Method and system for supply of expendables

Abstract

In response to an order from a user, a new expendable container is supplied in exchange for an expendable container possessed by the user. Price for ink supply is determined based on expendable-related information that indicates at least the model of the expendable container possessed by the user, thereby promoting refilling and recycling of expendable containers. Price can be discounted if there is remaining ink, whereby discarding of ink can be discouraged, thus contributing to protection of the environment.

1 . A method for determining a price at which a new expendable is to be supplied, the price being determined by a computer in response to a user inquiry, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) receiving the inquiry including expendable-related information by the computer, the expendable-related information includes model information indicative of a model of an expendable container possessed by the user, remaining amount information indicative of a remaining amount of expendable remaining in the expendable container, type information indicative of a type of expendable remaining in the expendable container, and expiration date information indicative of an expiration date of the expendable; and    (b) determining the price by the computer based on the expendable-related information, the determination being based on whether the expiration date has passed such that a discount of the price being determined when the expiration date has passed is higher than a discount of the price being determined when the expiration date has not passed.    
     
     
         2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying the price to the user.  
     
     
         3 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein 
 the expendable is supplied by injecting the new expendable into the expendable container possessed by the user;    the inquiry includes injection amount information indicative of an amount of the new expendable to be injected; and    the step (b) further includes a step of determining a price based on the injection amount information and the expendable-related information.    
     
     
         4 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein 
 the expendable-related information further includes unsealing date information indicative of an unsealing date of the expendable.    
     
     
         5 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein 
 the expendable container possessed by the user comprises a memory for storing the expendable-related information, and    the expendable-related information is to be read out from the memory.    
     
     
         6 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein 
 the method determines a price for providing a new expendable contained in a new expendable container on condition that the expendable container possessed by the user is returned to a supplier.    
     
     
         7 . The method in accordance with  claim 6  wherein 
 the step (b) includes the steps of:    verifying whether a first type order has been submitted to the supplier for the expendable container before, the first type order being for providing a new expendable contained in a new expendable container on condition that the expendable container possessed by the user is returned to the supplier; and    determining a first type price for the first type order if the first type order has not been submitted before, while determining a second type price if the first type order has been submitted before, the second price being determined for a second type order, the second type order being for providing a new expendable contained in a new expendable container on condition that the expendable container possessed by the user is NOT returned to the supplier.    
     
     
         8 . The method in accordance with  claim 7  wherein 
 the step (b) further includes a step of providing the user with options of the first type price and the second type price if the first type order has not been submitted before.    
     
     
         9 . A method for determining a price at which a new expendable is to be supplied the price being determined by a computer in response to a user inquiry the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) receiving the inquiry including expendable-related information by the computer, the expendable-related information includes model information indicative of a model of an expendable container possessed by the user, remaining amount information indicative of a remaining amount of expendable remaining in the expendable container, type information indicative of a type of expendable remaining in the expendable container, and unsealing date information indicative of an unsealing date of the expendable; and    (b) determining the price by the computer based on the expendable-related information.    
     
     
         10 . The method in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising the step of displaying the price to the user.  
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein 
 the expendable is supplied by injecting the new expendable into the expendable container possessed by the user;    the inquiry includes injection amount information indicative of an amount of the new expendable to be injected; and    the step (b) further includes a step of determining a price based on the injection amount information and the expendable-related information.    
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein 
 the expendable container possessed by the user comprises a memory for storing the expendable-related information, and    the expendable-related information is to be read out from the memory.    
     
     
         13 . The method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein 
 the method determines a price for providing a new expendable contained in a new expendable container on condition that the expendable container possessed by the user is returned to a supplier.    
     
     
         14 - 33 . (canceled)