A communication unit (202) receives, from an external information terminal (100), an inquiry signal that inquires which process electrical machinery and apparatus (200) executes at present. A process management unit (203a) manages which process the electrical machinery and apparatus (200) executes at present, and specifies the process at a time point when the inquiry signal is received. A process time management unit (203b) determines at least one of the time required from the start to end of the specified process and the time remaining from the present time to end of the specified process. A response content determination unit (203c) determines a response content for the inquiry signal in response to at least one of the required time and the remaining time. The communication unit (202) transmits the determined response content to the information terminal (100).
