Wireless communications device configured for automated returns
First Claim
1. A method for automated return of an item, comprising the steps of:
- automatically identifying, with a processor and an interface element in a specially programmed general-purpose computer, an item brought within a predetermined proximity of a retail location operated by a business entity;
determining, via said processor and a memory element in said general-purpose computer, that said item was previously purchased from said business entity by a customer; and
,applying, using said processor, a credit for said item to an account associated with said customer.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for automated return of an item, including the steps of: automatically identifying, with a processor and an interface element in a specially programmed general-purpose computer, an item brought within a predetermined proximity of a retail location operated by a business entity; determining, via the processor and a memory element in the general-purpose computer, that the item was previously purchased from the business entity by a customer; and applying, using the processor, a credit for the item to an account associated with the customer. In some aspects, the item comprises an RFID tag and the memory element comprises a sales record for the item including data regarding the tag, and automatically identifying an item includes automatically detecting the tag and transmitting data identifying the tag to the interface element, and determining that the item was previously purchased includes using the data identifying the tag to select the sales record.
52 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A method for automated return of an item, comprising the steps of:
-
automatically identifying, with a processor and an interface element in a specially programmed general-purpose computer, an item brought within a predetermined proximity of a retail location operated by a business entity; determining, via said processor and a memory element in said general-purpose computer, that said item was previously purchased from said business entity by a customer; and
,applying, using said processor, a credit for said item to an account associated with said customer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A system for automated return of an item, comprising:
-
an interface element for a specially programmed general-purpose computer arranged to receive a detection signal regarding an item when said item is within a predetermined proximity of a retail location operated by a business entity; a memory element in said general-purpose computer comprising sales data for items purchased from said retail location; an identification element in a processor for said general-purpose computer arranged to determine, using said sales data and said detection signal, that said item was previously purchased from said business entity by a customer; and
,a credit element in said processor, arranged to apply a credit for said item to an account associated with said customer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification