Patent ID: 8768785
Filing Date: 2014-07-01
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A pre-purchase method for determining computing item compatibility comprising: storing, by one or more computing devices each comprising computing equipment having at least one processor executing instructions stored in a non-transitory medium, configuration information associated with a previously purchased home computer of a potential purchaser; detecting, by at least one of the one or more computing devices, a for-sale item to be used with the previously purchased home computer, wherein the for-sale item is a computer peripheral hardware component; determining, by at least one of the one or more computing devices wherein the at least one of the computing devices is a storefront system, wherein the determining occurs as part of a purchasing process, a compatibility between the for-sale item and the configuration information, wherein said determining step further comprises: responsive to determining that the computer peripheral hardware component is compatible with the previously purchased home computer, the storefront system completing a purchase of the for-sale item without presenting a compatibility warning to the potential purchaser; responsive to determining that the computer peripheral hardware component is not compatible with the previously purchased home computer, the storefront system interrupting the purchase of the for-sale item, and presenting the potential purchaser with the compatibility warning indicating that results of the determining step indicate the for-sale item is not compatible with the previously purchased home computer, wherein the compatibility warning is presented only when the determining indicates incompatibility and occurs before the potential purchaser completes the purchase of the for-sale item; permitting, by the storefront system, the potential purchaser to ignore the compatibility warning, while recording that the compatibility warning was presented; upon an attempt by the potential purchaser to return the for-sale item after the purchase, the storefront system: