Method of selling measuring or analyzing apparatus

• US 20010053982A1
• Filed: 05/15/2001
• Published: 12/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
• Original Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
• Inventors: Niwa, Naoaki
• Application Number:
  US09/854,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20010053982A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply

Abstract

In order to charge a fee according to a using condition of a treating apparatus, i.e. measuring or analyzing apparatus, the treating apparatus is connected to a terminal on a user'"'"'s side and a server on a seller'"'"'s side through an internet. The cost of the measuring or analyzing apparatus is charged according to the using condition through the internet, i.e. based on a measured rate system. The measuring or analyzing apparatus is transferred to the side of the user, but the user can start using the apparatus with a small sum of money.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a business with a treating apparatus, comprising:

installing the treating apparatus to a user;

connecting the treating apparatus at the user to a server on a seller'"'"'s side through a communication line;

using the treating apparatus through the communication line; and

charging a fee of the treating apparatus based on a measured rate system according to a using condition of the treating apparatus.

2. A method of conducting a business with a treating apparatus according to

claim 1

, further comprising downloading a program to be used for the apparatus from the server through the communication line.

3. A method of conducting a business with a treating apparatus according to

claim 1

, further comprising diagnosing a fault of the treating apparatus through the communication line.

4. A method of conducting a business with a treating apparatus according to

claim 3

, further comprising charging a fee for diagnosing the fault of the treating apparatus through the communication line.

5. A method of conducting a business with a treating apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein said treating apparatus is at least one of a measuring apparatus and an analyzing apparatus, and the fee is one of a whole cost and a part thereof.

6. A method of conducting a business with a treating apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein when the user uses the treating apparatus, the treating apparatus is connected to the server through the communication line, and is used upon permission from the server.

7. A method of conducting a business with a treating apparatus according to

claim 6

, wherein said using condition includes one of actuating the treating apparatus, downloading a program of the treating apparatus, and diagnosing a fault of the treating apparatus in case of a fault condition.

8. A method of conducting a business with a treating apparatus according to

claim 7

, further comprising connecting a seller to the server through the communication line to proving the fee of the treating apparatus at the user to the seller.

9. A method of conducting a business with a treating apparatus according to

claim 8

, wherein said seller provides an update program and a new program for the treating apparatus to the server to allow the user to access to information of the update and new programs.

10. A system of conducting a business with a treating apparatus, comprising:

a terminal connected to the treating apparatus on a user'"'"'s side, said terminal connecting the treating apparatus to a communication line; and

accounting means installed at a server on a seller'"'"'s side and connected to the communication line, said accounting means calculating a fee according to a using condition of the treating apparatus through the communication line and charging the fee to the user.

11. A system of conducting a business with a treating apparatus according to

claim 10

, wherein said accounting means calculates an amount to be charged, of the treating apparatus based on a processing content and an operation time of the treating apparatus through the communication line.

12. A system of conducting a business with a treating apparatus according to

claim 10

, further comprising means for storing information used by the treating apparatus at the server, said storing means including a program to be used for the apparatus and a fault-diagnosing program.

13. A system of conducting a business with a treating apparatus according to

claim 10

, wherein said treating apparatus is at least one of a measuring apparatus and an analyzing apparatus, and the fee is one of a whole cost and a part thereof.

14. A system of conducting a business with a treating apparatus according to

claim 10

, wherein said using condition includes one of actuating the treating apparatus, downloading a program of the treating apparatus, and diagnosing a fault of the treating apparatus in case of a fault condition.

15. A system of conducting a business with a treating apparatus according to

claim 14

, further comprising an update program and a new program for the treating apparatus provided from a seller to the server to allow the user to access to information of the update and new programs.