System, method and article of manufacture for software source authentication for return purposes

• US 20030126033A1
• Filed: 09/03/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ali Piyarali, Damian P. Evans, Pekka T. Huttunen
• Original Assignee: Ali Piyarali, Damian P. Evans, Pekka T. Huttunen
• Inventors: Evans, Damian P., Piyarali, Ali, Huttunen, Pekka T.
• Application Number:
  US10/234,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20030126033A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2135 Metering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for identifying electronically distributed software after distribution. First, software is electronically transferred to a user over a network in exchange for payment during a transaction. After the transaction, a proof-of-purchase is then downloaded over the network. Such proof-of-purchase identifies the transaction. Thereafter, a notice of return including the proof-of-purchase is received from the user over the network. The authenticity of the proof-of-purchase is verified, after which a value of a refund for the return is determined. The refund is then processed.

Claims

1. A method for identifying electronically distributed software after distribution comprising the steps of:

(a) electronically transferring software to a user over a network in exchange for payment during a transaction;

(b) downloading a proof-of-purchase after the transaction over the network, wherein the proof-of-purchase identifies the transaction;

(c) receiving a notice of return from the user over the network, wherein the notice of return includes the proof-of-purchase;

(d) verifying the authenticity of the proof-of-purchase;

(e) determining a value of a refund for a return; and

(f) processing the refund.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the proof-of-purchase includes an identifier of a source of the software for verification.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the step of storing information relating to the proof-of-purchase and the refund in a record.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3, and further comprising the step of reporting the record to a source of the software.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the network is selected from the group of networks consisting of a LAN, a WAN, and an IP-based network.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the network includes a hard-line.

7. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for identifying electronically distributed software after distribution comprising:

(a) a code segment that electronically transfers software to a user over a network in exchange for payment during a transaction;

(b) a code segment that downloads a proof-of-purchase after the transaction over the network, wherein the proof-of-purchase identifies the transaction;

(c) a code segment that receives a notice of return from the user over the network, wherein the notice of return includes the proof-of-purchase;

(d) a code segment that verifies the authenticity of the proof-of-purchase;

(e) a code segment that determines a value of a refund for a return; and

(f) a code segment that processes the refund.

8. The computer program as set forth in claim 7, wherein the proof-of-purchase includes an identifier of a source of the software for verification.

9. The computer program as set forth in claim 7, and further comprising a code segment that stores information relating to the proof-of-purchase and the refund in a record.

10. The computer program as set forth in claim 9, and further comprising a code segment that reports the record to a source of the software.

11. The computer program as set forth in claim 7, wherein the network is selected from the group of networks consisting of a LAN, a WAN, and an IP-based network.

12. The computer program as set forth in claim 7, wherein the network includes a hard-line.

13. A system for identifying electronically distributed software after distribution comprising:

(a) logic that electronically transfers software to a user over a network in exchange for payment during a transaction;

(b) logic that downloads a proof-of-purchase after the transaction over the network, wherein the proof-of-purchase identifies the transaction;

(c) logic that receives a notice of return from the user over the network, wherein the notice of return includes the proof-of-purchase;

(d) logic that verifies the authenticity of the proof-of-purchase;

(e) logic that determines a value of a refund for a return; and

(f) logic that processes the refund.

14. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the proof-of-purchase includes an identifier of a source of the software for verification.

15. The system as set forth in claim 13, and further comprising logic that stores information relating to the proof-of-purchase and the refund in a record.

16. The system as set forth in claim 15, and further comprising logic that reports the record to a source of the software.

17. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the network is selected from the group of networks consisting of a LAN, a WAN, and an IP-based network.

18. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the network includes a telecommunication hard-line.