Serial number mask and check digit for electronic registration system (ERS)
First Claim
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1. A method of reducing improper returns of consumer products, the method comprising:
- receiving serial number formats of the consumer products;
defining serial number masks that characterize the serial number formats, respectively;
providing the serial number masks with at least a first character that describes variables of the serial number format;
storing a product registration program that effects storing and maintenance of a product registration database at a time of product purchase in accordance with the serial number masks; and
providing the serial number mask with a second character that describes a check digit of the serial number format.
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Abstract
A method and system for efficiently handling the acquisition of serial number information from products at, for example, a point of sale system in a retail store or the like utilizes a serial number mask (4) to generically define attributes of a serial number format. The serial number mask characterizes the serial number format and includes at least a first character that describes variables of the serial number format. With this method and system, an electronic registration system can be used to reduce or prevent improper returns of consumer products.
83 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of reducing improper returns of consumer products, the method comprising:
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receiving serial number formats of the consumer products; defining serial number masks that characterize the serial number formats, respectively; providing the serial number masks with at least a first character that describes variables of the serial number format; storing a product registration program that effects storing and maintenance of a product registration database at a time of product purchase in accordance with the serial number masks; and providing the serial number mask with a second character that describes a check digit of the serial number format. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification