Method and apparatus for verifying product sale transactions and processing product returns
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a computer-based system that provides a method for real time data storage and retrieval for the purpose of verifying and validating sales transactions and product return/warranty repair eligibility. An electronic product registration system is provided which stores information on purchased products and which enables a retail store or the like to verify compliance with return policies prior to accepting a product for return or replacement, thereby reducing improper or fraudulent product returns under warranty, while also providing related functionality to third parties such as law enforcement agencies and the like.
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Citations
81 Claims
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1-47. -47. (canceled)
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48. A method for validating consumer returns of purchased products, the method comprising:
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providing a first information processing system comprising at least one processor and a product registration database including information on purchased products and return criteria for purchased products, said information on purchased products including a unique product identifier and transaction information, including at least a date of sale, said product registration database being updatable via the at least one processor upon successful product purchases made via one or more second information processing systems respectively located at one or more retailers'"'"' facility; receiving, at the first information processing system, a unique product identifier for a product presented for return, transmitted from one said second information processing system; determining whether the product presented for return qualifies for return in connection with a look-up of the received unique product identifier in the product registration database and an examination of any corresponding transaction information and return criteria associated with the product presented for return; and transmitting to the second information processing system product information indicative of whether the product presented for return qualifies for return for display on a display operably connected to the second information processing system; wherein said first information processing system includes a customer interface, accessible by a purchaser over the Internet after a purchased product has been registered in said product registration database, which enables a purchaser of the purchased product to enter a unique product identifier for the purchased product and purchaser identification information which identifies the purchaser of the purchased product, said first information processing system being operable to store said purchaser information in said product registration database in association with said product information based on said unique product identifier. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A method for validating consumer returns of purchased products, the method comprising:
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providing a first information processing system comprising at least one processor, a customer interface, and a product registration database including information on purchased products and return criteria for purchased products, said information on purchased products including a unique product identifier and transaction information, including at least a date of sale, said product registration database being updatable via the at least one processor upon successful product purchases made via one or more second information processing systems respectively located at one or more retailers'"'"' facility, and said customer interface being accessible by a purchaser over the Internet after a purchased product has been registered in said product registration database, the customer interface being configured to enable a purchaser of the purchased product to enter a unique product identifier for the purchased product and purchaser identification information that identifies the purchaser of the purchased product, said first information processing system being operable to store said purchaser information in said product registration database in association with said product information based on said unique product identifier, wherein the at least one first information processing system is configured to; receive a unique product identifier for a product presented for return, transmitted from one said second information processing system, determine whether the product presented for return qualifies for return in connection with a look-up of the received unique product identifier in the product registration database and an examination of any corresponding transaction information and return criteria associated with the product presented for return; and transmit to the second information processing system product information indicative of whether the product presented for return qualifies for return for display on a display operably connected to the second information processing system. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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70. A system for validating consumer returns of purchased products, comprising:
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a first information processing system comprising at least one processor, a customer interface, and a product registration database including information on purchased products and return criteria for purchased products, said information on purchased products including a unique product identifier and transaction information, including at least a date of sale, said product registration database being updatable via the at least one processor upon successful product purchases made via one or more second information processing systems respectively located at one or more retailers'"'"' facility, and said customer interface being accessible by a purchaser over the Internet after a purchased product has been registered in said product registration database, the customer interface being configured to enable a purchaser of the purchased product to enter a unique product identifier for the purchased product and purchaser identification information that identifies the purchaser of the purchased product, said first information processing system being operable to store said purchaser information in said product registration database in association with said product information based on said unique product identifier, wherein the at least one first information processing system is configured to; receive a unique product identifier for a product presented for return, transmitted from one said second information processing system, determine whether the product presented for return qualifies for return in connection with a look-up of the received unique product identifier in the product registration database and an examination of any corresponding transaction information and return criteria associated with the product presented for return; and transmit to the second information processing system product information indicative of whether the product presented for return qualifies for return for display on a display operably connected to the second information processing system. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81)
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73. The system of claim 73, wherein the customer options are user selectable and wherein addition return/warranty instructions relevant to a selected customer option is presentable upon selection.
Specification