System for enabling limited time trial products
OwnerJohn Pace, Joseph Grez +4inventors
InventorsJohn Pace, Joseph Grez, Maarten Barmentlo, Daniel Bayeh, Gerald Brewer, James Tiura
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A power appliance, such as a power toothbrush, is adapted for limited time trial use, but otherwise has the operational functionality of a conventional long-term use product. The power appliance is responsive to a communication from an enabling device to enable long-term of the appliance following receipt of payment from the user.
Claims23
A system for enabling limited time trial use products for additional preselected use, comprising:
- a power appliance (10), which has been adapted for limited time trial use;
- and
- an enabling device (12, 14), provided to the user following authorization, to enable the appliance for additional use.
A system for enabling a limited time trial use product for additional preselected use, comprising:
- a power appliance (22) which has been adapted for a limited time trial use;
- and
- a communication element (20) associated with the power appliance for receiving an enabling message from an external source (26) over a communication line (24) and wherein the appliance includes a circuit (23) enabling the appliance for preselected additional use in response to the communication element receiving an enabling signal.
A system for enabling limited time trial use products for long-term use, comprising:
- a power appliance which has been adapted for limited time trial use but otherwise has a full operational capability of a conventional version thereof, wherein the power appliance includes a portion thereof which enables the device for long-term use upon a selected one of 1) actuation and 2) deactuation thereof.
A system for enabling limited time trial use of products for long-term use, comprising:
- a power appliance which has been adapted for limited time trial use, the power appliance including an on/off switch operable by a user in particular patterns, and wherein the power appliance includes a recognition circuit for recognizing a preselected pattern of operation of the on/off switch, the power appliance being enabled for long-term use following recognition of the selected pattern.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.