Techniques for Progressive Purchasing

• US 20110288992A1
• Filed: 05/05/2011
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Simpa Energy India Private Limited
• Original Assignee: Simpa Networks, Inc.
• Inventors: Needham, Paul, MacHarg, Michael, Winiecki, Jacob
• Granted Patent: US 8,930,266 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce

Abstract

Techniques for progressive purchasing of a device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for progressive purchasing of a device includes receiving information indicating a payment for a device from a customer, determining a payment pattern by the customer based on a recorded customer payment history and the received information, identifying a functionality to be enabled in the device based on the determined payment pattern, and enabling the identified functionality. The identified functionality is selected from a plurality of functionalities associated with the device.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for progressive purchasing of a device, comprising:

under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions,

receiving payment information associated with a device, the device having a plurality of functional elements;

identifying instructions associated with the received payment information; and

enabling at least one functional element of the device for a predetermined period of time or for a measured amount of usage corresponding to the identified instructions.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

enabling all functional elements of the plurality of functional elements when the instructions are identified as unlock instructions.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the device includes a solar power device configured to provide power to a load and wherein the plurality of functional elements comprises a plurality of ports, each port being configured to implement at least one functionality associated with the device.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the at least one functionality associated with the device is selected from at least one of:

providing electric power to the load when outside ambient light falls below a predetermined level;

providing electric power to the load for a predetermined time period; and

providing a combined maximum current draw at a first predetermined level of power for the energy at a second predetermined level.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of ports is a direct current (DC) port.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of ports is an alternate current (AC) port.

7. A computer-implemented method for progressive purchasing of a device configured to provide a plurality of functionalities to a customer, the method comprising:

under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions,

receiving information indicating a payment for a device from a customer;

determining a payment pattern by the customer based on a recorded customer payment history and the received information;

identifying at least one functionality to be enabled in the device based on the determined payment pattern; and

enabling the identified at least one functionality,

wherein the at least one functionality is selected from a plurality of functionalities associated with the device.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the payment history includes proofs of payment received from the customer over a period of time, and wherein the payment pattern comprises at least a frequency of payments by the customer and a sum total of payments received from the customer.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the device includes a plurality of ports, each of the ports being configured to implement at least one of the plurality of functionalities associated with the device.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein enabling the at least one functionality includes at least one of:

enabling at least one of the plurality of ports for a maximum current draw at a predetermined power level;

providing maximum current draw at a first predetermined power level with a first port of the plurality of ports and providing maximum current draw at a second predetermined power level with a second port of the plurality of ports;

providing a maximum current draw at a third predetermined power level for a predetermined time period with one of the plurality of ports; and

providing combined maximum current draw at a fourth predetermined power level with the plurality of ports.

11. A computer-implemented method for progressive purchasing of a device, comprising:

under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions,

receiving information indicating a payment for a device from a customer;

determining that the payment information is received during a promotion time period;

determining a payment pattern by the customer based on a recorded customer payment history and the received information;

providing a promotion to the customer based on the received payment information; and

enabling at least one functionality in the device based on the determined payment pattern,

wherein the at least one functionality is selected from a plurality of functionalities associated with the device and wherein the provided promotion extends the enablement of the at least one functionality.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the promotion is selected from a plurality of promotions including:

a first bonus value defining a second time period of the enabled at least one functionality, the second time period of usage exceeding a first time period of usage associated with received payment for the device, and

a second bonus value defining a second amount of usage of the enabled at least one functionality, the second amount of usage exceeding a first amount of usage associated with received payment for the device.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the received payment for the device exceeds a predetermined value, and wherein the first and second bonus values are determined by an amount by which the received payment exceeds the predetermined value.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the payment for the device is received during a predetermined time period.

15. A computer system for progressive purchasing of a device, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory having computer-executable instructions that, when executed on the processor, cause the processor to;

receive information indicating a payment for a device from a customer;

determine a payment pattern by the customer based on a recorded customer payment history and the received information;

identify at least one functionality to be enabled in the device based on the determined payment pattern; and

enable the identified at least one functionality,

wherein the at least one functionality is selected from a plurality of functionalities associated with the device.

16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the device includes a plurality of ports, each of the ports being configured to implement at least one of the plurality of functionalities associated with the device.

17. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the computer-executable instructions that cause the processor to enable the at least one functionality further cause the processor to:

enable at least one of the plurality of ports;

provide maximum current draw at a first predetermined power level with a first port of the plurality of ports and provide maximum current draw at a second predetermined power level with a second port of the plurality of ports;

provide a maximum current draw at a third predetermined power level for a predetermined time period with one of the plurality of ports;

or

provide combined maximum current draw at a fourth predetermined power level with the plurality of ports.

18. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for progressive purchasing of a device stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive information indicating a payment for a device from a customer;

determine that the payment information is received during a promotion time period;

determine a payment pattern by the customer based on a recorded customer payment history and the received information;

provide a promotion to the customer based on the received payment information; and

enable at least one functionality in the device based on the determined payment pattern,

wherein the at least one functionality is selected from a plurality of functionalities associated with the device and wherein the provided promotion extends the enablement of the at least one functionality.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the promotion is selected from a plurality of promotions including:

a first bonus value defining a second time period of the enabled at least one functionality, the second time period of usage exceeding a first time period of usage associated with received payment for the device, and

a second bonus value defining a second amount of usage of the enabled at least one functionality, the second amount of usage exceeding a first amount of usage associated with received payment for the device.

20. A computer-implemented method for progressive purchasing of a solar power system having a plurality of power output ports, the method comprising:

under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions,

receiving information indicating a payment for a solar power system from a customer, the payment comprising a portion of a sum total to be paid for the solar power system;

enabling a functionality to be enabled in the system based on the received payment;

wherein the functionality is selected from a plurality of functionalities associated with the system; and

enabling the identified at least one functionality in the system,

wherein the plurality of functionalities includes;

providing maximum current draw at a first predetermined power level through a first output port of the plurality of output ports and providing maximum current draw at a second predetermined power level through a second port of the plurality of ports for a period of time associated with the received portion of the sum total to be paid for the solar system, and

enabling at least one of the plurality of output ports for a maximum current draw at a predetermined power level for a period of time associated with the received portion of the sum total to be paid for the solar system.