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US 8,818,869 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for managing subscriptions
AssigneeInventor Holdings, LLC
InventorsJay S. Walker, Magdalena Mik, James A. Jorasch, Andrew S. Van Luchene, Michiko Koyabashi, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Russell P. Sammon, Andrew P. Golden, Adam Stevenson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A subscription system allows a customer to establish a subscription to a product with one or more retailers (e.g., by establishing the subscription through a controller or central system). In one embodiment, a subscription may be established after receiving information that identifies a product. Terms of a subscription for the product are established, such as a frequency and a duration of the subscription.
Claims28
A method comprising:
- receiving, by a controller device from a customer, via a web site, information that identifies a product selected by the customer;
- establishing, by the controller device, a subscription of the customer for the product, wherein terms of the subscription include:
- a first subscription price of the product,
- a first frequency of the subscription that indicates a first period of time,
- wherein the customer is required to purchase a unit of the product in the first period of time;
- authorizing, by the controller device, purchase by the customer of a unit of the product at the first subscription price;
- tracking, by the controller device, a fulfillment of the subscription;
- determining, by the controller device, that the customer did not comply with the first frequency that indicates the first period of time;
- determining, by the controller device, a modified subscription of the customer for the product, in which terms of the modified subscription include:
- a second subscription price of the product,
- a second frequency of the subscription that indicates a second period of time,
- wherein the customer is required to purchase a unit of the product in the second period of time;
- authorizing, by the controller device, purchase by the customer of a unit of the product at the second subscription price;
- and
- tracking, by the controller device, a fulfillment of the modified subscription.
12 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a storage device in communication with the processor, the storage device storing instructions configured such that when executed by the processor the instructions direct the processor to perform:
- receiving from a customer, via a web site, information that identifies a product selected by the customer;
- establishing a subscription of the customer for the product, wherein terms of the subscription include:
- a first subscription price of the product,
- a first frequency of the subscription that indicates a first period of time,
- wherein the customer is required to purchase a unit of the product in the first period of time;
- authorizing purchase by the customer of a unit of the product at the first subscription price;
- tracking a fulfillment of the subscription;
- determining that the customer did not comply with the first frequency that indicates the first period of time;
- determining a modified subscription of the customer for the product, in which terms of the modified subscription include:
- a second subscription price of the product,
- a second frequency of the subscription that indicates a second period of time,
- wherein the customer is required to purchase a unit of the product in the second period of time;
- authorizing purchase by the customer of a unit of the product at the second subscription price;
- and
- tracking a fulfillment of the modified subscription.
15 more elements
A non-transitory computer readable storage device storing instructions configured to direct a controller to perform a method, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a controller device from a customer, via a web site, information that identifies a product selected by the customer;
- establishing, by the controller device, a subscription of the customer for the product, wherein terms of the subscription include:
- a first subscription price of the product,
- a first frequency of the subscription that indicates a first period of time,
- wherein the customer is required to purchase a unit of the product in the first period of time;
- authorizing, by the controller device, purchase by the customer of a unit of the product at the first subscription price;
- tracking, by the controller device, a fulfillment of the subscription;
- determining, by the controller device, that the customer did not comply with the first frequency that indicates the first period of time;
- determining, by the controller device, a modified subscription of the customer for the product, in which terms of the modified subscription include:
- a second subscription price of the product,
- a second frequency of the subscription that indicates a second period of time,
- wherein the customer is required to purchase a unit of the product in the second period of time;
- authorizing, by the controller device, purchase by the customer of a unit of the product at the second subscription price;
- and
- tracking, by the controller device, a fulfillment of the modified subscription.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.