System, method, and computer program product for enabling customers to adjust the level of service provided by service providers

• US 20040230450A1
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fred H. Bartlit, Jr.
• Original Assignee: Fred H. Bartlit, Jr.
• Inventors: Bartlit, Fred H. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,640,168 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer program products for providing services, and for enabling changes in the services, are described herein. The services are, for example, continuous, recurring, and/or periodic, and include utility service, periodical delivery service, insurance, etc., and combinations thereof. Customers can issue instructions to service providers (over the Internet, for example) to modify services being provided to the customer. Upon receipt of those instructions, a corresponding service provider takes appropriate action to adjust the service in accordance with the instructions. Customers may also define Service Adjustment Triggers, which specify one or more conditions and one or more changes to the service. Occurrence of the conditions results in implementation of the changes.

Claims

1. A method for providing services, comprising:

(a) receiving instructions over a communication network from a customer to modify a service being provided to said customer; and

(b) modifying said service pursuant to said instructions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said service comprises at least one of utility service, periodical delivery service, and insurance.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

calculating whether said modification of said service results in a rate schedule change applicable to said customer.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

charging said customer a fee for modifying said service pursuant to said instructions.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said instructions are part of a Service Adjustment Trigger, wherein step (a) comprises:

receiving a definition of said Service Adjustment Trigger from said customer, wherein said Service Adjustment Trigger defines one or more conditions and one or more changes to said service, wherein occurrence of said conditions results in implementation of said changes.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

charging said customer a fee associated with said definition of said Service Adjustment Trigger.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein step (b) comprises:

determining whether said conditions associated with said Service Adjustment Trigger have occurred; and

if said conditions have occurred, then effecting said changes to said service associated with said Service Adjustment Trigger.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

calculating whether said changes to said service associated with said Service Adjustment Trigger results in a rate schedule change applicable to said customer.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

charging said customer a fee for effecting said changes to said service associated with said Service Adjustment Trigger.

10. A method for providing services, comprising:

accessing a service provider via a communication network, wherein the service provider provides a service to a customer; and

issuing instructions to the service provider to modify said service;

wherein said service provider modifies said service pursuant to said instructions.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said service comprises at least one of utility service, periodical delivery service, and insurance.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving an invoice based on a change in a rate schedule resulting from said modification of said service by said service provider.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

being charged a fee resulting from said modification of said service by said service provider.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

defining a Service Adjustment Trigger, wherein said Service Adjustment Trigger specifies one or more conditions and one or more changes to said service, wherein occurrence of said conditions results in implementation of said changes;

wherein said instructions are part of said Service Adjustment Trigger.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

being charged a fee associated with defining said Service Adjustment Trigger.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving an invoice based on a rate schedule change resulting from changing said service pursuant to said Service Adjustment Trigger.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

being charged a fee resulting from processing said Service Adjustment Trigger.