Patent ID: 7729923
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: G06Q,H04M

Abstract:
1. A voice response system for use in obtaining return qualification information for a product using a non-unique product identifier, the voice response system comprising: a dial-in system operable to prompt a caller for the non-unique product identifier, wherein the non-unique product identifier identifies the product as a member of a defined product group; a product registration database including a plurality of different, non-unique product identifiers; a return policy storage that defines return policies for each of the non-unique product identifiers, one or more of said return policies being at least partially dependent on a last date associated with at least one of the products identified by the non-unique product identifier; and an arrangement that looks up a specific return policy for the non-unique product identifier entered by the caller and provides information to the caller regarding return qualification for the product identified by the non-unique product identifier, wherein the system is configured to make a return qualification of a first product having a non-unique identifier based at least in part on a last date associated with a second product having the same non-unique identifier, wherein the last date associated with the second product is a last ship date from a manufacturer to a retailer or a last sell-through date at a retailer.