METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING EQUIPMENT ON A PAY-PER-USE BASIS
First Claim
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1. A method of providing a treatment device on a pay-per-use basis, the method comprising:
- delivering the treatment device to a retailer, the treatment device requiring at least one digital key from a plurality of digital keys to be operated, the treatment device being programmed to modify data on the at least one digital key to indicate use of the treatment device;
delivering a first digital key from the plurality of digital keys to the retailer on a first date, the first digital key storing data indicative of a first duration of authorized use for the treatment device; and
delivering a second digital key from the plurality of digital keys to the retailer on a second date, the second digital key storing data indicative of a second duration of authorized use for the treatment device, the first digital key being different than the second digital key, the first date being before the second date.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for providing a device, such as a treatment device, on a pay-per-use basis are disclosed. Generally, a wholesaler supplies a treatment device to a retailer. The retailer pays the wholesaler on a per use basis, which is regulated by a digital key, such as a smart card attached to the treatment device via a smart card reader. When the value of the digital key drops below a threshold (e.g., only ten treatment sessions remaining), an alert is generated by the treatment device. When the value of the digital key is reduced to zero, the treatment device does not operate until the digital key is replenished or replaced.
10 Citations
64 Claims
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1. A method of providing a treatment device on a pay-per-use basis, the method comprising:
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delivering the treatment device to a retailer, the treatment device requiring at least one digital key from a plurality of digital keys to be operated, the treatment device being programmed to modify data on the at least one digital key to indicate use of the treatment device; delivering a first digital key from the plurality of digital keys to the retailer on a first date, the first digital key storing data indicative of a first duration of authorized use for the treatment device; and delivering a second digital key from the plurality of digital keys to the retailer on a second date, the second digital key storing data indicative of a second duration of authorized use for the treatment device, the first digital key being different than the second digital key, the first date being before the second date. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of operating a treatment device on a pay-per-use basis, the method comprising:
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receiving a start signal; determining if a memory device associated with the treatment device stores a first value indicative of a first amount of authorized use of the treatment device; operating the treatment device if the memory device stores the first value; and storing a second value on the memory device, the second value being indicative of a second amount of authorized use of the treatment device, the second amount of authorized use being less than the first amount of authorized use. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A pay-per-use treatment apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor; a memory device operatively coupled to the processor; a user input device operatively coupled to the processor; and a treatment applicator operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor executes a software program to cause the processor to; detect an activation of the user input device; check the memory device for first data indicative of a first amount of authorized device usage time; operate the treatment applicator if the first data indicative of the first amount of authorized device usage time is above a threshold; and store second data indicative of a second amount of authorized device usage time in the memory device, the second amount of authorized device usage time being less than the first amount of authorized device usage time. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A pay-per-use treatment apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor; a memory device operatively coupled to the processor; a network device operatively coupled to the processor; a user input device operatively coupled to the processor; and a treatment applicator operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor executes a software program to cause the processor to; detect an activation of the user input device; check the memory device for first data indicative of a first amount of authorized device usage time, wherein the first data is received via the network device; operate the treatment applicator if the first data indicative of the first amount of authorized device usage time is above a threshold; and store second data indicative of a second amount of authorized device usage time in the memory device, the second amount of authorized device usage time being less than the first amount of authorized device usage time. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57)
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58. A method for a retailer to provide a consumer use device on a pay-per-use basis, the method comprising:
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delivering the consumer use device to a retailer, the consumer use device requiring a digital key to be operated, the consumer use device being programmed to modify data on the digital key to indicate use of the consumer use device, wherein the digital key is a computer readable device; and delivering the digital key to the retailer from a remote location, the digital key storing data indicative of a first duration of authorized use for the consumer use device. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60)
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61. A method for a retailer to operate a consumer use device on a pay-per-use basis, the method comprising:
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receiving a first memory device associated with the consumer use device, wherein the first memory device is a physical device delivered from a remote location; receiving a start signal; determining if the first memory device associated with the consumer use device stores a first value indicative of a first amount of authorized use of the treatment device; operating the consumer use device if the first memory device stores the first value; storing a second value on the first memory device, the second value being indicative of a second amount of authorized use of the consumer use device, the second amount of authorized use being less than the first amount of authorized use; receiving from a remote location at least one of; a second memory device associated with the consumer use device, wherein the second memory device is a physical device delivered from the remote location, wherein the second memory device stores a third value; and the first memory device, wherein the first memory device was previously transmitted to the remote location, wherein the first memory device stores a fourth value, the fourth value being greater than the second value. - View Dependent Claims (62)
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63. A pay-per-use consumer use apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
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a user application device, the user application device providing services or goods to a consumer in a retail location; a processor; a memory device operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory device is a physical device delivered from a remote location; a user input device operatively coupled to the processor; and the user application device operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor executes a software program to cause the processor to; detect an activation of the user input device; check the memory device for first data indicative of a first amount of authorized device usage time; operate the user application device if the first data indicative of the first amount of authorized device usage time is above a threshold; and store second data indicative of a second amount of authorized device usage time in the memory device, the second amount of authorized device usage time being less than the first amount of authorized device usage time. - View Dependent Claims (64)
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Specification