JP2008310617A - Information processor provided with function for notifying user of order destination information of consumable, and its information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device that can prevent a store that sold the device from losing a customer or improve the convenience of the user, when the user orders consumables. <P>SOLUTION: The configuration is made capable of determining whether to update the order destination information held in the device body side by having information about an order destination and a reason for determining the order destination in both device body sides (both of a printer body 10 and a personal computer 30) and the consumables (a cartridge 20), and comparing the information about the reason for determining the order destination on both sides. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a function of notifying consumables supplier information to a user and an information processing method therefor, and in particular, it is necessary to replace a cartridge filled with consumables such as toner for a printer. In particular, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a function of notifying a user of supply destination information of consumables, which can cope with prevention of customer loss at a store where a printer is sold and improvement of user convenience, and an information processing method thereof.

  For example, in a printer (image forming apparatus), it is common to use a cartridge filled with toner or ink that is a consumable item. Then, when the remaining amount of the filler becomes small or becomes zero, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit of the printer main body so that the user needs to replace the cartridge. It has become. Upon receiving this notification, the user exchanges the cartridge on hand or orders the cartridge from the store.

When placing an order, the retailer wants to designate his / her own store as the ordering party.
However, there is a case where the ordering party information exists on the printer body side (such as the printer body or a personal computer controlling the printer body). In this case, the ordering party information on the printer body side needs to be changed. It is not easy to change the supplier.
As means for eliminating such inconvenience, means for writing ordering information necessary for cartridge replacement in a memory of an IC card unit mounted on a cartridge which is a replacement product has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).

JP 2001-331069 A (page 7, FIG. 1)

However, in the conventional ordering method described in Patent Document 1, the ordering party is fixed only at a store (for example, store A) written in the cartridge.
On the other hand, when the user is dissatisfied with the price or delivery date of the cartridge, the customer may want to change the ordering party (purchasing party) from the conventional dealer A to another dealer B.
Further, when there is no ordering party information in the cartridge, the ordering party is unknown and the user is confused.
Furthermore, if you look at a store that sells the printer itself to users, you want to continue to secure that user even if you order a single cartridge.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. When a user orders consumables, the present invention prevents the loss of a customer of a store that sells consumables that have been used in the past and improves user convenience. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus having a function of notifying the user of consumables supplier information, and an information processing method therefor.

In order to achieve this object, the invention according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus (printer body 10) having a function of notifying a user of information related to a consumable supplier.
The ordering party information and the basis information for determining the ordering party (FIGS. 2A and 2B) are displayed on the apparatus body side (the printer body 10 alone or both the printer body 10 and the personal computer 30) and the consumables (cartridge 20). And by comparing the basis information for determining both the ordering parties, it is possible to determine whether or not to update the ordering party information held on the apparatus main body side.
Note that the printer main body 10 and the like in parentheses are described with reference to the correspondence with the embodiment.

  The above configuration is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this way, both the apparatus body side and the consumables have the ordering party information and the basis information for determining the ordering party, and the apparatus body side holds the information by comparing the basis information for determining both the ordering party. It is possible to determine whether or not to update the supplier information.

In the invention according to claim 2, the apparatus main body side and the consumables each have an identification eigenvalue as basis information for determining the ordering party, and an identification eigenvalue on the apparatus main body side (FIG. 2A) When the consumable side identification eigenvalue (FIG. 2B) matches, the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side is updated.
The above configuration and its operation are illustrated in FIGS. In this way, when the identification value (store ID) of the printer main body (apparatus main body) and the ID chip (consumable) match as in steps S12 and S13 of FIG. The conventional dealer A can be an ordering party for cartridges (consumables) and can secure continuous orders from customers (users).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the apparatus main body side and the consumables have an identification eigenvalue as basis information for determining the order destination, and an identification eigenvalue (FIG. 2A) on the apparatus main body side. In the case where the identification unique value on the consumable side (FIG. 2B) does not match, an option as to whether or not to update the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side is presented.
The above configuration and its operation are illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. In this case, in the case of “mismatch” in step S22 in FIG. 4, whether or not the ordering party is updated (changed) is presented to the user in step S24. It is also possible to update (change) the ordering party information (step S24: YES), or not to update (change) the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side (step S24: NO).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus main body side and the consumables have consumable information as ground information for determining the ordering party, and the apparatus main body side consumable information (FIG. 2A) and The consumable information on the consumable side (FIG. 2B) is scored and compared, and when the consumable information on the consumable side is high, the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side is updated. As a configuration.
The above configuration and its operation are illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. In this way, when the “cartridge (consumables) information is advantageous (= high score)” in step S32 in FIG. 5, the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side can be updated (changed) (step). S34: YES). By this processing, the user can place an order for a cartridge (consumables) from a store that is more advantageous in price and delivery.

In the invention according to claim 5, the apparatus main body side and the consumables have consumable information as ground information for determining the ordering party, and the apparatus main body consumable information (FIG. 2A) and The consumable information on the consumable side (FIG. 2B) is scored and compared, and when the consumable information on the consumable side is high, the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side is updated. It is a configuration that presents the choice of whether or not.
The above configuration and its operation are illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. In this way, when “cartridge (consumables) information is advantageous (= high score)” in step S32 of FIG. 5, whether or not the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side is updated (changed) is presented. (Step S34), the user can select whether or not to order a cartridge (consumable item) from a store with a more advantageous price and delivery date.

The invention according to claim 6 uses the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side or the basis information on the ordering party determination when the ordering party information on the consumables or the basis information on the ordering party determination does not exist or is invalid. As a configuration.
In this way, even when the ordering party information or the ordering party determination basis information is not present or invalid for the consumables, the apparatus body side ordering party information or the ordering party determination basis information can be used. Therefore, the user will not be confused when ordering consumables.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for an information processing apparatus having a function of notifying a user of information related to a consumable supplier.
A first step for providing both the apparatus main body and the consumables with the supplier information and the basis information for determining the supplier,
A second step of comparing the basis information for determining both of the suppliers,
According to the result of the second step, the information processing method includes a third step of determining whether or not to update the ordering party information held on the apparatus main body side.

  In this way, in the first step, the ordering party information and the basis information for determining the ordering party are provided to both the apparatus body and the consumables, and in the second step, the basis information for determining both the ordering party is compared. By doing so, it is possible to determine whether or not to update the supplier information held on the apparatus main body side in the third step.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, both the apparatus main body side and the consumables have the ordering party information and the basis information for determining the ordering party, and by comparing the basis information for determining both the ordering party, It is possible to determine whether or not to update the supplier information held on the side.
According to the invention described in claim 2, when the device body side and the consumable identification unique value match, the ordering party information on the device body side can be updated. It becomes a supplier of consumables and secures continuous orders for users.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to update (change) the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side according to the user's intention, and not to update (change) the ordering party information on the apparatus body side. It is also possible.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the “cartridge (consumables) information is advantageous (= high score)”, the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side can be updated (changed). This process allows the user to place an order for consumables at a store that is more advantageous in price and delivery.

According to the invention of claim 5, when “cartridge (consumables) information is advantageous (= high score)”, whether or not the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side is updated (changed) is presented, It is possible to allow the user to select whether or not to order a cartridge (consumable item) from a store having a more advantageous price and delivery date.
According to the sixth aspect of the invention, even when the ordering party information or the ordering party determination basis information is not present or invalid for the consumable, the apparatus body side ordering party information or the ordering party determination basis information is displayed. Since it can be used, the user is not confused when ordering consumables.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, both the apparatus main body side and the consumables have the ordering party information and the ground information for determining the ordering party, and by comparing the grounding information for determining both the ordering party, It is possible to determine whether or not to update the supplier information held on the side.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printer system PS showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer system PS includes a printer main body 10, a cartridge 20, and a personal computer 30 capable of controlling the printer main body 10 from the outside. Both the printer main body 10 and the personal computer 30 are collectively referred to as “apparatus main body side” or “printer main body side”.

  The printer main body 10 includes an information reading unit (ID chip reader) 11 that reads information of an ID chip 21 mounted on a cartridge 20 described below, a printer controller 12 that performs overall control of the printer main body 10, and will be described next. An information communication unit (port) 14 that controls communication with the main body storage area 13, an external personal computer 30, an order information display unit (panel) 15 that displays information related to ordering, and each of these functional units 11-15. And an information processing unit 16 for controlling the above.

In the main body storage area 13, as shown in FIG. 2A, the name of the store where the printer main body 10 is sold / set (store A), the number of printed sheets, consumables supplier (orderee information), dealer ID・ Data such as price and delivery date are stored.
An ID chip 21 is mounted on the cartridge 20. As shown in FIG. 2B, the ID chip 21 has a model number, a remaining ink amount, a consumables supplier (orderee information), a store ID, Data such as price and delivery date is stored.
The personal computer 30 includes an order information display unit (display 31) that displays information related to ordering.
An example of an ink tank of a cartridge that can be used in this embodiment will be described as <Description of ink tanks constituting the ink cartridge> next to <Third Embodiment>.

<Description of Operation of First Embodiment>
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, when the dealer A sells the printer main body, a cartridge purchased from another dealer B is stored in the main body storage area 13 even though the dealer A is written as the cartridge ordering destination. This is the case when it is loaded.
When the user places an order for the next cartridge, it is preferable that the order is placed at the supplier (store B) written on the cartridge because the store A is deprived of the customer by the store B. Not that.

  In order to prevent such a situation, the store A wants the store A to place an order by changing the ordering party (store B) written on the cartridge. In order to achieve this purpose, both the ID chip 21 and the main body storage area 13 are provided with “store ID” (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) as basis information for determining the ordering party. What is necessary is just to guide the store A to be selected as the ordering party.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the printer main body 10, the information reading unit (ID chip reader) 11 captures the “consumables supplier” and the “store ID” (step S11).
If the cartridge information can be read, the information processing unit 16 compares the “store ID” stored in the main body storage area 13 of the printer main body 10 with the “store ID” read from the ID chip 21 ( Step S12).

If the “store ID” matches between the printer main body 10 and the ID chip 21, the “consumable supply order” information on the printer main body is updated with the “consumable supply order” on the ID chip side (step S13). The consumables ordering mode is determined (step S14), and the ordering party information is displayed on the ordering information display unit 15 of the printer body 10 or the ordering information display unit 31 of the personal computer 30 (step S15).
In this way, the store A can continuously secure the next cartridge ordering party.

If the “store ID” between the printer body 10 and the ID chip 21 does not match in step S12, the “consumables ordering party” information on the printer body is not updated with the “consumables ordering party” on the ID chip side. As a consumable ordering mode, the order information is displayed on the ordering information display unit 15 of the printer main body 10 or the ordering information display unit 31 of the personal computer 30 with the discrepancy (step S14) (step S15).
In this way, even when a cartridge purchased from another store B is used, the store A can be continuously notified to the user as a “consumables supplier”, and the user can continue to be notified. The store A can be selected as an ordering party.

Further, when the “store ID” is simply stored in the ID chip 21 of the cartridge 20, it becomes possible to read the “store ID” illegally or change the ordering party.
Therefore, the “store ID” information may be encrypted, and the ordering party may be rewritten only when both the “store ID” and the “encryption key” match.

  Moreover, if the program of the process of said step S11-step S15 is recorded on a recording medium, it can be used as a printer driver. In this way, the old specification printer driver can be easily replaced by a service person or the like with the printer driver (new specification) of the present embodiment.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the case of the first embodiment, the ordering party is fixed to the store A. However, considering the convenience of the user, there is dissatisfaction with the price and delivery date of the cartridge, and it is preferable that the user can select another dealer as the ordering destination.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the printer main body 10, the information reading unit (ID chip reader) 11 takes in the “consumable supplier” and the “store ID” (step S21).
If the cartridge information can be read, the information processing unit 16 compares the “sales ID” on the printer body side with the “sales ID” read from the ID chip 21 (step S22).
If the “store ID” matches between the printer main body 10 and the ID chip 21, the “consumable supply order” information on the printer main body is updated with the “consumable supply order” on the ID chip side (step S23). The consumables ordering mode is determined (step S25), and the order information is displayed on the ordering information display unit 15 of the printer body 10 or the ordering information display unit 31 of the personal computer 30 (step S25).
In this way, the store A can continuously secure the next cartridge ordering party.

In step S22, if the “store ID” between the printer main body 10 and the ID chip 21 does not match, confirmation is made as to whether or not to change the ordering destination for the user (step S24). When the user selects to change the ordering party (step S24: YES), the ordering party information (consumables ordering party) in the main body storage area 13 of the printer body 10 is updated (step S23), and the ordering of consumables is performed. The mode is determined (step S25), and the order information is displayed on the order information display unit 15 of the printer body 10 or the order information display unit 31 of the personal computer 30 (step S26).
In this way, the user can select either the store A (printer body seller) or the store B (cartridge seller) as the next ordering party.

If the user selects not to change the consumables supplier in step S24 (step S24: NO), the orderee information (consumables supplier) in the main body storage area 13 of the printer main body 10 is not updated and does not match. The consumables ordering mode is determined as it is (step S25), and the inconsistent ordering party information is displayed on the ordering information display unit 15 of the printer body 10 or the ordering information display unit 31 of the personal computer 30 (step S26).
In this way, when the user purchases the next cartridge, it is possible to change from the store A (printer body seller) to the store B (cartridge seller).

<Third Embodiment>
For the user, when ordering a cartridge, it is preferable to have various judgment materials for determining a store.
As the judgment material, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, information such as price and delivery date is stored in the ID chip 21 and the main body storage area 13 of the printer main body 10.
Here, consider a case where a store with the best combination of price and delivery date is selected. In this case, the unit of price is “yen” (for example, 500 yen) and the unit of delivery date is “day” (for example, 5 days), so compare raw values (500 yen and 5 days) as they are. I can't.

Therefore, by comparing the price and the delivery date by "scoring", it is possible to save the user from selecting a store.
Whether the price or the delivery date is emphasized (weighting) when changing the score is different for each user, so that the user can change the weighting.
As a process of scoring, for example, “price: 1 point for 1 yen, delivery date: 100 points for 1 day”.
In the data in the main body storage area 13 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the price is 600 yen and the delivery date is 3 days. In the data of the ID chip 21, the price is 500 yen and the delivery date is 5 days. is there.

This data is scored as follows.
Information on the main body storage area 13: 600 yen × 1 point + 3 days × 100 points = 900 points Information on the ID chip 21: 500 yen × 1 point + 5 days × 100 points = 1000 points In this case, the lower the score, the better for the user Therefore, as a result of the comparison, information on the printer main body side is not updated (ordering party is not changed).
If the delivery date stored in the ID chip 21 is 3 days, it will be as follows.
Information on the ID chip 21: 500 yen × 1 point + 3 days × 100 points = 800 points In this case, the order destination information on the printer body side is updated based on the order destination information of the cartridge having a low score.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the cartridge 20 is mounted in the printer main body 10, the information reading unit (ID chip reader) 11 takes in the “consumable supplier” and the “store ID” (step S31).
The ordering information such as price / delivery date read from the printer body side and the ordering information such as price / delivery date read from the ID chip 21 are scored and compared by weighting set by the user (step S32).

If it is determined that the ordering information read from the ID chip 21 of the cartridge 20 is more advantageous than the ordering information on the printer main body side, the consumables ordering party information on both the printer main body side and the ID chip 21 is displayed on the ordering information display section (panel ) 15 and the order information display unit (display) 31 of the personal computer 30 (step S33).
Next, the user confirms whether or not to change the ordering destination (see FIG. 6) (step S34). When changing the consumables ordering destination is selected (step S34: YES), the printer main body side is checked. The supplier information is updated (step S35). When the consumable ordering mode is determined (step S36), the updated ordering party information is displayed on the panel 15 and the display 31 (step S37).

If it is selected in step S34 that the consumables supplier is not changed (step S34: NO), the ordering information on the printer main body side is not updated (changed), and the consumables ordering mode is determined. (Step S36), the supplier information not updated is displayed on the panel 15 and the display 31 (Step S37).
In this way, it is possible to place an order for a cartridge by designating a store that the user has determined to be advantageous without much effort.

<Description of ink tank constituting ink cartridge>
Ink cartridges (ink tanks) of the ink cartridge that can be used in the present invention are roughly classified into four types.
As shown in FIG. 7, there are four types depending on the combination of the negative pressure generation location and the negative pressure generation means. The negative pressure generation location is integrated with or separated from the ink tank, and the negative pressure generation means is whether the negative pressure generation means is an absorber or a bag attached with a spring or the like. Hereinafter, it demonstrates in order.

(1) Type A (Negative pressure generation part and tank are separated / Negative pressure generation is an absorber)
FIG. 8 shows an example of the A type.
The ink tank IKT-1 shown in FIG. 8 includes a negative pressure generating unit 41 that stores a capillary force generating member and a liquid supply unit 42 that stores ink INK. The liquid supply part 42 is configured to be coupled to the negative pressure generating part 41 via gas-liquid exchange passages 43a and 43b.

The negative pressure generating unit 41 includes a housing 45 having an ink supply port 44 for supplying ink (including liquid such as processing liquid) to the outside of a recording head unit or the like that performs recording by discharging liquid from the discharge port. A capillary force generating member 46 composed of a mixed fiber such as polypropylene and polyethylene housed in the body 45 is provided. The housing 45 further includes an atmosphere communication port 47 for communicating the capillary force generating member 46 housed in the interior with the outside air, and a rib protruding from the inner surface of the housing is formed in the vicinity of the air communication port 47. A buffer space 48 is provided.
On the other hand, the liquid supply unit 42 stores ink directly in the housing, is connected to the negative pressure generation unit 41, and supplies the ink to the negative pressure generation unit 41. Reference numeral 49 denotes a housing.

(2) B type (negative pressure generation part and tank are integrated / negative pressure generation is an absorber)
FIG. 9 shows an example of the B type.
The ink tank IKT-2 in FIG. 9 has a configuration in which an A-type negative pressure generation unit and a liquid supply unit are included in one housing 45A.
A negative pressure generation unit 41 that stores a capillary force generation member and a liquid supply unit 42 that stores ink INK, and the liquid supply unit 42 communicates with the negative pressure generation unit 41 via the gas-liquid exchange passage 3. It has become.

The negative pressure generation unit 41 has an ink supply port 44 that supplies ink (including liquid such as processing liquid) to the outside of a recording head unit or the like that performs recording by discharging liquid from the discharge port. A capillary force generating member 46 constituted by a blended fiber such as polypropylene and polyethylene accommodated therein is provided. The housing 45A further includes an atmospheric communication port 47 for communicating the capillary force generating member 46 housed in the interior with the outside air, and a rib protruding from the inner surface of the housing 45A in the vicinity of the atmospheric communication port 47. The buffer space 48 formed by the above is provided.
On the other hand, the liquid supply unit 42 directly stores ink and supplies the ink to the negative pressure generation unit 41 via the gas-liquid exchange passage 43c.

(3) C type (negative pressure generation part and tank are separated / negative pressure generation is spring)
FIG. 10 shows an example of the C type.
The ink tank IKT-3 in FIG. 10 includes a negative pressure generating unit 41 that stores a spring 51, and a liquid supply unit 42 that stores ink INK. The liquid supply unit 42 is configured to be coupled to the negative pressure generation unit 41 through the liquid supply path 43d.

The negative pressure generating unit 41 includes a housing 45B having an ink supply port 44a that supplies ink (including liquid such as processing liquid) to the outside of a recording head unit or the like that performs recording by ejecting liquid from the ejection port, and a housing A spring 51 for generating a negative pressure stored in the body 45B and an inner bag 52 for storing ink INK are provided. The housing 45B is further provided with an air communication port 47 for communicating the inside of the housing with the outside air.
On the other hand, the liquid supply unit 42 stores ink directly in the housing, and supplies the ink INK to the negative pressure generation unit 41 via the liquid supply path 43d.

(4) D type (negative pressure generation part and tank are integrated / negative pressure generation is a spring)
FIG. 11 shows an example of the D type.
The ink tank IKT-4 in FIG. 11 includes a housing 41, a spring 51 that generates negative pressure, and a liquid storage bag 52A that stores ink INK.
The liquid storage bag 52A has flexibility and can be deformed as the ink stored therein is led out. When the ink is consumed, the liquid storage bag 52A is gradually crushed. At this time, the spring 51 prevents the crushing and the drag acts. Therefore, a negative pressure is generated in the liquid storage bag.

The housing 41 includes an ink supply port 44a, and further includes an air communication port 47 for communicating the inside of the housing with the outside air.
The liquid storage bag 52A has a triple structure in which a liquid contact layer having ink resistance, an elastic modulus dominating layer, and a gas barrier layer excellent in gas barrier properties are stacked in that order from the inside.
In this example, polypropylene or polyethylene is used as the material of the innermost liquid contact layer constituting the liquid storage bag 52A, cyclic olefin copolymer is used as the intermediate elastic modulus controlling layer, and EVOH (EVA (ethylene acetate) is used as the material of the outermost gas barrier layer. Vinyl saponified resin) is used. Here, by including a functional adhesive resin material in the elastic modulus dominating layer, it is not necessary to specially provide an adhesive layer between the layers, so that the thickness of the liquid storage bag 52A can be reduced, which is preferable.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the cartridge, which is a consumable item for the printer, is replaced has been described. However, if the “information processing apparatus having the function of notifying the user of the consumable item order information” Of course, the present invention is applicable.

It is a functional block diagram of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the data format memorize | stored in the memory | storage part in the said 1st Embodiment, Comprising: (A) is a data format of a main body storage area, (B) is a data format of the ID chip of a cartridge. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the said 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the said 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the said 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the confirmation screen with respect to the user in the said 3rd Embodiment. 6 is a chart showing combinations of negative pressure generation locations and negative pressure generation means of an ink tank that can be used in the present invention. It is side sectional drawing which shows A type of the same ink tank. It is a sectional side view which shows B type of the same ink tank. It is side sectional drawing which shows C type of the ink tank. It is side sectional drawing which shows D type of the same ink tank.

Explanation of symbols

PS ... Printer system IKT-1 to IKT-4 ... Ink tank 10 ... Printer body 11 ... Information reading unit (ID chip reader)
12 ... Printer controller 13 ... Main body storage area 14 ... Information communication section (port)
15. Order information display section (panel)
16 ... Information processing unit 20 ... Cartridge 21 ... ID chip 30 ... Personal computer 31 ... Order information display unit (display)

Claims (7)

In an information processing device with a function of notifying the user of information related to the supplier of consumables,
Both the apparatus main body and the consumables have the supplier information and the basis information for determining the supplier, and by comparing the basis information for determining both of the suppliers, the information on the supplier information held by the apparatus main body is obtained. An information processing apparatus characterized in that it is possible to determine whether or not to perform an update.   The apparatus main body side and the consumables each have an identification eigenvalue as basis information for determining the supplier, and when the apparatus main body side identification eigenvalue and the consumable side identification eigenvalue match, 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side is updated.   The apparatus main body side and the consumables have an identification eigenvalue as basis information for determining the ordering party, and when the identification eigenvalue on the apparatus main body side and the identification eigenvalue on the consumable side do not match, 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an option as to whether or not to update the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side is presented.   The apparatus body side and the consumables have consumables information as basis information for determining the ordering party, and compare the consumables information on the apparatus body side with the consumables information on the consumables side, 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side is updated when the score of the consumable information on the consumable part is high.   The apparatus body side and the consumables have consumables information as basis information for determining the ordering party, and compare the consumables information on the apparatus body side with the consumables information on the consumables side, 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the consumable information on the consumable side has a high score, an option as to whether or not to update the ordering party information on the apparatus main body side is presented.   2. The ordering party information or ordering party determination basis information on the apparatus body is used when the consumables ordering party information or ordering party determination basis information is absent or invalid. Information processing device. In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus having a function of notifying a user of information on a consumable supplier,
A first step for providing both the apparatus main body and the consumables with the supplier information and the basis information for determining the supplier,
A second step of comparing the basis information for determining both of the suppliers,
An information processing method comprising: a third step of determining whether or not to update the supplier information held on the apparatus main body side based on the result of the second step.

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