Multi-part to multi-box consolidation graphic user interface

• US 20050171912A1
• Filed: 01/30/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Neopost Technologies S.A. (Quadient SA)
• Original Assignee: Neopost Technologies S.A. (Quadient SA)
• Inventors: Fenelon, James
• Application Number:
  US10/768,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20050171912A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/50
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

A method and system for managing a return of parts. The method includes identifying a set of inventory associated with a return authorization, identifying which parts of the set of inventory are to be returned, determining a type of browser being used by a user returning parts, associating each part being returned with a shipping container in which the part being returned will be shipped, wherein each part number is associated with a shipping container, determining a total weight for each shipping container, identifying a shipping date and a shipping carrier, identifying whether a shipping carrier pick-up needs to be scheduled, and a date and time for the pickup, printing a shipping label for each shipping container, each label being automatically generated by the system and including a number of the shipping container and a list of parts to be shipped in the shipping container.

Claims

1. A method of managing a return of parts comprising:

identifying a set of inventory associated with a return authorization;

identifying which parts of the set of inventory are to be returned;

associating each part being returned with a shipping container in which the part being returned will be shipped, wherein each part number is associated with a shipping container;

determining a total weight for each shipping container;

identifying a shipping date and a shipping carrier;

identifying whether a shipping carrier pick-up needs to be scheduled, and a date and time for the pickup;

printing a shipping label for each shipping container, each label being automatically generated by the system and including a number of the shipping container and a list of parts to be shipped in the shipping container.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising logging into an online parts return management application using an identifier number associated with the return authorization, wherein the set of inventory associated with the return authorization is displayed.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising reviewing a configuration of each shipping container in which a part selected to be return is being shipped in, wherein a number of each shipping container is displayed to the user together with information related to the contents contained therein.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically notifying a shipping carrier to schedule a carrier pick up based on the date and time identified.

5. A method of merchandise return comprising:

accessing a return merchandise application using a unique return merchandise authorization number;

selecting individual parts to be returned from a parts list that is automatically displayed and associated with the return merchandise authorization number;

associating each selected part to be returned with a shipping container in which each selected part is to be returned;

selecting a shipping carrier for shipping each shipping container and scheduling a time and a date for the shipment; and

automatically generating a shipping label for each respective shipping container.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising accessing the return merchandise application by logging into a website associated with the return merchandise application.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising, after selecting the parts to be returned, of determining if another return merchandise authorization number is to be associated with this return, and if so, logging in the another return merchandise authorization number and selecting parts to be returned from a new list of parts associated with the another return merchandise authorization number that is displayed.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising automatically notifying a shipping carrier of the date and time for pick-up of the shipping container.

9. The method of claim 5 further comprising confirming a configuration of each shipping container by activating a portion of a grid being displayed to the user that corresponds to a respective shipping container and reviewing the information displayed pertaining to a content of the respective shipping container.

10. A computer program product comprising:

a computer useable medium having computer readable code means embodied therein for causing a computer to facilitate a return of parts, the computer readable code means in the computer program product comprising;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to access a return merchandise application using a unique return merchandise authorization number;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to select individual parts to be returned from a parts list that is automatically displayed and associated with the return merchandise authorization number;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to select a shipping carrier for shipping each shipping container and scheduling a time and a date for the shipment; and

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to automatically generate a shipping label for each respective shipping container.

11. A graphical user interface adapted for generating a visual display for facilitating a return of merchandise from a customer-to a customer service center comprising:

a display screen;

an image generator for generating on the display screen a menu selection screen for a return merchandise authorization, the menu selection screen comprising;

a user actuatable control to associate a shipping container with a part to be returned as displayed on the display screen;

a user actuatable control to select a shipping container and verify a designated contents of the shipping container as displayed on the display screen;

a user actuatable control to designate a shipping carrier for picking up each shipping container;

a user actuatable control for scheduling a time and date for the pick up and automatically notifying the shipping carrier of the scheduled pick up.

12. The graphical user interface of claim 11 further comprising a user actuatable control for generating a shipping label for each shipping container.