Abstract: A manufacturer and retailer, which supply and sell articles such as business expendables or the like, stock articles in considerable quantities in their warehouses. However, such stocks are not always appropriate due to diversity of articles and difficulty in demand prediction, and articles cannot be delivered in a short term. A main server controls stock reserve of a branch warehouse on the basis of the check result of the urgency level of received order information, which is received from a user's information processing apparatus via a communication line, and the comparison result between the order quantity indicated by the received order information, and a non-reserved stock quantity.

Abstract: As useful information on a consumable component used in an image forming apparatus, a user of the image forming apparatus is notified at an appropriate timing that this moment is in a production discontinuation period of a consumable agent. Service information including a support period for a consumable component consumed along with image formation of a printer is stored in a nonvolatile memory. A CPU determines whether or not a toner low notification timing that is status information on the consumable component from the printer is in a consumable goods discontinuation timing that is set as a particular period of the support period. A content of consumable component information that an output device should be notified of is configured to be changed on the basis of the determination result.

Abstract: Contents are distributed on the basis of information of a hobby and an address of the user and the like. The distribution of the contents is controlled also on the basis of a result of comparison of a reception intensity regarding contents of 3 or more levels set on the user side and a distribution intensity set as attributes into the contents on a distributing side.

Abstract: Conventionally, for a product accompanied by supplies such as a copy machine or a printer, the demand figures relating to the supply which such a main machine consumes have been determined empirically from the transition of the past sales records of the supply, the trends of the market, and a sales scheduled figures of the main machine. Therefore, the forecasted values of the demand figures differ in accordance with the skills or experiences of individuals carrying out the forecasting, and necessarily, the accuracy of the forecasted values deteriorates. Further, a demand forecast method relating to the supplies of a product has not been realized due to the large number of parameters, the complexity of calculation, and the difficulty of a systematic approach for solving problems.

Abstract: A requester accesses a collection center system (4) and requests collection of expendables (S302). The collection center system (4) confirms actually collected expendables (S312) and gives a point to the user as the requester. For lump-sum collection using a predetermined container, a bonus point is also given. The point is also given for purchase. For the next purchase, the requester can receive an incentive in accordance with the point and enjoy a special service such as a discount.

Abstract: As useful information on a consumable component used in an image forming apparatus, a user of the image forming apparatus is notified at an appropriate timing that this moment is in a production discontinuation period of a consumable agent. Service information including a support period for a consumable component consumed along with image formation of a printer is stored in a nonvolatile memory. A CPU determines whether or not a toner low notification timing that is status information on the consumable component from the printer is in a consumable goods discontinuation timing that is set as a particular period of the support period. A content of consumable component information that an output device should be notified of is configured to be changed on the basis of the determination result.

Abstract: Collection status and delivery status of recoverable products are stored in a database in association with a plurality of suppliers, and unitarily managed at a collection center. Collection/delivery information associated with identification information transmitted from a terminal is returned as required.

Abstract: A technology for easily and accurately identifying a counterfeit program is provided. Image data and product-name data, which serve as product data, are input. A determination is made as to whether or not the input product data includes a registered trademark that is attached to genuine products and that is not attached to third party products as first information, and a determination is made as to whether or not the input product data includes a micro character that is attached to only genuine products as second information for counterfeit protection. When the input product data includes the first information and does not include the second information, it is determined that the product is a counterfeit product.

Abstract: Conventionally, for a product accompanied by supplies such as a copy machine or a printer, the demand figures relating to the supply which such a main machine consumes have been determined empirically from the transition of the past sales records of the supply, the trends of the market, and a sales scheduled figures of the main machine. Therefore, the forecasted values of the demand figures differ in accordance with the skills or experiences of individuals carrying out the forecasting, and necessarily, the accuracy of the forecasted values deteriorates. Further, a demand forecast method relating to the supplies of a product has not been realized due to the large number of parameters, the complexity of calculation, and the difficulty of a systematic approach for solving problems.

Abstract: A requester accesses a collection center system (4) and requests collection of expendables (S302). The collection center system (4) confirms actually collected expendables (S312) and gives a point to the user as the requester. For lump-sum collection using a predetermined container, a bonus point is also given. The point is also given for purchase. For the next purchase, the requester can receive an incentive in accordance with the point and enjoy a special service such as a discount.

Abstract: Contents are distributed on the basis of information of a hobby and an address of the user and the like. The distribution of the contents is controlled also on the basis of a result of comparison of a reception intensity regarding contents of 3 or more levels set on the user side and a distribution intensity set as attributes into the contents on a distributing side.

Abstract: Collection status and delivery status of recoverable products are stored in a database in association with a plurality of suppliers, and unitarily managed at a collection center. Collection/delivery information associated with identification information transmitted from a terminal is returned as required.

Abstract: A manufacturer and retailer, which supply and sell articles such as business expendables or the like, stock articles in considerable quantities in their warehouses. However, such stocks are not always appropriate due to diversity of articles and difficulty in demand prediction, and articles cannot be delivered in a short term. A main server controls stock reserve of a branch warehouse on the basis of the check result of the urgency level of received order information, which is received from a user's information processing apparatus via a communication line, and the comparison result between the order quantity indicated by the received order information, and a non-reserved stock quantity.

Abstract: In an article management system, an order for an article is issued from a terminal of a deliverer who delivers an article to a customer, and an incentive is given to a deliverer when the deliverer gets an order for an article from a customer. Information about the order reception, delivery, and incentive is managed so that a customer, a deliverer, and a seller can all obtain benefits in their business.

Abstract: Collection methods of toner cartridges involve stores or manufactures dispatching recovery vehicles, users taking toner cartridges to stores, or users sending toner cartridges by packing them in special boxes, but all these methods are troublesome and costly. To deal with this situation, an ordering screen provided to the user who orders goods via an Internet contains an entry field for specifying whether to use a collection service for the goods to be ordered. When this field is filled in and the information as to whether to use the collection service is transmitted, a main server calculates expected collection quantities based on the transmitted information and then draws up collection plans based on the calculated information.

Abstract: On designated dates from customers for sales of articles, a collecting request of used items for recycling, or the like through the Internet, and a service is added and the designated dates from the customers are concentrated on a specific date, thereby enabling trucks for delivery or collection for recycling to be efficiently used.