SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INITIATING WARRANTY COVERAGE AND PROVIDING WARRANTY STATUS FOR A MANUFACTURED ITEM
First Claim
1. A system for initiating warranty coverage and providing warranty status for a manufactured item, comprising:
- an electronic device with a destructible extrusion, the destructible extrusion being attachable to the manufactured item,wherein the destructible extrusion comprises;
a conductive loop of electrically conductive material held by an electrically non-conductive material, the conductive loop having two endpoints through which an electric current can flow;
wherein the electronic device comprises;
a continuity monitor attached to the endpoints of the conductive loop to monitor electrical continuity of the conductive loop, wherein a signal is generated by the continuity monitor when a break in the electrical continuity in the conductive loop is detected;
a timer;
a processor coupled to the timer, wherein one of the timer and the processor uses the signal generated by the continuity monitor to initiate the warranty coverage; and
a readable interface for access to the warranty status.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a system and method for initiating warranty coverage and providing warranty status for a manufactured item, an electronic device with a destructible extrusion is associated and supplied with the manufactured item, where detachment, unplugging, cutting, or tearing of the destructible extrusion is detected and initiates warranty coverage. The electronic device with the destructible extrusion is then attached in such a way as to require detachment, unplugging, cutting, or tearing of the destructible extrusion during an event that is appropriate to initiate warranty coverage. This may be the opening of the manufactured item'"'"'s package, or it may be required before the manufactured item can be put to use.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for initiating warranty coverage and providing warranty status for a manufactured item, comprising:
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an electronic device with a destructible extrusion, the destructible extrusion being attachable to the manufactured item, wherein the destructible extrusion comprises; a conductive loop of electrically conductive material held by an electrically non-conductive material, the conductive loop having two endpoints through which an electric current can flow; wherein the electronic device comprises; a continuity monitor attached to the endpoints of the conductive loop to monitor electrical continuity of the conductive loop, wherein a signal is generated by the continuity monitor when a break in the electrical continuity in the conductive loop is detected; a timer; a processor coupled to the timer, wherein one of the timer and the processor uses the signal generated by the continuity monitor to initiate the warranty coverage; and a readable interface for access to the warranty status. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for initiating warranty coverage and providing warranty status for a manufactured item, comprising:
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monitoring by a continuity monitor a conductive loop of electrically conductive material for electrical continuity; receiving a signal by one of a timer and a processor when the conductive loop loses electrical continuity; initiating a warranty coverage period in response to receiving the signal; updating the warranty status and determining if the warranty coverage period has ended for a duration of the warranty coverage period; determining that the warranty coverage is complete when the warranty coverage period has ended; and providing access to the warranty status. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification