CA2703270A1 - Warranty retention system - Google Patents
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- CA2703270A1 CA2703270A1 CA 2703270 CA2703270A CA2703270A1 CA 2703270 A1 CA2703270 A1 CA 2703270A1 CA 2703270 CA2703270 CA 2703270 CA 2703270 A CA2703270 A CA 2703270A CA 2703270 A1 CA2703270 A1 CA 2703270A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/01—Customer relationship services
Abstract
This invention provides a central data repository and processing system where customers may access warranty information about products they have purchased from different vendors. Customers are given a membership card when they purchase a first warrantied product, and information is sent to the system at the time of each purchase.
By connecting to the system over the internet, they obtain access to purchase receipts for each transaction, and warranty information for each product. The customer database can be mined by suppliers with a view to promoting the sale of accessories and extended warranties, or for creating demographic profiles for promoting the sale of other goods and services.
By connecting to the system over the internet, they obtain access to purchase receipts for each transaction, and warranty information for each product. The customer database can be mined by suppliers with a view to promoting the sale of accessories and extended warranties, or for creating demographic profiles for promoting the sale of other goods and services.
Description
WARRANTY RETENTION SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention is related to the field of the collection and management of consumer data. In particular, the system collects customer names, contact information, and what products are purchased, and in exchange provides customers with warranty information about the purchased products.
BACKGROUND
Consumers are generally aware that a manufacturer's warranty and product registration information is often included with various products available for purchase. Product registration is typically in printed format that the purchaser can fill out by hand and send in to the manufacturer by mail. As an alternative, some manufacturers (typically high end electronic manufacturers) may allow the purchaser to register the product online.
Various systems have been developed to optimize electronic management of warranty related information.
U.S. Patent 6,031,621 refers to an information system used to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the collection of information for warranty database for printers. Information is collected from the printer by printing a self-test page including the bar code, reading the bar code using a bar code reading utility, and storing the data on the hard disk drive of the computer system. At a later time, the data is transferred to the warranty database over a communications link such as a modem.
U.S. Patent 6,934,686 refers to a warranty transaction system that has a user interface that receives a warranty request from a customer that indicates an item a customer desires to cover under a warranty. The system generates one or more warranty packages that are consistent with the warranty request. The user interface (32) communicates the warranty packages to the customer computer, receives a selection of at least one warranty package from the customer computer, and communicates the selected warranty package to one or more warranty provider computers using the communications network.
U.S. Patent publication 2004/0215484 Al refers to a method for extending the warranty on a first good by purchasing additional, related goods. It involves determining the cost per unit time of the warranty extension for the first good.
Information about at least one other good related to the first good is received, and in a dollar amount corresponding to such related good is determined based on such information. A warranty reminder is presented to a customer without the customer having to actively seek out information that would otherwise trigger the offer.
U.S. Patent publication 2003/0061104 Al refers to an internet based warranty and repair service. Warranty support for purchased products is provided by an electronic warranty administrator that maintains several databases. A first database identifies customers, either individuals or corporate entities having warrantied products. A second database identifies the manufacturers of those products.
The warranty administrator coordinates between the customer, the manufacturer and a service provider to provide warranty repairs. The manufacturer remains in the repair process and thereby gains valuable information about the long term satisfaction of the customers. The warranty administrator also provides the manufacturer with a means to contact the customer about other products, product recalls and affinity programs to promote brand loyalty.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention is related to the field of the collection and management of consumer data. In particular, the system collects customer names, contact information, and what products are purchased, and in exchange provides customers with warranty information about the purchased products.
BACKGROUND
Consumers are generally aware that a manufacturer's warranty and product registration information is often included with various products available for purchase. Product registration is typically in printed format that the purchaser can fill out by hand and send in to the manufacturer by mail. As an alternative, some manufacturers (typically high end electronic manufacturers) may allow the purchaser to register the product online.
Various systems have been developed to optimize electronic management of warranty related information.
U.S. Patent 6,031,621 refers to an information system used to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the collection of information for warranty database for printers. Information is collected from the printer by printing a self-test page including the bar code, reading the bar code using a bar code reading utility, and storing the data on the hard disk drive of the computer system. At a later time, the data is transferred to the warranty database over a communications link such as a modem.
U.S. Patent 6,934,686 refers to a warranty transaction system that has a user interface that receives a warranty request from a customer that indicates an item a customer desires to cover under a warranty. The system generates one or more warranty packages that are consistent with the warranty request. The user interface (32) communicates the warranty packages to the customer computer, receives a selection of at least one warranty package from the customer computer, and communicates the selected warranty package to one or more warranty provider computers using the communications network.
U.S. Patent publication 2004/0215484 Al refers to a method for extending the warranty on a first good by purchasing additional, related goods. It involves determining the cost per unit time of the warranty extension for the first good.
Information about at least one other good related to the first good is received, and in a dollar amount corresponding to such related good is determined based on such information. A warranty reminder is presented to a customer without the customer having to actively seek out information that would otherwise trigger the offer.
U.S. Patent publication 2003/0061104 Al refers to an internet based warranty and repair service. Warranty support for purchased products is provided by an electronic warranty administrator that maintains several databases. A first database identifies customers, either individuals or corporate entities having warrantied products. A second database identifies the manufacturers of those products.
The warranty administrator coordinates between the customer, the manufacturer and a service provider to provide warranty repairs. The manufacturer remains in the repair process and thereby gains valuable information about the long term satisfaction of the customers. The warranty administrator also provides the manufacturer with a means to contact the customer about other products, product recalls and affinity programs to promote brand loyalty.
2 The invention described here compiles warranty and purchase information for multiple products owned by each customer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides data processing and storage systems that constitute a central repository where customers may access warranty information about products they have purchased, even for things purchased from different vendors. At the option of the manager of the system, the information can be mined with a view to promoting the sale of accessories and extended warranties, or for creating demographic profiles for promoting the sale of other goods and services.
The electronic or computerized warranty retention system of the invention generally is constructed so as to provide several of the following elements in combination:
= a database containing information on warranties for multiple products (often from different manufacturers);
= a means (such as an internet portal) by which each customer may access warranty information for products they have purchased;
= a database containing information on customers who have each purchased one or more products (often from different stores), and which of the products each customer has purchased;
= a means for receiving customer information and which of the products such customer has purchased when the purchase is made in the store; and = a processor that updates the customer database with the information received.
The system may have a scanner that reads customer member identifier from an identity card, and/or a scanner that reads product identifying information from
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides data processing and storage systems that constitute a central repository where customers may access warranty information about products they have purchased, even for things purchased from different vendors. At the option of the manager of the system, the information can be mined with a view to promoting the sale of accessories and extended warranties, or for creating demographic profiles for promoting the sale of other goods and services.
The electronic or computerized warranty retention system of the invention generally is constructed so as to provide several of the following elements in combination:
= a database containing information on warranties for multiple products (often from different manufacturers);
= a means (such as an internet portal) by which each customer may access warranty information for products they have purchased;
= a database containing information on customers who have each purchased one or more products (often from different stores), and which of the products each customer has purchased;
= a means for receiving customer information and which of the products such customer has purchased when the purchase is made in the store; and = a processor that updates the customer database with the information received.
The system may have a scanner that reads customer member identifier from an identity card, and/or a scanner that reads product identifying information from
3 packaging of the product. The customer database is typically updated with information received when a customer accesses warranty information for one or more of the products they have purchased, with name and contact information.
The system can also have a means by which customers who have purchased a particular product may be sent updated warranty or other information about that product, for example, by e-mail. The system may be set up for calculating or retrieving demographic information on customers in the customer database, such as information about what type of customer buys a particular warrantied product.
The demographic information may include information about what other products customers buy before or after they buy a particular warrantied product.
Another embodiment of the invention is a scanner for obtaining identifying information for a customer purchasing a warrantied product where it is purchased in a store, which reads a customer member identifier contained in or on an identity card carried by the customer. Another embodiment of the invention is an identity card suitable for carrying by a customer, and having a scanner-readable customer member identifier.
Other embodiments of the invention are methods for compiling data from customers purchasing warrantied products. In the first instance, this typically involves:
= receiving customer identifying information and product identifying information when the purchase is made at a store;
= receiving additional information about the customer when the customer seeks warranty information about the product purchased; and then = storing the customer information along with information about what product the customer purchased.
For subsequent purchases, the method typically involves:
The system can also have a means by which customers who have purchased a particular product may be sent updated warranty or other information about that product, for example, by e-mail. The system may be set up for calculating or retrieving demographic information on customers in the customer database, such as information about what type of customer buys a particular warrantied product.
The demographic information may include information about what other products customers buy before or after they buy a particular warrantied product.
Another embodiment of the invention is a scanner for obtaining identifying information for a customer purchasing a warrantied product where it is purchased in a store, which reads a customer member identifier contained in or on an identity card carried by the customer. Another embodiment of the invention is an identity card suitable for carrying by a customer, and having a scanner-readable customer member identifier.
Other embodiments of the invention are methods for compiling data from customers purchasing warrantied products. In the first instance, this typically involves:
= receiving customer identifying information and product identifying information when the purchase is made at a store;
= receiving additional information about the customer when the customer seeks warranty information about the product purchased; and then = storing the customer information along with information about what product the customer purchased.
For subsequent purchases, the method typically involves:
4 = receiving customer identifying information and product identifying information at the time of purchase in a similar fashion, but then = identifying the customer as someone whose personal information is already stored in the system following a previous purchase; and = storing information about what subsequent product the same customer has now purchased.
Optionally, the system can be set up to collect from the customer a fee when the customer identifying information is received upon purchase of a product, or when the additional information is received when the customer accesses the warranty database over the internet.
The invention also includes a method for providing a customer with warranty information about a product they purchased, or a copy of the sales receipt upon request. The system can also assist a customer to return a product to a manufacturer for warranty repair, by letting the manufacturer know that a consumer desires to return the product for repair, and/or providing the consumer with shipping documents.
From the point of view of the manufacturer or wholesale vendor, the invention can be used to promote the sale to a consumer of an extended warranty for a pout they have already purchased. It can also be used for upselling or cross-selling other products or services to customers who have purchased a warrantied product.
Demographic information can be compiled from the customer and purchase data that is stored, categorizing customers on the basis of products they have purchased, or on the basis of their age, income, or other personal information. The data can be used for promoting the sale of other products or services to customers who match a particular demographic profile.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the description that follows.
Optionally, the system can be set up to collect from the customer a fee when the customer identifying information is received upon purchase of a product, or when the additional information is received when the customer accesses the warranty database over the internet.
The invention also includes a method for providing a customer with warranty information about a product they purchased, or a copy of the sales receipt upon request. The system can also assist a customer to return a product to a manufacturer for warranty repair, by letting the manufacturer know that a consumer desires to return the product for repair, and/or providing the consumer with shipping documents.
From the point of view of the manufacturer or wholesale vendor, the invention can be used to promote the sale to a consumer of an extended warranty for a pout they have already purchased. It can also be used for upselling or cross-selling other products or services to customers who have purchased a warrantied product.
Demographic information can be compiled from the customer and purchase data that is stored, categorizing customers on the basis of products they have purchased, or on the basis of their age, income, or other personal information. The data can be used for promoting the sale of other products or services to customers who match a particular demographic profile.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the description that follows.
5 DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a flowchart of various steps the prototype system uses to accumulate and process data, and to provide data back to customers.
Figures 2-5 are images of a website through which a customer may access product and/or warranty information through over the internet. Figure 2 shows the home page or "dashboard".
Figure 3 shows the products history screen.
Figure 4 shows the receipt detail screen.
Figure 5 shows the products and warranty detail screen for a particular product.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This disclosure describes for the first time a system and method for accumulating purchase and warranty information, to the benefit of consumers, retail vendors, and manufacturers. In a working prototype of the invention, customers are given a membership card when they purchase a first warrantied product. Each time the customer buys a warrantied product, information on the item purchased is sent to the system's data processor and storage unit.
One of the benefits of the invention is to provide a way for consumers to have ready and centralized access to warranty information throughout the warranty period of each of the products they purchase, and facilitate return of each product to the manufacturer for warranty repair. With the current paper-based product registration and warranty practice most common in the marketplace, consumers often lose or misplace their product purchase receipts; and rarely fill out and mail the
Figure 1 is a flowchart of various steps the prototype system uses to accumulate and process data, and to provide data back to customers.
Figures 2-5 are images of a website through which a customer may access product and/or warranty information through over the internet. Figure 2 shows the home page or "dashboard".
Figure 3 shows the products history screen.
Figure 4 shows the receipt detail screen.
Figure 5 shows the products and warranty detail screen for a particular product.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This disclosure describes for the first time a system and method for accumulating purchase and warranty information, to the benefit of consumers, retail vendors, and manufacturers. In a working prototype of the invention, customers are given a membership card when they purchase a first warrantied product. Each time the customer buys a warrantied product, information on the item purchased is sent to the system's data processor and storage unit.
One of the benefits of the invention is to provide a way for consumers to have ready and centralized access to warranty information throughout the warranty period of each of the products they purchase, and facilitate return of each product to the manufacturer for warranty repair. With the current paper-based product registration and warranty practice most common in the marketplace, consumers often lose or misplace their product purchase receipts; and rarely fill out and mail the
6 manufacturer's warranty information or the product registration cards. Filling out and forwarding the manufacturer's warranty information or product registration card is regarded by consumers as a nuisance. However, they have difficulty getting warranty repairs if they lose a purchase receipt or throw out the product and warranty registration cards with the product packaging. When the product needs repair, they may not know if it is still under warranty, and they may not be able to return it without the sales receipt.
Another benefit of the invention is comes from the accumulation and mining of purchase information from customers buying products made by different manufacturers and sold by different vendors. Demographic data about retail purchases are valuable to manufacturing and marketing firms - it provides information for upselling and cross-selling to consumers who previously purchased particular products or product groups. Demographic data is collected by loyalty programs such as Air MilesTM and Alliance Data, and by credit card companies such as VisaTM and American ExpressTM. However, previous to the making of the invention described here, there was no widespread system for collecting such data from customers storing or accessing warranty information on products purchased from multiple retailers.
Collecting purchase information The warranty retention system of this invention has a database containing information on customers who have each purchased products from various stores or vending establishments.
A customer is identified by the system by way of a "customer member identifier". The term refers to a unique code (such as a series of digits, combination of digits and letters, or electronic configuration) that may be used to identify a purchaser
Another benefit of the invention is comes from the accumulation and mining of purchase information from customers buying products made by different manufacturers and sold by different vendors. Demographic data about retail purchases are valuable to manufacturing and marketing firms - it provides information for upselling and cross-selling to consumers who previously purchased particular products or product groups. Demographic data is collected by loyalty programs such as Air MilesTM and Alliance Data, and by credit card companies such as VisaTM and American ExpressTM. However, previous to the making of the invention described here, there was no widespread system for collecting such data from customers storing or accessing warranty information on products purchased from multiple retailers.
Collecting purchase information The warranty retention system of this invention has a database containing information on customers who have each purchased products from various stores or vending establishments.
A customer is identified by the system by way of a "customer member identifier". The term refers to a unique code (such as a series of digits, combination of digits and letters, or electronic configuration) that may be used to identify a purchaser
7 of a warrantied product by the system. The code is typically assigned to a customer at or around the time they make the purchase of a first warrantied product to be recorded, by giving them an identification card or other suitable portable device. As an alternative to an actual membership card or other device that is carried separately by the consumer, the code can be stored on a general or multipurpose PDA, microcomputer, or other personal data holder that the customer often travels with and uses for a variety of personal and/or business purposes.
In general use, at or around the time of each purchase to be recorded, the customer member identifier is detected and conveyed to the system. This can be done by manual entry by someone at the retail establishment, but is preferably done by way of a "scanner". This refers to a device that is adapted to read the customer member identifier in whatever form it is carried by the customer. For example, if the customer carries a membership card or other portable device specially issued for registration with the warranty retention system of the invention, the customer member identifier may be displayed by way of a bar code or other optically scannable pattern, or it may be encoded in a microchip, RFID chip or other electronically scannable element.
Also conveyed to the system is information about the purchase made:
specifically, identity of the product (e.g., by SKU, product description, or other product identifier), along with other information, such as the quantity purchased, purchase price, and other products purchased at the same time (possibly including other warrantied products, and products, accessories, or services not covered by warranty).
Upon receiving these data, the system stores the data in such a fashion that information on each of the purchases made by the same customer is associated with the customer member identifier.
A system according to this invention may be referred to as "electronic" if the listed components interact together in day-to-day operation without needing human
In general use, at or around the time of each purchase to be recorded, the customer member identifier is detected and conveyed to the system. This can be done by manual entry by someone at the retail establishment, but is preferably done by way of a "scanner". This refers to a device that is adapted to read the customer member identifier in whatever form it is carried by the customer. For example, if the customer carries a membership card or other portable device specially issued for registration with the warranty retention system of the invention, the customer member identifier may be displayed by way of a bar code or other optically scannable pattern, or it may be encoded in a microchip, RFID chip or other electronically scannable element.
Also conveyed to the system is information about the purchase made:
specifically, identity of the product (e.g., by SKU, product description, or other product identifier), along with other information, such as the quantity purchased, purchase price, and other products purchased at the same time (possibly including other warrantied products, and products, accessories, or services not covered by warranty).
Upon receiving these data, the system stores the data in such a fashion that information on each of the purchases made by the same customer is associated with the customer member identifier.
A system according to this invention may be referred to as "electronic" if the listed components interact together in day-to-day operation without needing human
8 involvement, except to input or receive data or information. Similarly, a method according to this invention may be referred to as "computerized" if the listed steps are conducted in and proceed one to another in the usual course of business without human involvement, except to input or receive data or information.
The term "store" as used in this disclosure means a real-life store (i.e., not an electronic or internet-based vending system), where the customer actually inspects and/or receives a product at or around the time they make arrangements to pay for it.
Payment can optionally be made electronically (e.g., by credit card), and what is sold may be any vendible product, including computer software. However, the store will have a physical location to which the customer travels in order to make the purchase.
This invention was originally designed to collect data from different stores as defined above, which means a plurality of stores in different physical locations and not owned or controlled partially or in their entirety by the same corporate entity.
However, for other embodiments of the invention, the warranty system may be implemented mutatis mutandis within a particular chain of stores, or for internet based vending services that don't qualify under the term "store" as defined above.
Throughout this disclosure and the claims, reference to person(s) in the second-person plural "them" and "their" may refer to a single person of either gender, or a plurality of persons, or either a single or a plurality of persons in the alternative, to the extent that is consistent with the context in which the term is used.
Reference to choices in the alternative (e.g., "warranty or other information") includes as alternatives each of the choices individually (e.g., either warranty information or other information), and a plurality of any or all of the choices given to the extent allowable by the nature and context of the choices listed (e.g., both warranty and other information).
The term "store" as used in this disclosure means a real-life store (i.e., not an electronic or internet-based vending system), where the customer actually inspects and/or receives a product at or around the time they make arrangements to pay for it.
Payment can optionally be made electronically (e.g., by credit card), and what is sold may be any vendible product, including computer software. However, the store will have a physical location to which the customer travels in order to make the purchase.
This invention was originally designed to collect data from different stores as defined above, which means a plurality of stores in different physical locations and not owned or controlled partially or in their entirety by the same corporate entity.
However, for other embodiments of the invention, the warranty system may be implemented mutatis mutandis within a particular chain of stores, or for internet based vending services that don't qualify under the term "store" as defined above.
Throughout this disclosure and the claims, reference to person(s) in the second-person plural "them" and "their" may refer to a single person of either gender, or a plurality of persons, or either a single or a plurality of persons in the alternative, to the extent that is consistent with the context in which the term is used.
Reference to choices in the alternative (e.g., "warranty or other information") includes as alternatives each of the choices individually (e.g., either warranty information or other information), and a plurality of any or all of the choices given to the extent allowable by the nature and context of the choices listed (e.g., both warranty and other information).
9 Access of information by customers and updating the database After purchase information is stored in the customer database, the customer is provided with a means to access information on the database related to their own purchases. This may be through a dedicated access terminal, but is more typically an internet or other general communications network to which both the customer and the warranty system are connected.
The first time the customer accesses the system, they are identified by their assigned customer member identifier, and may be assigned a password for future access. While in access mode at the outset or at a later time, the customer may have the ability to correct, augment, or update personal information: for example, with their full name, contact information (address, phone number, and e-mail), and demographic features like age, income, occupations, purchase preferences, and interests. They may also have an opportunity to upload information on other products they own, which may or may not be subject to a warranty already stored on the system.
Upon accessing the system the customer can retrieve information about the various purchases they have made. For example, the access site may provide the customer with a list of purchases and the retail establishment(s) where they were made. For each purchase transaction, there may be a list of items purchased at the same time, the number of each item purchased, the price paid, SKU, a description, and an image of each product. For each product, the system may provide from the warranty database information about the warranty applying to the product, the terms of the warranty, and the number of days left that the warranty is in place.
The customer may be provided with the ability to print out various lists, warranty terms, and copies of sales receipts. For products under warranty, the system may generate a printable image of a package label for shipping the product to the manufacturer for repair.
When the customer makes a subsequent purchase at the same store, or at another store connected to the same warranty retention system, they can provide the same identity card or device to the vendor. This enables the vendor to convey information about the subsequent purchase to the system, and associate the information with the customer's account. The customer database is updated accordingly, and purchase and warranty information pertaining to the second transaction will be available and tabulated when the customer next logs into the access site. In the event that the customer is issued a second identity card at the time of a subsequent purchase, they may be given an opportunity when they next access the system to consolidate the two accounts. The access site may also give the customer an opportunity to input data on purchases of warrantied products made at stores when they were not carrying their identity card, or made by phone or over the internet, and receive warranty information about such products.
Use of the system by suppliers The system may be set up as a marketing vehicle for extended warranties, product accessories, and other products and services. For example, the customer access site may display ad copy, optionally tailored to the customer's preference in view of their personal information or products they have purchased. The system may also have a communication means (such as an e-mail sending function or a postal mail generator) that sends such information to the customer by way of their recorded contact information. In keeping with the focus of the system on warranty information, the customer may be sent e-mail reminders of warranties that are about to expire or that have expired recently, with an offer to extend the warranty for an additional period. Ads displayed on the access site and e-mail sent to the customer may optionally have a link or portal to an internet-based product purchasing system where the customer may purchase the promoted product, service, or warranty being promoted.
If desired by the product suppliers and authorized by the customer, information about purchases can be sent by the system to each of the suppliers: for example, to register purchase of the product and activate the warranty, to let the manufacturers know about defects or repairs needed, or to solicit help in setting up or using the product.
After accumulating information from a substantial customer base, the database will be a trove of valuable information for target marketing. Thus, the system may have a means for calculating or retrieving demographic information on customers in the customer database. For example, demographic information may be compiled from the database categorizing customers who have purchased a particular warrantied product on the basis of other products they have purchased, or on the basis of their age, income, or other personal data. The demographic information can then be used to send promotional information about other products or services to customers categorized according to any of these criteria.
The system may be used as a profit center by implementing one or more of the following fees. Of course, each of the fees is optional, and implemented at the discretion of the system owner or administrator.
= a fee to the store for hookup to the system or on a periodic (e.g., monthly) basis = a fee to the customer or the store upon receiving the identity card, or upon conveying information about each purchase transaction to the system;
= a fee to the customer or the store upon accessing the system through the internet, upon retrieving warranty information, or on a periodic (e.g., annual) basis;
= a fee to product manufacturers and distributors for displaying information or advertisements about enhanced warranties, accessories, and other products and services on the access website;
= a fee to product manufacturers and distributors for sending customers e-mail or other communications about enhanced warranties, accessories, and other products and services;
= a fee to product manufacturers and distributors for each instance where a customer purchases an enhanced warranty, accessory, or other product or service as a consequence of being provided with relevant information through the access portal or by e-mail; or = a fee to product manufacturers and distributors for demographic purchaser or ownership information culled from the customer database.
EXAMPLES
Example 1: Accumulating purchase data A prototype working embodiment incorporating features of the invention are being developed under the marks MyWarrantyTM and MyWarranty.COmTM. The prototype provides a set of technologies and processes that allow retail customers to store, and ultimately utilize purchase receipts and product information by way of a single online interface accessible over the internet.
Figure 1 is a flowchart of various steps the prototype system uses to accumulate and process data, and to provide data back to customers.
During the checkout process a customer will be offered free of charge a very thin plastic MyWarranty.com membership card which will contain both a serial ID
and pin number, similar to an Air MilesTM card. The customer will keep and re-use their membership card when they shop at any participating retailers powered by MyWarranty.com. Before requesting final payment for products, the cashier will be trained to properly request if the customer would like his/her products registered on MyWarranty.com for $0.99. The membership card will then be scanned and an SKU
attached to the $0.99 fee will be recorded.
The information will be parsed exactly like Air MilesTM data recording system, and the electronic records are sent back to MyWarranty.com. The customer can then go to the website and log in using their unique pin ID to verify the product(s) that he/she purchased. The customer will then be able to view product pictures, information, receipt information and everything about their products warranties' terms and conditions. By way of illustration, if a customer's vacuum breaks 18 months after purchase, they will be able to login, find the vacuum, find out there is 6 months left in the life of the warranty, and be provided with the exact address for service.
This system provides a proof of purchase that is separate from the original sales receipt.
Customer data is accumulated and processed as follows:
1. Point of Purchase Bar code Scan At the point of purchase a customer will be asked if they have a MyWarranty card or account. If the customer does not already have a card, the cashier will hand them one at this time. The cashier then scans the MyWarranty.com card after he or she has finished scanning in the customer's purchases. The act of scanning the MyWarranty.com bar code will allow the unique 12 digit serial account number to be attached to the customers receipt in the retailer's point of sale (POS) system.
II. Data Integration, Transformation, and Storage Before a customer can view and utilize their purchase information, that data must be retrieved from, or sent from the retailers computer systems to MyWarranty.
The transmission of this data will happen in a real time manner or be performed on some kind of schedule. In either case, the process will proceed as follows.
First, raw retailer data is sent to MyWarranty.com computer systems (only purchase data that is tagged with the MyWarranty unique serial numbers will be transmitted). The raw retailer data is then transformed into the proprietary MyWarranty data model.
This allows customers to view and utilize all of their purchase receipts and product information regardless of which retailer they used.
III. Adding to the Retailer Data MyWarranty.com will also get customers to add to the data received from the retail partners, creating an entirely new subset of data that can be mined and utilized by MyWarranty.com and its ancillary services. Important data collected from customers by MyWarranty.com will be their profile information. This customer information will include any or all of the following:
= First and Last Name = Physical Address = e-mail Address = Phone Numbers (Home, Work, Cell, and/or Fax) Example 2: Using the data Once the data has been transformed and aggregated with the MyWarranty collected data, a customer may log in to their account and perform the following actions:
1. View all past purchases (receipts) organized by retailer, by date, and/or by total money spent, by quantity, by return policy terms and conditions, by manufacturer warranty terms and conditions, or by policies and term expiration dates.
2. View individual detailed product information such as but not limited to:
product name; description; product specification; manufacturer product images; or terms, conditions and start/end dates for product warranties, retailer policies, and extended warranties.
3. Create, update, and delete e-mail notifications (alerts) for the following use cases:
= Notify customer when a receipt is no longer valid at the retailer for the purposes of returning product.
= Notify customer of expiration dates pertaining to manufacturer warranties and extended warranties = Notify customer when new purchases are now available in their account.
4. Upload additional data for products stored in customer account such as photographs of products in customer's home, location the product is stored or kept. The customer may also flag product to indicate that product is no longer owned by customer.
5. Perform additional actions related to products stored in customers MyWarranty Account, such as:
= Initiate transfer of product to another person by e-mail. Similar to e-mail money transfers in process.
= Initiate sale of product on eBay.
= Show Up-Sell and Cross-Sell products from partner retailers' online stores.
Example 3: Internet-based user interface In the prototype MyWarranty registration system, the customer may access information about purchased products and their warranties through the website MyWarranty.comTM
Figure 2 shows the opening screen or "dashboard" of the on-line portal. Listed is a summary of warranties about to expire (with the remaining period), scheduled e-mail alerts, recent products purchased (and the name of the vendor), and the latest 10 receipts (with the vendor, purchase date, number of items, and price or total).
Submenus are receipts, warranties, e-mail alerts, and profile. Through the profile screen, the consumer may input or update contact information, access passwords, and other personal information.
Figure 3 shows the products history screen. Each product is shown with the product name, quantity, purchase date, price paid, and retail vendor. There are directly links through to the receipt and the warranty for each product, with optional links to product reviews and accessories.
Figure 4 shows the receipt detail screen. Listed are products purchased at the same time at the same place, the SKU (stock keeping unit), and the price paid for each item.
Figure 5 shows the products and warranty detail screen for a warrantied camera. Below the product summary is detailed product information. Also displayed are any and all warranties that pertain to the product still in effect, the start and end date, and the terms and conditions of the warranty.
Example 4: Attributes of the system Potential benefits of this prototype system to the consumer include the following:
= No more digging for lost receipts or product information; stay organized;
= Can reprint lost receipts;
= Keep track of all purchased products forever;
= No more wondering if a product is under warranty - when a product breaks, user logs on, finds product and checks warranty;
= View any extended warranties;
= View all product information and details;
= Benefit from receipt expiration reminders;
= Benefit from product warranty expiration reminders;
= Database could export into ExcelTM spreadsheet format for insurance proof of loss;
= View product manufacturer information and contact information for product returns.
Potential benefits of this prototype system to retail vendors, manufacturers, and the system manager include the following:
= The $0.99 user fee per transaction translates into potentially tens of millions of dollars in annual revenue;
= Increase revenue during economic turndown;
= Can immediately target shopper with affiliate sales once user logs in;
= Can maintain continuous contact with shopper for years post-sale, to target exact product accessories, exact product upsells, and related products;
= Decreased customer service costs;
= No up front cost to retailers to participate;
= Can advertise to millions of registered shoppers at once with ads relevant to products they already purchased;
= Benefit from happier customers who have immediate product information;
= Benefit from happier customers who have immediate access to information, terms and conditions of their product's warranties;
= The retailer will benefit from demographics and from a wealth of shopper data that is collected by MyWarranty.com that could be used to market to their customers.
The products, systems, services, and their use as described in this disclosure can be modified effectively by routine experimentation and analysis without departing from the spirit of the invention embodied in the claims that follow.
The first time the customer accesses the system, they are identified by their assigned customer member identifier, and may be assigned a password for future access. While in access mode at the outset or at a later time, the customer may have the ability to correct, augment, or update personal information: for example, with their full name, contact information (address, phone number, and e-mail), and demographic features like age, income, occupations, purchase preferences, and interests. They may also have an opportunity to upload information on other products they own, which may or may not be subject to a warranty already stored on the system.
Upon accessing the system the customer can retrieve information about the various purchases they have made. For example, the access site may provide the customer with a list of purchases and the retail establishment(s) where they were made. For each purchase transaction, there may be a list of items purchased at the same time, the number of each item purchased, the price paid, SKU, a description, and an image of each product. For each product, the system may provide from the warranty database information about the warranty applying to the product, the terms of the warranty, and the number of days left that the warranty is in place.
The customer may be provided with the ability to print out various lists, warranty terms, and copies of sales receipts. For products under warranty, the system may generate a printable image of a package label for shipping the product to the manufacturer for repair.
When the customer makes a subsequent purchase at the same store, or at another store connected to the same warranty retention system, they can provide the same identity card or device to the vendor. This enables the vendor to convey information about the subsequent purchase to the system, and associate the information with the customer's account. The customer database is updated accordingly, and purchase and warranty information pertaining to the second transaction will be available and tabulated when the customer next logs into the access site. In the event that the customer is issued a second identity card at the time of a subsequent purchase, they may be given an opportunity when they next access the system to consolidate the two accounts. The access site may also give the customer an opportunity to input data on purchases of warrantied products made at stores when they were not carrying their identity card, or made by phone or over the internet, and receive warranty information about such products.
Use of the system by suppliers The system may be set up as a marketing vehicle for extended warranties, product accessories, and other products and services. For example, the customer access site may display ad copy, optionally tailored to the customer's preference in view of their personal information or products they have purchased. The system may also have a communication means (such as an e-mail sending function or a postal mail generator) that sends such information to the customer by way of their recorded contact information. In keeping with the focus of the system on warranty information, the customer may be sent e-mail reminders of warranties that are about to expire or that have expired recently, with an offer to extend the warranty for an additional period. Ads displayed on the access site and e-mail sent to the customer may optionally have a link or portal to an internet-based product purchasing system where the customer may purchase the promoted product, service, or warranty being promoted.
If desired by the product suppliers and authorized by the customer, information about purchases can be sent by the system to each of the suppliers: for example, to register purchase of the product and activate the warranty, to let the manufacturers know about defects or repairs needed, or to solicit help in setting up or using the product.
After accumulating information from a substantial customer base, the database will be a trove of valuable information for target marketing. Thus, the system may have a means for calculating or retrieving demographic information on customers in the customer database. For example, demographic information may be compiled from the database categorizing customers who have purchased a particular warrantied product on the basis of other products they have purchased, or on the basis of their age, income, or other personal data. The demographic information can then be used to send promotional information about other products or services to customers categorized according to any of these criteria.
The system may be used as a profit center by implementing one or more of the following fees. Of course, each of the fees is optional, and implemented at the discretion of the system owner or administrator.
= a fee to the store for hookup to the system or on a periodic (e.g., monthly) basis = a fee to the customer or the store upon receiving the identity card, or upon conveying information about each purchase transaction to the system;
= a fee to the customer or the store upon accessing the system through the internet, upon retrieving warranty information, or on a periodic (e.g., annual) basis;
= a fee to product manufacturers and distributors for displaying information or advertisements about enhanced warranties, accessories, and other products and services on the access website;
= a fee to product manufacturers and distributors for sending customers e-mail or other communications about enhanced warranties, accessories, and other products and services;
= a fee to product manufacturers and distributors for each instance where a customer purchases an enhanced warranty, accessory, or other product or service as a consequence of being provided with relevant information through the access portal or by e-mail; or = a fee to product manufacturers and distributors for demographic purchaser or ownership information culled from the customer database.
EXAMPLES
Example 1: Accumulating purchase data A prototype working embodiment incorporating features of the invention are being developed under the marks MyWarrantyTM and MyWarranty.COmTM. The prototype provides a set of technologies and processes that allow retail customers to store, and ultimately utilize purchase receipts and product information by way of a single online interface accessible over the internet.
Figure 1 is a flowchart of various steps the prototype system uses to accumulate and process data, and to provide data back to customers.
During the checkout process a customer will be offered free of charge a very thin plastic MyWarranty.com membership card which will contain both a serial ID
and pin number, similar to an Air MilesTM card. The customer will keep and re-use their membership card when they shop at any participating retailers powered by MyWarranty.com. Before requesting final payment for products, the cashier will be trained to properly request if the customer would like his/her products registered on MyWarranty.com for $0.99. The membership card will then be scanned and an SKU
attached to the $0.99 fee will be recorded.
The information will be parsed exactly like Air MilesTM data recording system, and the electronic records are sent back to MyWarranty.com. The customer can then go to the website and log in using their unique pin ID to verify the product(s) that he/she purchased. The customer will then be able to view product pictures, information, receipt information and everything about their products warranties' terms and conditions. By way of illustration, if a customer's vacuum breaks 18 months after purchase, they will be able to login, find the vacuum, find out there is 6 months left in the life of the warranty, and be provided with the exact address for service.
This system provides a proof of purchase that is separate from the original sales receipt.
Customer data is accumulated and processed as follows:
1. Point of Purchase Bar code Scan At the point of purchase a customer will be asked if they have a MyWarranty card or account. If the customer does not already have a card, the cashier will hand them one at this time. The cashier then scans the MyWarranty.com card after he or she has finished scanning in the customer's purchases. The act of scanning the MyWarranty.com bar code will allow the unique 12 digit serial account number to be attached to the customers receipt in the retailer's point of sale (POS) system.
II. Data Integration, Transformation, and Storage Before a customer can view and utilize their purchase information, that data must be retrieved from, or sent from the retailers computer systems to MyWarranty.
The transmission of this data will happen in a real time manner or be performed on some kind of schedule. In either case, the process will proceed as follows.
First, raw retailer data is sent to MyWarranty.com computer systems (only purchase data that is tagged with the MyWarranty unique serial numbers will be transmitted). The raw retailer data is then transformed into the proprietary MyWarranty data model.
This allows customers to view and utilize all of their purchase receipts and product information regardless of which retailer they used.
III. Adding to the Retailer Data MyWarranty.com will also get customers to add to the data received from the retail partners, creating an entirely new subset of data that can be mined and utilized by MyWarranty.com and its ancillary services. Important data collected from customers by MyWarranty.com will be their profile information. This customer information will include any or all of the following:
= First and Last Name = Physical Address = e-mail Address = Phone Numbers (Home, Work, Cell, and/or Fax) Example 2: Using the data Once the data has been transformed and aggregated with the MyWarranty collected data, a customer may log in to their account and perform the following actions:
1. View all past purchases (receipts) organized by retailer, by date, and/or by total money spent, by quantity, by return policy terms and conditions, by manufacturer warranty terms and conditions, or by policies and term expiration dates.
2. View individual detailed product information such as but not limited to:
product name; description; product specification; manufacturer product images; or terms, conditions and start/end dates for product warranties, retailer policies, and extended warranties.
3. Create, update, and delete e-mail notifications (alerts) for the following use cases:
= Notify customer when a receipt is no longer valid at the retailer for the purposes of returning product.
= Notify customer of expiration dates pertaining to manufacturer warranties and extended warranties = Notify customer when new purchases are now available in their account.
4. Upload additional data for products stored in customer account such as photographs of products in customer's home, location the product is stored or kept. The customer may also flag product to indicate that product is no longer owned by customer.
5. Perform additional actions related to products stored in customers MyWarranty Account, such as:
= Initiate transfer of product to another person by e-mail. Similar to e-mail money transfers in process.
= Initiate sale of product on eBay.
= Show Up-Sell and Cross-Sell products from partner retailers' online stores.
Example 3: Internet-based user interface In the prototype MyWarranty registration system, the customer may access information about purchased products and their warranties through the website MyWarranty.comTM
Figure 2 shows the opening screen or "dashboard" of the on-line portal. Listed is a summary of warranties about to expire (with the remaining period), scheduled e-mail alerts, recent products purchased (and the name of the vendor), and the latest 10 receipts (with the vendor, purchase date, number of items, and price or total).
Submenus are receipts, warranties, e-mail alerts, and profile. Through the profile screen, the consumer may input or update contact information, access passwords, and other personal information.
Figure 3 shows the products history screen. Each product is shown with the product name, quantity, purchase date, price paid, and retail vendor. There are directly links through to the receipt and the warranty for each product, with optional links to product reviews and accessories.
Figure 4 shows the receipt detail screen. Listed are products purchased at the same time at the same place, the SKU (stock keeping unit), and the price paid for each item.
Figure 5 shows the products and warranty detail screen for a warrantied camera. Below the product summary is detailed product information. Also displayed are any and all warranties that pertain to the product still in effect, the start and end date, and the terms and conditions of the warranty.
Example 4: Attributes of the system Potential benefits of this prototype system to the consumer include the following:
= No more digging for lost receipts or product information; stay organized;
= Can reprint lost receipts;
= Keep track of all purchased products forever;
= No more wondering if a product is under warranty - when a product breaks, user logs on, finds product and checks warranty;
= View any extended warranties;
= View all product information and details;
= Benefit from receipt expiration reminders;
= Benefit from product warranty expiration reminders;
= Database could export into ExcelTM spreadsheet format for insurance proof of loss;
= View product manufacturer information and contact information for product returns.
Potential benefits of this prototype system to retail vendors, manufacturers, and the system manager include the following:
= The $0.99 user fee per transaction translates into potentially tens of millions of dollars in annual revenue;
= Increase revenue during economic turndown;
= Can immediately target shopper with affiliate sales once user logs in;
= Can maintain continuous contact with shopper for years post-sale, to target exact product accessories, exact product upsells, and related products;
= Decreased customer service costs;
= No up front cost to retailers to participate;
= Can advertise to millions of registered shoppers at once with ads relevant to products they already purchased;
= Benefit from happier customers who have immediate product information;
= Benefit from happier customers who have immediate access to information, terms and conditions of their product's warranties;
= The retailer will benefit from demographics and from a wealth of shopper data that is collected by MyWarranty.com that could be used to market to their customers.
The products, systems, services, and their use as described in this disclosure can be modified effectively by routine experimentation and analysis without departing from the spirit of the invention embodied in the claims that follow.
Claims (30)
1. An electronic warranty retention system, comprising:
a) a customer database containing information on customers who have each purchased one or more of said products from different stores, and which of the products each customer has purchased;
b) an input means for receiving customer information and which of the product(s) such customer has purchased at or around the time such purchase is made in a store;
c) a processor programmed to update the customer database with customer and product information received via the input means;
d) a warranty database containing information on warranties for various products from different manufacturers that may have been purchased by customers listed in the customer database; and e) an access means by which each customer may access warranty information for the product(s) they have purchased;
a) a customer database containing information on customers who have each purchased one or more of said products from different stores, and which of the products each customer has purchased;
b) an input means for receiving customer information and which of the product(s) such customer has purchased at or around the time such purchase is made in a store;
c) a processor programmed to update the customer database with customer and product information received via the input means;
d) a warranty database containing information on warranties for various products from different manufacturers that may have been purchased by customers listed in the customer database; and e) an access means by which each customer may access warranty information for the product(s) they have purchased;
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the customer database contains name and contact information for customers who have purchased one or more of said products.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the input means is a scanner that reads customer member identifier from an identity card.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the input means is a scanner that reads product identifying information from packaging of the product.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the input means is a cash or checkout register that provides product identifying information at or around the time the customer is charged for the purchase.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is also programmed to update the customer database with information received via the access means when a customer accesses warranty or product information for one or more of the products they have purchased.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the access means is an internet portal.
8. The system of claim 1, comprising a communication means by which customers who have purchased a particular product may be sent updated warranty or other information about that product or related products.
9. The system of claim 8, whereby customers are sent the updated warranty or other information by e-mail.
10. The system of claim 1, comprising a means for calculating or retrieving demographic information on customers in the customer database.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the demographic information includes information about what type of customer buys a particular warrantied product.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the demographic information includes information about what other products customers buy before or after they buy a particular warrantied product.
13. A scanner for obtaining identifying information for a customer purchasing a warrantied product where it is purchased in a store, wherein the scanner is adapted to read a customer member identifier contained in or on an identity card carried by the customer, and then send the customer member identifier to a warranty retention system according to any of claims 1-12.
14. An identity card adapted for use with the warranty retention system according to any of claims 1-12 that is suitable for carrying by a customer, the card comprising a scanner-readable customer member identifier.
15. A computerized method for compiling data from different customers purchasing warrantied products from different manufacturers in different stores, the method comprising for each purchase:
a) receiving customer identifying information and product identifying information at or around the time the purchase is made at a store;
b) receiving additional information about the customer identified in step a) at a later time when the customer seeks warranty information about the product purchased; and then c) storing the customer information received in step b) along with information about what product the customer purchased.
a) receiving customer identifying information and product identifying information at or around the time the purchase is made at a store;
b) receiving additional information about the customer identified in step a) at a later time when the customer seeks warranty information about the product purchased; and then c) storing the customer information received in step b) along with information about what product the customer purchased.
16. A computerized method for supplementing the data compiled in claim 15, comprising:
a) receiving customer identifying information and product identifying information at or around the time a subsequent purchase is made by a customer at a store;
b) identifying the customer as someone whose personal information is already stored according to the method of claim 15 following a previous purchase or when the customer previously sought warranty information; and c) storing information about what subsequent product the same customer has now purchased.
a) receiving customer identifying information and product identifying information at or around the time a subsequent purchase is made by a customer at a store;
b) identifying the customer as someone whose personal information is already stored according to the method of claim 15 following a previous purchase or when the customer previously sought warranty information; and c) storing information about what subsequent product the same customer has now purchased.
17. The method of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the customer identifying information is a customer member identifier scanned from an identity card at the store.
18. The method of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the additional customer information is received via the internet.
19. The method of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the additional customer information comprises contact information for the consumer.
20. The method of claim 15 or claim 16, further comprising charging or collecting from the customer a fee at or around the time the customer identifying information is received upon purchase of a product according to step a).
21. The method of claim 15, further comprising charging or collecting from the customer a fee at or around the time the customer seeks warranty information about the product purchased according to step b).
22. A computerized method for providing a customer with warranty information about a product they purchased, comprising compiling data according to the method of claim 15 and optionally claim 16, and then providing the customer with said warranty information upon request.
23. A computerized method for providing a customer with a copy of a sales receipt;
comprising compiling data according to the method of claim 15 and optionally claim 16, and then providing the customer with said receipt upon request.
comprising compiling data according to the method of claim 15 and optionally claim 16, and then providing the customer with said receipt upon request.
24. A computerized method for assisting a customer to return a product to a manufacturer for warranty repair, comprising:
i) compiling data according to the method of claim 15 and optionally claim 16;
ii) communicating to the manufacturer of a particular product still under warranty that the consumer desires to return the product for repair, and optionally iii) providing the consumer with a printable image of a package label for shipping the product to the manufacturer for the repair.
i) compiling data according to the method of claim 15 and optionally claim 16;
ii) communicating to the manufacturer of a particular product still under warranty that the consumer desires to return the product for repair, and optionally iii) providing the consumer with a printable image of a package label for shipping the product to the manufacturer for the repair.
25. A computerized method for promoting the sale to a consumer of an extended warranty for a product they have already purchased, comprising compiling data for the customer's purchase according to the method of claim 15 and optionally claim 16, and subsequently sending the customer an offer to purchase the extended warranty.
26. A computerized method of upselling or cross-selling other products or services to customers who have purchased a warrantied product, comprising compiling data according to the method of claim 15 and optionally claim 16, and subsequently sending the customer information about such other products or services.
27. A computerized method for compiling demographic information about customers who buy warrantied products, comprising compiling data according to the method of claim 15 and optionally claim 16, and then categorizing customers who have purchased a particular warrantied product on the basis of other products they have purchased.
28. A computerized method for compiling demographic information about customers who buy warrantied products, comprising compiling data according to the method of claim 15 and optionally claim 16, and then categorizing customers who have purchased a particular warrantied product on the basis of their age, income, or other personal data.
29. A computerized method for promoting the sale of other products or services to customers who have purchased several warrantied products, comprising compiling demographic information according to the method of claim 27, and then sending promotional information about other products or services to customers categorized as having previously purchased certain warrantied products.
30. A computerized method for promoting the sale of other products or services to customers who have purchased one or more warrantied products, comprising compiling demographic information according to the method of claim 28, and then sending promotional information about such products or services to customers categorized as having a particular age or income range, or matching a particular demographic profile.
Priority Applications (2)
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| CA 2703270 CA2703270A1 (en) | 2010-05-05 | 2010-05-05 | Warranty retention system |
| PCT/CA2011/000525 WO2011137521A1 (en) | 2010-05-05 | 2011-05-05 | Warranty retention system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2703270 CA2703270A1 (en) | 2010-05-05 | 2010-05-05 | Warranty retention system |
Publications (1)
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| CA2703270A1 true CA2703270A1 (en) | 2011-11-05 |
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| WO (1) | WO2011137521A1 (en) |
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| JP6230135B2 (en) * | 2013-03-01 | 2017-11-15 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Electronic receipt system, electronic receipt management server, information processing apparatus, and program |
| JP6267390B2 (en) * | 2017-07-10 | 2018-01-24 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Server, program, and information output method |
| JP6444482B2 (en) * | 2017-12-21 | 2018-12-26 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Information processing apparatus and program |
| CN110598873B (en) * | 2018-06-11 | 2023-06-20 | 佛山市顺德区美的电热电器制造有限公司 | Data processing method, device and system |
| CN109377189B (en) * | 2018-11-23 | 2020-01-24 | 南宁市国土测绘地理信息中心 | Real estate electronic ticket system |
| JP6891318B2 (en) * | 2018-11-26 | 2021-06-18 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Server, program and warranty information output method |
| JP6682607B2 (en) * | 2018-11-26 | 2020-04-15 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Information processing device, program and electronic receipt system |
| JP6952210B2 (en) * | 2020-03-25 | 2021-10-20 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Information processing equipment, programs, and display methods in information processing equipment |
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| US20030061104A1 (en) * | 2000-03-16 | 2003-03-27 | Thomson Robert W. | Internet based warranty and repair service |
| US20020128851A1 (en) * | 2001-03-08 | 2002-09-12 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and system for automating product registration |
| US20060095289A1 (en) * | 2004-11-01 | 2006-05-04 | Bunning Michel L | Warranty tracking systems and methods |
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