Non-serialized electronic product registration system and method of operating same

• US 8,712,869 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2012
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nintendo of America, Inc. (Nintendo Company Limited)
• Inventors: Cheney, Brian, Junger, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frenel, Vanel
• Application Number:
  US13/486,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20120239527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/26.1, 705/340, 705/14
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/012 Providing warranty services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

A non-serialized electronic product registration (ER) system and method which enables return qualification information to be provided upon request for non-serialized products. Retailer specific return policies are enforced by providing the ER system with retailer return policies for UPCs, SKUs, model numbers and/or other non-unique product identifiers. The retailer periodically provides information to the ER system that indicates the last date on which products having a particular non-unique identifier have been sold. The ER system then determine the last date on which such products can be returned and provides non-serialized return qualification information to the retailer upon request.

Claims

1. An electronic product registration method for use with non-serialized products, comprising:

receiving product information at a computerized electronic registration (ER) system including a database for registration, the product information identifying at least one non-serialized product type that has been sold;

associating a registration date with the at least one non-serialized product type via the ER system;

determining, via a computer system of the ER system and based on the product information and applicable return criteria, a last date on which a non-serialized product belonging to the at least one non-serialized product type can be accepted for return under the applicable return criteria, said last date being determined in relation to the registration date associated with the non-serialized product type; and

providing, via the computer system and in response to an inquiry to the electronic registration system, an indication as to whether a non-serialized product belonging to at least one of the non-serialized product types might qualify for return under the applicable return criteria when the inquiry is made.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the product information is received at the electronic product registration system on a daily basis, the product information including a product identifier for each type of product sold that day.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein products of the same type share a common non-unique identifier.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the common non-unique identifier is a UPC.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving includes receiving a UPC for the at least one non-serialized product.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication specifies the last date on which the non-serialized product can be accepted for return under the applicable return criteria.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the electronic product registration system to respond to return/warranty inquiries that involve serialized products, as well as non-serialized products.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining whether an inquiry relates to a serialized product or a non-serialized product.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the determination as to whether an inquiry relates to a serialized product or a non-serialized product is based at least in part on the content of the relevant inquiry.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic registration system is located remotely from a location where the non-serialized product is presented for return.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the product information is received from, and the indication is transmitted to, a retail sales location.

12. An electronic product registration method for use with non-serialized products, comprising:

transmitting product information to a computerized electronic registration (ER) system including a database for registration, the product information identifying at least one non-serialized product type that has been sold;

causing a registration date to be associated with the at least one non-serialized product type via the ER system;

sending an inquiry to the electronic registration system when a non-serialized product belonging to at least one of the non-serialized product types is presented in connection with a post-sale return and/or warranty request;

causing a determination to be made, in connection with a computer system of the ER system and based on the product information and applicable return criteria, as to a last date on which the non-serialized can be accepted for return under the applicable return criteria

receiving, from the computer system and in response to the inquiry, an indication as to whether the non-serialized product might qualify for return under applicable return criteria when the inquiry is made.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said last date is determined in relation to the registration date associated with the product'"'"'s non-serialized product type.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the product information is transmitted to the electronic product registration system on a daily basis.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein products of the same type share a common non-unique identifier.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the common non-unique identifier is a UPC.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the indication specifies the last date on which the non-serialized product can be accepted for return under the applicable return criteria.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending to the electronic product registration system inquiries that involve serialized products or non-serialized products.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the electronic registration system is located remotely from a location where the non-serialized product is presented for return.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the indication is transmitted to a retail sales location.