None.
1. Field of the Disclosure
The present invention relates generally to web-based sales methods and more particularly to a web-based method of selling replacement supply items based on the sales channel of the original item.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many devices utilize one or more supply items that must be replaced or replenished from time to time. For example, printers and copiers deposit an imaging substance, such as ink or toner, on a substrate to form a printed image. The imaging substance is housed in the reservoir of a supply item such as a tank, bottle or cartridge that supplies the imaging substance to the device. When the imaging substance is consumed by the device, the supply item must be replaced in order to continue printing. Other items that may require replacement during the life of a printing device include, for example, a fuser that bonds toner to the print substrate during a laser print operation and an imaging unit that houses a photoconductive drum and/or a developer roll for a laser printer. Other examples of supply items that must be replaced include the battery of a cell phone, laptop or other portable electronic device, various automotive parts as well as items that must be refilled such as prescriptions.
Care must be taken to ensure that the correct replacement supply item is used, otherwise the item will not function properly. For example, where the item is a supply of imaging substance for a printing device, many alternatives may be available for purchase depending on such factors as printer type (e.g., laser or inkjet), printer model, color and page yield. These variables may make it difficult for a customer to first identify a seller of the replacement supply item and then choose the correct item from a list of available options. This complexity can create customer confusion and frustration. Further, where the wrong item is purchased and then returned, the seller incurs the cost of processing the returned item and, in some instances, shipping costs associated with returning the wrong item to the seller and sending the correct item to the customer. As a result, a convenient system for ordering replacement supply items that ensures the correct item is ordered is desired.
A method for selling a replacement supply item according to one embodiment includes in response to a scan of an encoded uniform resource identifier provided on a supply item, identifying a product type and a source type of the scanned supply item. A web page specific to the identified product type of the scanned supply item is then displayed that facilitates ordering the replacement supply item. The displayed web page varies depending on the identified source type of the scanned supply item.
A method for selling a replacement supply item according to another example embodiment includes in response to a scan of a bar code provided on a supply item and having a uniform resource identifier encoded therein, identifying a product type of the scanned supply item. A first web page is displayed that displays a confirmation of the identified product type of the scanned supply item and a link to purchase the replacement supply item. When the link to purchase the replacement supply item is selected, a source type of the scanned supply item is identified and a second web page is displayed that facilitates ordering the replacement supply item. The second displayed web page varies depending on the identified source type of the scanned supply item.
A method for selling a replacement supply item according to another example embodiment includes providing a supply item having a scannable uniform resource identifier encoded thereon. The uniform resource identifier includes a product identifier that identifies a product type of the supply item and a source identifier that identifies a sales channel through which the supply item was first sold. After the scannable uniform resource identifier is scanned, a web page associated with the uniform resource identifier and specific to the identified product type of the supply item is displayed that facilitates ordering the replacement supply item. The displayed web page varies depending on the identified source type of the scanned supply item.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the various embodiments, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings.
The following description and drawings illustrate embodiments sufficiently to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. For example, other embodiments may incorporate structural, chronological, electrical, process, and other changes. Examples merely typify possible variations. Individual components and functions are optional unless explicitly required, and the sequence of operations may vary. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or substituted for those of others. The scope of the application encompasses the appended claims and all available equivalents. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
System 100 also includes a web server 130 in communication with internet 120. Similar to each customer device 110, web server 130 includes a processor in communication with computer-readable memory. Web server 130 may also be implemented as a network of computer processors. Examples include servers, mainframe computers, networked computers, or other processor-based devices or systems. Web server 130 includes a web site application 132 software program executing on web server 130. Browser application 112 may communicate with web server 130 via a standard HTTP protocol. Web site application 132 accepts web connections for operations originating from a customer device 110 and creates web pages for customer devices 110n that access a web site hosted by web server 130. Web server 130 has access to a database 134 for facilitating web-based sales transactions (or e-commerce transactions) and for storing information related to the e-commerce transactions and information related to the customers, customer devices, and/or supply items associated with the e-commerce transactions. Database 134 may be a single memory device or a network of memory devices and may be formed as a part of web server 130 or as a separate component in communication with web site application 132.
Bar code 22 includes a URI embedded therein to direct browser application 112 of customer device 110 to a web site hosted by web server 130 and web site application 132. The URI contains a product identifier and a source identifier. The product identifier identifies supply item 20 by type or model. The source identifier identifies the sales channel through which supply item 20 was first sold to the public, such as whether supply item 20 was sold as a SWE component or as a standalone component and/or whether supply item 20 was sold by the manufacturer direct to the customer or through an intermediate retailer. In one embodiment, the source identifier is a serial number of supply item 20. The serial number may be used to determine the source of the supply item by sorting the serial numbers for a particular supply item by their sales channels and storing this information in database 134. In this embodiment, each bar code 22 and corresponding URI is unique to its respective supply item 20. For example, if supply item 20 is a magenta toner cartridge for a “C732” model printer sold by Lexmark International, Inc., Lexington, Ky., USA, and has a serial number “123456,” the URI could be: http://www.lexmark.com/c732m?sn=123456. In this example URI, “c732” identifies the printer model, “m” identifies the cartridge's color, and “sn=123456” identifies the cartridge's serial number. It will be appreciated that any URI scheme may be used as desired depending on the web site architecture employed. Further, various portions of the URI may be altered such as by shortening the serial number using hexadecimal digits or other methods known in the art in order to fit the URI into bar code 22.
With reference back to
At step 203 in
At step 204, when the customer selects link 68, browser application 112 displays the manufacturer's home page at step 205. The home page displayed may vary based on the geographic location of the customer.
At step 206, when the customer selects link 66 for technical support, at step 207, browser application 112 displays the manufacturer's technical support web page, which may display the contact information for technical support or allow the customer to submit a technical support inquiry or schedule a service appointment. Where the customer device is a smart phone or other device configured to enable voice calls, the technical support web page may also facilitate a voice call with a technical support telephone number.
At step 208, when the customer selects link 64 to purchase a replacement supply item, browser application 112 is directed to a web page for purchasing the replacement supply item. Links 64, 66, 68 are meant to serve as examples and are not intended to be exhaustive of the links or options that may be presented to the customer. Further, links 66 and 68 to technical support and the manufacturer's home page may be omitted as desired.
If the scanned supply item 20 was first sold via a retail channel, the relationship between the manufacturer and the retailer may be used to determine whether browser application 112 is directed to the manufacturer's web site or to the retailer's web site. For example, at step 303, web site application 132 may determine whether the retailer associated with the scanned supply item 20 qualifies as a “preferred” retailer. This determination may be based on such factors as the relationship between the manufacturer and the retailer including whether the retailer has agreed to pay a “click through” fee for web traffic or purchases originating from the customer's scan of bar code 22 on supply item 20. If the retailer qualifies as “preferred,” browser application 112 is redirected to the retailer's web site at step 304. Alternatively, all retailers may be treated as “preferred” such that browser application 112 is always redirected to the retailer's web site if the scanned supply item 20 was first sold by a retailer.
If the retailer does not qualify as preferred or if the scanned supply item 20 was first sold directly by the manufacturer, the manufacturer's web page for ordering a replacement for the scanned supply item 20 is displayed in browser application 112 at step 305. The manufacturer's web page is an ordering page specific to the replacement supply item. Where the scanned supply item 20 is a SWE supply item, the web page for a compatible replacement item is displayed. The web page displayed at step 305 may be a “checkout page” having the replacement supply item automatically placed in the customer's online shopping cart or a page providing the customer with the ability to place the replacement item in his or her cart and proceed to checkout. Further, the customer may be granted a discount or other incentive as a reward for using bar code 22 to purchase a replacement supply item. For example, free shipping or 10% off of the replacement supply item may be offered. The incentive may vary depending on whether the scanned supply item 20 is a SWE supply item or a replacement supply item. For example, a greater discount may be applied where the scanned supply item 20 is a SWE item in order to encourage customer loyalty. Reward points may also be awarded to the customer for using the bar code to purchase a replacement supply item. For example, bar code 22 may also contain a reward code embedded therein allowing the user to claim the reward to his or her user account when bar code 22 is scanned. Placing a scannable URI on each supply item 20 provides the customer with a simple way to purchase a replacement. Including a product identifier and a source identifier in the URI ensures that the customer will find the correct replacement thereby eliminating confusion and reducing the occurrence of returns.
If the scanned supply item 20 was sold to a qualifying business account customer, at step 402, web site application 132 then determines whether the business account associated with the scanned supply item 20 uses an automatic replacement procedure. If an automatic replacement procedure is in place for the customer, browser application 112 is directed to a web page showing the status of the next replacement supply item at step 403. For example, the web page may show when the next replacement supply item will be shipped or it may show or link to the shipping status of a replacement supply item already in transit or already being processed. The web page may also include a link or form for requesting a replacement supply item. The web page may also include or link to historical information showing previous replacement supply item deliveries for the device.
If no automatic replacement procedure is in place for the customer, browser application 112 is directed to a web page containing information for ordering a replacement supply item at step 404. For example, the web page may show the contact information for a sales agent or representative responsible for the business account. The web page may also include a field that allows the customer to submit an inquiry to a sales agent or representative regarding a replacement supply item. Further, the web page may allow the customer to order the replacement supply item as discussed above with respect to step 305. For example, the web page may be an ordering page specific to the replacement supply item and may automatically place the replacement supply item in the customer's online shopping cart.
In another embodiment, bar code 22 may also be used to verify the authenticity of supply item 20. In this embodiment, in additional to the URI, bar code 22 includes an authentication code embedded therein that allows the customer to verify that supply item 20 is not a counterfeit good. An authentication URI is provided to the customer, such as by placing the authentication URI on the packaging of supply item 20. The web page associated with the authentication URI includes a field for entering the authentication code. Where the authentication code is embedded in bar code 22, the authentication code may be entered by scanning bar code 22 thereby saving the customer from having to enter the code manually. In response, the web page informs the customer whether the supply item is authentic. Bar code 22 having the authentication code may be placed on the packaging of supply item 20 so that the authentication of supply item 20 can be verified prior to opening and, in the case of a retail purchase, prior to purchase.
The foregoing description of several embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the application to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is understood that the invention may be practiced in ways other than as specifically set forth herein without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the scope of the application be defined by the claims appended hereto.