Supply apparatus and receiving apparatus

A supply apparatus that supplies support information regarding maintenance of a production apparatus, to a receiving apparatus that receives the support information, said supply apparatus comprising:

• a second communication unit operable to transmit the support information, via a network, to the receiving apparatus;
• a second storage unit operable to store the support information;
• and
• an updating unit operable to update the support information,
• wherein the support information describes at least a relationship between a period of use of the production apparatus and a support item for the production apparatus which is in accordance with the period of use.

A receiving method used in a receiving apparatus that receives support information regarding maintenance of a production apparatus, said receiving method comprising steps of:

• receiving support information, via a network, from a supply apparatus that supplies the support information;
• displaying the support information;
• storing the support information;
• and
• accepting, from a user of the receiving apparatus, an input instruction regarding the support information,
• wherein the support information describes at least a relationship between a period of use of the production apparatus and a support item for the production apparatus which is in accordance with the period of use.

A supply method for use in a supply apparatus that supplies support information regarding maintenance of a production apparatus, to a receiving apparatus that receives the support information, said supply method comprising steps of:

• transmitting the support information, via a network, to the receiving apparatus;
• storing the support information;
• and
• updating the support information,
• wherein the support information describes at least a relationship between a period of use of the production apparatus and a support item for the production apparatus which is in accordance with the period of use.

A support information transferring system comprising a receiving apparatus that receives support information regarding maintenance of a production apparatus and a supply apparatus that supplies support information to said receiving apparatus,

• wherein said receiving apparatus includes:
• a communication unit operable to receive the support information, via a network, from said supply apparatus that supplies the support information;
• a display unit operable to display the support information;
• a storage unit operable to store the support information;
• and
• an acceptance unit operable to accept, from a user of said receiving apparatus, an input instruction regarding the support information,
• said supply apparatus includes:
• a second communication unit operable to transmit the support information, via a network, to said receiving apparatus;
• a second storage unit operable to store the support information;
• and
• an updating unit operable to update the support information, and
• the support information describes at least a relationship between a period of use of the production apparatus and a support item for the production apparatus which is in accordance with the period of use.