Methods and Apparatuses for Mobile Returns

• US 20160350757A1
• Filed: 05/29/2015
• Published: 12/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Home Depot Product Authority, LLC (The Home Depot, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Homer TLC Incorporated (The Home Depot, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bolling, Heather, Dunn, Kenneth, Gerstenberger, Troy, Peregoy, Brenda L., Putman, Billy, Tomic, Say
• Granted Patent: US 10,229,413 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3223 Realising banking transactions through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/407 Cancellation of a transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/06 by returnable containers , i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for performing mobile returns are disclosed. At least some versions of the disclosed systems enable a return transaction to be performed using a mobile device connected to a network of one or more servers. The disclosed mobile returns systems may increase return transaction efficiency and relieve congestion at conventional customer service registers. The mobile device may be configured to operate in a trained returns mode or an expedited returns mode.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating mobile returns, the method comprising:

initiating a session of a mobile returns interface on a handheld mobile device, the mobile device configured to communicate with one or more servers;

inputting receipt information into the mobile device;

sending the receipt information to a server among the one or more servers;

receiving an indication that the receipt information is stored in a server among the one or more servers;

inputting item information into the mobile device;

sending the item information to a server among the one or more servers;

receiving an indication that the item information is stored in a server among the one or more servers; and

performing an item transaction.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication that the receipt information is not stored in a server among the one or more servers; and

terminating the session.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication that the item information is not stored in a server among the one or more servers; and

terminating the session.

4. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

determining, based on information from a server among the one or more servers, an identity of a tax exempt customer; and

tendering a tax compensation to the tax exempt customer;

where the tendering may be performed separately from a tendering of a price compensation to the tax exempt customer.

5. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

determining, based on information from a server among the one or more servers, an identity of a rewards customer; and

tendering a rewards compensation to the rewards customer;

where the tendering may be performed separately from a tendering of a price compensation to the rewards customer.

6. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

receiving a coupon from a customer;

determining, based on information from a server among the one or more servers, coupon information; and

tendering a coupon compensation to the customer;

where the tendering may be performed separately from a tendering of a price compensation to the customer.

7. The method of claim 1, where inputting receipt information into the mobile device comprises scanning a receipt using a scanner of the mobile device.

8. The method of claim 1, where inputting receipt information into the mobile device comprises inputting receipt information using a keypad interface of the mobile device.

9. The method of claim 1, where inputting receipt information into the mobile device comprises inputting customer identification information using a keypad interface of the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 1, where inputting item information into the mobile device comprises scanning an item using a scanner of the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 1, where inputting item information into the mobile device comprises inputting item information using a keypad interface of the mobile device.

12. The method of claim 1, where inputting item information into the mobile device comprises inputting customer identification information using a keypad interface of the mobile device.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising sorting items matching the item information using various headers.

14. The method of claim 13, the various headers comprising one or more of identification numbers, quantity values, retail prices, item descriptions, and extended retail.

15. The method of claim 1, where the item transaction comprises suspending a return transaction for an item.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

accessing an online inventory software located on a server among the one or more servers;

searching the online inventory software using the item information; and

receiving search results at the mobile device.

17. The method of claim 1, where the item transaction comprises flagging an item for further review.

18. The method of claim 1, where the item transaction comprises:

processing a return transaction; and

tendering a price compensation to a customer.

19. The method of claim 18, where the item transaction further comprises voiding the return transaction.

20. The method of claim 18, where the item transaction further comprises processing a return-to-vendor (RTV) transaction.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a request for one or more reports of the item transaction; and

receiving a report among the one or more reports from a server among the one or more servers at the mobile device.

22. The method of claim 18, where the price compensation is a store credit.

23. The method of claim 18, where the price compensation is an electronic store credit.

24. The method of claim 18, where the price compensation is a credit card refund.

25. The method of claim 1, where the item transaction comprises:

capturing a customer signature on the mobile device; and

generating a transaction receipt.

26. The method of claim 1, where generating a transaction receipt comprises printing the receipt.

27. The method of claim 1, where generating a transaction receipt comprises sending an electronic receipt to one or more of an email address and a registered electronic user account.

28. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

recalling a suspended return transaction; and

completing the suspended return transaction.

29. The method of claim 28, where the suspended return transaction expires if not recalled before a certain time limit.

30. A method for facilitating mobile returns in an expedited mode, the method comprising:

initiating a session of a mobile returns interface on a mobile device, the mobile device configured to communicate with one or more servers;

inputting receipt information into the mobile device;

sending the receipt information to a server among the one or more servers;

receiving an indication that the receipt information is stored in a server among the one or more servers;

inputting item information into the mobile device;

sending the item information to a server among the one or more servers;

receiving an indication that the item information is stored in a server among the one or more servers; and

suspending a return transaction for an item.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

receiving an indication that the receipt information is not stored in a server among the one or more servers; and

terminating the session.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

receiving an indication that the item information is not stored in a server among the one or more servers; and

terminating the session.

33. A method for facilitating mobile returns in a trained mode, the method comprising:

initiating a session of a mobile returns interface on a mobile device, the mobile device configured to communicate with one or more servers;

inputting receipt information into the mobile device;

sending the receipt information to a server among the one or more servers;

receiving an indication that the receipt information is stored in a server among the one or more servers;

inputting item information into the mobile device;

sending the item information to a server among the one or more servers;

receiving an indication that the item information is stored in a server among the one or more servers;

performing an item return transaction;

capturing a customer signature on the mobile device; and

generating a transaction receipt.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

receiving an indication that the receipt information is not stored in a server among the one or more servers; and

terminating the session.

35. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

receiving an indication that the item information is not stored in a server among the one or more servers; and

terminating the session.

36. A mobile device for facilitating mobile returns, the mobile device comprising:

a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising one or more graphical elements configured to implement, using at least one processor, one or more software applications stored on one or more servers, the one or more software applications configured to;

initiate a session of a mobile returns interface on the mobile device;

receive receipt information from a user;

send the receipt information to a server among the one or more servers;

receive an indication that the receipt information is stored in a server among the one or more servers;

receive item information from a user;

send the item information to a server among the one or more servers;

receive an indication that the item information is stored in a server among the one or more servers; and

perform an item transaction.

37. A method for facilitating mobile returns, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a session of a mobile returns interface has been initiated on a mobile device;

receiving receipt information from the mobile device;

sending an indication that the receipt information has been stored in a server;

receiving item information from the mobile device;

sending an indication that the item information has been stored in a server;

receiving instructions from the mobile device to perform an item transaction; and

performing the requesting item transaction.

38. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program comprising instructions executable by a machine to:

initiate a session of a mobile returns interface on a handheld mobile device, the mobile device configured to communicate with one or more servers;

input receipt information into the mobile device;

send the receipt information to a server among the one or more servers;

receive an indication that the receipt information is stored in a server;

input item information into the mobile device;

send the item information to a server among the one or more servers;

receive an indication that the item information is stored in a server among the one or more servers; and

perform an item transaction.

39. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38, the program further comprising instructions executable by a machine to:

receive an indication that the receipt information is not stored in a server; and

terminate the session.

40. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38, the program further comprising instructions executable by a machine to:

receive an indication that the item information is not stored in a server; and

terminate the session.

41. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38, the program further comprising instructions executable by a machine to:

determine, based on information from a server, an identity of a tax exempt customer; and

tender a tax compensation to the tax exempt customer;

where the tender may be performed separately from a tender of a price compensation to the tax exempt customer.

42. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38, the program further comprising instructions executable by a machine to:

determine, based on information from the server, an identity of a rewards customer; and

tender a rewards compensation to the rewards customer;

where the tender may be performed separately from a tender of a price compensation to the rewards customer.

43. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38, the program further comprising instructions executable by a machine to:

receive a coupon from a customer;

determine, based on information from the server, coupon information; and

tender a coupon compensation to the customer;

where the tender may be performed separately from a tender of a price compensation to the rewards customer.

44. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38, the program further comprising instructions executable by a machine to sort items matching the item information using various headers.

45. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38, where the item transaction comprises suspending a return transaction for an item.

46. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38, the program further comprising instructions executable by a machine to:

access an online inventory software located on a server;

search the online inventory software using the item information; and

receive search results at the mobile device.

47. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38, where the item transaction comprises flagging an item for further review.

48. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38, where the item transaction comprises instructions executable by a machine to:

process a return transaction; and

tender a price compensation to a customer.

49. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 48, where the item transaction further comprises voiding the return transaction.

50. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 48, where the item transaction further comprises processing a return-to-vendor (RTV) transaction.

51. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38, the program further comprising instructions executable by a machine to:

generate a request for one or more reports of the item transaction; and

receive a report among the one or more reports from a server at the mobile device.

52. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38, where the item transaction comprises instructions executable by a machine to:

capture a customer signature on the mobile device; and

generate a transaction receipt.

53. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 45, the program further comprising instructions executable by a machine to:

recall a suspended return transaction; and

complete the suspended return transaction.

54. A computing device for facilitating mobile returns, the computing device comprising:

at least one processor;

a memory device; and

a display device configured to display a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising one or more graphical elements configured to implement, using the at least one processor, one or more software applications stored on one or more servers, the one or more software applications configured to;

initiate a session of a mobile returns interface on the mobile device;

receive receipt information from a user;

send the receipt information to a server among the one or more servers;

receive an indication that the receipt information is stored in a server among the one or more servers;

receive item information from a user;

send the item information to a server among the one or more servers;

receive an indication that the item information is stored in a server among the one or more servers; and

perform an item transaction.