The present invention relates to a system and method for expedited registration of products at a server and dynamically generating content for both users and manufacturers, retailers or third party providers based on the registration.
Manufacturers of consumer products typically provide warranties for a consumer product. In order for a consumer to receive the warranty, the consumer may be required to register the purchase of the consumer product with the manufacturer. Conventional product registration procedures have included the user filling out an information card with their address and the product model number of the consumer product, mailing the information card to a manufacturer and the manufacturer entering the data from the information card into a database at the manufacturer. Consumers often do not complete the above cumbersome procedure and have difficulty during the life of the product to obtain warranty information or updates of the product.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/009288 describes systems and methods for facilitating product management using an associated code directed to product information and a product life-cycle. The code can be associated with a product and affixed to the product, for example, by printing the code on the product or a packing of the product. Users of the product can initiate an action included in the product life-cycle by using an electronic device to take a picture of the code and texting the picture to a system. The system will process the code and determine a static next action in the product life-cycle.
It is desirable to provide an improved method and system for expedited registration of consumer products at a server and dynamically rendering content for the consumer directed to the consumer product as well as rendering content for manufacturers, retailers and third party providers directed to attributes of the registered consumer.
The present invention relates to a system and method for expedited registration of products at a server and dynamically generating content for both users and manufacturers, retailers or third party providers based on the registration. In one embodiment, a text of a product model number is sent to a short code to initiate the registration process. In an alternate embodiment, data is embedded in a label associated with a product. The data can be read from the label to initiate the registration process. User information is collected for creating a registration record. After registration of the user, response events are asynchronously used to collect data, search for stored product information and registration records, score attributes of the user and dynamically render content to be sent to the user, manufacturer, retailer or third party provider.
The system and method for expedited registration of products at a server method of the present invention can use existing information directed to a product to facilitate the registration process and find enhanced information about the product without requiring a unique pin or code. In one embodiment, any piece of information about a product can be used to dynamically determine a code for the product for registration without the need of the user to enter a PIN or code. Scored attributes of the user can be used to rank the consumer propensity to respond to various types of follow up marketing. For example, scored attributes including previous registrations, previous transactions, product profiling, and demographics can be used to make decisions on how and when to send dynamic messaging based on the scoring. Those scored attributes can be passed back to a manufacturer of the product or used by a third party for marketing to sell products and services. In one embodiment, the system and method for expedited registration of products at a server method of the present invention provides privacy compliance to allow a consumer the option to change or edit their permissions at the product level.
The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.
Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
In one embodiment, input 13 is an electronic message of an identifier such as for example a model number of a consumer product and an electronic text code which is used to generate a registration request. User device 12 connects over connection 14 to public network 16. Public network 16 connects over connection 18 to data collection content rendering unit 20. In one embodiment, public network 16 is the Internet and connections 14 and 18 are WiFi connections. User device 12 can receive content from data collection and content rendering unit 20 over connections 14 and 18 using public network 16.
Data collection content rendering system 20 includes data collection service module 21, search service module 22, scoring service module 23, decision service module 24, message service module 25 and content service module 26 to dynamically render content for both users and manufacturers, retailers or third party providers based on the registration of a product as described below. Data collection service module 21, search service module 22, scoring service module 23, decision service module 24, message service module 25 and content service module 26 can be embodied on non-transitory computer memory of a data collection content rendering system 20 system operating on a processing system including one or more processors. Data collection service module 21, search service module 22, scoring service module 23, decision service module 24, message service module 25 and content service module 26 send and receive data using message queue 30. Data is stored in data storage unit 32. Data can include registration records 31 and data 29 directed to a product or service which can be provided or associated with the product. For example, data storage unit 32 can be a database. Manufacturers 33, retailers 34 and third party service providers 35 can receive dynamically rendered content over connection 36 from data collection content rendering unit 20 over public network 16.
If interactive channel decision block 57 determines the additional data is not directed to an interactive channel, send completion and product information block 63 sends completion and product information to block 64. In block 65, the registration record is updated with the updated registration information. Information complete decision block 66 determines if the registration information is complete. If the registration information is complete, an updated registration record is stored in data storage 32 and a registration event is sent to message queue 30, shown in
If the product is determined not to be registered in decision block 55, block 68 is performed to request a correction which is forwarded to interactive channel decision module 57 and proceeds thereafter as described above.
Scoring service module 23 can be activated upon receipt of registration event 70. In block 100, profile data block 100 obtains registration records from data storage 32 as shown in
Decision service module 24 can be activated upon receipt of response event 72 directed to a score generated by score generation block 102. Profile data and score block 200 obtains a registration record from data storage and the score from the scoring event posted as response event 72. In decision block 202, a decision is determined based on data from the registration record and the score. Example decisions include that if a customer score is above a predetermined threshold the customer has a high probability of response and a decision event can enter the customer into a marketing campaign. The form, timing and content of the marketing campaigns are also examples of decisions; for example, inclusion of discount, as well as the monetary value of any discounts can be formulated as decisions. In block 203, a decision event is posted as response event 72 in message queue 30. The decision event can include the decision determined in decision block 202.
Message service module 25 can be activated upon receipt of response event 72 directed to a decision made by decision block 202. Get decision block 300 obtains a decision from response event 72. Get content block 302 obtains related content based on the decision. For example, if the decision indicated the customer should be entered in a marketing campaign, get content block 302 can obtain content directed to the product from data storage such as a particular offer which might be part of a direct mail campaign. In 303, rendered content is posted in message queue 30. Content service module 26 can be activated upon receipt of rendered content from message queue 30. In send block 400, rendered content is sent from data collection and content rendering unit 20 to one or more of user device 12, manufacturer 33, retailer 34, third party service providers 35 as shown in
If the product was registered for future communication, mobile enabled product information page 906 can be displayed at user device 12. Product information page 906 can include for example a description of the product, product information, such as digital manuals, rebates and the like. Product information page 906 can include offers made at time of registration for parts, services, service contracts and third party service offerings available for the model number that was registered.
In one embodiment of system for registration of products and dynamically rendering of content 10, two models are used to make a decision about which offer to make. In this scenario, a classification model such as logistic regression is used to rank order customers likelihood-to-respond and a generalized linear model such as multiple linear regression is used to classify customers into value segments. An example classification model is shown as 1020 in
In one embodiment, reader 2009 can include at least one of an NFC reader and an RFID reader. In one embodiment, reader 2009 can include at least one identification image including a bar code reader and a QR code reader. Input label 2010 can include at least one of NFC tag and an RFID tag. Input label 2010 can include at least one identification image including a bar code and a QR code. NFC (near field communication) is a type of short distance one or two way communication for transmitting data within a short distance of 10 cm by using non-contact-type short distance wireless communication modules at the 13.56 MHz frequency band. RFID (radio frequency identification), is a one way radio communication for transmitting data at the 13.56 MHz frequency band. In one embodiment input device 2012 is a mobile device such as an iPhone or Android with built-in capabilities or an app for a NFC reader and/or RFID reader. Input label 2010 can include a particular identification image and reader 2009 can be a device capable of recognizing the identification image. For example, the particular identification image can be a bar code or a QR code. The bar code is a code provided by encoding characters or numbers into a combination of black and white bars having different thicknesses so that computers may easily read the information. The QR code (quick response code) is a two-dimensional code which can contain information in both the horizontal and vertical directions. It will be appreciated that other types of readers, tags and codes can be used in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Input label 2010 can also include indicia to text a model number to a short code, such as text “1234567” to “QUIK” to register a product using registration application 2011.
Registration application 2011 can receive input 2013 from reader 2009. For example, input 2013 can be a product model number the consumer would like to have registered. Input device 2012 can be a device for generating and receiving electronic data such as a cellular phone, tablet or laptop. For example, input device 2012 can be an iPhone 7, iPhone 8 or iPhone X using a mobile operating system that runs on the mobile Apple devices such as ioS 11 or iOS 13 and supports NFC. Input device 2012 can also generate input 2013 which can be an electronic message of various message types/formats including, but not limited to, SMS, MMS, RCS and/or e-mail messages. Electronic messages can include text and/or image data. Registration application 2011 can also receive input 2013 of personal information directed to the consumer.
In one embodiment, input 2013 is an identifier such as for example a model number of a consumer product. Referring to
If interactive channel decision block 57 determines the additional data is not directed to an interactive channel, send completion and product information block 63 sends completion and product information to block 64. In block 65, the registration record is updated with the updated registration information. Information complete decision block 66 determines if the registration information is complete. If the registration information is complete, an updated registration record is stored in data storage 32 and a registration event is sent to message queue 30, shown in
If the product is determined not to be registered in decision block 55, block 68 is performed to request a correction which is forwarded to interactive channel decision module 57 and proceeds thereafter as described above.
Embodiments discussed herein can be implemented in a computer communicatively coupled to a network (for example, the Internet), another computer, or in a standalone computer. As is known to those skilled in the art, a suitable computer can include a central processing unit (“CPU”), at least one read-only memory (“ROM”), at least one random access memory (“RAM”), at least one hard drive (“HD”), and one or more input/output (“I/O”) device(s). The I/O devices can include a keyboard, monitor, printer, electronic pointing device (for example, mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad, etc.), or the like. ROM, RAM, and HD are computer memories for storing computer-executable instructions executable by the CPU or capable of being compiled or interpreted to be executable by the CPU. The processes described herein may be implemented in suitable computer-executable instructions that may reside on a non-transitory computer readable medium (for example, ROM, RAM, and HD, etc.), hardware circuitry or the like, or any combination thereof. Within this disclosure, the term “computer readable medium” is not limited to ROM, RAM, and HD and can include any type of data storage medium that can be read by a processor. Examples of computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to, volatile and non-volatile computer memories and storage devices such as random access memories, read-only memories, hard drives, data cartridges, direct access storage device arrays, magnetic tapes, floppy diskettes, flash memory drives, optical data storage devices, compact-disc read-only memories, and other appropriate computer memories and data storage devices. Thus, a computer-readable medium may refer to a memory, a disk, a data cartridge, a data backup magnetic tape, a floppy diskette, a flash memory drive, an optical data storage drive, a CD-ROM, ROM, RAM, HD, or the like.
Any suitable programming language can be used to implement the routines, methods or programs of embodiments of the invention described herein, including C, C++, Java, JavaScript, HTML, or any other programming or scripting code, etc. Other software/hardware/network architectures may be used. For example, the functions of the disclosed embodiments may be implemented on one computer or shared/distributed among two or more computers in or across a network. Communications between computers implementing embodiments can be accomplished using any electronic, optical, radio frequency signals, or other suitable methods and tools of communication in compliance with known network protocols.
Different programming techniques can be employed such as procedural or object oriented. Any particular routine can execute on a single computer processing device or multiple computer processing devices, a single computer processor or multiple computer processors. Data may be stored in a single storage medium or distributed through multiple storage mediums, and may reside in a single database or multiple databases (or other data storage techniques). Although the steps, operations, or computations may be presented in a specific order, this order may be changed in different embodiments. In some embodiments, to the extent multiple steps are shown as sequential in this specification, some combination of such steps in alternative embodiments may be performed at the same time. The sequence of operations described herein can be interrupted, suspended, or otherwise controlled by another process, such as an operating system, kernel, etc. The routines can operate in an operating system environment or as stand-alone routines. Functions, routines, methods, steps and operations described herein can be performed in hardware, software embodied on hardware, firmware or any combination thereof.
Embodiments described herein can be implemented in the form of control logic in hardware or a combination of software and hardware. The control logic may be stored in an information storage medium, such as a computer-readable medium, as a plurality of instructions adapted to direct an information processing device to perform a set of steps disclosed in the various embodiments. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the invention.
It is also within the spirit and scope of the invention to implement in software programming or code an of the steps, operations, methods, routines or portions thereof described herein, where such software programming or code can be stored in a computer-readable medium and can be operated on by a processor to permit a computer to perform any of the steps, operations, methods, routines or portions thereof described herein. The invention may be implemented by using software programming or code in one or more general purpose digital computers, by using application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, optical, chemical, biological, quantum or nanoengineered systems, components and mechanisms may be used. In general, the functions of the invention can be achieved by any means as is known in the art. For example, distributed, or networked systems, components and circuits can be used. In another example, communication or transfer (or otherwise moving from one place to another) of data may be wired, wireless, or by any other means.
A “computer-readable medium” may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, system or device. The computer readable medium can be, by way of example only but not by limitation, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, system, device, propagation medium, or computer memory. Such computer-readable medium shall generally be machine readable and include software programming or code that can be human readable (e.g., source code) or machine readable (e.g., object code). Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media can include random access memories, read-only memories, hard drives, data cartridges, magnetic tapes, floppy diskettes, flash memory drives, optical data storage devices, compact-disc read-only memories, and other appropriate computer memories and data storage devices. In an illustrative embodiment, some or all of the software components may reside on a single server computer or on any combination of separate server computers. As one skilled in the art can appreciate, a computer program product implementing an embodiment disclosed herein may comprise one or more non-transitory computer readable media storing computer instructions translatable by one or more processors in a computing environment.
A “computer” or “processor” may include any hardware system, mechanism or component that processes data, signals or other information. A computer or processor can include a system with a general-purpose central processing unit, multiple processing units, dedicated circuitry for achieving functionality, or other systems. Processing need not be limited to a geographic location, or have temporal limitations. For example, a computer or processor can perform its functions in “real-time,” “offline,” in a “batch mode,” etc. Portions of processing can be performed at different times and at different locations, by different (or the same) processing systems.
It is to be understood that the above described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16247881 | Jan 2019 | US |
| Child | 16800303 | US |