Patent US6018719A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6018719A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic registration system for product transactions
Assignee: E2interactive Inc
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Filing: 1996-10-02
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Granted: 2000-01-25
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Expires: 2016-10-02
Abstract
Abstract An electronic registration system which facilitates authorized product returns and reduces the incidence of improper 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 then stored in a data base 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 pertinent sales information.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip Michael Rogers
- 👤 Peter Joseph Junger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:50
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/202; G06Q20/203; G06Q20/209
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A computer implemented method for registering product transactions to reduce the number of unauthorized returns of products sold by retailers, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining, at a transaction location, individual product identification information which individually identifies a specific item involved in said transaction; verifying validity of the individual product identification information from said obtaining step at a time of the transaction; and updating a general transaction database with original transaction information, said original transaction information including at least individual product identification information that has been validated by said verifying step and additional information relating to the transaction including at least a date associated with the transaction, said general transaction database being associated with a registration computer system having available return qualification information pertaining to the specific item involved in the transaction, whereby at the time of a product return transaction, said registration computer system locates and provides original transaction information concerning a return product and applicable return qualification information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A computer implemented method for registering product transactions to reduce the number of unauthorized returns of products sold by retailers, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining, at a transaction location, individual product identification information which individually identifies a specific item involved in said transaction; verifying validity of the individual product identification information from said obtaining step at a time of the transaction; and updating a general transaction database with original transaction information, said original transaction information including at least individual product identification information that has been validated by said verifying step and additional information relating to the transaction including at least a date associated with the transaction, said general transaction database being associated with a registration computer system having available return qualification information pertaining to the specific item involved in the transaction, whereby at the time of a product return transaction, said registration computer system locates and provides original transaction information concerning a return product and applicable return qualification information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said verifying step rejects invalid individual product identification information and wherein said obtaining step is repeated when said verifying step rejects the individual product identification information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said individual product identification information is a serial number and wherein said obtaining step scans a bar code representation of said serial number.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said individual product identification information is obtained from a key entry device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said verifying step utilizes a check digit for said serial number.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said updating step includes receiving at a remote location at least said product identification information, and storing the received product identification information and said date associated with the transaction in a general transaction database.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said general transaction database includes at least said individual product identification information, the date associated with the transaction, and the location of the transaction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
225 words
A computer implemented method for registering product transactions to reduce the number of unauthorized returns of products sold by retailers, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining, at a transaction location, individual product identification information which individually identifies a specific item involved in said transaction; verifying validity of the individual product identification information from said obtaining step at a time of the transaction; and updating a general transaction database with original transaction information, said original transaction information including at least individual product identification information that has been validated by said verifying step and additional information relating to the transaction including at least a date associated with the transaction, said general transaction database being associated with a registration computer system having available return qualification information pertaining to the specific item involved in the transaction, whereby at the time of a product return transaction, said registration computer system locates and provides original transaction information concerning a return product and applicable return qualification information; wherein said step of obtaining individual product information includes the steps of: identifying a type of product involved in the transaction; determining whether the identified product type is a type for which registration of individual product transactions is sought; and obtaining an individual product serial number if the product type is that of a product for which registration of individual product transactions is sought.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
225 words
A computer implemented method for registering product transactions to reduce the number of unauthorized returns of products sold by retailers, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining, at a transaction location, individual product identification information which individually identifies a specific item involved in said transaction; verifying validity of the individual product identification information from said obtaining step at a time of the transaction; and updating a general transaction database with original transaction information, said original transaction information including at least individual product identification information that has been validated by said verifying step and additional information relating to the transaction including at least a date associated with the transaction, said general transaction database being associated with a registration computer system having available return qualification information pertaining to the specific item involved in the transaction, whereby at the time of a product return transaction, said registration computer system locates and provides original transaction information concerning a return product and applicable return qualification information; wherein said step of obtaining individual product information includes the steps of: identifying a type of product involved in the transaction; determining whether the identified product type is a type for which registration of individual product transactions is sought; and obtaining an individual product serial number if the product type is that of a product for which registration of individual product transactions is sought.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said identifying step includes scanning a universal product code (UPC) symbol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
204 words
A computer implemented method for registering product transactions to reduce the number of unauthorized returns of products sold by retailers, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining, at a transaction location, individual product identification information which individually identifies a specific item involved in said transaction; verifying validity of the individual product identification information from said obtaining step at a time of the transaction; and updating a general transaction database with original transaction information, said original transaction information including at least individual product identification information that has been validated by said verifying step and additional information relating to the transaction including at least a date associated with the transaction, said general transaction database being associated with a registration computer system having available return qualification information pertaining to the specific item involved in the transaction, whereby at the time of a product return transaction, said registration computer system locates and provides original transaction information concerning a return product and applicable return qualification information; wherein said updating step includes receiving at a remote location at least said product identification information and said date associated with the transaction, and storing the received product identification information and the received date associated with the transaction in a general transaction database.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
204 words
A computer implemented method for registering product transactions to reduce the number of unauthorized returns of products sold by retailers, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining, at a transaction location, individual product identification information which individually identifies a specific item involved in said transaction; verifying validity of the individual product identification information from said obtaining step at a time of the transaction; and updating a general transaction database with original transaction information, said original transaction information including at least individual product identification information that has been validated by said verifying step and additional information relating to the transaction including at least a date associated with the transaction, said general transaction database being associated with a registration computer system having available return qualification information pertaining to the specific item involved in the transaction, whereby at the time of a product return transaction, said registration computer system locates and provides original transaction information concerning a return product and applicable return qualification information; wherein said updating step includes receiving at a remote location at least said product identification information and said date associated with the transaction, and storing the received product identification information and the received date associated with the transaction in a general transaction database.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said general transaction database includes at least said individual product identification information, the date of the transaction, and the location of the transaction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-24 | 2003-07-26 | 2004-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-24 | 2007-07-26 | 2008-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-24 | 2011-07-26 | 2012-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |