System and methods to effect return of a consumer product

• US 20020013744A1
• Filed: 02/23/2001
• Published: 01/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon USA, Inc. (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon USA, Inc. (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Tsunenari, Tomoo, Larkey, Ben, Futagami, Ryotaro, Saks, Arkady
• Granted Patent: US 7,076,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A network server is provided which effects the return of a consumer product. The network server is adapted to present to a client located on the network one or more form pages adapted to elicit consumer information including an identification of the consumer product to be returned and an identification of the present location of the consumer product. The server can receive the consumer information and transmit to the client shipping label data which includes an identification of a destination for the consumer product and of a carrier service. The destination is selected in accordance with the consumer information and without regard to where the consumer product was purchased.

Claims

1. A network server, for effecting the return of a consumer product, the network server being adapted to:

(a) present to a client located on the network one or more form pages adapted to elicit consumer information including an identification of the consumer product to be returned and an identification of the present location of the consumer product;

(b) receive the consumer information; and

(c) transmit to the client shipping label data which includes an identification of a destination for the consumer product and of a carrier service, the destination being selected in accordance with the consumer information and without regard to where the consumer product was purchased.

2. The network server according to claim 1, the network server being further adapted to select the carrier service shortly before transmitting the client shipping label, based on factors including current carrier rates.

3. The network server according to claim 1, adapted to store the received consumer information in a database server.

4. The network server according to claim 3, wherein the consumer information includes product serial number data.

5. The network server according to claim 3, further adapted to receive as components of consumer information consumer name and address information.

6. The network server according to claim 1 wherein the network server is a Web server, the client is a Web browser, and the network is the Internet.

7. The network server according to claim 1, wherein the consumer product is recyclable and the destination is a recycling facility.

8. The network server according to claim 1, further adapted to receive, as components of the consumer information, information concerning use of the consumer product.

9. The network server according to claim 7, wherein the consumer product is a laser printer toner cartridge, and wherein the client runs on a computer operably connected to a laser printer.

10. A method of effecting, in a network environment, the return of a consumer product, the method comprising a network server:

(a) presenting to a client located on the network one or more form pages adapted to elicit consumer information including an identification of the consumer product to be returned and an identification of the present location of the consumer product;

(b) receiving the consumer information; and

(c) transmitting to the client shipping label data which includes an identification of a destination for the consumer product and of a carrier service, the destination being selected in accordance with the consumer information and without regard to where the consumer product was purchased.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising selecting the carrier service shortly before transmitting the client shipping label, based on factors including current carrier rates.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising storing the received consumer information in a database server.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the consumer information includes product serial number data.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising receiving as components of consumer information consumer name and address information.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the network server is a Web server, the client is a Web browser, and the network is the Internet.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the consumer product is recyclable and the destination is a recycling facility.

17. The method according to claim 10, further receiving, as components of the consumer information, information concerning use of the consumer product.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the consumer product is a laser printer toner cartridge, and wherein the client runs on a computer operably connected to a laser printer.

19. Computer code, running on a network server, for effecting the return of a consumer product, including:

(a) code for presenting to a client located on the network one or more form pages adapted to elicit consumer information including an identification of the consumer product to be returned and an identification of the present location of the consumer product;

(b) code for receiving the consumer information;

(c) code for transmitting to the client shipping label data which includes an identification of a destination for the consumer product and of a carrier service, the destination being selected in accordance with the consumer information and without regard to where the consumer product was purchased.

20. The computer code according to claim 19, further comprising code for selecting the carrier service shortly before transmitting the client shipping label, based on factors including current carrier rates.

21. The computer code according to claim 19, further comprising code for storing the received consumer information in a database server.

22. The computer code according to claim 21, wherein the consumer information includes product serial number data.

23. The computer code according to claim 21, further comprising code for receiving as components of consumer information consumer name and address information.

24. The computer code according to claim 19, wherein the network server is a Web server, the client is a Web browser, and the network is the Internet.

25. The computer code according to claim 19, wherein the consumer product is recyclable and the destination is a recycling facility.

26. The computer code according to claim 19, further comprising code for receiving, as components of the consumer information, information concerning use of the consumer product.

27. The computer code according to claim 25, wherein the consumer product is a laser printer toner cartridge, and wherein the client runs on a computer operably connected to a laser printer.

28. An apparatus, operating in a network environment, the apparatus adapted to effect the return of a consumer product, the apparatus comprising:

(a) means for presenting to a client located on the network one or more form pages adapted to elicit consumer information including an identification of the consumer product to be returned and an identification of the present location of the consumer product;

(b) means for receiving the consumer information; and

(c) means for transmitting to the client shipping label data which includes an identification of a destination for the consumer product and of a carrier service, the destination being selected in accordance with the consumer information and without regard to where the consumer product was purchased.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising means for selecting the carrier service shortly before transmitting the client shipping label, based on factors including current carrier rates.

30. The apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising means for storing received consumer information in a database server.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the consumer information includes product serial number data.

32. The apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising means for receiving as components of consumer information consumer name and address information.

33. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the apparatus is a Web server, the client is a Web browser, and the network is the Internet.

34. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the consumer product is recyclable and the destination is a recycling facility.

35. The apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising means for receiving, as components of the consumer information, information concerning use of the consumer product.

36. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the consumer product is a laser printer toner cartridge, and wherein the client runs on a computer operably connected to a laser printer.

37. A network client associated with a computer operatively connected to a printer, the client located on a network linking the client with a network server, and being adapted to:

(a) transmit to the server consumer information including information including an identification of a consumer product to be returned and an identification of the present location of the consumer product; and

(b) receive from the server shipping label data including an identification of a destination for the consumer product and of a carrier service, the destination being selected in accordance with the consumer information and without regard to where the consumer product was purchased.

38. A network client according to claim 37, further being adapted to transmit shipping label data to the printer to cause the printer to print a shipping label.

39. A network server, for effecting the return of a consumer product, the network server being adapted to:

(a) present to a client located on the network one or more form pages adapted to elicit consumer information including an identification of the consumer product to be returned, an identification of the present location of the consumer product, and whether or not the consumer requires packing materials for return of the product;

(b) receive the consumer information;

(c) if the received consumer information indicates that the consumer requires packing materials, initiate shipping of packing materials in accordance with the identified consumer information, and present to the client a page requesting the consumer contact the network server again when the packing materials are filled to request a shipping label at that time; and

(d) if the received consumer information indicates that the consumer does not require packing materials, immediately transmit to the client shipping label data which includes an identification of a destination for the consumer product and of a carrier service, the destination being selected in accordance with the consumer information and without regard to where the consumer product was purchased.

40. A method of effecting, in a network environment, the return of a consumer product, the method comprising a network server:

(a) presenting to a client located on the network one or more form pages adapted to elicit from a consumer consumer information including an identification of the consumer product to be returned and an identification of the present location of the consumer product;

(b) receiving the consumer information; and

(c) transmitting to the client shipping label data which includes an identification of a destination for the consumer product and of a carrier service, the destination being selected in accordance with the consumer information and without regard to where the consumer product was purchased,

wherein the consumer is presented with a incentive to induce the consumer to use the shipping label to return multiple consumer products.