Abstract:
A method and apparatus for processing retail store customer returns which reduces the time required for a store employee to process a return and provides safeguards to prevent stolen merchandise from being returned. The system also provides a mechanism which prevents the retail customer&#39;s credit card information from being stolen by an unscrupulous person who obtains the purchase receipt. In one embodiment, when a retail customer makes a purchase, information concerning the purchase is stored at a unique location in a database. When a purchased item is returned, a new purchase receipt is generated including all items originally purchased except those returned. The original purchase receipt is then destroyed or otherwise rendered unusable, preventing its reuse to return stolen merchandise.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When a customer makes a purchase from a retail store, he or she typically receives a receipt that itemizes the items purchased and the price of each item. Typically, each item listed on the receipt is identified by a description of the item and a numerical code scanned from the item&#39;s price tag that identifies the item to the data processing system and inventory control systems of the company. If the items purchased are charged to a credit card, some portion of the credit card data may be printed on the receipt the customer is given. In many cases, the receipt contains a bar code containing information identifying the credit card number type and expiration date. 
     Should the customer wish to return one or more items he or she has purchased, the employee processing the return typically visually reviews the receipt looking for the item(s) the customer is returning and identifies each item to be returned. Typically, the employee then crosses the item(s) being returned off the receipt and marks the receipt “returned” or some similar notation next to each returned item. This procedure is designed to prevent a customer from returning a second identical item using the same receipt, such item having, for example, been taken from the store without being paid for. Thereafter, the store&#39;s computer system generates a return receipt that includes information identifying the credit card to which the return should be credited. The items being returned are entered into the computer to generate the return receipt, either manually or by scanning the bar code label on each returned item. When scanning the barcode label on each item being returned, the computer system to which the point of sale terminal&#39;s scanner is connected typically identifies the item returned from a database. The associated price to be credited to the customer charge account may be manually entered or scanned from the price tag. 
     The need for the employee to examine the original receipt to identify the item(s) being returned and visually mark them as “returned” is time consuming. It requires the employee to review numbers on the receipt and match them up with the number on the price ticket of each item being returned. In cases where multiple items were purchased (for example, six different pairs of gloves), and the purchaser wishes to return four pairs of the gloves, considerable time may be taken to identify which four of the six pairs of gloves listed on the receipt are to be returned. The time required for an employee to do this represents a significant expense to the retail store. Further, the retail store must have employees with sufficient skill to accurately follow the return procedure. Both the time and skill of employees required to do this can be major expenses, which increase the store&#39;s operating costs. 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a system and method for processing customer returns which substantially reduces the time normally required by an employee to process a return. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method of processing returns that reduces the likelihood of a dishonest purchaser reusing his original receipt to return stolen merchandise. These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed specification and claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, when a retail customer makes a purchase at a store, a receipt is generated itemizing each item purchased, including the purchase price of each item purchased and the identity of the item as contained in numeric codes on the barcode of the item&#39;s price tag. The identity of each item purchased, the price paid for each item purchased and information on the charge card used (if the purchase is charged) is stored in a unique location in a database. The receipt further includes one or more a bar codes or other unique identification indicia identifying the location in the database where the purchase information is stored. The database may be a local database or may be common to all stores in a chain and linked to each store by communications lines. 
     Subsequent to the purchase, when the retail customer wishes to make a return, he goes back to the store with the merchandise to be returned and his receipt. In accordance with the present invention, the store employee processing the return scans the bar code or enters the other information on the purchase identifying the unique transaction code which includes information identifying where the purchase transaction was stored in the database. Thereafter, the employee scans the price tag or barcode or punches in a code for each item to be returned. The store&#39;s computer system then searches the unique location in its database where the original transaction was stored, identifies all of the items purchased, enters them in a segregated area, and deletes each item which is being returned from the list of items in the segregated area. Thereafter, a new receipt is printed with the identical date as the original receipt but only including the items that were not returned. The store may keep, destroy or stamp a “return processed” mark on the original receipt making it unusable by the customer, leaving only the newly generated receipt with the customer. A return receipt may also be generated listing the items returned, the price of each item returned, the total amount returned and whether the return amount was paid in cash or credited to a charge card. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a cash register receipt from a KOHL&#39;S store such as that typically produced in the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  shows the receipt of  FIG. 1  visually marked by a store employee to indicate those items that were returned. 
         FIG. 3  shows a refund receipt such as that generated in the prior art when items purchased on the receipt of  FIG. 1  are subsequently returned. 
         FIG. 4  shows data that, in accordance with the present invention, may be stored in a retail store computer system&#39;s database identifying each unique retail transaction, the corresponding items purchased in that unique retail transaction and the corresponding amount paid for each item purchased. 
         FIG. 5  shows a further portion of the unique database location of  FIG. 4  listing all of the items purchased during the transaction.  FIG. 5A  shows another linked database location, associated with the database location of  FIG. 4 , which is used to store the data on items returned. 
         FIG. 6  shows another database location linked to that in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , which is used to store the data on the items which were not returned. 
         FIG. 7  shows an updated receipt generated to replace the receipt of  FIG. 1  after the items have been returned. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of the preferred embodiment of the return method of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows another form of cash register receipt from a KOHL&#39;S store, similar to that of  FIG. 1  but including additional information regarding bonus certificates. 
         FIG. 10  shows a refund receipt such as that generated when items purchased on the receipt of  FIG. 9  are subsequently returned. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic block diagram illustration of a type of computer system in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a typical receipt generated upon purchase of merchandise in a retail store. The receipt includes information identifying each item purchased ( 2 ) and the price paid for each item purchased ( 3 ), the fact that the purchase was charged to the customer&#39;s charge card and limited charge card data ( 4 ), a bar code ( 6 ) which in the prior art identifies the charge card number, type and expiration date of the charge card and information ( 8 ) identifying the time and date of the transaction, the transaction number, and other data such as the cash register and the identity of the employee operating the point of sale terminal. In the prior art, when a customer who purchased items identified on the receipt of  FIG. 1  wished to return some of the purchased items, the employee processing the return would typically check the price tag of each item to be returned and match the item number identifying data up with the corresponding items listed on the original receipt ( FIG. 1 ). When an item being returned is identified, the employee will circle or cross out the returned item as is the case, for example, for the first three items ( 10 ) in  FIG. 2 . The purpose of this marking is twofold. One purpose is to assure that other identical items, typically shoplifted merchandise, cannot be subsequently returned using the original receipt. Also, if the return is processed manually, the circles identify the items for which credit should be given and the amount of the credit to be given the customer for each item returned. 
     Also in the prior art, the bar code  6  was typically used to store relevant charge card information (i.e., charge card number, type, expiration date). Typically, since information on the receipt was not linked to a database containing the charge card information for the particular purchase, the availability of this data on the receipt helped speed the processing of returns. Unfortunately, the presence of this data on the receipt also provided an opportunity for a criminal to obtain the customer&#39;s charge card information if the criminal came into possession of the receipt. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bar code ( 6 ) instead provides a unique transaction code identifying the location in a database where data corresponding to the particular purchase is stored. The database may be located in or connected to a computer system within the store or may be on a central computer accessible by all stores of the same company or division. 
     With some computer systems used to process retail transactions, after marking off the returned items as shown in  FIG. 2 , the employee processing the return will scan the price tag of each item being returned with a bar code scanner to extract the identification of the item and its price from the price tag for each item. In other systems, the price tag is scanned to identify the item, but the price is entered manually. The latter practice is necessary where the price has been marked down on the price tag but not on the store&#39;s computer system. In still other systems, both the item number and price may be entered manually. Using the returned item data entered in the store&#39;s computer system, the computer system utilized by the retailer will generate a return receipt such as that shown in  FIG. 3 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the return receipt identifies information on each item returned, including a description of each item returned ( 2 ), its identification number ( 22 ), and the price credited ( 24 ) for each item returned. 
     The disadvantage of the above method is that the store employee must take time to read and identify each item being returned and then manually match the item code on the price tag of each item to be returned with the codes ( 5 ) on the original receipt of  FIG. 1 . For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , when a piece of men&#39;s outerwear is to be returned, since there are two items of men&#39;s outerwear shown on the list of items purchased ( 2 ) on the original receipt shown in  FIG. 1 , the employee must compare the code on the price tag with the two men&#39;s outerwear items to determine which one is being returned. This process requires skilled, conscientious employees and significant amounts of their time. As a result of the time required, delays in servicing other customers may be experienced, particularly when there are a large number of items on the initial receipt and a significant number of items to be returned. 
       FIG. 4  shows a preferred embodiment of how data representing a retail sale may be stored in a database ( 150 ). Referring to  FIG. 11 , the database ( 150 ) operating on or coupled to a computer system ( 160 ), a plurality of point of sale (POS) retail terminals ( 170 - 17 X) coupled to the computer system ( 160 ). The database ( 150 ) entry of all of the relevant data regarding a specific retail purchase is created at the time of the corresponding initial purchase, using well known methods. The unique transaction ID identifying where the purchase data is stored in the database ( 150 ) is printed on the purchase receipt, in the form of a bar code, human readable numbers or other form. When a return is to be processed, the employee enters a code on a POS retail terminal ( 17 X) or presses a key on the terminal ( 17 X) in order to tell the computer ( 160 ) that a return is being processed. Next, the employee enters the unique transaction ID ( 6 ) from the original transaction retail receipt ( FIG. 1 ). That unique ID ( 6 ) identifies the specific retail purchase (and where the corresponding data is stored in the database) ( 150 ) against which the return will be processed. Upon entry of the unique transaction ID ( 6 ), the computer system ( 160 ) locates the data set in the database ( 150 ) corresponding to that unique transaction ID ( 6 ). Typically, the unique transaction ID ( 6 ) is entered into the computer system either manually or, as in the preferred embodiment, if printed as a bar code when the original retail transaction occurred, by scanning the bar code ( 6 ) from the original receipt ( FIG. 1 ) with a bar code reader ( 180 ). This step is shown as step ( 64 ) in  FIG. 8 , which is a flowchart of the preferred embodiment of the return process of the present invention. 
     Referring to step ( 66 ) in  FIG. 8 , when the unique transaction I.D. ( 6 ) is inputted to the computer system ( 160 ), the computer system ( 160 ) retrieves the associated data set ( 26 ) ( FIG. 4 ) from the database ( 150 ). The database ( 150 ) or an associated program then extracts (step  68 ) from the data set ( 26 ) a list ( 28 ) of the items purchased ( 28 ) during the original transaction ( FIG. 5 ). At this point, the employee processing the return enters the item code (step  70 ) identifying the item first returned. The item code for the first item to be returned may be entered either by scanning the bar code on the item or by entering a numeric code from the price tag which uniquely identifies the item being returned. The computer system ( 160 ) then checks (step  72 ) to determine whether the returned item code entered corresponds with the item code of any of the items purchased, this information stored in a linked location ( FIG. 5 ) in the database ( 150 ). If the returned item code does not have a corresponding entry in the list of item codes of items purchased (steps  72 ,  76 ), the return of this item will not be processed and an error signal ( 78 ) or other mechanism will alert the store employee that this item was not purchased on the sale corresponding to the receipt the customer provided; or that the item was previously returned. The employee may handle the attempted return of that item in whatever manner store policy dictates. If the data scanned from the price tag of the item to be returned corresponds with an entry in  FIG. 5  (STEPS  72 ,  74 ), the computer system ( 160 ) will delete (STEP  74 ) the item scanned from the list of items purchased ( 28 ). The computer will store the data identifying the deleted item in a linked returned item list ( FIG. 5A ) in the database ( 150 ). For the purpose of this description, a linked location means a location in the database which can be identified and accessed if the computer is given the unique transaction ID. For each item returned, the returned item list ( FIG. 5A ) includes all the corresponding data for that item from the items purchased list ( 28 ); that is, the item identifier, description, and price paid. If a second item is to be returned (step  80 ), the employee will scan the item (step  70 ) and the process will be repeated. This process continues for each item to be returned. As an item is scanned to be returned, the item is removed from the items purchased list ( 28 ) of  FIG. 5  and stored in an items returned list ( FIG. 5A ). 
     Once all items to be returned have been scanned (step  80 ), the computer system ( 160 ) will utilize the items returned list ( FIG. 5A ) to calculate (step  82 ) the total amount of the return and the tax for all items in the list of returned items ( FIG. 5   a ). The computer system ( 160 ) will then process a refund (step  84 ), either in cash or by credit to a charge card, in a manner that is well known. The computer system ( 160 ) also prints a receipt (step  86 ) such as that shown in  FIG. 3  on a printer ( 190 ), showing the items returned ( 20 ,  22 ), the price of each returned item ( 22 ), and the amount credited to the customer&#39;s charge account or to be paid to the customer in cash or otherwise. 
     At this point in time, the database location shown in  FIG. 5A  contains data including a list of the items returned and the amount to be refunded. The database location corresponding to  FIG. 5  provides a list of the items which were not returned. Database location  5 A includes the amount of the return. That amount is subtracted from the original amount of the purchase giving the amount of the purchase price for the items not returned. The result plus any tax due on that amount is calculated using methods well know to one of ordinary skill in the art. Thereafter, a linked data area (not shown) is created in the database ( 150 ), including information from  FIG. 4 , but only listing the items that were not returned. Using the information in the latter mentioned linked data area, a new receipt ( FIG. 7 ) is generated (step  88 ) and printed using methods well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Note that the receipt of  FIG. 7  looks similar to the receipt generated when the purchase was originally made ( FIG. 1 ), but it only lists the items which were not returned. It further lists the original amount that was charged and the amount that was credited for the return. The new receipt may list the date of the original purchase and the date that the new receipt was generated, as a means for assuring that subsequent attempts to return items purchased with the original receipt will be made within the time frame established by store policy. A unique marking at the top of the receipt indicates that it is “updated”. With the updated receipt of  FIG. 7 , the customer has a proof of purchase for the items he originally purchased and did not return. This updated receipt may be used should the customer decide to return additional items. The receipt does not include any marking for the items returned, since they were deleted by the method of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  are used to describe another optional feature of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a cash register receipt similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  is shown. Similar to  FIG. 2 , the cash register receipt of  FIG. 9  shows two items marked by a store employee to indicate that the two items were returned. 
     The difference between the cash register receipts of  FIGS. 1 and 9  reflects the fact that when the purchase was made which resulted in generating the receipt of  FIG. 9 , the store was conducting a promotion. Thus, for each $50 spent by a customer, the store gave the customer a certificate good for $10 off a subsequent purchase. Referring to  FIG. 9 , the amount of the purchase was $158.25, so the customer was given three $10 certificates. Each $10 certificate had a unique number, stored in the form of a barcode printed on the certificate. The certificate bar codes were scanned at the time of the purchase before giving them to the customer and the number of each certificate printed ( 200 ) on the purchase receipt ( FIG. 9 ). 
     When a return is subsequently made which reduces the amount of the original purchase by an increment of $50, the store employee is supposed to have the customer return one or more of the $10 certificates, the number of certificates to be returned corresponding to the number of increments of $50 of merchandise returned. Alternatively, if the customer does not have the certificates in his or her possession or has already used them to make another purchase, the customer is to be charged $10 for each certificate the customer was not longer entitled to as a result of the return. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the customer returned items totaling $32.02. As a result, the store employee processing the return should request the customer to give back one $10 certificate since the original purchase amount was reduced to $128.23. That is, after the return the customer is only entitled to two $10 certificates, not the three received at the time of the purchase. 
     The problem with this system is that if the employee fails to notice from the purchase receipt ( FIG. 9 ) that the customer received three certificates ( 200 ) and further fails to realize that as a result of the amount returned the customer is only entitled to two (instead of three) certificates, the employee will not ask the customer to return the certificate and the store will lose the value of the certificate. This commonly occurs in present systems. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention solves this problem by providing an additional field (not shown) in the data stored ( FIG. 4 ) for each particular purchase, this field identifying the fact that the store had the promotion running at the time of the purchase, the number of certificates issued to the customer as a result of the purchase and the numbers of the certificate numbers given to the customer. Using methods which will be apparent to those in the database and computer arts, when a return is being processed, the computer system ( 160 ) will compute that after the return is made, the net purchase amount entitled the customer to two certificates. The computer system ( 160 ) will then compares the number of certificates issued with the number the customer is entitled to after the return. If the customer is entitled to a smaller number of certificates, the computer system ( 160 ) will generate and display a message on the POS terminal ( 170 ) reminding the store employee to get back one certificate from the customer or adjust the refund to reflect that one certificate was not returned. 
     Having described an exemplary embodiment of the invention in the drawings and accompanying description, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications to the exemplary embodiment could be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims set forth below.