Patent ID: 7099447

Claim:
A data processing system that automatically validates an online request from a service subscriber to add a package of features to a service subscription, the data processing system comprising: processing resources which, when executed, perform operations comprising: causing a data item representing a service package to be displayed in a workstation for the subscriber, wherein the service package includes multiple features; receiving identification information for the subscriber from the workstation via an Internet connection; using the identification information to retrieve a list of one or more subscribed features for the subscriber from a legacy system; receiving input from the workstation indicating that the subscriber has selected the service package; in response to the input from the workstation, automatically cross referencing the features in the selected service package with a list of one or more existing features for the subscriber to detect any overlap between the features in the selected service package and the one or more existing features, wherein the existing features include the one or more subscribed features and any features listed in a shopping cart for the subscriber; and in response to detecting an overlap, automatically performing further operations including: computing a subscription change request that includes only the features in the selected service package that do not overlap the existing features; causing the workstation to list the existing features that also appear in the selected service package; causing the workstation to provide an explanation that the subscriber will not be billed separately for the existing features that also appear in the selected service package; causing the workstation to prompt the subscriber for confirmation of the subscription change request; and submitting the subscription change request to a legacy order processing system for implementation only if the subscriber confirms the subscription change request.