Patent US5926796A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5926796A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for selling subscriptions to periodicals in a retail environment
Assignee: Apple Inc
•
Filing: 1997-05-05
•
Granted: 1999-07-20
•
Expires: 2017-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A system comprises a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, a POS controller, a retail subscription system. The POS terminal allows a cashier to enter subscription sales data into the POS controller. The POS controller maintains databases on available subscriptions and produces databases containing data relating to subscriptions sold to customers. The retail subscription system verifies the subscriptions by reference to its own databases and transmits the subscriptions to a fulfillment house for distribution.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay S. Walker
- 👤 Sanjay K. Jindal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:11
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/208; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0207; G06Q30/0208; G06Q30/0224; G06Q30/0238; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0633; G06Q30/0635; G07F17/3244; G07F17/3255; G07F17/3286; G07F17/329; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036; G07G1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A system for establishing a subscription to a periodical, comprising: a request receiving component configured to receive a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; an offering component configured to offer to sell a subscription to the periodical at a subscription rate; an acceptance receiving component configured to receive an acceptance of the offer to sell the subscription; and a component configured to record provision of the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A system for establishing a subscription to a periodical, comprising: a request receiving component configured to receive a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; an offering component configured to offer to sell a subscription to the periodical at a subscription rate; an acceptance receiving component configured to receive an acceptance of the offer to sell the subscription; and a component configured to record provision of the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: an information receiving component configured to receive information indicating that a subscription is available for the periodical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: a payment receiving component configured to receive payment for the subscription.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for initiating a subscription to a periodical, comprising: an offering component configured to offer to sell at a point-of-sale terminal a subscription to a periodical; an information receiving component configured to receive customer information from a customer; an associating component configured to associate an authentication code with the customer information; a transmitting component configured to transmit the customer information and the authentication code to an agent to initiate the subscription; and a providing component configured to record provision of an issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for initiating a subscription to a periodical, comprising: an offering component configured to offer to sell at a point-of-sale terminal a subscription to a periodical; an information receiving component configured to receive customer information from a customer; an associating component configured to associate an authentication code with the customer information; a transmitting component configured to transmit the customer information and the authentication code to an agent to initiate the subscription; and a providing component configured to record provision of an issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 4, further comprising a payment receiving component configured to receive payment for the subscription.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
63 words
A system for establishing a subscription to a periodical, comprising: means for receiving a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; means for offering to sell a subscription to the periodical at a subscription rate; means for receiving an acceptance of the offer to sell a subscription; and means for providing the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
63 words
A system for establishing a subscription to a periodical, comprising: means for receiving a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; means for offering to sell a subscription to the periodical at a subscription rate; means for receiving an acceptance of the offer to sell a subscription; and means for providing the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
68 words
A system for initiating a subscription to a periodical, comprising: means for receiving a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; means for offering to sell a subscription to the periodical; means for receiving customer information from a customer; means for associating an authentication code with the customer information; and means for transmiting the customer information and the authentication code to an agent to initiate the subscription.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
68 words
A system for initiating a subscription to a periodical, comprising: means for receiving a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; means for offering to sell a subscription to the periodical; means for receiving customer information from a customer; means for associating an authentication code with the customer information; and means for transmiting the customer information and the authentication code to an agent to initiate the subscription.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for establishing a subscription to a periodical, comprising: a receiving component configured to receive a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; an offering component configured to offer for sale a subscription to the periodical at a subscription price; a selling component configured to sell the subscription for the subscription price; and a providing component configured to provide the issue of the periodical for no additional cost beyond the subscription price.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for establishing a subscription to a periodical, comprising: a receiving component configured to receive a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; an offering component configured to offer for sale a subscription to the periodical at a subscription price; a selling component configured to sell the subscription for the subscription price; and a providing component configured to provide the issue of the periodical for no additional cost beyond the subscription price.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 8, further comprising a recording component configured to record distribution of the issue of the periodical as part of the subscription.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
61 words
A system for establishing a subscription to a periodical, comprising: means for receiving an issue of a periodical to be purchased; means for offering for sale a subscription to the periodical at a subscription price; means for selling the subscription for the subscription price; and means for providing the issue of the periodical for no additional cost beyond the subscription price.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
61 words
A system for establishing a subscription to a periodical, comprising: means for receiving an issue of a periodical to be purchased; means for offering for sale a subscription to the periodical at a subscription price; means for selling the subscription for the subscription price; and means for providing the issue of the periodical for no additional cost beyond the subscription price.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 10, further comprising means for recording distribution of the issue of the periodical as put of the subscription.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of establishing a subscription to a periodical, comprising the steps of: receiving a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; offering to sell a subscription to the periodical at a subscription rate; receiving an acceptance in response to the step of offering; and providing the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of establishing a subscription to a periodical, comprising the steps of: receiving a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; offering to sell a subscription to the periodical at a subscription rate; receiving an acceptance in response to the step of offering; and providing the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 12, wherein the subscription rate is greater than a price of the issue of the periodical.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 12, further comprising receiving information indicating that a subscription is available for the periodical.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 12, further comprising receiving payment for the subscription.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for initiating a subscription to a periodical, comprising the steps of: receiving a request to purchase an issue of the periodical; offering to sell at a point-of-sale terminal a subscription to a periodical; receiving customer information from a customer in response to the step of offering; associating an authentication code with the customer information; transmitting the customer information and the authentication code to an agent to initiate the subscription; and providing an issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for initiating a subscription to a periodical, comprising the steps of: receiving a request to purchase an issue of the periodical; offering to sell at a point-of-sale terminal a subscription to a periodical; receiving customer information from a customer in response to the step of offering; associating an authentication code with the customer information; transmitting the customer information and the authentication code to an agent to initiate the subscription; and providing an issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 16, further comprising receiving payment for the subscription.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of establishing a subscription to a periodical, comprising the steps of: receiving an issue of a periodical to be purchased; offering for sale a subscription to the periodical at a subscription price; selling the subscription for the subscription price; and providing the issue of the periodical for no additional cost beyond the subscription price.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of establishing a subscription to a periodical, comprising the steps of: receiving an issue of a periodical to be purchased; offering for sale a subscription to the periodical at a subscription price; selling the subscription for the subscription price; and providing the issue of the periodical for no additional cost beyond the subscription price.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 18, further comprising recording distribution of the issue of the periodical as part of the subscription.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for initiating a subscription to a periodical, the method comprising the steps of: receiving information that identifies an issue of a periodical to be purchased; determining whether a subscription to the periodical is available; outputting an offer to sell a subscription to the periodical; receiving an acceptance of the offer; and providing the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for initiating a subscription to a periodical, the method comprising the steps of: receiving information that identifies an issue of a periodical to be purchased; determining whether a subscription to the periodical is available; outputting an offer to sell a subscription to the periodical; receiving an acceptance of the offer; and providing the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising: receiving customer information from a customer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21, further comprising: transmitting the customer information to an agent to initiate the subscription.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising: recording provision of the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising: providing an instruction to deliver a number of subscription issues.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 24, in which the number is a normal number of subscription issues less one.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising: displaying a message that a subscription is available for the periodical.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising: initiating the subscription.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising: receiving payment for the subscription.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising: distributing the payment for the subscription among at least one of a retailer, a wholesaler, retail subscription system and fulfillment house.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for initiating a subscription to a periodical, the method comprising the steps of: scanning a bar code on an issue of a periodical to identify the periodical; determining whether a subscription to the periodical is available; receiving a selection indicating desire to purchase a subscription to the periodical; requesting information about a term of the subscription; receiving information about the term of the subscription; and providing the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for initiating a subscription to a periodical, the method comprising the steps of: scanning a bar code on an issue of a periodical to identify the periodical; determining whether a subscription to the periodical is available; receiving a selection indicating desire to purchase a subscription to the periodical; requesting information about a term of the subscription; receiving information about the term of the subscription; and providing the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising: initiating the subscription for the term.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising: receiving customer information from a customer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 32, further comprising: transmitting the customer information to an agent to initiate the subscription.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising: recording provision of the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising: providing an instruction to deliver a number of subscription issues.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 35, in which the number is a normal number of subscription issues less one.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising: displaying a message that a subscription is available for the periodical.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising: initiating the subscription.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising: receiving payment for the subscription.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising: distributing the payment for the subscription among at least one of a retailer, a wholesaler, retail subscription system and fulfillment house.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
96 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for establishing a subscription to the periodical, the computer readable code comprising: a request receiving module configured to receive a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; an offering module configured to offer to sell a subscription to the periodical at a subscription rate; an acceptance receiving module configured to receive an acceptance of the offer to sell the subscription; and a recording module configured to record provision of the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
96 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for establishing a subscription to the periodical, the computer readable code comprising: a request receiving module configured to receive a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; an offering module configured to offer to sell a subscription to the periodical at a subscription rate; an acceptance receiving module configured to receive an acceptance of the offer to sell the subscription; and a recording module configured to record provision of the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
79 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for initiating a subscription to a periodical, the computer readable code comprising: a requesting module configured to receive a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; an offering module configured to offer to a subscription to the periodical; a receiving module configured to receive customer information from a customer; and an associating module configured to associate an authentication code with the customer information.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
79 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for initiating a subscription to a periodical, the computer readable code comprising: a requesting module configured to receive a request to purchase an issue of a periodical; an offering module configured to offer to a subscription to the periodical; a receiving module configured to receive customer information from a customer; and an associating module configured to associate an authentication code with the customer information.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for initiating a subscription to a periodical, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving information that identifies an issue of a periodical to be purchased; means for determining whether a subscription to the periodical is available; means for outputting an offer to sell a subscription to the periodical; means for receiving an acceptance of the offer; and means for recording provision of the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for initiating a subscription to a periodical, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving information that identifies an issue of a periodical to be purchased; means for determining whether a subscription to the periodical is available; means for outputting an offer to sell a subscription to the periodical; means for receiving an acceptance of the offer; and means for recording provision of the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising: means for receiving customer information from a customer.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising: means for transmitting the customer information to an agent to initiate the subscription.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising: means for providing the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising: means for providing an instruction to deliver a number of subscription issues.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 47, in which the number is a normal number of subscription issues less one.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising: means for displaying a message that a subscription is available for the periodical.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising: means for initiating the subscription.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising: means for recording payment for the subscription.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising: means for distributing the payment for the subscription among at least one of a retailer, a wholesaler, retail subscription system and fulfillment house.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for initiating a subscription to a periodical, the apparatus comprising: means for scanning a bar code on an issue of a periodical to identify the periodical; means for determining whether a subscription to the periodical is available; means for receiving a selection indicating desire to purchase a subscription to the periodical; means for requesting information about a term of the subscription; means for receiving information about the term of the subscription; and means for recording provision of the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for initiating a subscription to a periodical, the apparatus comprising: means for scanning a bar code on an issue of a periodical to identify the periodical; means for determining whether a subscription to the periodical is available; means for receiving a selection indicating desire to purchase a subscription to the periodical; means for requesting information about a term of the subscription; means for receiving information about the term of the subscription; and means for recording provision of the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising: means for initiating the subscription for the term.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising: means for receiving customer information from a customer.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising: means for transmitting the customer information to an agent to initiate the subscription.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising: means for providing the issue of the periodical as an issue of the subscription.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising: means for providing an instruction to deliver a number of subscription issues.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 58, in which the number is a normal number of subscription issues less one.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising: means for displaying a message that a subscription is available for the periodical.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising: means for initiating the subscription.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising: means for receiving payment for the subscription.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising: means for distributing the payment for the subscription among at least one of a retailer, a wholesaler, retail subscription system and fulfillment house.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-07-19 | 2003-01-18 | 2003-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-19 | 2007-01-18 | 2007-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-19 | 2011-01-18 | 2011-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |