Dynamic Entitlement Card Activation for License Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing entitlement cards are limited by predefined bundles and permutations, forcing customers to purchase multiple cards to acquire specific numbers of licenses, which complicates the purchasing process and limits flexibility for both providers and customers.
Innovation Solution
Customizable entitlement cards and systems that allow real-time assignment of product keys or tokens with variable quantities and time periods, enabling activation of custom entitlements from a single token, facilitating on-demand purchases and subscriptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If predefined bundles and permutations of entitlement cards are used, then manufacturing and distribution are simplified, but customer flexibility and purchasing efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic entitlement cards where the license quantity and duration are not fixed at manufacturing but are determined at activation time. The system allows real-time configuration of entitlement parameters (number of licenses, time period) when the card is activated, transforming a static predefined bundle into a dynamic customizable offering. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple card production while enabling flexible customer-specific configurations at point of sale.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of entitlement cards from fixed values to variable values that can be adjusted at activation. Instead of manufacturing different cards for different license quantities (1 license, 5 licenses, 25 licenses), the system manufactures universal cards that can be configured with any parameter combination during activation. This parameter flexibility at activation time resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and customer adaptability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple predefined entitlement cards are offered for different license quantities, then standardization is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal entitlement card that can serve multiple functions and configurations. Instead of having separate standardized cards for 1 license, 5 licenses, 25 licenses, etc., the system uses a single standardized card design that can be activated with any license quantity and duration combination. This universal card resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural standardization while eliminating the complexity of managing multiple card types and their permutations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs the configuration action in advance at card activation rather than requiring customers to navigate complex purchasing options. The entitlement parameters (license quantity, duration) are predetermined and locked in during the activation process, simplifying the actual purchasing experience. This preliminary configuration action resolves the contradiction by maintaining standardized card structures while eliminating operational complexity for end users.
3Ease of operation
If custom entitlements are assigned at activation time, then customer flexibility and purchasing efficiency are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary token management system that handles the complexity of custom entitlement configuration. The system acts as a mediator between the simple universal entitlement card and the customer's specific needs. The token management system processes the activation requests, assigns appropriate license quantities and durations, and manages the underlying complexity transparently. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by shielding customers from system complexity while enabling flexible custom entitlements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service activation where customers can directly activate their entitlement cards with desired parameters without requiring complex manual configuration. The automated system handles the complexity of validating and processing custom entitlement requests, allowing customers to simply specify their needs and receive appropriately configured licenses. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational simplicity for users while managing system complexity through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
An entitlement card can be assigned a product key real-time to provide a custom order of benefits including product and/or service, amount, and time. A method facilitating product key assignment for an entitlement can include receiving a request for activating a custom entitlement product key from, for example, a point of purchase. The request includes a request for particular benefits to a redeemer, including the particular product and/or service to be provided and the quantity and time period for the product and/or service. The method further includes assigning the benefits to the product key at the time of the request and activating the product key, which may be later redeemed for the assigned benefits.