Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
705340000 | Return transaction | 20 |
20100121771 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATING PRODUCT RETURNS - A database is provided for storing a plurality of sales transactions between buyers and sellers, where each sales transaction may involve, for example, the sale of a product. A signal is received indicating that a buyer wishes to return a product, the seller of the purchased product is identified in the database, a return label is generated, and it is transmitted back to the buyer. | 05-13-2010 |
20100131420 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ONLINE, MULTI-PARCEL, MULTI-CARRIER, MULTI-SERVICE PARCEL RETURNS SHIPPING MANAGEMENT - The present invention provides a computer system (the “System”, or the “Return System”) that is configured and programmed to provide online stores with a fast, simple, convenient way for eCommerce customers of an online store to return merchandise purchased from that store from within that online store. The Return System provides multi-carrier shipment rating, shipment labeling, shipment tracking, shipment tracking management reports, returns analysis and returns management reporting In an exemplary embodiment, the Return System has three major components: 1.) A Returns Manager Subsystem that provides a user interface to each Merchant to setup the Merchant's account, setup the Merchant's return policy and rules, and to monitor the status and movement of return shipments; 2.) A Consumer Returns Subsystem (also sometimes referred to as a “Customer Returns Subsystem”) that provides each consumer using the Returns System with an online user interface that leads the consumer through the returns process, displays the return policies and rules to the consumer, provides shipping document to ship the return package if appropriate, and permits the consumer to track their return shipments; and 3.) a Returns Processing Subsystem that, in the exemplary embodiment, provides background shipping and tracking functionality. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the Online Merchant integrates the Merchant's online system with the Returns Processing Subsystem. In another exemplary embodiment, the Returns Processing Subsystem is provided as an independent web-based application service (referred to as a “Return Merchant Service System”) operated by a common provider. In such an embodiment, the Merchant's system interacts with the Return Merchant Service System through Application Program Interfaces (“API”). | 05-27-2010 |
20110173129 | Systems and Methods for International Dutiable Returns - A system and method is disclosed for facilitating international return of dutiable goods. A typical application involves a purchaser buying goods on-line, resulting in shipping the goods internationally to the purchaser. After receipt of the goods, the purchaser determines that return of the goods is necessary. The purchaser contacts the merchant selling the goods to request returning the goods. The merchant, in turn, communicates to the carrier delivering the goods that an international return is requested. The merchant provides certain information to the carrier allowing the carrier to make available the necessary documentation required by the customer to return the goods to the merchant. The documentation includes a properly completed commercial invoice that is made available to the consignee. The consignee can then sign and use the documentation for returning the item. The documentation may be variously provided to the customer either by the merchant or the carrier. | 07-14-2011 |
20120209788 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING SHIPMENT OF PACKAGES - A method and apparatus for facilitating the shipment of a package or packages, each package containing one or more items, from a Sender to a Recipient, via one of a number of shippers. The apparatus includes a database for storing shipper data, a processor for processing the data in the database, a Sender's terminal for selectively receiving and sending shipment information to and from the processing system, a first communications link for selectively enabling communication between the database/processor and the Sender's terminal, a second communications link for selectively communicating between the database/processor and the shipper of the package(s), and a third communications link for selectively communicating between the database/processor and customs facilitation entities such as customs brokers. The Internet may be used as at least one of the communication links, and the database may be made available through a Web site. | 08-16-2012 |
20130173490 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, APPARATUSES AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR FACILITATING PRODUCT EXCHANGE SERVICES - An apparatus for facilitating product exchanges includes a processor and memory storing executable computer code causing the apparatus to at least perform operations including triggering an exchange procedure to return a product(s) to an entity responsive to receipt of an indicated selection of a return service option. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to generate a return label(s) and identify a box(es) for inclusion of the product responsive to the receipt of the indicated selection and may generate a notification(s) notifying a user of a pickup time for the product and receive an indication that the product is packaged in the box(es), that information of the return label is captured and that the product is collected for delivery. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to receive an indication that the product is delivered to entity. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided. | 07-04-2013 |
20130204803 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INITIATING RETURNS OVER A NETWORK - The present invention provides systems and methods for processing return transactions over a network. An embodiment of the invention discloses an online return application that generates an electronic return shipping label that can be delivered to a browser of a customer that wishes to make a return. Also, disclosed is the creation and transmission of label delivery links, which provide for dynamic generation and delivery of shipping labels. | 08-08-2013 |
20140052662 | EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF OFFSITE DATA STORAGE - An improved technique for managing offsite data storage avoids the need for tapes or other media arriving at an offsite storage location to be mounted. The improved technique includes generating a list of data objects stored on each piece of media of a first set of media sent from a first site to a second site. A reply list is generated, which identifies any data objects that did not arrive at the second site. The missing data objects are stored on a second set of media being prepared for shipment from the first site to the second site. The second set of media typically contains not only the missing data objects, but also additional data objects. | 02-20-2014 |
20140058972 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A PRODUCT RETURN SYSTEM - A system and method for operating a product return system. One or more electronic devices are received from a carrier at a return provider. A determination is made whether the one or more electronic devices include customer personal information. The one or more electronic devices are quarantined in response to determining the one or more electronic devices include CPI. The one or more electronic devices are processed in response to determining the CPI has been removed. | 02-27-2014 |
20140279668 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RETURNING ITEMS TO ATTENDED DELIVERY/PICKUP LOCATIONS - A computer system for facilitating the return of one or more items from a particular retailer to a particular attended delivery/pickup location is described. In various embodiments, the system is configured for: 1) receiving a request from a particular user to return for an at least partial refund a particular item purchased from the particular retailer; 2) confirming (e.g., automatically) that the particular retailer will accept the particular item for the at least partial refund; and 3) facilitating the return of the particular item in any number of ways including, for example, shipping the particular item back to the particular retailer. | 09-18-2014 |
20140297555 | DELIVERY MANAGEMENT METHOD - To provide a delivery management method that is based on resource conservation, energy conservation, ecology and the like. [Resolution Means] Host computers ( | 10-02-2014 |
20150052076 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE FOR FILTERING MAIL ITEMS BASED ON RECIPIENT PREFERENCE - Methods and systems are provided for filtering of a mail item addressed to a recipient. In accordance with an embodiment, preference information about mail items from the recipient is obtained. The preference information is compared with information on the mail item and based on the comparison, it is determined whether the mail item should be delivered. The preference information may include at least one of a size of the mail stems, a type of the mail items, a classification of the mail items, a weight of the mail items, and preference information abut senders. In accordance with another embodiment, the preference information of a recipient may be provided in a sender so that the sender can determine whether the recipient wants mail items from the sender. | 02-19-2015 |
20150088781 | METHODS, APPARATUSES AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR FACILITATING LABEL LESS RETURNS - An apparatus is provided for facilitating label-less returns. The apparatus may include a memory and a processor(s) configured to receive a shipment identifier of an item(s) responsive to a device scanning a label or marking(s) on the item(s) delivered to a customer for a shipper. The processor is also configured to determine whether the customer is registered in a returns program and whether the item(s) qualifies for return based on analyzing the identifier. The processor is also configured to generate a return authorization number (RAN) or indicator for the item(s) and link the RAN/indicator to the identifier responsive to verifying that the customer is registered and that the item(s) qualifies for return. The processor is further configured to cause return delivery of the item(s) to the shipper using the label or the marking(s) on the item(s) responsive to verifying the RAN/indicator is linked to the identifier. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided. | 03-26-2015 |
20150100513 | Customer Controlled Management of Shipments - Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for customer controlled management of shipments. For example, customers can define handling identifiers to determine how items should be handled based on the handling identifier. Further, customers can define refund classifications to determine when refunds should be initiated. | 04-09-2015 |
20150100514 | Customer Controlled Management of Shipments - Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for customer controlled management of shipments. For example, customers can define handling identifiers to determine how items should be handled based on the handling identifier. Further, customers can define refund classifications to determine when refunds should be initiated. | 04-09-2015 |
20150332217 | METHOD FOR RETURNING ITEM - A method for returning an item includes a user obtaining an item from an item source. The item may then be used and converted into an at least partially used item. The user returns the unused portion of the item to the item source or a new user. The user receives a compensation for returning the partially used item. The item is returned in a return packaging having affixed thereto a return label and a return questionnaire to facilitate the return of the item through a return mechanism, such as a postal service. The partially used item can converted into a refurbished item for reuse. This reduces the cost of the item for the user by receiving the compensation, and also reduces waste of partially used items and reduce the cost and/or consumption of raw materials by manufacturer. | 11-19-2015 |
20160034850 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHIPPING, DELIVERY, MANIFESTING, AND RETURNS - A preferred embodiment of a version of the invention is directed to a system that streamlines and manages the process of managing shipments, deliveries, returns, customers and manifesting. A preferred implementation comprises a system that is based on user's being grouped with specific customers and each specific customer's information being grouped separately from other customers in the system. Preferably, the system comprises permission levels for granting user's access to specific customer information. Permission levels may grant users access to customer specific or system wide information. A preferred implementation further comprises a system for creating manifests and a mobile manifest application. | 02-04-2016 |
20160092800 | VOLUME IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM - “VOLUME IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM”, which has its application in the field of logistics of products collection and its shipment to the final recipients. The present patent application aims to provide a volume identification system useful in logistical procedures involved in the collection of miscellaneous and its shipment to the manufacturer or representative, as well as the return of such products to its point of origin, a software that allows the necessary control of the volume identification throughout its course being used. | 03-31-2016 |
20160098680 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RETURNING ONE OR MORE ITEMS VIA AN ATTENDED DELIVERY/PICKUP LOCATION - A computer system for defining attributes associated with attended delivery/pickup locations is described. In various embodiments, the system is configured to enable an authorized user (e.g., a manager of an attended delivery/pickup location) to define certain attributes of a particular attended delivery/pickup location. In some embodiments, the system is configured to verify that the particular user is authorized to define the one or more attributes associated with the particular attended delivery/pickup location (e.g., by checking a list of one or more authorized users). Once the one or more attributes are defined, in one or more embodiments, the system is configured to accept or reject parcel delivery requests based at least in part on the attributes. In further embodiments, the system is configured to facilitate a return of a particular item to a retailer via the attended delivery/pickup location. | 04-07-2016 |
20160171437 | DELIVERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ZERO-INVENTORY DISTRIBUTION | 06-16-2016 |
20160171439 | DELIVERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ZERO-INVENTORY DISTRIBUTION | 06-16-2016 |