Product Or Service Warranty Patents (Class 705/302)
  • Patent number: 11875419
    Abstract: A system for collecting property status information from a property for a virtual appraisal receives the property status information from a plurality of devices positioned about the property, stores the property status information in a database, and assesses the property status information to create the virtual appraisal for the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
    Inventors: Laura Marie Fontana, Yvette Hatton, Margaret S. Honeycutt, Kristine Ing Kushner, Adnan Khan, Kimberly MacInnis, Jann McCully, Darius A. Miranda, David Newman, Oleg Pravdin, John T. Wright
  • Patent number: 11853922
    Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented for warranty tracking and transactions based on usage metrics by use of blockchain. The methods include, for instance: obtaining a usage report of an IoT device in a predefined format. The usage report is recorded in a blockchain network, and a warranty balance, also recorded in the blockchain network, is updated in the amount corresponding to the usage report on the IoT device. A warranty claim is resolved based on records of the usage report and the warranty balance for the IoT device as recorded in the blockchain network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nadiya Kochura, Shikhar Kwatra, Tiberiu Suto, Hemant Kumar Sivaswamy
  • Patent number: 11818226
    Abstract: After receiving from a device a request to register the device, a management apparatus issues service-specific identification information for identifying the device in a server that provides a service, and manages the issued service-specific identification information in association with the service. The management apparatus issues common service-specific identification information for grouped services among a plurality of services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryo Kawahata
  • Patent number: 11790676
    Abstract: A system for performing remote artificial intelligence-assisted electronic warranty verification including at least one processor configured to transmit an instruction to capture at least one product image of a specific product, receive and perform product image analysis on the product image to identify at least one product-distinguishing characteristic, transmit an instruction to capture an image of a purchase receipt, receive and perform receipt image analysis on the purchase receipt image to identify product purchase information, access a universal data structure containing data on products offered by suppliers, use the at least one product-distinguishing characteristic and product purchase information to identify in the universal data structure the specific product, identify in the universal data structure a link to a warranty data structure of the supplier, access the link to lookup the specific product and receive a warranty coverage indication from the supplier data structure, and transmit an indicatio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TechSee Augmented Vision, Ltd.
    Inventors: Amir Yoffe, Eitan Cohen
  • Patent number: 11714952
    Abstract: A document processing apparatus includes a processor. The processor receives a document in which components suitable for a creation purpose are disposed. The processor extracts a piece of pattern information from pattern information stored in a memory. The extracted pattern information corresponds to the creation purpose of the received document. The memory stores the pattern information in which item values of items are set in association with a document creation purpose. The item values of the items define a document pattern. The processor refers to the extracted pattern information and sets a pattern for the components disposed in the received document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP.
    Inventor: Junichi Matsunoshita
  • Patent number: 11620037
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, mechanisms (which can, for example, include systems, methods, and media) for maintaining components of a unit are provided. In some embodiments, a method comprises: receiving an indication that a unit is ready to be turned; generating a customized user interface for assessment of the unit based on a template; receiving a request, from a remote computing device, for the user interface; causing the remote device to present the user interface; receiving, via the remote device, input indicating that a component should be replaced; receiving, from the remote device, an image of the component; receiving, from a second remote computing device associated with a designated user, input indicating that replacement of the first component is approved; and causing a notification to be presented via the remote computing device indicating that replacement of the first component is approved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Direct Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Fastner, Suzanne M. Lieven
  • Patent number: 11509793
    Abstract: A server registers, into a first memory, user identification information and service information in a condition where a connection between the server and a target device via the Internet has not been established. The server registers, into a second memory, first device identification information in association with the user identification information and the service information registered in the first memory after receiving the first device identification information. After the connection between the server and the target device via the Internet has been established for a first time, the server causes a service providing server to provide the service to the user using the user identification information and the service information in the first memory in response to receiving the device identification information from a target device matching the first device identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Nagasaki
  • Patent number: 11397972
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assessing damage to a motor vehicle on the basis of at least one image file of the damaged motor vehicle, the method comprising ascertaining, on the basis of the at least one image file, whether there is damage to the vehicle zone, determining damage severity in the vehicle zones in which damage has been ascertained; establishing a degree of damage for each individual vehicle part within each damaged vehicle zone on the basis of the damage severity in the damaged vehicle zone and deciding, for each damaged vehicle part, whether a repair of the vehicle part may be performed or whether replacement of the vehicle part is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ControlExpert GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Witte, Nicolas Witte, Sebastian Schoenen
  • Patent number: 11354615
    Abstract: Managing digital workflows based on events involving digital representations of physical assets in enterprise asset management (EAM) systems. Events are detected and workflows are generated based on information in the digital representations and one or more digital libraries having resources for the digital representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph G. Berti, Lisa Seacat DeLuca
  • Patent number: 11100475
    Abstract: A device receives receipt data of a receipt of a transaction for a product, and processes, using a term matching technique, the receipt data to identify transaction information including a transaction date and product information. The device determines that the transaction caused a user to be covered by or eligible for a warranty for the product, generates a tag identifying the product, and associates, using a data structure, the product information, data identifying the warranty, and the tag with a record of the transaction that is accessible via a program that allows the user to search for the receipt or terms of the warranty. The device performs actions associated with assisting the user in managing the warranty, such as by reminding the user of an expiration date of the warranty and/or by assisting the user in submitting a claim based on the warranty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Edwards, Gaurang Bhatt
  • Patent number: 11087347
    Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, systems and apparatuses for home maintenance monitoring and rewarding users for completion of various home maintenance tasks are provided. The systems may receive data associated with a home, such as a plurality of systems and/or devices associated with the home. Based on the received information, the systems may generate a maintenance task list for the home including a plurality of maintenance tasks. Data related to maintenance performed on the home may be received and, based on the received maintenance data, a determination may be made as to whether one or more tasks on the maintenance task list have been completed. Upon completion of a task, a reward, such as points, discounts on future maintenance, insurance premium discounts, etc., may be deposited in an account of the user. In some arrangements, the points may be redeemed as payment on future maintenance, payment on insurance premiums, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Nicolette De Guia, Kelly Ann Brennan
  • Patent number: 11080716
    Abstract: The invention is a platform that defines a new way and method of notifying and connecting a customer to a business with a recalled product and accelerating the refund, replacement or the fix of the product to the customer. The invention comprises processed data algorithms and techniques along with new extensions that integrate with existing systems or software. The platform facilitates the communication between users and manufacturers to provide customers with their refund, fix or replacement for defective products through a resolution center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: HADASOFT, LLC
    Inventor: Mostafa Elzoghbi
  • Patent number: 10976173
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to processing remotely captured sensor data. A computing platform having at least one processor, a communication interface, and memory may receive, via the communication interface, from a user computing device, sensor data captured by the user computing device using one or more sensors built into the user computing device. Subsequently, the computing platform may analyze the sensor data received from the user computing device by executing one or more data processing modules. Then, the computing platform may generate trip record data based on analyzing the sensor data received from the user computing device and may store the trip record data in a trip record database. In addition, the computing platform may generate user record data based on analyzing the sensor data received from the user computing device and may store the user record data in a user record database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Pratheek M. Harish, Benjamin Robertson Yeomans, Alexander Herrmann, Kyle Patrick Schmitt, Dipti Karmarkar, Jeremy David Ber, Samantha Mait
  • Patent number: 10956912
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating consumer payment credentials using an Internet-connected appliance. In an embodiment, a primary Internet-connected appliance receives purchase transaction information from a secondary appliance. The process also includes generating a purchase transaction authorization request based on purchase transaction information and on payment account credential data that is stored locally in a dedicated storage element, transmitting the purchase transaction authorization request via the Internet to a gateway server computer, receiving a purchase transaction authorization response, and transmitting the purchase transaction authorization response via a domestic network to the secondary appliance for display to a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Mastercard International Incorporated
    Inventors: Cristian Radu, Fikret Ates, Sebastien Pochic, Lukas Ekselius
  • Patent number: 9848276
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for auto-configuring a newly purchased user equipment (UE) device with content consumption material that is associated with a user. These methods and systems are provided by way of receiving, in response to the user having purchased the UE device, purchase information (e.g., a credit card number) and a UE device identifier (e.g., a serial number of a purchased UE device). After receipt of this information, a database is searched to identify a user account that is associated with the purchase information. The user account identifies content consumption material that has been processed by other UE devices to enable the user to consume content. A communication is then transmitted to the UE device that causes the UE device to be configured with the identified content consumption material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory James Lundell
  • Publication number: 20150134544
    Abstract: The present invention relates to equipment for fire fighting and fire prevention. The invented fire equipment comprises a fire blanket, a fire extinguisher and a housing assembly for housing the fire blanket and the fire extinguisher. The housing assembly enables the fire blanket and the fire extinguisher to be easily and quickly accessible and removable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: EcoPeople B.V.
    Inventors: Abraham Harder, Flip Ziedses Des Plantes
  • Publication number: 20150127556
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure provides an information presentation method for presenting a recommended guarantee content of a first device included in a plurality of devices. The information presentation method includes acquiring use history information including data indicating use of the first device (S3210), generating information indicating a use situation of the first device based on the use history information and processing defined in each type of the device (S3220), deciding the recommended guarantee content of the first device based on the information indicating the use situation of the first device (S3230), and presenting the recommended guarantee content to a user of the first device (S3240).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of Ame
    Inventors: Shunji Harada, Kouji Miura, Eiichi Naito, Tomohiko Kitamura, Aki Yoneda, Kozo Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8996424
    Abstract: A digital system or device includes a battery pack as an exemplary functional subunit. In a warranty case determined by an electrical load test for determining its actual charge capacity, a battery check program initializes, via the operating system and an underlying printer, a printout of a warranty certificate. This certificate form, in particular, contains a UID of the underlying battery pack gathered from a ROM implemented in the battery pack. Before generating the printout of the certificate, the UID gathered from the ROM is coded e.g. by the battery check program and only the coded UID is printed. The printout of the warranty certificate thereafter will be delivered to the warranty service provider by the user. After having received the delivered warranty certificate and having checked validity of the user's warranty claim by means of the coded UID the warranty service provider sends a replacement battery pack back to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, ADS-TEC GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Hindermeyer, Konrad Gierens, Thomas G. Moegerle, Thomas G. Speidel
  • Publication number: 20150088764
    Abstract: A Warranty Management System (WMS) and method are disclosed including computer software modules that when executed allow a user to enter warranty information for multiple products and services into a database for management of the warranties. The management of the warranties include a single repository for all warranty information, offer of extended warranties, access to additional information related to products and/or their warranties from manufacturers and third party service providers, reminders and alerts about status and warranty expiration dates, warranty repair providers, warranty claim management, addition and editing of warranty information, information search, warranty certificate storage, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Saeed Sassan
  • Publication number: 20150081475
    Abstract: A system for tracking an authenticated item is provided. The system includes an authentication device affixed to the item. An item registration system receives authentication device data from the authentication device and associated item data and stores the authentication device data and the associated item data. An owner registration system receives owner registration data after a buyer has acquired the item. A buyer verification system receives the authentication device data, the associated item data and the owner registration data and stores buyer verified data if the associated item data correlates to the owner registration data, such as if the external tag number or event data entered by the owner matches external tag number or event data for the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Tommy L. Davis, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150032638
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aggregation computing system and associated method for providing warranty, safety, and/or insurance notifications to a customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katherine Dintenfass, Matthew A, Calman, Laura C. Bondesen, Carrie A. Hanson, Jason P. Blackhurst
  • Publication number: 20150025945
    Abstract: This publication describes a method and a system for registering use of studded decks (6) and for collecting due toll for use of studded decks on a vehicle (19) having at least one studded deck (6). This is done when a vehicle (19) passes over a detection device (1) on a road surface (18) of a road, the detection device (1) being associated with one or more sensors (2) that is able to detect impulses created by the decks (6) on the vehicle (19) that passes over the detection device (1). The impulses are registered and compared with a pre-determined value that enables a processing device (3) to determine whether one or more of the decks (6) are provided with studs or not. The system is configured in such way that the processed signal provides basis for collecting toll or at least bringing this fact to the attention of the driver and that toll is due.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ole Bjorn Kleven, Fredrik Nerol Kleven
  • Publication number: 20150026074
    Abstract: Consumer-centric communications-enabled portable, preferably tablet or smartphone-based, systems, methods and apparatus for product registration and warranty activation, and for product warranty management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Roderick L. Cotten
  • Patent number: 8917408
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to implement an automated scheme by which a vendor can advantageously employ remotely-monitored information on a status of non-managed office devices, gathered as part of the vendor's customer support effort regarding the office devices that the vendor manages for a customer organization under a managed service agreement or the like, to the benefit of the customer organization and the vendor. The vendor remotely monitors a status of non-managed office devices, including a status of consumables in the non-managed devices, at a customer organization's site, and upon being made aware of a change in status on one of the non-managed devices, including pending exhaustion of one or more consumables on a non-managed device, immediately offers assistance in correcting a problem with the non-managed device to include replenishment service of the nearly-exhausted consumable in the non-managed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence J Bovenzi
  • Publication number: 20140372325
    Abstract: Regarding a product that is provided by a provider and received by a recipient, registration of the product and following-up with the recipient may be facilitated by way of web-based, symbology-driven product registration systems and methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Erik Zambrana, Deonn Crumley Baker, James Steven Evans
  • Publication number: 20140316996
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments described herein relate to the field of electronic registration (ER) of purchased products and, more particularly, to improved electronic registration techniques purchase-side and/or return-side handling of recalled items. Certain exemplary embodiments on the purchase-side may help to filter-out products that have recalled been before they are purchased. Certain exemplary embodiments on the return-side may help enable recall return overrides, thus facilitating the acceptance of recalled products even though they might not qualify under an original return/warranty policy. Advantageously, more and more recalled products may be filtered out of circulation through the use of purchase-side and/or return-side recall watch list checking techniques of certain exemplary embodiments. Such purchase-side and/or return-side recall watch list checking may be performed together with or separate from electronic registration techniques in different exemplary embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Maridee Joy MARAZ, Peter J. JUNGER
  • Publication number: 20140310186
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vehicle maintenance and warranty compliance detection and communication are disclosed. Specifically, a method to monitor the compliance of a user with vehicle maintenance and operating requirements and vehicle warranty terms is provided. In the event a user is not in compliance with a vehicle maintenance item, vehicle operation condition or warranty term, the system may take a number of actions. In one embodiment, the actions comprise notifying a maintenance provider, an insurance provider and a warranty provider. The system may also maintain a historical user compliance database to enable identification and documentation of user compliance for one or more vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 8819114
    Abstract: The present invention provides a server apparatus that can communicate with a plurality of client apparatuses via a network, including a receiving unit configured to receive device information relating to a peripheral device capable of being connected to a client apparatus along with an acquisition scheme of the device information from the client apparatus, a storing unit configured to store the device information in association with the acquisition scheme, a judging unit configured to judge whether or not the device information received by the receiving unit has already been stored in the storing unit, and a determining unit configured to determine whether or not the device information is valid based on the acquisition scheme when it is judged by the judging unit that the received device information has already been stored in the storing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Kumagai
  • Publication number: 20140229390
    Abstract: A system for providing users with wedding planning tools via a network, comprising one or more servers for executing an application that provides code to a user's client computer for display on the user's client computer of various web pages for planning an event. The web pages comprising a signup page configured to allow the user to sign up to gain access to the system, a plurality of design pages configured to allow the user to design a plurality of different items relating to the event including at least an invitation to the event, and a plurality of layout pages configured to allow the user to plan the arrangement of tables at the event and assign seating for a plurality of guests that are anticipated to attend the event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen Abraham Morris, Bei Yang
  • Publication number: 20140207690
    Abstract: A non-serialized electronic product registration (ER) system and method which enables return qualification information to be provided upon request for non-serialized products. Retailer specific return policies are enforced by providing the ER system with retailer return policies for UPCs, SKUs, model numbers and/or other non-unique product identifiers. The retailer periodically provides information to the ER system that indicates the last date on which products having a particular non-unique identifier have been sold. The ER system then determine the last date on which such products can be returned and provides non-serialized return qualification information to the retailer upon request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: NINTENDO OF AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Brian CHENEY, Peter J. JUNGER
  • Publication number: 20140201088
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a product tracking system may store product and product related information from multiple commerce chain entities, regardless of where the product purchase occurred. The product tracking server 120 may register a product purchase by a user of a consumer product. The product tracking server 120 may maintain a purchase association between the user and the consumer product separated from a commerce chain. The product tracking server 120 may provide a peripheral product data set to a user device 110 based on the purchase association.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Indira Pothuri
  • Publication number: 20140172725
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides apparatuses, systems and methods for quickly and easily registering a product, and for storing data in profiles such that advertisements and offers may be delivered in a targeted manner. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Chris Gilliam
  • Publication number: 20140136380
    Abstract: A cloud management method of electronic devices is disclosed herein. The method comprises collecting at least one first information from a electronic device by an information collector comprising a safe power switch; calculating a temporary safe interruption value by the information collector via analyzing a predetermined number of times of a working current or voltage of the electronic device, or calculating a safe interruption value by a local server or a first server; and writing back the temporary safe interruption value or the safe interruption value to the safe power switch. Preferably, a power supply of the electronic device is cut off by the safe power switch in response to the working current or voltage surpassing the temporary safe interruption value or the safe interruption value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN GOMET TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Sheng-Hsiung Chang, Sheng-Yuan Chang
  • Publication number: 20140136423
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments generally relate to the registration of product warranties. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for enhancing and optimizing the ability to process warranty registrations. In one aspect, the disclosed embodiments include a processor-implemented warranty management method. In one embodiment, one or more processors may receive, from a mobile device, a product purchase receipt image. The processors may use optical character recognition to extract product purchase data from the product purchase receipt image. In another aspect, the processor may identify, by parsing the product purchase data, one or more product warranty terms including a product warranty time. In yet another aspect, the processors may generate a product warranty data structure comprising the one or more product warranty terms. The processors may provide the product warranty data structure for storage in a memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Capital One Financial Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Y. Moreton
  • Patent number: 8719077
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for cross promoting real objects in a real world and virtual objects in a virtual world. A redemption code is received from a first participant in the virtual world. A virtual object corresponding to the redemption code is provided to the first participant. A request for information regarding the real object is received from a second participant of the virtual world and via the virtual object. Upon receiving the request via the virtual object, information regarding the real object is provided to the second participant and via the virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Tobin Titus, Ernie Booth, Erik Porter
  • Patent number: 8694327
    Abstract: An electronic warranty unit and method. In one embodiment the electronic warranty unit includes a programmable electronic memory unit configured for removable insertion into a device and an electronic warranty stored on the electronic memory unit. A method for electronically warranting a device includes removably attaching an electronic warranty unit, capable of storing an electronic warranty for the device, to the device or removably inserting the electronic warranty unit into the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ryan Henry Kolodziej, Frederick D. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20140058955
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for processing readable indicia for product registration. An exemplary system is configured to: receive information associated with readable indicia associated with a purchase; and process the readable indicia to initiate registration of a product associated with the purchase. As used herein, product registration may comprise product registration and user registration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew A. Calman
  • Publication number: 20140046856
    Abstract: A method of upgrading a device account is provided, the method comprising: disposing a processor in communication with a software package, wherein said software package is capable of receiving a data file containing a current device account status indicator from a device account status data provider; referencing said data file to inform a decision regarding whether a device account owner is eligible for an account upgrade at the time a device account claim is processed; and notifying said owner whether a device protection account upgrade is available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Asurion, LLC.
    Inventors: Jeff Kulla, Shawn Hall
  • Publication number: 20140040150
    Abstract: A log-in method for a product and an application program thereof applies to a mobile device in order to execute the application program, the application program connects with a community website and executes a check-in procedure on the community website. When the check-in procedure is being executed, the application program obtains the product information and the sales information both related to the product and automatically fills out the information in an executing page having a check-in function. Hence, a sales end server defines check-in information, including a check-in landmark, check-in contents, a check-in time, a check-in name, etc., as the log-in information of the product, so as to execute the log-in activity of the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Hung-Wei CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140029038
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to implement an automated scheme by which a vendor can advantageously employ remotely-monitored information on a status of non-managed office devices, gathered as part of the vendor's customer support effort regarding the office devices that the vendor manages for a customer organization under a managed service agreement or the like, to the benefit of the customer organization and the vendor. The vendor remotely monitors a status of non-managed office devices, including a status of consumables in the non-managed devices, at a customer organization's site, and upon being made aware of a change in status on one of the non-managed devices, including pending exhaustion of one or more consumables on a non-managed device, immediately offers assistance in correcting a problem with the non-managed device to include replenishment service of the nearly-exhausted consumable in the non-managed device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lawrence J. BOVENZI
  • Patent number: 8635168
    Abstract: An electronic registration system facilitates authorized product returns. A retailer sales associate is prompted to enter individual product identification information such as an individual serial number. This individual product identification information is stored in a database, along with the date on which the product was sold and an appropriate UPC code, SKU number, or manufacturer code. A check digit algorithm may be used to verify the serial number prior to storage. A sales receipt may be imprinted with at least the date of the transaction and the serial number. When a product is returned, the retailer may cross-reference the serial number on the product with that on the receipt to verify the sales receipt. Otherwise, the database may be searched for sales information. A customer may also access a return authorization engine via the Internet to obtain return approval, an authorization number, return instructions, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo of America Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Junger, Cassandra B. Shoecraft, David G. Koon
  • Publication number: 20140006224
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for pre-processing a sales return. The system may initiate a sales return transaction prior to a customer being physically present at a merchant store. To this extent, the system is also capable of transmitting sales return information to a merchant such that the consumer's presence is not necessary in order to process a sales return transaction. Merchants and Consumers may use QR codes to both process payments for sales transactions and initiate sales return transactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Grigg, Susan Smith Thomas, Peter John Bertanzetti, Matthew A. Calman
  • Publication number: 20130346321
    Abstract: A commodity sales data processing apparatus includes a warranty certificate issue determination section configured to determine whether it is set that issue of the warranty certificate is executable or it is set that issue of the warranty certificate is not executable on the commodity specified by the commodity code, a first warranty certificate issue section configured to read the warranty certificate data corresponding to the commodity code to issue a warranty certificate if it is determined that it is set that issue of the warranty certificate is executable, and a second warranty certificate issue section configured to read the warranty certificate data including data for specifying the commodity based on the commodity code specified if it is determined that it is set that issue of the warranty certificate is not executable and issue of the warranty certificate is instructed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Karita
  • Publication number: 20130304598
    Abstract: An electronic product registration (ER) system which enables a retailer, preferable in cooperation with its vendors, to provide a customized return/warranty program for customers on a product-by product basis. The original policy(ies) in the ER system can be modified for a particular product and the modified policy is stored in the ER system so that the modified policy can be accessed if the product is again presented for a return/warranty transaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Jon PEDERSON, Peter J. JUNGER
  • Publication number: 20130282509
    Abstract: A sales lead generation system for a company in a service industry is disclosed. The sales lead generation system may comprise a master database for storing information for customers of the company, and a mobile device for communicating sales lead information for service work to the master database. The sales lead information may include identifying information for the customers and at least one media file indicating an anomaly condition at a location of the customer. A related method and computer-readable medium are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: YOUNG ELECTRIC SIGN COMPANY
    Inventors: Warren G. Strong, Cody T. Ahlquist, Shawn A. Hall
  • Publication number: 20130282592
    Abstract: Regarding a product that is provided by a provider and received by a recipient, registration of the product and following-up with the recipient may be facilitated by way of web-based, symbology-driven product registration systems and methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Erik Zambrana, Deonn Crumley Baker, James Steven Evans
  • Patent number: 8560462
    Abstract: A method for managing a usage cost of an asset. A user component of a business entity may access the asset after the asset has been developed by a development component of the business entity, wherein the user component receives compensation from a compensator in response to the user component having incurred a usage burden from using the asset, and wherein the compensator may have contributed to the usage burden. Alternatively, a user component of a second business entity may access an asset after the asset is developed by a development component of a first business entity, wherein second business entity receives compensation from the first business entity in response to the user component having incurred a usage burden from using the asset. The compensation has a magnitude that is a function of the usage burden. The asset may be a software application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arnon Amir, Myron Dale Flickner, Douglas Warren McDavid, James Clinton Spohrer
  • Patent number: 8554691
    Abstract: A user enters into a subscription to receive footwear having one or more specified performance characteristics. As the user finishes wearing one set of footwear, the user can obtain a replacement set of footwear that also will have one or more specified performance characteristics. The performance characteristics may be consistent for each set of footwear provided according to the subscription. Alternately, the footwear performance characteristics may vary over the life of the subscription. Thus, the footwear provider may periodically obtain biometric information describing the user's athletic activities or performance. The footwear provider then can tailor the performance characteristics of footwear provided under the subscription to match the user's athletic activities or performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Shum
  • Patent number: 8540154
    Abstract: A method for registering an electronic device includes receiving a transaction code and purchaser information associated with a purchase of an electronic device. While the transaction code is associated with the purchase of the electronic device, it does not uniquely identify the electronic device purchased. The method also includes receiving from the electronic device the transaction code and a device identifier that uniquely identifies the electronic device. The device is registered by associating the purchaser information and the device identifier via the transaction code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Scenera Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Theodosios Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130218781
    Abstract: An alternator and starter tester system capable of generating a warranty claim code. The warranty claim code can contain information regarding a diagnostic test and the tested components. The alternator and starter tester system can also encode and transmit the warranty claim code to a supplier or a manufacturer to verify warranty credit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Service Solutions U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Michael Simon, Garret Miller