Method and apparatus for repeated contact of software end-user

• US 20020035689A1
• Filed: 11/05/2001
• Published: 03/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: z4 Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: z4 Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Colvin, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,792,549 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/121 Restricting unauthorised execution of programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing repeated contact with a software user to transfer information which may include advertising, promotional, or marketing information include repeatedly contacting the software manufacturer or third party representative or agent for continued use of the software. The invention provides for automatically obtaining authorization information in addition to marketing, advertising, and/or promotional information prior to expiration of each authorization interval or period. The user and/or software contacts an authorized representative of the software to obtain authorization information which may be downloaded directly to the software or provided to the user for entry.

Claims

1. A method for providing continuing contact with a software user to repeatedly transfer information to the user, the method comprising:

repeatedly transferring marketing information each time the user or software contacts an authorized software representative.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the software automatically contacts the authorized software representative at regular intervals.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of repeatedly transferring is performed at random intervals.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of repeatedly transferring is performed at scheduled intervals.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of repeatedly transferring is performed at predetermined intervals based on release dates of subsequent versions of the software.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

collecting information from the user or software each time the user or software contacts the authorized representative.