Automatically initiating product replenishment
First Claim
1. A method in a data processing system for automatically initiating the replenishment of a consumable product, comprising:
- on a first date, fulfilling an order by a consumer for a first instance of the product;
based upon the first date, estimating, by a computer processor, a second date by which the first instance of the product will be fully consumed, wherein the second date is based at least in part upon a replenishment time interval between prior purchases, each of the prior purchases including at least one purchase of a complement of the consumable product;
before the second date, providing to the consumer an indication that the product should be replenished, the indication including a control usable by the consumer to request replenishment of the product by performing a single action;
receiving an indication that the control was used by the consumer to request replenishment of the product; and
in response solely to receiving the indication, ordering a second instance of the product to replenish the first instance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A facility for automatically initiating product replenishment is described. The facility receives an indication of an order by a consumer for a first item having a first date, such as the date on which the first item was placed or fulfilled. The facility then determines a target date for replenishment based upon the identity of the first item. On the target date, the facility provides to the consumer an indication that the first item should be replenished. The indication includes a control useable by the customer to request replenishment of the first item. When this control is operated by the consumer, the facility receives an indication that the control is used by the consumer to request replenishment of the first item. In response to receiving indication the facility orders a second item to replenish the first item.
49 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method in a data processing system for automatically initiating the replenishment of a consumable product, comprising:
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on a first date, fulfilling an order by a consumer for a first instance of the product; based upon the first date, estimating, by a computer processor, a second date by which the first instance of the product will be fully consumed, wherein the second date is based at least in part upon a replenishment time interval between prior purchases, each of the prior purchases including at least one purchase of a complement of the consumable product; before the second date, providing to the consumer an indication that the product should be replenished, the indication including a control usable by the consumer to request replenishment of the product by performing a single action; receiving an indication that the control was used by the consumer to request replenishment of the product; and in response solely to receiving the indication, ordering a second instance of the product to replenish the first instance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method in a data processing system for ordering an item, comprising:
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on a first date, receiving an order by a consumer for a first item; determining, by a computer processor, a target date for suggesting replenishment of the first item, the target date based at least upon the first date, the identity of the first item, and a replenishment time interval between prior purchases, each of the prior purchases including at least one purchase of a complement of the first item; on the target date, providing to the consumer an indication that the first item should be replenished, the indication including a user interface control usable by the consumer to request replenishment of the first item; receiving an indication that the control was used by the consumer to request replenishment of the first item; and in response solely to receiving the indication, ordering a second item to replenish the first item. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification