Technique for simplified user registration of purchased goods using existing communications networks
First Claim
1. An information management apparatus for managing consumer registration information for a product, said apparatus comprising:
- information storage means for storing consumer identification information for a consumer and product registration information for a product purchased by the consumer in association; and
information output means for writing consumer identification information stored in said information storage means to a portable memory device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a technique for simplifying consumer user registration of a product. A removable memory is provided by a manufacturer with a consumer device, such as an electrical appliance, that needs registration for warranty purposes, etc. The memory includes predetermined information, such as consumer information. Later, when a consumer purchases the electric appliance, the removable memory M is mounted in the electric appliance, and the information from the electric appliance is written into the removable memory. The information written into the removable memory is transferred to the manufacturer, employing a portable telephone terminal, a home gateway, or the like, thereby completing the user registration process.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An information management apparatus for managing consumer registration information for a product, said apparatus comprising:
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information storage means for storing consumer identification information for a consumer and product registration information for a product purchased by the consumer in association; and
information output means for writing consumer identification information stored in said information storage means to a portable memory device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A consumer product registration system comprising:
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information storage means for storing personal information of a consumer together with individualized consumer identification information;
information writing means for writing at least the individualized consumer identification information into a portable memory; and
information processing means for registering product information tied to the personal information of the consumer in said information storage means, if the product information is transmitted via a network, together with the consumer identification information written into the transportable memory.
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7. In an electronic device, a system for permitting simplified product registration of the electronic device, said system comprising:
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means for storing electronic device information required for registering the electronic device with a registarar; and
means for writing the electronic device information;
to a portable memory device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A communication device comprising:
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communication means for enabling data communication via a network;
a memory mounting section for mounting and dismounting portable memory;
information reading means for reading consumer identification information and device information for a device possessed by a consumer from the portable memory mounted in said memory memory mounting section; and
information forwarding means for forwarding the consumer identification information and the device information read by said information reading means via said communication means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A consumer registration method for registering a consumer electronic device, said method comprising the steps of:
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acquiring personal information of a consumer and storing it in a database together with the consumer identification information issued individually to the consumer;
writing at least the consumer identification information into a portable memory;
writing device information for a consumer electronic device into the portable memory when the portable memory is in communication with the consumer electronic device possessed by the consumer;
forwarding the device information written in the portable memory together with the consumer identification information via a network; and
registering the device information in the database using the consumer identification information as a key when the device information and the consumer identification information forwarded is received via the network. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification