Sony Patent | Digital Code Server

Patent: Digital Code Server

Publication Number: 20190026803

Publication Date: 2019-01-24

Applicants: Sony

Abstract

In one aspect, a system includes at least one digital code server (DCS) including at least one server processor and at least one server storage having instructions executable by the server processor. The system also includes at least one supplier computer system including at least one supplier processor and at least one supplier storage having instructions executable by the supplier processor, as well as at least one retailer computer system including at least one retailer processor and at least one retailer storage having instructions executable by the retailer processor. The supplier processor accessing the instructions on the supplier storage is configured to upload code information to the DCS. The retailer processor accessing the instructions on the retailer storage is configured to access the code information from the DCS and to provide codes according to the code information to buyers of products, with the products requiring input of respective codes by buyers to be fully enabled.

Background

Suppliers of technology-related products often sell their products through online and other marketplaces. However, instances of fraud and hacking are prevalent in these types of marketplaces. Therefore, a need has arisen to prevent such fraud and hacking while still allowing the supplier to make its products and associated services available to various retailers and ultimately consumers in as straightforward a manner as possible, even where the retailers might use different technology platforms with different requirements. There are currently no adequate solutions to the foregoing computer-related, technological problem.

Summary

Accordingly, in one aspect a system includes at least one digital code server (DCS) that includes at least one server processor and at least one server storage having instructions executable by the server processor. The system also includes at least one supplier computer system that includes at least one supplier processor and at least one supplier storage having instructions executable by the supplier processor. Still further, system includes at least one retailer computer system that includes at least one retailer processor and at least one retailer storage having instructions executable by the retailer processor. The supplier processor accessing the instructions on the supplier storage is configured to upload code information to the DCS, with the code information including information categorized by retailer identity and product type. The retailer processor accessing the instructions on the retailer storage is configured to access the code information from the DCS and to provide codes according to the code information to buyers of products, the products requiring input of respective codes by buyers to be fully enabled.

The code information may include, for each code, a product identification to which the code applies and a retailer to whom the code applies.

The supplier processor accessing the instructions on the supplier storage may be configured to upload to the DCS, for at least some codes, a standard release date and a pre-order release date. The server processor accessing the instructions on the server storage may be configured to prevent downloading, to the retailer computer system, at least one code prior to the respective standard release date and/or pre-order release date of the respective code.

The retailer processor accessing the instructions on the retailer storage may be configured to present, on at least one display of the retailer computer system, at least one user interface (UI) presenting plural product identifications and respective code data for at least some of the respective product identifications.

The server processor accessing the instructions on the server storage may be configured to access information related to sales velocity pertaining to a first retailer and a first product, access information related to a threshold pertaining to the first retailer and the first product, and determine, based at least in part on the sales velocity and threshold, whether to send an alert message to at least the supplier computer system.

The supplier processor accessing the instructions on the supplier storage may be configured to upload to the DCS at least one product update. The retailer processor accessing the instructions on the retailer storage may be configured to download from the DCS the product update and implement the product update on a respective product within a supplier-defined period.

The retailer processor accessing the instructions on the retailer storage may be configured to upload to the DCS at least one request for additional codes pertaining to at least a first product. The server processor accessing the instructions on the server storage may be configured to provide the request to the supplier computer system. The supplier processor accessing the instructions on the supplier storage may be configured to upload to the DCS codes according to the request.

The supplier processor accessing the instructions on the supplier storage may be configured to present, on at least one display of the supplier computer system, at least one user interface (UI). The UI may include, for at least one retailer, indication of unsold codes associated with pre-release products, indication of unsold codes associated with released products, indication of codes sold on demand, indication of codes sold in bulk, and indication of canceled codes.

The server processor accessing the instructions on the server storage may be configured to receive a request from the retailer computer system for a bulk code download, determine whether the request exceeds an allocated number of codes, and responsive to the request exceeding the allocated number of codes, not download any codes in response to the request to the retailer computer system. The server processor accessing the instructions on the server storage may be configured to determine whether at least one “critical date” pertaining to the request is satisfied and, responsive to determining that the critical date pertaining to the request is not satisfied, not satisfy the request. Furthermore, the server processor accessing the instructions on the server storage may be configured to download plural codes to satisfy the request responsive to the request not exceeding the allocated number of codes and responsive to determining that the critical date pertaining to the request is satisfied.

The supplier processor accessing the instructions on the supplier storage may be configured to present, on at least one display of the supplier computer system, at least one user interface (UI). The UI may include an indication of at least one top-selling product, an indication of product sales by at least first and second retailers, an indication of at least one request from at least one retailer computer system, and at least one product tab region operable to search for product sales information using one or more of plural filters.

In another aspect, a method includes receiving code information from a supplier computer at a digital code server (DCS). The code information includes information associated with retailer identity and product type. The method also includes receiving, at the DCS and from a retailer computer, a request for at least a first portion of the code information and determining, at the DCS, whether to provide the first portion to the retailer computer. Still further, the method includes, responsive to determining to provide the first portion, providing the first portion to the retailer computer.

In yet another aspect, at least one device includes at least one processor and storage accessible to the at least one processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the at least one processor to receive product code information from a supplier, with the product code information including at least one product code and information associated with a retailer authorized to sell the at least one product code. The instructions are also executable by the at least one processor to store the product code information and allocate the at least one product code to the retailer.

The details of the present application, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: