System and method for streamlined registration of electronic products over a communication network and for verification and management of information related thereto

Abstract

The system and method of the present invention provide integrated or embedded components, for electronic (or other) products, each operable to securely store and selectively provide access to, a unique ID (UID) previously assigned to its corresponding specific product, where the UID of each product is registered with one or more particular UID registration centers over at least one communication network, and associated with one or more data records stored in a corresponding database file at the particular UID registration center, the data records being inclusive of information related to the product, the product purchase history, current ownership, etch, and wherein one or more authorized parties may subsequently advantageously utilize at least one UID (and optionally a verifier) to access, verify, edit, transfer, transmit, and / or otherwise manage at least one information item related to the one or more corresponding registered products in their UID registration center database file. Also provided is an optimized process for verifiable transfer of ownership rights between a product's authorized owner and intended recipient, the transfer process being implemented over at least one communication network with graphical user interfaces provided for each party, where the transfer of ownership rights involves association of the product's UID with the receiving party's data record and confirming ownership transfer, and optional transfer of additional product-related information from the former product owner to the current recipient.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present patent application claims priority from the U.S. Provisional Patent Application of Yu Yung Choi entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REGISTERING AND VERIFYING THE ELECTRONIC PRODUCT ON THE INTERNET” (Ser. No. 60 / 991,759), fled on Dec. 3, 2007.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for registration of electronic products each having a unique identification code pre-assigned thereto with a centralized registration center, and subsequently utilizing at least one unique identification code to obtain one or more information items related to each registered product from the registration center, and more particularly to a system and method for streamlined registration, with one or more registration centers over at least one communication network, of electronic products each having a unique identification code pre-assigned thereto that is associated with one or more data records stored in a cor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0043] In one of its exemplary embodiments, the novel electronic product-related information registration, verification, and management system and method provides electronic (or other) products with a unique ID (“UID”) assigned to each product and stored in an integrated or embedded product component in such a manner as to: (1) make the UID readily available to a (preferably authorized) inquirer, and (2) make the UID virtually impossible to remove or change without destroying or seriously damaging its corresponding product, and further comprises least one registration center operable to store and enable conditional access to, at least one information record linked to each product through its UID, such that the at least one information record may be advantageously accessed and / or managed by at least one authorized inquirer through use of the UID.

[0050] In another of its exemplary embodiments, the inventive electronic product-related information registration, verification, and management system and method is provided for electronic products each having a UID assigned thereto and securely stored therein in an integrated and / or embedded component thereof, that comprises at least one UID registration center, each having a communication system operable to receive UID and other information, over at least one communication network, a control system, and a UID database system that comprises a plurality of data records each linked t a particular UID stored in a corresponding UID registration center database file, such that at least one authorized inquirer is able to utilize a particular UID (preferably in conjunction with provision of a verifier to verify authorization) to access, verify, edit, transfer, transmit, and otherwise manage at least one information item related to each registered product in its corresponding UID registration center database file. The inventive system and method also advantageously ensure that the integrated / embedded UID components (and the corresponding UIDs) assigned to various electronic and other products, are configured for use in conjunction with various conventional and future shipping, storage, inventory, tracking, etc. systems.

[0058] (2) Enabling an electronic (or other) product sales intermediary party having an account at the UID registration center (e.g., distributor, store, aftermarket seller, etch), to add product historical information to a particular registered product's UID registration center database file, including, but not limited to, at least one of the following: name / contact information of distributor, name / contact information of store, purchase date, return date, and service / warranty claims, status (lost, stolen, returned to manufacturer, reconditioned, etc.), with each information item being optionally time-stamped. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the novel system selectively ensures that all, or, optionally, a predetermined portion, of product historical information stored in the UID registration center database file is prevented from being edited or deleted;

Problems solved by technology

However, this course of events has brought about a number of significant and escalating challenges across a wide spectrum of circumstances.

However, in all types of aftermarket sales, there is an enormous problem with fraud (such as an online auction seller misrepresenting that they actually have the offered electronic product in hand, or that they are in fact the legitimate owner of the product), counterfeiting of expensive products, misrepresentations about item repair histories, ownership records, warranties, age, and so on.

It should also be noted that because many electronic products are in consistent demand, and with quite a few types of these products being expensive, they are often regrets for theft or other misappropriation, or otherwise figure in various other types of illegal activities as was noted above (such as fraud, counterfeiting, etc.).

In many cases, even if stolen or otherwise misplaced items are recovered by law enforcement, it is very difficult, if not impossible to determine and / or verify ownership.

Moreover, many product purchasers / users often alter or otherwise misrepresent product purchase information by registering it long after the original purchase date in an effort to extend the effective coverage period of product warranty.

This results in significant losses to manufacturers.

The above-noted difficulties are not surprising, due to the fact that for decades, the only manner in which each particular electronic product was through its serial number assigned by the product manufacturer.

Moreover, because each product manufacturer provides its own serial numbers using its own numbering scheme, most often without regard for serial number nomenclature of other manufacturers, in certain cases, serial numbers for different products from different manufacturers may be identical or confusingly similar to one another.

Thus, currently, no serial number can ever really be assured of being “unique”.

Primary and aftermarket consumers, law enforcement personnel, product users, and other inquiring parties were not able to use serial numbers to any significant extent, especially because certain potentially very useful information was simply not available in connection with the serial numbers.

In the above-mentioned cases, where serial numbers are digitally stored in certain electronic products, significant problems can arise in connection with unauthorized manipulation thereof.

However, on many mobile telephones, it is possible to alter the IMEI number utilizing a computer or equivalent device equipped with special software configured for that purpose, whether by the manufacturer or, more typically, by an unauthorized third party.

Certain attempts to address the numerous challenges above have been made, but none have achieved any measurable commercial success, and none have gained any significant degree of widespread implementation By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,259,367 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,791 have proposed utilizing bar code labels, RFID tags, and / or magnetic tags affixed to various products, in conjunction with appropriate compatible “reader devices” and other system component, for product identification, verification, and related product information management.

However, these solutions still suffer from significant disadvantages of the previously known product information gathering and management approaches.

Furthermore, none of the suggested solutions address the challenge of ensuring the implementation and use of truly unique “serial numbers” or equivalents across different manufacturers and / or products.

However, all of these solutions require modification of the

Images