Invention Grant
- Patent Title: System and methods for purchasing services
- Patent Title (中): 采购服务的制度和方法
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Application No.: US11320102Application Date: 2005-12-28
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Publication No.: US08239281B1Publication Date: 2012-08-07
- Inventor: John Bruce Harlow , Robert Sayko , Norman Shaye , Richard A. Stubing
- Applicant: John Bruce Harlow , Robert Sayko , Norman Shaye , Richard A. Stubing
- Applicant Address: US GA Atlanta
- Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
- Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
- Current Assignee Address: US GA Atlanta
- Main IPC: G06Q30/00
- IPC: G06Q30/00

Abstract:
The invention provides a service provider system that enables a subscriber to purchase services over a network from a service provider for the benefit of one or more third parties located in different locations. The service provider system can provide service flexibility by allowing parameters to be set, such as place and time of service delivery. Further, conditions allowing third-party recipients to change service parameters—delivery time and place, exchange of purchased service for another service, return of the purchased service, etc.—can be included. The service provider system additionally can provide reporting options to both the subscriber and the third party. Reporting messages or notifications may be sent to the purchasing subscriber to indicate which of the third parties had taken advantage of the purchased service, when and where the service was consumed, and/or what the actual cost of delivering the service was. The service provider system can also provide incentives for third parties to take advantage of the purchased service.
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