Method for determining a warranty start date

US7272076B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P. · US

Inventors

• Theresa A. Burkes · Meridian, US
• George B. Clifton · Boise, US
• Steven Folkner · Boise, US
• Angela K. Hanson · Eagle, US
• Linda Rodda · Star, US
• Patrick D. Walker · Eagle, US
• Kenneth O'Hara · Flint, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 25, 2001
• Grant date: Sep 18, 2007
• Expiry date: Sep 15, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/012
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method for determining a warranty start date for a product has steps of determining a warranty start event and generating a warranty start date after occurrence of the warranty start event. The timestamp may be generated through a query to a time server on a network connected to the product. Preferred examples of warranty start events comprise first use by the user, and production of a specified cumulative quantity of product output. The warranty start event as well as the generated warranty start date are preferably stored on a memory internal to the product.