Method and apparatus for subscription-based shipping

• US 20060173749A1
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bezos, Jeffrey P., Ward, Charles L., Holden, Jeffrey A., Gellman, David I., Ravindran, Vijay, Nicholls, Nanyan, Sha, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,590,565 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

Computer-accessible medium and apparatus for providing subscription-based shipping of items. Embodiments may provide mechanisms that allow customers of an e-commerce Web site to pay a fee to obtain a subscription in a shipping program that provides subscribed customers with free and/or reduced-rate shipping for at least some items ordered via the e-commerce Web site during the period covered by the subscription. The Web site may provide user interface elements on the Web site that may provide one or more shipping and possibly other options only to subscribed customers. Some embodiments may provide mechanisms that allow a subscriber to share a subscription to the shipping program with other customers. One embodiment may provide a mechanism through which a subscribed customer can invite other customers to share a subscription. Some embodiments may provide other exclusive services and/or offers to the subscribers of the shipping program that are not provided or offered to non-subscribers.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

an e-commerce site receiving over a network input identifying a user;

based on the input identifying the user, determining whether the user is a current subscriber to a subscription-based shipping program that provides a plurality of subscriber shipping options for each of at least some items offered on the e-commerce site for the duration of a subscription;

receiving over the network input specifying at least one of said at least some items that the user wants to order;

if the user is a current subscriber to the subscription-based shipping program, generating an order for the specified item directing the item to be shipped according to one of the plurality of subscriber shipping options instead of a non-subscriber shipping option.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving input from the user to access a user interface configured for accepting user orders of the particular item; and

if the user is a current subscriber to the subscription-based shipping program, displaying one or more shipping program user interface elements on the user interface, wherein the one or more shipping program user interface elements are configured for selecting from the plurality of subscriber shipping options for the item; and

receiving input from the subscribed user selecting one of the one or more shipping program user interface elements to specify a particular subscriber shipping option for the item.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the shipping program user interface elements are displayed on said user interface only to users subscribed to the shipping program.

4. The method as recited in claim 2,

wherein the one or more shipping program user interface elements are single-action user interface elements;

wherein said receiving over the network input specifying one of said at least some items that the user wants to order comprises said receiving input from the subscribed user selecting one of the one or more shipping program user interface elements; and

wherein said generating an order for the specified item comprises automatically generating the order in response to said receiving input from the subscribed user selecting one of the one or more shipping program user interface elements, and wherein no additional input from the user is required to generate the order.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiving over the network input specifying one of the items that the user wants to order comprises receiving a message requesting an order of the item for the subscribed user on a web services interface of the e-commerce site.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising subscribing the user to the subscription-based shipping program in response to receiving input over the network from the user accessing one or more subscription user interface elements of the e-commerce site.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising automatically subscribing the user to the subscription-based shipping program in response to receiving a single input over the network from the user selecting a single-action user interface element of the e-commerce site.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising subscribing the user to the subscription-based shipping program in response to receiving a subscription request specifying the user via a web services interface of the e-commerce site.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising subscribing the user to the subscription-based shipping program in response to receiving a response to an invitation to share a subscription to the shipping program sent to the user by the e-commerce site.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising charging a subscription fee to the user upon subscribing the user to the shipping program.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of subscriber shipping options includes at least one shipping option for which subscribed users are not charged for shipping for said at least some items.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of subscriber shipping options includes at least one shipping option for which subscribed users are charged at a lower rate for shipping than non-subscribed users for said at least some items.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of subscriber shipping options includes at least one shipping option for which subscribed users are not charged for shipping for said at least some items and at least one shipping option for which subscribed users are charged at a lower rate for shipping than non-subscribed users for said at least some items.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of subscriber shipping options is an option for one or more features not offered to non-subscribers.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the one or more features include at least one of:

expedited handling, the ability to return the purchased item at no charge, free gift wrapping, free engraving, or access to a digital copy of the item.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

displaying one or more subscription sharing user interface elements to the subscribed user, wherein the subscription sharing user interface elements are configured for receiving input to share subscriptions to the shipping program with other users of the e-commerce site; and

receiving input from the subscribed user accessing the one or more subscription sharing user interface elements to share the subscription to the shipping program with a user of the e-commerce site specified by the subscribed user.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the subscription sharing is limited to a defined community to which the subscribed user belongs.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the defined community is one of:

the subscribed user'"'"'s household, a business, a residence complex, or a school.

19. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

displaying one or more subscription invitation user interface elements to the subscribed user, wherein the subscription invitation user interface elements are configured for receiving input to generate invitations to share subscriptions to the shipping program with other users of the e-commerce site;

receiving input from the subscribed user accessing the one or more subscription invitation user interface elements to invite a user of the e-commerce site specified by the subscribed user to share the subscription to the shipping program; and

the e-commerce site sending an invitation to the invited user to share the subscription to the shipping program.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising receiving input from the invited user to accept the invitation to share the subscription.

21. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the subscription-based shipping program includes two or more levels of subscription, wherein subscribed users at different levels are provided with one or more different shipping options for different subscription fees at the two or more levels of subscription.

22. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising directing each item ordered by the subscribed user according to one of the one or more subscriber shipping options to be shipped as soon as the item is available to be shipped.

23. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising directing two or more items ordered by the subscribed user according to one of the one or more subscriber shipping options to be consolidated and shipped in one shipment.

24. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising directing items ordered by the subscribed user according to one of the one or more subscriber shipping options to be shipped at scheduled shipping times at periodic or aperiodic intervals.

25. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing subscribed users of the shipping program exclusive access to one or more services site not offered to non-subscribed users of the e-commerce site.

26. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the one or more services include one of:

expedited handling, the ability to return the purchased item at no charge, free gift wrapping, free engraving, or access to a digital copy of the item.

27. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least some items offered on the e-commerce site are offered to users subscribed to the shipping program at the same price offered to non-subscribed users.

28. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein shipping charges to the subscribed user for items shipped according to one of the plurality of subscriber shipping options are lower than shipping charges for respective shipping options having the same delivery terms provided to non-subscribed users.

29. A computer-accessible medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

receiving over a network input identifying a user;

based on the input identifying the user, determining whether the user is a current subscriber to a subscription-based shipping program that provides a plurality of subscriber shipping options for each of at least some items offered on an e-commerce site for the duration of a subscription;

receiving over the network input specifying at least one of said at least some items that the user wants to order;

if the user is a current subscriber to the subscription-based shipping program, generating an order for the specified item directing the item to be shipped according to one of the plurality of subscriber shipping options instead of a non-subscriber shipping option.

30. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to further implement:

receiving input from the user to access a user interface configured for accepting user orders of the particular item; and

if the user is a current subscriber to the subscription-based shipping program, displaying one or more shipping program user interface elements on the user interface, wherein the one or more shipping program user interface elements are configured for selecting from the plurality of subscriber shipping options for the item; and

receiving input from the subscribed user selecting one of the one or more shipping program user interface elements to specify a particular subscriber shipping option for the item.

31. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 30, wherein the shipping program user interface elements are displayed on said user interface only to users subscribed to the shipping program.

32. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 30,

wherein the one or more shipping program user interface elements are single-action user interface elements;

wherein said receiving over the network input specifying one of said at least some items that the user wants to order comprises said receiving input from the subscribed user selecting one of the one or more shipping program user interface elements; and

wherein said generating an order for the specified item comprises automatically generating the order in response to said receiving input from the subscribed user selecting one of the one or more shipping program user interface elements, and wherein no additional input from the user is required to generate the order.

33. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein said receiving over the network input specifying one of the items that the user wants to order comprises receiving a message requesting an order of the item for the subscribed user on a web services interface of the e-commerce site;

34. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to further implement subscribing the user to the subscription-based shipping program in response to receiving input over the network from the user accessing one or more subscription user interface elements of the e-commerce site.

35. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to further implement automatically subscribing the user to the subscription-based shipping program in response to receiving a single input over the network from the user selecting a single-action user interface element of the e-commerce site.

36. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to further implement subscribing the user to the subscription-based shipping program in response to receiving a subscription request specifying the user via a web services interface of the e-commerce site.

37. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to further implement subscribing the user to the subscription-based shipping program in response to receiving a response to an invitation to share a subscription to the shipping program sent to the user by the e-commerce site.

38. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to further implement charging a subscription fee to the user upon subscribing the user to the shipping program.

39. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the plurality of subscriber shipping options includes at least one shipping option for which subscribed users are not charged for shipping for said at least some items.

40. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the plurality of subscriber shipping options includes at least one shipping option for which subscribed users are charged at a lower rate for shipping than non-subscribed users for said at least some items.

41. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the plurality of subscriber shipping options includes at least one shipping option for which subscribed users are not charged for shipping for said at least some items and at least one shipping option for which subscribed users are charged at a lower rate for shipping than non-subscribed users for said at least some items.

42. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein one of the plurality of subscriber shipping options is an option for one or more features not offered to non-subscribers.

43. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 42, wherein the one or more features include at least one of:

expedited handling, the ability to return the purchased item at no charge, free gift wrapping, free engraving, or access to a digital copy of the item.

44. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to further implement:

displaying one or more subscription sharing user interface elements to the subscribed user, wherein the subscription sharing user interface elements are configured for

receiving input to share subscriptions to the shipping program with other users of the e-commerce site; and

receiving input from the subscribed user accessing the one or more subscription sharing user interface elements to share the subscription to the shipping program with a user of the e-commerce site specified by the subscribed user.

45. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 44, wherein the subscription sharing is limited to a defined community to which the subscribed user belongs.

46. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 45, wherein the defined community is one of:

the subscribed user'"'"'s household, a business, a residence complex, or a school.

47. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to further implement:

displaying one or more subscription invitation user interface elements to the subscribed user, wherein the subscription invitation user interface elements are configured for receiving input to generate invitations to share subscriptions to the shipping program with other users of the e-commerce site;

receiving input from the subscribed user accessing the one or more subscription invitation user interface elements to invite a user of the e-commerce site specified by the subscribed user to share the subscription to the shipping program; and

the e-commerce site sending an invitation to the invited user to share the subscription to the shipping program.

48. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 47, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to further implement receiving input from the invited user to accept the invitation to share the subscription.

49. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the subscription-based shipping program includes two or more levels of subscription, wherein subscribed users at different levels are provided with one or more different shipping options for different subscription fees at the two or more levels of subscription.

50. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to further implement directing each item ordered by the subscribed user according to one of the one or more subscriber shipping options to be shipped as soon as the item is available to be shipped.

51. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to further implement directing two or more items ordered by the subscribed user according to one of the one or more subscriber shipping options to be consolidated and shipped in one shipment.

52. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to further implement directing items ordered by the subscribed user according to one of the one or more subscriber shipping options to be shipped at scheduled shipping times at periodic or aperiodic intervals.

53. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to further implement providing subscribed users of the shipping program exclusive access to one or more services site not offered to non-subscribed users of the e-commerce site.

54. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 53, wherein the one or more services include one of:

expedited handling, the ability to return the purchased item at no charge, free gift wrapping, free engraving, or access to a digital copy of the item.

55. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 29, wherein said at least some items offered on the e-commerce site are offered to users subscribed to the shipping program at the same price offered to non-subscribed users.

56. The computer-accessible medium as recited in claim 55, wherein shipping charges to the subscribed user for items shipped according to one of the plurality of subscriber shipping options are lower than shipping charges for respective shipping options having the same delivery terms provided to non-subscribed users.

57. A system, comprising:

one or more data storage devices configured to store data for an enterprise; and

one or more servers configured to implement enterprise logic configured to;

receive over a network input identifying a user;

based on the input identifying the user, determine whether the user is a current subscriber to a subscription-based shipping program that provides a plurality of subscriber shipping options for each of at least some items offered by the enterprise for the duration of a subscription;

receive over the network input specifying at least one of said at least some items that the user wants to order;

if the user is a current subscriber to the subscription-based shipping program, generate an order for the specified item directing the item to be shipped according to one of the plurality of subscriber shipping options instead of a non-subscriber shipping option.

58. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the enterprise logic is further configured to:

receive input from the user to access a user interface configured for accepting user orders of the particular item; and

if the user is a current subscriber to the subscription-based shipping program, display one or more shipping program user interface elements on the user interface, wherein the one or more shipping program user interface elements are configured for selecting from the plurality of subscriber shipping options for the item; and

receive input from the subscribed user selecting one of the one or more shipping program user interface elements to specify a particular subscriber shipping option for the item.

59. The system as recited in claim 58, wherein the shipping program user interface elements are displayed on said user interface only to users subscribed to the shipping program.

60. The system as recited in claim 58,

wherein the one or more shipping program user interface elements are single-action user interface elements;

wherein to receive over the network input specifying one of said at least some items that the user wants to order, the enterprise logic is further configured to receive input from the subscribed user selecting one of the one or more shipping program user interface elements; and

wherein to generate an order for the specified item comprises, the enterprise logic is further configured to automatically generate the order in response to said receiving input from the subscribed user selecting one of the one or more shipping program user interface elements, and wherein no additional input from the user is required to generate the order.

61. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein to receive over the network input specifying one of the items that the user wants to order, the enterprise logic is further configured to receive a message requesting an order of the item for the subscribed user on a web services interface of the enterprise.

62. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the enterprise logic is further configured to subscribe the user to the subscription-based shipping program in response to receiving input over the network from the user accessing one or more subscription user interface elements.

63. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the enterprise logic is further configured to automatically subscribe the user to the subscription-based shipping program in response to receiving a single input over the network from the user selecting a single-action user interface element.

64. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the enterprise logic is further configured to subscribe the user to the subscription-based shipping program in response to receiving a subscription request specifying the user via a web services interface of the enterprise.

65. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the enterprise logic is further configured to subscribe the user to the subscription-based shipping program in response to receiving a response to an invitation to share a subscription to the shipping program sent to the user by the enterprise logic.

66. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the enterprise logic is further configured to charge a subscription fee to the user upon subscribing the user to the shipping program.

67. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the plurality of subscriber shipping options includes at least one shipping option for which subscribed users are not charged for shipping for said at least some items.

68. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the plurality of subscriber shipping options includes at least one shipping option for which subscribed users are charged at a lower rate for shipping than non-subscribed users for said at least some items.

69. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the plurality of subscriber shipping options includes at least one shipping option for which subscribed users are not charged for shipping for said at least some items and at least one shipping option for which subscribed users are charged at a lower rate for shipping than non-subscribed users for said at least some items.

70. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein one of the plurality of subscriber shipping options is an option for one or more features not offered to non-subscribers.

71. The system as recited in claim 70, wherein the one or more features include at least one of:

expedited handling, the ability to return the purchased item at no charge, free gift wrapping, free engraving, or access to a digital copy of the item.

72. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the enterprise logic is further configured to:

display one or more subscription sharing user interface elements to the subscribed user, wherein the subscription sharing user interface elements are configured for receiving input to share subscriptions to the shipping program with other users and

receive input from the subscribed user accessing the one or more subscription sharing user interface elements to share the subscription to the shipping program with a user specified by the subscribed user.

73. The system as recited in claim 72, wherein the subscription sharing is limited to a defined community to which the subscribed user belongs.

74. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the defined community is one of:

the subscribed user'"'"'s household, a business, a residence complex, or a school.

75. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the enterprise logic is further configured to:

display one or more subscription invitation user interface elements to the subscribed user, wherein the subscription invitation user interface elements are configured for receiving input to generate invitations to share subscriptions to the shipping program with other users;

receive input from the subscribed user accessing the one or more subscription invitation user interface elements to invite a user specified by the subscribed user to share the subscription to the shipping program; and

send an invitation to the invited user to share the subscription to the shipping program.

76. The system as recited in claim 75, wherein the enterprise logic is further configured to receive input from the invited user to accept the invitation to share the subscription.

77. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the subscription-based shipping program includes two or more levels of subscription, wherein subscribed users at different levels are provided with one or more different shipping options for different subscription fees at the two or more levels of subscription.

78. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the enterprise logic is further configured to direct each item ordered by the subscribed user according to one of the one or more subscriber shipping options to be shipped as soon as the item is available to be shipped.

79. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the enterprise logic is further configured to direct two or more items ordered by the subscribed user according to one of the one or more subscriber shipping options to be consolidated and shipped in one shipment.

80. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the enterprise logic is further configured to direct items ordered by the subscribed user according to one of the one or more subscriber shipping options to be shipped at scheduled shipping times at periodic or aperiodic intervals.

81. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein the enterprise logic is further configured to provide subscribed users of the shipping program exclusive access to one or more services site not offered to non-subscribed users.

82. The system as recited in claim 81, wherein the one or more services include one of:

expedited handling, the ability to return the purchased item at no charge, free gift wrapping, free engraving, or access to a digital copy of the item.

83. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein said at least some items offered by the enterprise are offered to users subscribed to the shipping program at the same price offered to non-subscribed users.

84. The system as recited in claim 83, wherein shipping charges to the subscribed user for items shipped according to one of the plurality of subscriber shipping options are lower than shipping charges for respective shipping options having the same delivery terms provided to non-subscribed users.

85. A method, comprising:

determining whether a user is a current subscriber to a subscription-based shipping program that provides one or more subscriber shipping options for at least some items offered on an e-commerce site for the duration of a subscription;

if the user is a current subscriber to the subscription-based shipping program, displaying one or more single-action user interface elements, wherein the one or more single-action user interface elements are configured for selecting from the one or more subscriber shipping options for at least one of said at least some items;

receiving input from the subscribed user selecting one of the one or more shipping program user interface elements to specify a particular subscriber shipping option for at least one of said at least some items that the user wants to order;

in response to said receiving input from the subscribed user selecting one of the one or more shipping program user interface elements, automatically generating an order for the at least one of said at least some items that the user wants to order directing the item to be shipped according to the selected one of the one or more subscriber shipping options instead of a non-subscriber shipping option, wherein no additional input from the user is required to generate the order.