Abstract:
A method for registering products can include a step of identifying at least one product associated with a consumer purchase. Consumer purchase information can be received as part of the consumer purchase. A product registration associated with the product can be automatically determined. At least a portion of the product registration can be automatically completed using the consumer purchase information. The product can be registered using the automatically completed product registration.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to the field of product registration and more particularly to a novel system of product registration redundancy elimination.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     When a consumer purchases a product from a seller, he or she is often asked for identification information including name, phone number, address, date of birth, and e-mail address. This information is primarily used by the seller to better understand demographics of their patrons and to determine which products to keep in stock and the quantities in which to do so.  
         [0005]     Oftentimes, in order to receive the full benefits of a product they have purchased, consumers must also provide the same identification information, along with purchased product information and additional consumer information (if required and/or requested by a producer), to a producer in a process called product registration. Product registration provides the producer with valuable demographic information about consumers of their products. They use this information to target who their audience is, to produce new products of interest for that audience, and to better market their existing products. To coax consumers into performing this tedious task, producers will often reserve special benefits for those who complete registration. Also, some producers will only provide support to those customers that have registered their products.  
         [0006]     A common example of an incentive used by producers to sway consumers to register a product is making registration of the purchased product mandatory prior to activation of a warranty. In other cases, as opposed to presenting a sales receipt to a service technician upon encountering problems with a product, a consumer can register the product prior to experiencing difficulties. Registration can serve as proof of purchase when problems encountered with the product make customer support necessary. Other examples of benefits include: updates for a product, special promotions, facilitated customer support, an opportunity to participate in a community of other consumers of products by the same producer, free material, and entry into drawings for monetary and other prizes.  
         [0007]     In today&#39;s rapidly changing marketplace increasing importance is being placed on the role of product registration, especially within the realm of e-commerce. In spite of this growing importance, the redundancy of providing what can be identical consumer identification information numerous times still exists. This needless expenditure of time can be frustrating to consumers and can result in otherwise willing consumers not registering purchased products, thereby resulting in a surrender of potential product registration benefits.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention discloses a system to eliminate product registration redundancy in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Using the invention, a consumer can eliminate the need to provide consumer identification information to both a seller of a purchased product and a producer of the purchased product separately. Oftentimes, the only supplementary information that is needed to complete product registration is product information, such as product number, model number, serial number, and date of purchase. Usually, this information can easily be obtained by a seller, as sellers typically store this type of information to track sales and inventory. If additional information is required of a consumer by a producer to complete product registration, this information can be requested by a seller.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, a consumer can purchase one or more products from a seller. The consumer can provide identification information to the seller. The seller can request authorization to register the products with producers of the products. If the consumer provides authorization, the seller may request additional consumer information, if the information is requested and/or required by the producers to complete product registration. The seller can transmit consumer identification information, product information, and additional consumer information (if required and/or requested) to the producers of the purchased products directly or through a product registration facilitator. Once the purchased products have been registered, the consumer may be eligible for associated benefits.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment, a consumer can purchase one or more products, with the use of a consumer client device, from a seller, using a seller server system, through a network such as the Internet. Purchased products can be shipped to the consumer via a third party company. In such a commercial transaction, which is commonly referred to as e-commerce, the consumer may be required to provide the seller with identification information. The consumer can be prompted to register products purchased using the submitted identification information. If authorization is given, the consumer may be prompted for additional consumer information based on requirements and/or requests of producers of the products. The seller can transmit required registration information to the producers via producer server systems. Registration information may also be provided to associated registration data stores. Upon registration of purchased products, consumers may be eligible for associated benefits. The consumer can optionally receive a registration notification through e-mail.  
         [0011]     The present invention can be implemented in accordance with numerous aspects consistent with material presented herein. For example, one aspect of the present invention can include a method for registering products that includes a step of identifying at least one product associated with a consumer purchase. Consumer purchase information can be received as part of the consumer purchase. A product registration associated with the product can be automatically determined. At least a portion of the product registration can be automatically completed using the consumer purchase information. The product can be registered using the automatically completed product registration.  
         [0012]     Another aspect of the present invention can include a method to purchase and register digital media content. The method can include a step of identifying a request by a consumer to purchase media containing digital media content or to purchase a downloadable copy of the digital media content. Consumer purchase information can be obtained at a time of sale associated with the consumer request. The digital media content can be registered using the consumer purchase information. Registering the digital media content can permit the consumer to legally acquire another copy of the digital media content at a cost less than a normal commercial cost.  
         [0013]     Still another aspect of the present invention can include a method for selling and registering products. The method can include a step of recording within a machine readable storage specifics of a consumer purchase. The recording step can be performed by a seller&#39;s computing system to account for the consumer purchase. Consumer identification information associated with the consumer purchase can be stored within a data store accessible by the seller&#39;s computing system. The seller&#39;s computing system can utilize the specifics of the consumer purchase and the consumer identification information to register at least one product included in the consumer purchase with a remotely located registration computing system on behalf of the consumer.  
         [0014]     It should be noted that various aspects of the invention can be implemented as a program for controlling computing equipment to implement the functions described herein, or a program for enabling computing equipment to perform processes corresponding to the steps disclosed herein. This program may be provided by storing the program in a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or any other recording medium. The program can also be provided as a digitally encoded signal conveyed via a carrier wave. The described program can be a single program or can be implemented as multiple subprograms, each of which interact within a single computing device or interact in a distributed fashion across a network space.  
         [0015]     It should also be noted that the methods detailed herein can also be methods performed at least in part by a service agent and/or a machine manipulated by a service agent in response to a service request. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of a system where product registration redundancy can be eliminated in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements contained herein.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a system that uses digital transfer of information required to complete product registration to eliminate product registration redundancy in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements contained herein.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a system where digital media content can be transferred to various media and portable devices, through a consumer client device from a producer server system and/or a digitally encoded media source, subsequent to product registration of a purchased media product in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements contained herein.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of a method where product registration redundancy can be eliminated in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of a system  100  where product registration redundancy can be eliminated in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements contained herein. In system  100 , producers  120  and  125  can sell products  130  and  135  to a seller  110 . Seller  110  can sell products  130  and  135  to a consumer  105 .  
         [0022]     Consumer  105  may be asked to provide consumer identification information  140  to seller  110 . Upon receiving authorization from consumer  105 , seller  110  can provide product registration information  145  and  150  to producers  120  and  125 , either directly or through a product registration facilitator  115 , to register the purchased products  130  and  135 .  
         [0023]     After products  130  and  135 , purchased by consumer  105 , are registered with producers  120  and  125 , producers  120  and  125  can provide product registration benefits  155  and  160  to consumer  105 .  
         [0024]     Consumer  105  can refer to any person or entity that is the purchaser of products  130  and  135  from seller  110 . For example, consumer  105  can be a private citizen who purchases products  130  and  135  from seller  110  for his or her own personal use. Consumer  105  can register these products with producers  120  and  125  to receive the full benefits  155  and  160  of registration that are contingent upon ownership.  
         [0025]     In another example, consumer  105  can refer to a business entity that purchases products  130  and  135  from seller  110  for use within a business environment. Consumer  105 , in this example, can register the purchased products to receive benefits  155  and  160  as well, but may make use of these benefits in a different capacity as may be more useful in a business context.  
         [0026]     Seller  110  can refer to any intermediary entity that purchases products  130  and  135  from producers  120  and  125  to sell to consumer  105 . For example, seller  110  can be a retail outlet that purchases products  130  and  135  directly from producers  120  and  125 , or through an intermediary such as a wholesaler. In another example, seller  110  can be a wholesaler that purchases products  130  and  135  from producers  120  and  125  and sells these products directly to consumer  105 . The inventive arrangements disclosed herein are contemplated with regards to both scenarios but are not limited in application to either.  
         [0027]     Producers  120  and  125  can refer to business entities that produce products  130  and  135  which are ultimately sold to consumer  105 , possibly through seller  110 . Producers  120  and  125  are responsible for providing benefits  155  and  160  in exchange for registration of products  130  and  135  in accordance with guarantees made by producers  120  and  125 .  
         [0028]     Product registration facilitator  115  can refer to a business entity that aids in set up and execution of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein between seller  110  and producers  120  and  125 . The service provided by product registration facilitator  115  can include the set up of a system including one or more interfaces between seller  110  and producers  120  and  125 .  
         [0029]     In one embodiment, product registration facilitator  115  can arrange a system in which product registration information  145  and  150  can be transmitted from seller  110  to producers  120  and  125  without the need for any intermediary personnel. For example, product registration facilitator  115  can arrange a system in which a network is set up connecting computers used by seller  110  and producer  120 . Information entered by seller  110  on a computing device can be electronically transmitted to producer  120 . A similar network can be set up between seller  110  and producer  125  as well. One network that is contemplated includes the Internet.  
         [0030]     In another embodiment, product registration facilitator  115  can arrange a system in which product registration information  145  and  150  is provided from a seller  110  to a product registration facilitator  115 . The facilitator  115  can provide the product registration information  145  and  150  to producers  120  and  125 .  
         [0031]     For example, product registration information  145  and  150  can be provided to a product registration facilitator  115  through a variety of means including, among others, a telephone device, such as a phone or fax, and/or a computer device. The product registration information  145  and  150  can be processed and provided to producers  120  and  125  or made available to producers  120  and  125  through storage of information  145  and  150  in a registration data store that can be operated by product registration facilitator  115 .  
         [0032]     The role of product registration facilitator  115  is not, however, to be limited to only the two embodiments presented above. All embodiments are contemplated with regards to achieving fulfillment of a role assigned to product registration facilitator  115 .  
         [0033]     Products  130  and  135  can refer to items that are produced by producers  120  and  125  for sale to seller  110  and ultimately to consumer  105 . Consumer identification information  140  can include information that is used by seller  110  to track demographics of its clients. For example, information requested can include name, phone number, address, date of birth, and e-mail address. Consumer identification information  140  requested varies from seller to seller. However, more comprehensive consumer identification information  140  is generally required for enrollment in membership plans that can be made available to consumers.  
         [0034]     Product registration information  145  and  150  can refer to information that is required by producers  120  and  125  to register products  130  and  135 . Product registration information can consist of consumer identification information  140 , product information about products  130  and  135 , and additional consumer information as required and/or requested by producers  120  and  125 .  
         [0035]     Product information about products  130  and  135  can include information such as product number, serial number, model number and date of purchase. This information is usually easily available to sellers as sellers typically store this type of information to track sales and inventory. For example, bar codes which are now widely employed, such as UPC codes, can be used to identify the producer and product code of a product.  
         [0036]     Additional consumer information can refer to supplementary information that is required and/or requested by producers  120 / 125  to complete product registration of products  130 / 135 . In an embodiment, additional consumer information required and/or requested by producers to complete product registration can be made uniform by a third party, such as a product registration facilitator  115 . Uniformity can decrease expenditure of time by consumer  105  by allowing the ability to register multiple products concurrently.  
         [0037]     Product registration benefits  155  and  160  can refer to benefits provided by producers  120  and  125  to consumer  105  in exchange for registration or products  130  and  135 . Example of product registration benefits can include: updates related to a product purchased, special promotions, an opportunity to participate in a community of other purchasers of products by the same producer, free material, and entry into drawings for monetary and other prizes. Although not represented in system  100 , examples of other incentives used to coax consumer  105  into registering purchased products  130  and  135  can include activation of a warranty and/or more comprehensive customer support.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a system  200  that uses digital transfer of information required to complete product registration to eliminate product registration redundancy in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements contained herein. In one embodiment, components detailed in system  200  can be how components in system  100  would operate in an e-commerce environment. For example, consumer client device  210  can represent the method by which consumer  105  purchases products  130  and  135 .  
         [0039]     System  200  can include consumer client device  210 , seller server system  230 , and producer server system  250 , which are communicatively linked through network  220 .  
         [0040]     Consumer client device  210  can be a computing device configured to interface with seller server system  230 . The consumer client device  210  can include a device that communicates over a data network. The consumer client device  210  can include a computer, a tablet PC, a personal data assistant (PDA), a smart phone, and other such devices.  
         [0041]     Seller server system  230  can be a computer system that handles requests for data, e-mail transfers, and other network services from other computers. Seller server system  230  can be configured to interface with consumer client device  210  and producer server system  250  via network  220 . In an embodiment where components of system  200  are utilized by components of system  100 , consumer  105  can purchase products  130  and  135 , utilizing consumer client device  210 , from seller  110 , utilizing seller server system  230 . Consumer  105  can provide consumer identification information  140 , utilizing consumer client device  210 , to seller  110 , utilizing seller server system  230 .  
         [0042]     Producer server system  250  can be a computer system that handles requests for data, e-mail, file transfers, and other network services from other computers. Producer server system  250  can be configured to interface with seller server system  230  via network  220 .  
         [0043]     Network  220  can refer to a means by which data is transmitted between consumer client device  210  and seller server system  230  and between seller server system  230  and producer server system  250 . Network  220  can include any hardware, software, and firmware necessary to convey data encoded within carrier waves. Data can be contained within analog or digital signals and conveyed though data or voice channels. Network  220  can include local components and data pathways necessary for communications to be exchanged among computing device components and between integrated device components and peripheral devices. Network  220  can also include network equipment, such as routers, data lines, hubs, and intermediary servers which together form a data network, such as the Internet.  
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a system  300  where digital media content can be transferred to various media and portable devices, through a consumer client device from a producer server system and/or a digitally encoded media source, subsequent to product registration of a purchased media product in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements contained herein.  
         [0045]     Upon registration of a purchased media product  305 , a producer can permit an authorized download of digital media content  345  from producer server system  310 , directly to consumer client device  325  and/or via a digitally encoded media source  320 . Media content  345  can be transferred to media  330  and/or portable storage device  335 . In an embodiment, authorized download and/or transfer of media content  345  can occur at no additional cost or at a reduced cost.  
         [0046]     For example, after a consumer has purchased a media product from a seller and it has been registered, the consumer can download and transfer the digital media content  345  to other media  330 , possibly different from the original purchased product media, and/or a portable storage device  335  at no additional cost or at a reduced cost.  
         [0047]     Producer server system  310  can be a computer system that handles requests for data, e-mail, file transfers, and other network services from other computers. Producer server system  310  can be configured to interface with consumer client device  325  via a network by which an authorized download of digital media content  345  can occur. Registration data store  315  can be a physical or virtual storage space configured to store digital information. Registration data store  315  can be configured to store product registration information.  
         [0048]     Digitally encoded media source  320  can be an intermediary computer system through which an authorized download of digital media content  345  can be received by consumer client device  325 . In an embodiment, digitally encoded media source  320  can provide a conveniently centralized location from which a consumer can download various digital media content, produced by a number of different producers, subsequent to registration of associated purchased media products. For example, after a consumer purchases and registers a music CD, he or she can download the digital media content to client device  325 .  
         [0049]     Consumer client device  325  can be a computing device configured to interface with producer server system  310 , media  330 , and portable storage device  335  via a network through which an authorized download and/or transfer of digital media content  345  can occur. Client device  325  can include a device that communicates over a data network. Client device  325  can include a computer, a tablet PC, a personal data assistant (PDA), a smart phone, and other such devices.  
         [0050]     Media  330  can refer to media onto which an authorized transfer of digital media content  345  can occur subsequent to registration of the associated purchased media product. Examples of media can include CD&#39;s, DVD&#39;s, diskettes, and UMD&#39;s (Universal Media Discs).  
         [0051]     Portable storage device  335  can refer to a device which can conveniently be carried about and is capable of storing digital data. Portable storage device  335  can refer to a device onto which an authorized transfer of digital media content  345  can occur subsequent to registration of the associated purchased media product. Examples of portable storage devices can include personal data assistants, smart phones, and portable digital audio players.  
         [0052]     Digital media content  345  can refer to information that is stored on media through the use of distinct electronic or optical pulses that represent the binary digits 0 and 1. Digital media content  345  can be downloaded to a consumer client device  325  and transferred to media  330  and portable storage device  335  subsequent to registration of a purchased media product.  
         [0053]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of a method  400  where product registration redundancy can be eliminated in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Method  400  can be performed in the context of any product registration redundancy elimination system, such as system  100  or system  200 .  
         [0054]     Method  400  can begin in step  410 , where a consumer purchases one or more products from a seller. The seller can request consumer identification information from the consumer if the information is not already in the possession of the seller. The seller may already have this information if the consumer has purchased products from the seller before and/or has enrolled in a membership plan. In step  420 , the consumer provides the seller with consumer identification information.  
         [0055]     In step  430 , the consumer authorizes the seller to register the purchased products. In optional step  440 , the seller may request additional consumer information. This information may be sought to complete product registration, based on the requirements and/or requests of producers of purchased products that are not met from consumer identification information already provided to the seller. Consumer identification information required and/or requested by different sellers may vary.  
         [0056]     In step  450 , the seller provides producers with product registration information. Product registration information can consist of consumer identification information, product information, and additional consumer information (should it be required and/or requested by producers). This step can be carried out directly between the seller and producers and/or through an intermediary such as a product registration facilitator.  
         [0057]     In step  460 , purchased products are registered with producers. In step  470 , the consumer becomes eligible for benefits associated with product registration. Some benefits may be provided automatically upon registration, such as activation of a warranty or entry into a drawing for monetary and other prizes. Other benefits may need to be sought after becoming eligible for them, such as more comprehensive customer support and product updates.  
         [0058]     The present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.  
         [0059]     The present invention also may be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.