Patent ID: 7805315

Claim:
A computer implemented method for managing a plurality of subscription packages to online audio stream sources accessible through the internet to reduce or avoid redundant online subscriptions paid for by a user, the method comprising: electronically receiving, at a processor, information indicative of a request by the user for access to a first online audio stream source accessible through the internet; determining, using the processor, that the user is denied access to the first online audio stream source, wherein the determination that the user is denied access is based on a comparison of the first online audio stream source to each current online subscription package associated with the user, and wherein the comparison indicates that the first online audio stream source is not included in any of the current online subscription packages associated with the user; in response to the determination that the user is denied access to the first online audio stream source based on the user's current online subscription packages, identifying, using the processor, one or more a plurality of upgrade packages that would allow the user to access the first online audio stream source; determining, using the processor, an undiscounted upgrade cost associated with each of the identified upgrade packages; determining, using the processor, that at least one of the identified upgrade packages requires a prerequisite online audio stream source package; increasing, using the processor, the undiscounted upgrade cost of each identified upgrade package that requires the prerequisite online audio stream source package; determining, using the processor, wherein for each identified upgrade package the determination of the upgrade cost is based at least in part upon a value associated with a list of required authorizations already possessed by the user, for access to one or more second online audio stream sources included in the identified upgrade packages and the prerequisite online audio stream package; discounting, using the processor, wherein the upgrade cost associated with each of the identified upgrade packages based on the required authorizations already possessed by the user; receiving, at the processor, a user selection of one of the identified upgrade packages; and in response to the user selection, charging the user the discounted cost of the selected upgrade package.