Method and apparatus for enabling purchasers of products to obtain return information and to initiate product returns via an on-line network connection
First Claim
1. An electronic registration (ER) system comprising a processing system including at least one processor, the processing system being configured to:
- receive a unique product identifier for a product previously purchased from an e-tailer presented for possible return;
access a product return database storing product return information for a plurality of previously purchased products to determine, in connection with the unique product identifier, whether the product presented for possible return qualifies for return; and
generate and transmit a return authorization number and return instructions if the product being returned qualifies for return to enable the product presented for return to be returned directly to a manufacturer thereof.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic registration system facilitates authorized product returns. A retailer sales associate is prompted to enter individual product identification information such as an individual serial number. This individual product identification information is stored in a database, along with the date on which the product was sold and an appropriate UPC code, SKU number, or manufacturer code. A check digit algorithm may be used to verify the serial number prior to storage. A sales receipt may be imprinted with at least the date of the transaction and the serial number. When a product is returned, the retailer may cross-reference the serial number on the product with that on the receipt to verify the sales receipt. Otherwise, the database may be searched for sales information. A customer may also access a return authorization engine via the Internet to obtain return approval, an authorization number, return instructions, etc.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic registration (ER) system comprising a processing system including at least one processor, the processing system being configured to:
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receive a unique product identifier for a product previously purchased from an e-tailer presented for possible return; access a product return database storing product return information for a plurality of previously purchased products to determine, in connection with the unique product identifier, whether the product presented for possible return qualifies for return; and generate and transmit a return authorization number and return instructions if the product being returned qualifies for return to enable the product presented for return to be returned directly to a manufacturer thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating an electronic registration (ER) system comprising a processing system including at least one processor, the method comprising:
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receiving, over a network connection, a unique product identifier for a product previously purchased from an e-tailer by a consumer and presented for possible return; accessing a product return database storing product return information for a plurality of previously purchased products to determine, in connection with the unique product identifier, whether the product presented for possible return qualifies for return; generating a return authorization number and return instructions if the product being returned qualifies for return to enable the product presented for return to be returned directly to a manufacturer thereof; and transmitting the return authorization number and return instructions to the consumer if the product being returned qualifies for return. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing a program comprising instructions that, when run, manage an electronic registration (ER) system by at least:
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receiving, over a network connection, a unique product identifier for a product previously purchased from an e-tailer by a consumer and presented for possible return; accessing a product return database storing product return information for a plurality of previously purchased products to determine, in connection with the unique product identifier, whether the product presented for possible return qualifies for return; generating a return authorization number and return instructions if the product being returned qualifies for return to enable the product presented for return to be returned directly to a manufacturer thereof; and transmitting the return authorization number and return instructions to the consumer if the product being returned qualifies for return. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification