AFTER-SALES CUSTOMIZATION SPECIFIED BY RETAILER ACTS AS INCENTIVE

• US 20020046083A1
• Filed: 07/08/1999
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: ONDECK, KRISTEN DIANE
• Application Number:
  US09/349,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20020046083A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0271 Personalized advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks

Abstract

A machine-implemented method of doing business enables to stimulate commercial activities. A customer notifies a manufacturer or a dedicated service provider, of the purchase of merchandise from a specific retailer. Upon being notified, the manufacturer or service provider customizes a portal or home page for the customer by temporarily adding an advertisement banner associated with the retailer.

Claims

1. A machine-implemented method of doing business comprising:

enabling to stimulate commercial activities, the enabling comprising;

enabling to be notified by a customer of a specific one of the commercial activities;

upon being notified, enabling customizing, via a data network, of equipment of the customer as associated with the commercial activity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the commercial activities comprise sales of merchandise;

the enabling to be notified comprises enabling to be notified of a purchase of the merchandise; and

the enabling customization comprises enabling customizing of the equipment as associated with the purchase of the merchandise.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the purchase is from a specific retailer; and

the customizing comprises customizing as associated with the specific retailer.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the data network comprises the Internet;

the merchandise is related to the Internet; and

the merchandise is part of the equipment and capable of being customized via the Internet.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the merchandise is capable of being customized according to a specification from the retailer.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the merchandise is capable of being customized according to input from the customer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the customizing comprises individualizing a home page for the customer.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the individualizing comprises creating an advertisement for a specific retailer.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the advertisement is user-interactive.