Method and apparatus for efficient handling of product return transactions

• US 6,269,344 B1
• Filed: 01/31/2000
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nintendo of America, Inc. (Nintendo Company Limited)
• Inventors: Junger, Peter Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARLE, JENNIFER I
• Application Number:
  US09/494,540
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/2, 705/28, 707/104
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• 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 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/209 Specified transaction journal output feature, e.g. printed receipt or voice output
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A method and apparatus for efficient handling of product returns to reduce associated costs. A computer system at a regional product return center scans a returned product for identifying information, accesses a manufacturer return approval computer system through the internet or the like, and then submits the identifying information to the manufacturer for return approval. The manufacturer computer system utilizes the identifying information to access an electronic registration database to determine whether the returned product satisfies applicable return criteria. If so, the product is approved for return to the manufacturer. The regional product return center preferably scans a plurality of returned products in a single session. In response to the product identifying information submitted by the regional product return center, the manufacturer provides a list of approved returns and unapproved returns, along with a return authorization number for the batch of approved returns. The regional product return center then assembles the approved product returns into a box, shipping pallet, or the like, applies a label indicating the return authorization label, and ships the batch to the manufacturer. Shipping costs can be saved by omitting rejected product returns from the shipment. The manufacturer can handle the approved product returns from the regional return center as a batch, thereby reducing costs.

Claims

1. A method of reducing unauthorized returns of purchased products from a first location to a second location, comprising:

(a) maintaining a product information database remote from the first location for each purchased product, wherein the product information database includes return criteria for purchased products;

(b) transmitting unique product identification information from the first location to a host system having access to said product information database, wherein the unique product identification information uniquely identifies a product for which a return is sought;

(c) using the host system to access the product information database to determine a return criteria for the product based on the unique product identification information;

(d) determining whether the product qualifies for return based on the return criteria;

(e) transmitting to the first location a return qualification message if the product qualifies for return; and

(f) accepting the product for return at the second location if the return qualification message has been transmitted to the first location.

2. A method of reducing unauthorized returns of purchased products from a first location to a second location, comprising:

(a) maintaining a product information database remote from the first location for each purchased product, wherein the product information database includes return criteria for purchased products;

(b) transmitting unique product identification information from the first location to a host system having access to the product information database, wherein the unique product identification information uniquely identifies a product for which a return is sought;

(c) accessing the database to determine a return criteria for the product based on the unique product identification information;

(d) determining whether the product qualifies for return based on the return criteria;

(e) transmitting to the first location a return qualification message if the product qualifies for return;

(f) accepting the product for return at the second location if the return qualification message has been transmitted to the first location; and

(g) further including repeating steps (b) through (e) for a plurality of products for which return is sought, and transmitting a return authorization to the first location covering a batch of products which qualify for return, wherein accepting the product for return includes receiving the batch of products at the second location along with the return authorization.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second location is a manufacturer'"'"'s facility for processing product returns.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first location is a retailer'"'"'s central facility for processing product returns received from the retailer'"'"'s retail outlets.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of transmitting unique product identification information is accomplished by establishing electronic communication between the first location and the host system.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein establishing the electronic communication is achieved by way of an internet connection.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of transmitting a return qualification message is accomplished by establishing electronic communication between the first location and the second location.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein establishing the electronic communication is achieved by way of an internet connection.

9. A method of reducing unauthorized returns of purchased products of different types from a first location to a second location, comprising:

(a) maintaining a general product information database, wherein the general product information database includes information indicating date of purchase for each purchased product;

(b) defining a particular return criteria for each of the different types of products;

(c) transmitting unique product identification information from the remote location to a host system having access to said general product database, wherein the unique product identification information uniquely identifies a product for which a return is sought;

(d) accessing the general product information database to determine a date of purchase for the product based on the unique product identification information;

(e) determining whether the product qualifies for return based on the date of purchase and the return criteria defined for the particular product type;

(f) transmitting to the first location a return qualification indicator if the product qualifies for return; and

(g) accepting the product for return at the second location if the return qualification indicator has been sent to the first location.

10. A method of reducing unauthorized returns of purchased products of different types from a first location to a second location, comprising:

(a) maintaining a general product information database, wherein the general product information database includes information indicating date of purchase for each purchased product;

(b) defining a particular return criteria for each of the different types of products;

(c) transmitting unique product identification information from the remote location, wherein the unique product identification information uniquely identifies a product for which a return is sought;

(d) accessing the general product information database to determine at least a date of purchase for the product based on the unique product identification information;

(e) determining whether the product qualifies for return based on the date of purchase and the return criteria defined for the particular product type;

(f) transmitting to the first location a return qualification indicator if the product qualifies for return;

(g) accepting the product for return at the second location if the return qualification indicator has been sent to the first location; and

(h) further including repeating steps (c) through (f) for a plurality of purchased products for which return is sought, and transmitting a return authorization to the first location covering a batch of products which qualify for return, wherein accepting the product for return includes receiving the batch of products at the second location along with the return authorization.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second location is a manufacturer'"'"'s facility for processing product returns.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first location is a retailer'"'"'s central facility for processing product returns received from the retailer'"'"'s retail outlets.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of transmitting unique product identification information includes establishing electronic communication between the first location and the host system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein establishing the electronic communication is achieved by way of an internet connection.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of transmitting a return qualification indicator is accomplished by establishing electronic communication between the host system and the first location.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein establishing the electronic communication is achieved by way of an internet connection.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of defining a return criteria for each of the plurality of different types of products includes defining different return criteria for products manufactured by different manufacturers.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of defining a return criteria for each of the plurality of different types of products includes defining different return criteria for products sold by different retailers.

19. A method of handling product returns at a first location for return to a second location, comprising:

transmitting a unique product identifier from the first location to a host system having access to a product database containing information on purchased products, wherein the unique product identifier uniquely identifies a product for which a return is sought;

obtaining from the host system a return qualification message for the product if the product is determined by the host system to qualify for return based on the unique product identifier and a predefined return criteria for the product; and

returning the product to the second location if the return qualification message is received from the host system.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second location is a manufacturer'"'"'s facility for processing product returns.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the first location is a retailer'"'"'s central facility for processing product returns received from the retailer'"'"'s retail outlets.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of transmitting is accomplished by establishing electronic communication between the host system and the first location.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein establishing the electronic communication is achieved by way of an internet connection.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of obtaining a return qualification message from the host system is accomplished by establishing electronic communication between the host system and the first location.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein establishing the electronic communication is achieved by way of an internet connection.

26. A method of handling a batch of product returns at a first location for return to a second location, wherein the batch of products includes different types of products, the method comprising:

transmitting a unique product identifier to a host system for each product in the batch of products for which return is sought, wherein the host system has access to a general database containing information on said products;

obtaining in response to the transmitting step return qualification indicators for the products in the batch of products, respectively, wherein the return qualification indicators indicate for each product in the batch whether the product has been determined by the host system to qualify for return based on the unique product identifier and a predefined return criteria for each of the different types of products;

separating the products which qualify for return from the batch of products to define a returnable batch of products based on the return qualification indicators; and

returning the returnable batch of products to the second location.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein separating includes receiving a batch return authorization code for the returnable batch of products, and wherein returning the returnable batch of products includes labeling a shipping package containing the returnable batch of products with the batch return authorization code.

28. The method of claims 26, wherein the unique identifying information is obtained from the product by scanning a bar code on the product.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of transmitting a unique product identifier is accomplished by establishing electronic communication between the host system and the first location.

30. A system for efficient processing of returns of purchased products from a first location to a second location, comprising:

a first information processing system having a product registration database containing information on purchased products and return criteria for purchased products;

a second information processing system located at the first location operable to receive input on a purchased product sought to be returned and to transmit to the first information processing system a unique product identifier based on the input;

the first information processing system being operable to;

receive the unique product identifier;

access the product registration database and determine whether the product qualifies for return based on the unique product identifier and the return criteria; and

transmit to the first information processing system a return qualification indicator if the product qualifies for return.

31. A system as defined in claim 30, wherein the second information processing system includes a display which is operable to display the return qualification indicator once received from the first information processing system.

32. A system as defined in claim 30, wherein the first and second information processing systems are operable to establish a communication link therebetween by an internet connection.

33. A system as defined in claim 30, wherein the first information processing system is located at the second location.

34. A system as defined in claim 33, wherein the second information processing system is located at a retailer'"'"'s central facility for processing product returns.

35. A system as defined in claim 30, wherein the second information processing system includes a product scanner operable to generate the input by scanning the product.

36. A system as defined in claim 30, wherein the scanner is operable to read a product bar code indicating at least one of a universal product code and a product serial number.

37. A system for efficient processing of returns of different types of purchased products, the system comprising;

a central information processing system having product registration information on purchased products, wherein the information indicates at least a date of purchase for the purchased products, the central information processing system further including return criteria for each of the different types of products;

a remote information processing system, being operable to receive input on a purchased product sought to be returned and to transmit to the central information processing system a unique product identifier based on the input;

the central information processing system being operable to;

receive the unique product identifier;

access the product registration database to determine a date of purchase based on the unique product identifier;

determine whether the product qualifies for return based on the date of purchase and the particular return criteria for the particular product type; and

transmit to the remote information processing system a return qualification indicator if the product qualifies for return.

38. A system as defined in claim 37, wherein the remote information processing system includes a display which is operable to display the return qualification indicator once received from the central information processing system.

39. A system as defined in claim 37, wherein the central and the remote information processing systems are operable to establish a communication link therebetween by an internet connection.

40. A system as defined in claim 37, wherein the central information processing device is located at a manufacturer'"'"'s facility for processing returns.

41. A system as defined in claim 40, wherein a plurality of the remote information processing systems are located at a plurality of retailer'"'"'s facilities, respectively.

42. A system as defined in claim 37, wherein the remote information processing system includes a product scanner operable to generate the input by scanning the product.

43. A system as defined in claim 42, wherein the scanner is operable to read a product bar code indicating at least one of a universal product code and a product serial number.