CONSUMABLES, CONSUMABLES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND CONSUMABLES MANAGEMENT METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To supply a user with a new consumables at exact timing and to make it possible to surely recover the storage container of a consumables.

SOLUTION: The system includes: a toner supply body having an output means that outputs use start information to the apparatus when the use of the toner supply body is started; an image forming apparatus provided on the user side, which receives the use start information outputted from the toner supply body, recognizes the start of the use of the toner supply body, and informs the recovery side of the start of the use of the toner supply body; and a recovery section that is informed of the start of the toner supply body by the user side. When the recovery side is informed of the use of the start of the toner supply body, the recovery side inquires whether the user requires the recovery of the consumables or not or whether the user requires the delivery of a new consumables or not, and processed the matter according to the reply.

COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI