System and method for the distribution of software products

• US 9,892,393 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2015
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tahoe Research Limited (f/k/a Learndale Limited) (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Wright, Andrew C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fadok, Mark A
• Application Number:
  US14/808,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20150332307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/00 Speech recognition G10L17/00 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and method for selling software products over a network. The system includes a server computer with access to software products. The system is configured to allow a user to purchase a subscription for the periodic acquisition of selected software products. In one embodiment, as part of the subscription, the user pays an amount during selected billing intervals. In return, the system issues to the user a number of credits for downloading at no additional charge at least one of the software products during a credit interval, which may be equal in length to the billing interval. In one embodiment, the system debits a number of credits in response to fulfilling a user'"'"'s purchase request. The system may be also configured to deduct credits that are not used within selected credit intervals.

Claims

1. A server capable of communicating, via at least one network that includes an Internet network, with at least one handheld client that is capable of using at least one business-related software product, the server comprising:

at least one processor capable of executing instructions, the instructions when executed resulting in the server being capable of providing at least one subscription-based software service via the at least one network, the at least one subscription-based software service being capable of being associated with;

a trial use period during which the at least one subscription-based software service is capable of being used at the at least one handheld client for free in response, at least in part, to user selection of at least one user selectable icon to be displayed via a user interface remote from the server, the user interface also being capable of displaying at least one other user selectable icon for online purchase associated, at least in part, with the at least one subscription-based service;

the at least one business-related software product;

a subscription period that is capable of being associated with the at least one business-related software product, the subscription period being subject to payment of recurring subscription payment, the recurring subscription payment corresponding to one of a plurality of different payment amounts that correspond to different subscription plans;

the at least one business-related software product being capable of being downloaded, at least in part, to the at least one handheld client for use during the subscription period;

the at least one subscription-based software service being capable of being provided based upon a subscription, the subscription being associated, at least in part, with at least one user account whose creation is capable of being requested, at least in part, remotely from the server;

wherein;

after an upgraded version of the at least one business-related software product becomes available, the server is capable, when the at least one client is in operation, of providing a download of the upgraded version of the at least one business-related software product to the at least one client;

after a user associated with the at least one client becomes associated with another client, the at least one subscription-based software service is to permit the at least one business-related software product to be downloaded again to the another client via the at least one network;

the server is to maintain a subscription database that includes billing information provided to the server from the at least one client, and the server is capable of updating the subscription database to reflect purchase of the at least one business-related software product.

2. The server of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one business-related software product is usable in accounting, payroll, and/or human resources.

3. The server of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one user account is associated with user subscription billing information based upon which the recurring payment is to be made.

4. The server of claim 3, wherein:

the billing information comprises credit card information.

5. The server of claim 4, wherein:

the at least one handheld client comprises a touch screen to receive user input.

6. The server of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one network comprises local area network.

7. The server of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one business-related software product is capable of being used in association with an Internet browser.

8. Non-transitory program storage storing program instructions for use by a server that in operation is capable of communicating with at least one handheld client via at least one network that includes an Internet network, the at least one handheld client being capable of using at least one business-related software product, the instructions when executed by the server resulting in performance of operations comprising:

providing, at least in part, at least one subscription-based software service via the at least one network, the at least one subscription-based software service being capable of being associated with;

a trial use period during which the at least one subscription-based software service is capable of being used at the at least one handheld client for free in response, at least in part, to user selection of at least one user selectable icon to be displayed via a user interface remote from the server, the user interface also being capable of displaying at least one other user selectable icon for online purchase associated, at least in part, with the at least one subscription-based service;

the at least one business-related software product;

a subscription period that is capable of being associated with the at least one business-related software product, the subscription period being subject to payment of recurring subscription payment, the recurring subscription payment corresponding to one of a plurality of different payment amounts that correspond to different subscription plans;

the at least one business-related software product being capable of being downloaded, at least in part, to the at least one handheld client for use during the subscription period;

the at least one subscription-based software service being capable of being provided based upon a subscription, the subscription being associated, at least in part, with at least one user account whose creation is capable of being requested, at least in part, remotely from the server;

wherein;

after an upgraded version of the at least one business-related software product becomes available, the server is capable, when the at least one client is in operation, of providing a download of the upgraded version of the at least one business-related software product to the at least one client;

after a user associated with the at least one client becomes associated with another client, the at least one subscription-based software service is to permit the at least one business-related software product to be downloaded again to the another client via the at least one network;

the server is to maintain a subscription database that includes billing information provided to the server from the at least one client, and the server is capable of updating the subscription database to reflect purchase of the at least one business-related software product.

9. The program storage of claim 8, wherein:

the at least one business-related software product is usable in accounting, payroll, and/or human resources.

10. The program storage of claim 8, wherein:

the at least one user account is associated with user subscription billing information based upon which the recurring payment is to be made.

11. The program storage of claim 10, wherein:

the billing information comprises credit card information.

12. The program storage of claim 8, wherein:

the at least one handheld client comprises a touch screen to receive user input.

13. The program storage of claim 8, wherein:

the at least one network comprises local area network.

14. The program storage of claim 8, wherein:

the at least one business-related software product is capable of being used in association with an Internet browser.