Method and apparatus for managing subscriptions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A process, comprising:
- receiving, from a customer, information identifying a product;
identifying, via a controller, at least a first retailer offering the product; and
determining, by the controller, based on the information identifying the product and information about the at least first retailer, terms of a subscription for the product, wherein the subscription is valid at the at least first retailer,wherein the terms indicate that a customer is required to make a plurality of purchases of the product during a duration of the subscription,each purchase of the plurality of purchases being for one or more units of the product,each purchase of the plurality of purchases occurring during a respective visit to the at least first retailer, andwherein the terms include a penalty to be assessed against the customer if the customer violates one or more terms of the subscription.
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Abstract
A subscription system allows a customer to establish a subscription to a product with any of a number of retailers by establishing the subscription through a controller or central system. In one embodiment, a subscription is established by first receiving information identifying a customer and a product. At least one retailer which offers the product is then identified, and terms of a subscription for the product are established. The established subscription is identified by a redemption identifier which is communicated to the customer. The customer is then able to redeem subscription products at the retailer by identifying the subscription using the redemption identifier.
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Citations
62 Claims
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1. A process, comprising:
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receiving, from a customer, information identifying a product; identifying, via a controller, at least a first retailer offering the product; and determining, by the controller, based on the information identifying the product and information about the at least first retailer, terms of a subscription for the product, wherein the subscription is valid at the at least first retailer, wherein the terms indicate that a customer is required to make a plurality of purchases of the product during a duration of the subscription, each purchase of the plurality of purchases being for one or more units of the product, each purchase of the plurality of purchases occurring during a respective visit to the at least first retailer, and wherein the terms include a penalty to be assessed against the customer if the customer violates one or more terms of the subscription. - 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, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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Specification