Method of increasing functionality of a product

• US 20030149579A1
• Filed: 08/06/2002
• Published: 08/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Begemann, Edwin Philip, Lokhoff, Gerardus Cornelis Petrus
• Application Number:
  US10/213,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20030149579A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A method of increasing functionality of a product (121) made by a manufacturer (120). A specification of an additional feature (122) is supplied to the manufacturer (120) for inclusion into a disabled state into the product (121). The technology provider (100) receives an activation payment from a third party wishing to make use of the additional feature (122).The manufacturer (120) may share this activation payment with the manufacturer (120). The product (121) can for instance be an integrated circuit, a software program and a hardware apparatus, but may also be a specification of a standard, in which case the manufacturer (120) comprises a standardization body responsible for drafting said specification.

Claims

1. A method of increasing functionality of a product made by a manufacturer, comprising supplying to the manufacturer a specification of an additional feature for inclusion into the product and causing the manufacturer to include the additional feature in a disabled state into the product.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising supplying an initial payment to the manufacturer in return for said including.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an activation payment from a third party wishing to make use of the additional feature.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising supplying a portion of the activation payment to the manufacturer.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising supplying the portion of the activation payment to the manufacturer after the additional feature has been put in an enabled state.

6. The method of claim 3, whereby the additional feature is protected by at least one intellectual property right, and the activation payment comprises a license fee for the at least one intellectual property right.

7. The method of claim 1, whereby the additional feature is an improvement to a system made by a system developer in which the product can be used.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising supplying a payment to the system developer in return for his adopting of the additional feature in the system.

9. The method of claim 1, the product comprising one of an integrated circuit, a software program and a hardware apparatus.

10. The method of claim 1, the product comprising a specification of a standard and the manufacturer comprising a standardization body responsible for drafting said specification.