System, method and article of manufacture for product return of software and other information
First Claim
1. A user data processing system having:
- a processor;
a memory coupled to the processor;
software or other information stored in the user data processing system for access by the user; and
a computer program stored in the memory and configured to provide, when executed by the processor, a system implemented by the computer program for product return of software or other information, the computer program comprising;
a first code segment configured to generate, within the user data processing system, in response to entry of a return code in the user data processing system, a confirmation code that the return code has been entered in the user data processing system; and
a second code segment responsive to entry of the return code in the user data processing system and configured to limit access to the software or other information after the return code has been entered in the user data processing system.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Software allows a vendor to grant full access to demonstration software that has been downloaded to a user'"'"'s computer as well as return the product for credit. To obtain full access, the user obtains an access code from the vendor, which unlocks the software. To effect a product return, the user would call the customer service department of the manufacturer and talk to a telemarketer or carry out a return session with the vendor'"'"'s return server. The user reads a serial number to the telemarketer at (204) or supplies the serial number to the return server. The return server uses this number to generate a return authorization code, which is then supplied to the user at (206). The user must then enter this return authorization code into their system at (208). When this code is accepted, the user is shown a confirmation code at (210). The user supplies this code to the vendor for comparison with the code generated on the vendor'"'"'s system at (212). If the confirmation codes match, the user has correctly entered the return authorization code, and the vendor can issue a credit at (214). The software is then only usable in its demonstration form, or if the demo period is expired, is disabled completely.
139 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A user data processing system having:
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a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; software or other information stored in the user data processing system for access by the user; and a computer program stored in the memory and configured to provide, when executed by the processor, a system implemented by the computer program for product return of software or other information, the computer program comprising; a first code segment configured to generate, within the user data processing system, in response to entry of a return code in the user data processing system, a confirmation code that the return code has been entered in the user data processing system; and a second code segment responsive to entry of the return code in the user data processing system and configured to limit access to the software or other information after the return code has been entered in the user data processing system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system allowing software or other information to be returned for credit, comprising a vendor data processing system having:
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a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and a vendor computer program stored in the memory and configured to provide, when executed by the processor, a system for product return of software or other information, the vendor computer program comprising; a first code segment configured to generate, within the vendor data processing system, a confirmation code that a return code has been entered in a user data processing system; a second code segment configured to compare a confirmation code supplied by the user with the confirmation code generated by the vendor data processing system to confirm that the return code has been entered in the user data processing system; a third code segment configured to generate, in the vendor data processing system, an access code for granting access to the software or other information in response to entry of the access code in the user data processing system; and a fourth code segment configured to generate, in the vendor data processing system, the return code for entry in the user data processing system for returning the software or other information for credit. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method for the return of software or other information that has been installed on a user'"'"'s data processing system to a vendor for credit, which comprises:
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(a) entering a return code in the user'"'"'s data processing system; (b) limiting access to the software or other information in the user'"'"'s data processing system in response to entry of the return code in the user'"'"'s data processing system; (c) generating, within the user'"'"'s data processing system, a confirmation code that the return code has been entered in the user'"'"'s data processing system; and (d) supplying the confirmation code to the vendor to obtain credit for return of the software or other information. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. An article of manufacture for the return of software or other information to a vendor for credit, which comprises a computer readable storage medium having stored therein a computer program, the computer program including:
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a first code segment configured to generate, within a user data processing system, in response to entry of a return code in the user data processing system, a confirmation code that the return code has been entered in the user data processing system; and a second code segment responsive to entry of the return code in the user data processing system and configured to limit access to the software or other information after the return code has been entered in the user data processing system. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. An article of manufacture allowing the return of software or other information to a vendor for credit, which comprises a computer readable storage medium having stored therein a computer program, the computer program including:
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a first code segment configured to generate, in a vendor data processing system, a confirmation code that a return code has been entered in a user data processing system; a second code segment configured to compare a confirmation code supplied by the user with the confirmation code generated by the vendor data processing system to confirm that the return code has been entered in the user data processing system; a third code segment configured to generate, in the vendor data processing system, an access code for granting access to the software or other information in response to entry of the access code in the user data processing system; and a fourth code segment configured to generate, in the vendor data processing system, the return code for entry in the user data processing system for returning the software or other information for credit. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification