Systems and methods for product authentication and warranty verification for online auction houses
First Claim
1. A system for electronic product registration, comprising:
- an online auction house including a seller interface configured to accept product information for at least one product to be sold by at least one seller, and a buyer interface configured to allow at least one buyer to search for and/or purchase a product for sale by a seller to be bought by a buyer;
an electronic registration database including an entry for each of a plurality of products, the electronic registration database being populated with product information for each said product in the electronic registration database and being populated by at least one of a retailer, a manufacturer, an authorized party, and an auction house seller; and
an electronic registration clearinghouse configured to issue a certificate to certify for each product entered into the seller interface whether each said product should be offered for sale by the auction house in dependence on the product information stored in the electronic registration database,wherein the auction house lists products having certificates for sale.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The example embodiments herein relate to the field of electronic registration (ER) of purchased products and, more particularly, to an improved electronic registration system which enables online buyers and sellers (e.g. those participating in online auctions) to take advantage of the benefits associated with ER systems. The ER techniques enable buyers to determine whether the product for sale, for example, has been purchased through authorized channels, was stolen, is covered under a warranty, etc. Such techniques may be used with existing brick-and-mortar stores as well as online stores. Value may be added for buyers, sellers, auction houses, manufacturers, and/or contract service partners.
157 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for electronic product registration, comprising:
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an online auction house including a seller interface configured to accept product information for at least one product to be sold by at least one seller, and a buyer interface configured to allow at least one buyer to search for and/or purchase a product for sale by a seller to be bought by a buyer; an electronic registration database including an entry for each of a plurality of products, the electronic registration database being populated with product information for each said product in the electronic registration database and being populated by at least one of a retailer, a manufacturer, an authorized party, and an auction house seller; and an electronic registration clearinghouse configured to issue a certificate to certify for each product entered into the seller interface whether each said product should be offered for sale by the auction house in dependence on the product information stored in the electronic registration database, wherein the auction house lists products having certificates for sale. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating an online auction house, the method comprising:
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accepting product information for a product to be sold by a seller from a seller interface of the online auction house; comparing the product information for the product to be sold to product information stored in an electronic registration database populated with product information for a plurality of products, the electronic registration database being populated by at least one of a retailer, a manufacturer, an authorized party, and an auction house seller; associating a certificate with the product to be sold in dependence on the comparing step; and listing those products for sale that have certificates associated therewith. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An electronic registration clearinghouse for use with an online auction house, comprising:
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comparing programmed logic circuitry configured to compare product information for a product to be sold to product information stored in an electronic registration database populated with product information for a plurality of products, the electronic registration database being populated by at least one of a retailer, a manufacturer, an authorized party, and an auction house seller; certifying programmed logic circuitry configured to issue a certificate to certify, for each product entered into a seller interface of the auction house, whether each said product should be offered for sale by the auction house in dependence on a comparison to product information stored in the electronic registration database. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification