic withdrawal from a bank may be used.

According to the consumable supply system described above,
The consumption status of the consumables is automatically collected through the network, and the sales price information of the consumables that need to be replenished or replaced is notified to the consumables consumer in a timely manner. It can be done efficiently.

Further, the consumption status is disclosed to a plurality of consumable goods suppliers through the network, and the consumable goods consumer selects an optimum supplier based on the price, delivery date and other services presented by the plurality of consumable goods suppliers. Therefore, it is expected that service competition such as price and delivery will occur, and consumables consumers will be able to purchase consumables at low prices and short delivery times, aiming to improve customer satisfaction. You can

On the other hand, the consumable goods supplier can quickly obtain information about the customer who has the consumable goods that need to be replenished or replaced through the network. It will be possible to obtain sales opportunities and expand the number of customers.

Further, since it is possible for the consumable goods supplier to select whether or not to request the consumption status disclosure, the consumable goods supplier considers the sales volume, price, inventory, delivery date, delivery place, etc. It is possible to select and discard only the necessary consumption conditions, which enables efficient sales and
It will also be possible to keep the charges related to usage of consumption low.

Furthermore, since it is not necessary for the consumables supplier side to have a device such as the conventional centralized management server, the device management cost and maintenance cost are unnecessary.

As described above, by providing the mechanism described in the present embodiment, it becomes possible to supply consumables efficiently and at low cost.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the consumption status is disclosed using the http server has been shown, but it is possible to make the information regarding the consumption status of the consumable goods available to the consumable goods supplier through the network. Any method will do. For example, a method of directly transmitting the information on the consumption status to the consumables supplier terminal by e-mail or the like may be used.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the system example regarding the consumables of the office machine has been shown, but the invention can be applied to other equipment provided with a predetermined consumable, for example, a vending machine for soft drinks. Is.

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to realize a mechanism capable of efficiently supplying consumables at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a basic system configuration diagram of a consumable item supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sequence example of a consumable item supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a consumption status collection server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a consumption status disclosure server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the consumption status collection server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of a data conversion unit of the consumption status disclosure server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of a data disclosure unit of the consumption status disclosure server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of a data disclosure consideration calculation unit and a data disclosure consideration billing unit of the consumption status disclosure server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an example of a consumption amount list relating to a copying machine.

FIG. 10 is an example of an access record.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Consumption Status Collection Server 102 office network 103 Consumption status disclosure server 104 Consumables Supplier Terminal 121 Consumables Consumer Terminal 122 Copier 123,124 printer 125 plotter 126 facsimile 301 Device search unit 302 Data acquisition unit 303 Communication control unit 401 database 402 communication control unit 403 Data converter 404 Data Disclosure Department 405 Data Disclosure Consideration Department 406 Data Disclosure Consideration Department

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A consumable goods supply intermediary device for mediating between a user of a device having a predetermined consumable goods and a consumable goods supplier supplying the consumable goods, wherein the consumption status of the consumable goods provided in the user's equipment. Consumption status collecting means for collecting information on the network through a network, consumption status disclosure means for making the collected information available to the consumables supplier through the network, and a case where the consumables supplier uses the available information. A consumable goods supply intermediary device comprising: recording means for recording utilization information to that effect; and consideration calculation means for calculating a consideration to be received from the consumable goods supplier based on the recorded utilization information. 2. A consumable supply supply intermediary device for mediating between a user of a device having a predetermined consumable and a consumable supplier supplying the consumable, wherein the consumable condition of the consumable provided in the user's device. From the consumption status collection device that collects information about
A consumption status receiving means for receiving the collected information, a consumption status disclosure means for making the received information available to a consumables supplier through a network, and a case where the consumables supplier uses the available information. The consumable supply mediation device, further comprising: recording means for recording use information to that effect; and consideration calculation means for calculating a consideration to be received from the consumable supplier based on the recorded use information. . 3. When the user knows that the consumable goods supplier will supply the consumable goods, the consumable goods supplier is provided with a means for charging the consideration. Alternatively, the consumable product supply intermediary device according to item 2. 4. A price receiving unit for receiving a desired selling price of a consumable item from a consumable item supplier, and a price presenting unit for presenting the received desired selling price to a user through a network. The consumable product supply intermediary device according to claim 1, 2, or 3. 5. The consumable goods supply intermediary device according to claim 4, wherein the price presenting means presents a user with desired selling prices of a plurality of consumable goods suppliers. 6. A consumable supply mediation method for mediating between a user of a device having a predetermined consumable and a consumable supplier supplying the consumable, wherein the consumable condition of the consumable provided in the user's device. A consumption status collecting step of collecting information about the information through a network; a consumption status disclosure step of making the collected information available to a consumable supplier through the network; and a case where the consumable supplier uses the available information. A consumable supply mediation method comprising: a recording step of recording utilization information to that effect; and a consideration calculation step of calculating a consideration to be received from the consumable supplier based on the recorded utilization information. 7. A consumable supply mediation method for mediating between a user of a device having a predetermined consumable and a consumable supplier supplying the consumable, wherein the consumable condition of the consumable provided in the user's device. From the consumption status collection device that collects information about
A consumption status receiving step of receiving the collected information; a consumption status disclosure step of making the received information available to a consumable goods supplier through a network; and a case where the consumable goods supplier uses the available information A recording step of recording usage information to that effect, and a consideration calculation step of calculating a consideration to be received from the consumable supplier based on the recorded usage information. 8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of claiming the consideration to the consumable goods supplier when the user knows that the consumable goods supplier will supply the consumable goods. 7. The consumables supply mediation method according to 7. 9. A price receiving step of receiving a desired selling price of a consumable item from a consumable item supplier, and a price presenting step of presenting the received desired selling price to a user through a network. The consumables supply mediation method according to claim 6, 7 or 8. 10. The consumable supply mediation method according to claim 9, wherein in the price presenting step, the desired selling prices of a plurality of consumable supplies are presented to the user. 11. A consumables supply mediation program for mediating between a user of a device having a predetermined consumable and a consumables supplier supplying the consumable, wherein the computer supplies the consumable to the device of the user. Consumption status collecting step of collecting information on the consumption status of the consumer through the network, consumption step disclosure step of making the collected information available to the consumable supplier through the network, and utilization of the available information by the consumable supplier In that case, a recording step of recording usage information to that effect, and a consideration calculation step of calculating a consideration to be received from the consumable supplier based on the recorded usage information, are provided. Brokerage program. 12. A consumable supply supply mediating program for mediating between a user of a device having a predetermined consumable and a consumable supplier supplying the consumable, wherein the computer supplies the consumable to the user's device. From the consumption status collection device that collects information about the consumption status of
A consumption status receiving step of receiving the collected information; a consumption status disclosure step of making the received information available to a consumable goods supplier through a network; and a case where the consumable goods supplier uses the available information A recording step of recording usage information to that effect, and a consideration calculation step of calculating a consideration to be received from the consumable supplier based on the recorded usage information. . 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein when the user knows that the consumable goods supplier will supply the consumable goods, the consumable goods supplier is caused to perform a billing step for charging the consideration. Alternatively, the consumable product supply intermediary program according to item 12. 14. A price receiving step of receiving a desired selling price of a consumable item from a consumable item supplier, and a price presenting step of presenting the received desired selling price to a user through a network. The consumables supply mediation program according to claim 11, 12, or 13. 15. The consumable supply mediation program according to claim 14, wherein the price presenting step causes a process of presenting to a user desired selling prices of a plurality of consumable supplies. 16. A computer-readable recording medium on which the consumable supply mediation program according to any one of claims 11 to 15 is recorded.