Systems and methods for activation and deactivation of appliances
First Claim
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1. A method of configuring an electrical device for use, the method comprising:
- in response to receipt of a deposit, providing a user with possession of the electrical device, the deposit being less than a capital cost of the electrical device;
by a transaction processing system that is remote from the electrical device, charging an amount for a determined amount of time in which the electrical device is usable, wherein the amount charged includes a portion allocated to the capital cost of the electrical device;
receiving a funds transfer for payment of the amount charged, wherein the funds transfer is received by the transaction processing system remotely from the electrical device;
in response to successful processing of a payment for the amount charged by the transaction processing system, configuring the electrical device so that the electrical device is usable for the determined amount of time, and if processing of the payment is not successful or if the electrical device has been used for the determined amount of time, configuring the electrical device so that the electrical device is not usable, whereinsaid configuring the electrical device so that the electrical device is usable includes sending a first form of electronic message to the electrical device from a remote location which causes a processor associated with the electrical device to activate the electrical device so that the electrical device is usable for the determined amount of time,said configuring the electrical device so that the electrical device is not usable includes deactivating the electrical device so that the electrical device is not usable, andrepeating the steps of charging an amount for a determined amount of time, receiving a funds transfer for payment of the amount charged, and configuring the electrical device so that the electrical device is usable, until the capital cost of the electrical device has been paid; and
after successful processing of payments such that the capital cost of the electrical device has been paid, by the transaction processing system, configuring the electrical device by sending a second form of electronic message to the electrical device from a remote location which causes the processor in the electrical device to enable the electrical device to remain usable without further charges for the capital cost.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for an appliance system. The system includes an appliance, and a processor connected to the appliance such that the processor places the appliance in one of an enabled state and a disabled state. The processor is configured to track usage of the appliance and to place the appliance in a disabled state when the usage of the appliance exceeds a threshold amount. The system also includes a data receiving device configured to receive a code, wherein upon receipt of a valid code, the processor is configured to adjust the threshold amount to allow additional usage of the appliance.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of configuring an electrical device for use, the method comprising:
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in response to receipt of a deposit, providing a user with possession of the electrical device, the deposit being less than a capital cost of the electrical device; by a transaction processing system that is remote from the electrical device, charging an amount for a determined amount of time in which the electrical device is usable, wherein the amount charged includes a portion allocated to the capital cost of the electrical device; receiving a funds transfer for payment of the amount charged, wherein the funds transfer is received by the transaction processing system remotely from the electrical device; in response to successful processing of a payment for the amount charged by the transaction processing system, configuring the electrical device so that the electrical device is usable for the determined amount of time, and if processing of the payment is not successful or if the electrical device has been used for the determined amount of time, configuring the electrical device so that the electrical device is not usable, wherein said configuring the electrical device so that the electrical device is usable includes sending a first form of electronic message to the electrical device from a remote location which causes a processor associated with the electrical device to activate the electrical device so that the electrical device is usable for the determined amount of time, said configuring the electrical device so that the electrical device is not usable includes deactivating the electrical device so that the electrical device is not usable, and repeating the steps of charging an amount for a determined amount of time, receiving a funds transfer for payment of the amount charged, and configuring the electrical device so that the electrical device is usable, until the capital cost of the electrical device has been paid; and after successful processing of payments such that the capital cost of the electrical device has been paid, by the transaction processing system, configuring the electrical device by sending a second form of electronic message to the electrical device from a remote location which causes the processor in the electrical device to enable the electrical device to remain usable without further charges for the capital cost. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification