Abstract:
A method in a client-server environment having a plurality of client systems coupled to a server over a network, the method on the return-processing server for managing the return-processing of one or more manufacturers. The method on the return comprising the steps of: coupling to a database containing information about the procedures for at least one manufacturer&#39;s product. The return server presents a return-processing template to at least one client system coupled to the server system over a network, wherein the template comprises a graphical user interface for receiving information regarding at least one product to be submitted for return-processing. The return-processing server the information from the at least one client system of at least one product to be submitted for return-processing. The return-processing server creating a debit invoice in accordance with the manufacturer&#39;s policies for the information received for return-processing from the at least one client system. Placing the debit invoice in a debit invoice database accessible to the one or more manufacturer&#39;s to access one or more debit invoices for processing return credit. And sending shipping information to the at least one client system for shipping the at least one product submitted for return-processing. In another embodiment, the products being return are reviewed to determine if one or more products have a date associated with it for expiration. If the product is still usable, the product can be auctioned off or donated to charity. In still another embodiment, a system and computer readable medium for carrying out the above method.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority from prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/556,045, now [Allowed], entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE NETWORK BASED RETURN PROCESSING” filed on Apr. 21, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       COPYRIGHT NOTICE  
         [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.  
         FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to the field of product reclamation, and more particularly relates to the field of disposition of products and goods using networks.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The distribution chain of products from a manufacturer to the seller or store typically includes several intermediate entities. FIG. 1 is a block diagram  100  of a simple product distribution chain. A product produced at a manufacturer  108  is sent to a wholesaler  106  in large quantities for further distribution. The wholesaler  106  in turn redistributes products to chain distribution center  104 . The chain distribution center  104  is a regional warehouse to divide the goods received from the wholesaler  106  into smaller lots as required by the store  102 . This distribution chain can be greatly expanded by including multiple wholesalers as shown wholesaler  1 →n  112  along with multiple chain distribution centers  1 →n  114  along with multiple stores  1 →n  116 .  
           [0005]    Brand quality is important to manufacturers of products. Products that are damaged, outdated, expired, recalled, discontinued or unsaleable for any other reason are a concern for manufacturers. Unsaleable products can expose manufacturers to legal liability and may damage the manufacturer&#39;s reputation and goodwill. To increase the manufacturer&#39;s goodwill and to decrease any legal exposures, manufacturers must handle unsaleable products. Manufacturers control the return-processing to ensure the complete removal of the product from the distribution channel and managed the reclamation flow.  
           [0006]    If the store  102  has an unsaleable product that needs to be disposed, the store typically ships the product back to a reclamation center  110 . Any credits for the returned products are sent back to the store  102  from the reclamation center  110 .  
           [0007]    Manufacturers often run return centers that must inventory returned and unsaleable products, then match the unsaleable products for any claims data for payments. The process of tracking each product returned is tedious and prone to errors. The seller not only has to “sweep” their shelves and inventory occasionally for products to return but arrange for shipping and financial tracking as well. The number of products of inventory handled can be large from hundreds to thousands of products. Products returned must be tracked not only by product name, but other information must also be supplied, such as the model number, if any, and serial number and tag number distinguished. Because all the products in inventory are not from one manufacturer, the problem of tracking and handling returns from multiple manufacturers becomes even more complicated. Not only does each product have different return policies, each manufacturer may have different return policies for the same product. The processing returns for multiple manufacturers, each with distinct return policies and perhaps distinct reporting formats makes the process of tracking products even more tedious and prone to errors.  
           [0008]    To help with the return-processing, several companies have begun offering services to aggregate all of the returns processing for the Chain distribution center  104  and stores  102 . One such return aggregator is USF Processors of Dallas Texas, or Universal Solution International Inc, of Winston-Salem, N.C., or Pharmaceutical Processing Headquarters of Conyers Georgia.  
           [0009]    USF offers a service of receiving the returned products from the stores  102 , identifying which store returned what product to the manufacturers  108  (where appropriate) for receipt of return payment, if any. The return payment is sent to the corresponding store  102 . The return-processing aggregation is sometimes thought of as a “reverse checkout process” because like the store “check out,” products shipped to the aggregators are “scanned” into the system at the reclamation center  110 . But unlike the “check out” process the products are not in inventory for sale, but in inventory for return and disposal. The aggregators typically take a percentage of the money paid by the manufacturers as a fee for processing the products for the stores.  
           [0010]    These reclamation centers  110  and aggregator, although useful, are not without their shortcomings. One shortcoming with the current aggregator system is that the store must be associated with a large network of stores such as a chain to take advantage of services such as return-processing aggregators. The attendant paper work for return-processing is onerous. In addition, the return and disposal of many products are regulated under state and federal agencies such as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the PDMA (Pharmaceutical Drug Market Act). The rules that sellers  102  and reclamation centers  110  must abide by are complex. Rules are even more complex with highly regulated products such as drugs, pharmaceuticals, hazardous waste, biological products and environmentally hazardous products, such as nuclear products. Accordingly, a need exists for a method and apparatus to permit stores of any size, even the small “Mom and Pop” stores, to efficiently return products for processing while complying with the numerous government regulations.  
           [0011]    Another shortcoming with the use of return-processing centers  110  or aggregators is that many stores that sell pharmaceuticals are not EPA regulated. Accordingly the disposal of stores trying to dispose of or return products regulated by the EPA must use reclamation centers  110  or aggregators that are EPA compliant.  
           [0012]    Another shortcoming with the use of return-processing centers  110  or aggregators is that the processing of payments can take a long time. The return-processing aggregators must receive the product, notify the manufacturer  108  or wholesaler  106 , invoice the manufacturer or wholesaler for payment and finally receive payment from the manufacturer and pay the store. This payment process often takes three to six months to complete. The delay in processing credit and payments can be substantial and for large stores the accounts receivable for a return-processing inventory can run into the millions of dollars. In addition, several state governments, such as Pennsylvania, require stores to pay taxes on inventory, even though the inventory may be unsaleable and slated to be returned. It is not until the return credit is issued that the tax liability of unsaleable inventory is eliminated. Accordingly, a need exists for a method and apparatus to expedite the processing of payments to sellers for products disposed.  
           [0013]    Still, another shortcoming with the use of return-processing centers  110  or aggregators is the inability to efficiently handle “short-dated” inventory. Short-dated inventory is inventory that has not expired yet, but will expire within a few weeks or months. Short-dated inventory can be a large problem in such diverse industries such as pharmaceuticals and food. Although, in many instances manufacturers or wholesalers will not accept short-dated inventory until the inventory expires, there is an after market for short-dated products. Moreover, many times, stores  102  and manufacturers  108  want to donate short-dated products for tax credits. Accordingly, a need exists for a method and system to handle the processing of short-dated products for resale and donation.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0014]    Briefly, in accordance with the invention, a method in a client-server environment having a plurality of client systems coupled to a server over a network, the method on the return-processing server for managing the return-processing of one or more manufacturers. The method on the return comprising the steps of: coupling to a database containing information about the procedures for at least one manufacturer&#39;s product. The return server presents a return-processing template to at least one client system coupled to the server system over a network, wherein the template comprises a graphical user interface for receiving information regarding at least one product to be submitted for return-processing. The return-processing server the information from at least one client system of at least one product to be submitted for return-processing. The return-processing server creates a debit invoice in accordance with the manufacturer&#39;s policies for the information received for return-processing from the at least one client system. Placing the debit invoice in a debit invoice database accessible to one or more manufacturer&#39;s to access one or more debit invoices for processing return credit, and sending shipping information to the at least one client&#39;s system for shipping the at least one product submitted for return-processing.  
           [0015]    In another embodiment, the products being returned are reviewed to determine if one or more products have a date associated with it for expiration. If the product is still usable, the product can be auctioned off or donated to charity.  
           [0016]    In still another embodiment, a system and computer readable medium for carrying out the above method.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a prior art block diagram of a simple product distribution chain.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a client-server system for carrying out this present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the major sites through which information is exchanged with the return-processing system of FIG. 2, according to the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the major electrical components of an information processing system (server) according to the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the software hierarchy for the information processing system (server) of FIG. 3, according to the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the over all site-map of the return-processing system server, according to the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is an exemplary graphical user interface for creating a return-processing slip, according to the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is an exemplary user interface for authorizing a debit invoice, according to the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is an exemplary user interface for reviewing products previously submitted in FIG. 7 for return-processing, according to the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is an exemplary block diagram of the overall site map of the manufacturing services group of FIG. 6, according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]    It should be understood that these embodiments are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural and vice versa with no loss of generality.  
         [0029]    Glossary of Terms Used in this Disclosure  
         [0030]    database—any file format which information and data can be stored and retrieved by one or more users. The database can be implemented as one physical file or broken into separate databases such as a shipping database, a donation database, an auction database, a price database, a manufacturer&#39;s return goods policy database, wholesale database, manufacturers database and so on.  
         [0031]    debit invoice—a document showing the reason and the authorization for creating a debit. The debit invoice may contain an itemized list of products to be returned with payment information associated with it.  
         [0032]    disposal—the process of removing a product from inventory usually for credit or tax credit. The process of removing includes burning, destruction, break down for recycling, donation, return to stock, refurbished or re-manufacturing, or throwing into refuse.  
         [0033]    information processing system—a system capable of processing data and information and integrated with processes such as office automation and data communication. An information processing system can be embodied in a variety of hardware such as a PC, or microprocessor-based system.  
         [0034]    operating system—software that controls the execution of programs and that may provide services such as resource allocation, scheduling, input/output control, and data management and administration. Although operating systems are predominately software, partial hardware implementations are possible.  
         [0035]    short-dated product—is a product that has not expired yet and has some useful life, but will expire within a few weeks or months.  
         [0036]    unsaleable product—a product needing disposal by an entity such as a store, seller, or sales representative.  
         [0037]    Exemplary Return-Processing Server  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a return-processing server architecture  200  for carrying out this present invention. An e-commerce server information processing system  202 , such as a PC server such as those available from IBM and Compaq or a server from Sun Microsystems or equivalent. The server  202  has an interface  204  for reading programming information from a computer readable medium  206  such as a floppy diskette, CD ROM, DVD ROM, Flash Memory or other removable computer readable medium. Each server is coupled to one or more databases  214  such as IBM&#39;s DB/2, Microsoft Access, Oracle or equivalent. The return-processing server  202  is linked to a plurality of other information processing systems over a network  316  such as a LAN, WAN, Internet, broadcast infrastructure, public switch telephone networks or through any other computer readable medium. Each of these other information processing systems  300  is now described in turn below with reference to FIG. 3.  
         [0039]    Bank  314  is the entity which provides credit and payment information from the manufacturer  306  (or wholesaler) and the seller store  312 . This credit can be through funds transfer mechanisms such as ACH transfers, wire transfers, checks and other credit vehicles.  
         [0040]    Seller/Store  312  is the entity wishing to send a product for return-processing. In a pharmaceutical embodiment, the store is the pharmacy and the product is a pharmaceutical. In another pharmaceutical example, the seller is a sales representative that is returning “sales samples”.  
         [0041]    Carrier  310  the entity that ships products from the seller/store  312  to the short-dated buyer  308 , the wholesaler  306  (or manufacturer), the return processor  304 . The carrier can be FedEX™, the U.S. Postal Service, Airborne™, DHL™, RPS™ or some other third party shipper.  
         [0042]    Short-dated Buyer  308  is an entity that may purchase a short-dated product from the seller/store  312 .  
         [0043]    Manufacturer (Wholesaler)  306  is the entity that purchases and handles large lots of merchandise from the manufacturer (not shown) for distribution, usually at a lower price.  
         [0044]    Return Processor  304  is the entity that disposes of a returned product from a seller&#39;s inventory through burning, destruction, donation, return to stock, refurbished or re-manufacturing, or throwing into refuse.  
         [0045]    Return-processing Server  202  is the entity that coordinates the returns of products from the sell/store  312  with all the other systems  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310  and  314  and entity that directs the primary process flows of this present invention.  
         [0046]    Although all of these systems  202 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312  and  314  are shown interconnected via a network  316 , such as the Internet, any and all of these systems can be connected through the exchange of other computer readable medium such as floppy diskettes  206 , DVDs, CDs and flash memory cards.  
         [0047]    Exemplary Return-Processing Server Hardware  
         [0048]    Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a block diagram of the major electrical components of an information processing system  400  of the return-processing server  402  in accordance with this invention. The electrical components include: a central processing unit (CPU)  408 , an Input/Output (I/O) Controller  410 , a system power and clock source  412 ; display driver  414 ; RAM  402 ; ROM  404 ; ASIC (application specific integrated circuit)  406  and a hard disk drive  418 . These are representative components of a computer. The operation of a computer comprising these elements is well understood. Network interface  416  provides connection to a computer network such as Ethernet running TCP/IP or other popular protocol network interfaces. Optional components for interfacing to external peripherals include: a Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) port  424  for attaching peripherals; a PCMCIA slot  424 ; and serial port  420 . An optional diskette drive  204  is shown for loading or saving code to removable diskettes  206  or equivalent computer readable media.  
         [0049]    Exemplary Software Hierarchy for Commerce Server  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the software hierarchy for the information processing system of FIG. 3, according to the present invention. The hardware  400  is the information processing system of FIG. 2. BIOS (Basic Input Output System)  402  is a low level set of computer hardware instructions, usually stored in ROM  404 , for communications between an operating system  506 , device driver(s)  504  and return-processing server  202 . Device drivers  404  are hardware specific code used to communicate between an operating system  506  and hardware peripherals such as a mouse, CD ROM drive or printer. Applications  508  are software application written in C/C++, Java, assembler or equivalent. Operating system  506  is the master program that loads after BIOS  502  initializes, that controls and runs the return-processing server  202 . Examples of operating systems include DOS, Windows 3.1/95/98/NT/2000/2003/XP, Linux, Unix, Macintosh, OS/2 and equivalent. In one embodiment, the return-processing system an application  408  that resides on the return-processing server  202  and communicates with systems  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312  and  314  over the network  316 .  
         [0051]    The return-processing server  202  may be implemented by combination of hardware and software. Moreover, the functionality required for using the invention may be embodied in computer-readable media (such as 3.5 inch diskette  206 ) to be used in programming an information-processing apparatus (e.g., a personal computer) to perform in accordance with the invention. Computer program means or computer program in the present context mean any expression, in any language, code or notation, or set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversions to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.  
         [0052]    Exemplary Return-Processing Site Map  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 6 is an exemplary block diagram of the overall site map  600  of the return-processing system server, according to the present invention. The site map is described in groups:  
         [0054]    A login/register/logoff group/contact us group  602 . This group  602  allows a store  312  and individuals using the site to setup accounts and passwords using method known to those in the art of e-commerce;  
         [0055]    A search group  604 , enables a store  312  registered with the site  600  to view reports of returns that are submitted for processing as further illustrated in FIG. 10 below;  
         [0056]    A return group  606 , allows a store  312  using a graphical user interface to create a return-processing slip as is discussed in FIG. 6 below. In a pharmaceutical embodiment for returning products, DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) guidelines, FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and other government agency guidelines;  
         [0057]    A promotional group  608  to provide information about the return-processing services offered through the site  600 ; and  
         [0058]    A manufacturer&#39;s services  610  group provides information between the various manufacturers  306  and stores  312  through the site  600 . The manufacturers use this portion of the site  600  to authorize the debit invoices and to process payment directly or through a representative, such as a bank  314 . This is described further in FIG. 10 below.  
         [0059]    Exemplary Return-Processing Using Machine Readable Code  
         [0060]    A return GUI is discussed in further detail below. In one embodiment, the present invention makes use of machine readable codes affixed to the product to be submitted for return-processing. The machine-readable code is any machine-readable code, including bar codes and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. Using machine readable codes, the item to be returned is scanned directly to the return-processing server  400  without the user needing to fill in fields.  
         [0061]    Moreover, through use of hand-held scanners, in another embodiment, the return-processing server  400  receives information while the user is sweeping store shelves and other inventory locations. An optional response is sent to the handheld device on whether to dispose of the product i.e. the product is expired or close to expiring or leave the item in inventory.  
         [0062]    Exemplary Return-Processing GUI For Creating a Return-Processing Slip  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 7 is an exemplary graphical user interface for creating a return-processing slip  700 , according to the present invention. There are three main areas in the slip  700 , a search area  702 , a results area  708 , and the details area  710 . These areas correspond to the search group  504  of site map  6 .  
         [0064]    The search area  702  is a set of fields for a store  313  to enter information into a graphical user interface through a browser  112 . The fields allow the searching of the database  214  coupled to server  202 . Two fields are shown a product code  704 , such as a UPC (Universal Product Code) or NDC (National Drug Code)  704 . Other codes such as global trade industry number (GTIN), or an electronic product code (ePC) are also within the true scope and spirit of the invention.  
         [0065]    Further, using one of the codes selected from a group of codes including UPS, NDC, ePC, GTIN, the present invention, in one embodiment, searches a database to provide a corresponding code. For example, if the GTIN code is provided, a corresponding NDC code is derived.  
         [0066]    In addition, if the store  312  does not use product codes for field  704 , a product name can be entered in field  706 . Either a product code entry  704  or a product name  706  is entered. The database  214  for the manufacturer&#39;s products is searched coupled to the server  202 . The results of the search are shown in area  708 . The user can review product details in area  710 . There are several fields in area  710 , which are now described. Each of these fields is pulled from the search criteria  704  and  706  from the database  214  for the manufacturer:  
         [0067]    Field  712  is the name of the product from the search results area  708 .  
         [0068]    Field  714  is the reason for return. In one embodiment, this is a pull-down menu such as damaged product, returned product, expired product, and others.  
         [0069]    Field  716  is the return policy for this product.  
         [0070]    Field  718  is a strength (if applicable), such as for a pharmaceutical.  
         [0071]    Field  720  is the size of the product returned.  
         [0072]    Field  722  is the lot or batch number.  
         [0073]    Field  724  is the estimated return value (ERV). This is described in the in the glossary section  742 .  
         [0074]    Field  726  is the expiration date. This date is key for short-dated products.  
         [0075]    Field  728  is the quantity of products returned.  
         [0076]    Field  730  is an indication if the return is full or partial. A glossary is shown below  742  to help the user.  
         [0077]    Field  732  is the disposition choices, such as return for credit, ship to a return processor  304 , allows the short-dated product to be auctioned or donated. Instructions for disposition are shown below in area  740 .  
         [0078]    Field  734  is whether the seller can modify or delete these entries in the product details  710 .  
         [0079]    Below the product detail area  710  are a set of buttons search another product  736 , save for later update  738 , and return process  740 , to enable the personnel from the store  312  to provide the next step during the return-processing.  
         [0080]    Exemplary User Interface GUI for Authorizing Debit Invoice  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 8 is an exemplary user interface  800  for authorizing a debit invoice, according to the present invention. A manufacturer  306  (or agent of a manufacturer) reviews the return-processing slip created in FIG. 6, once submitted with process return button  638 . There are two primary areas a search area  802 , and the results area  820 .  
         [0082]    The search area  802  has several fields. Input can be made to any or all of these fields as desired by which will now be described.  
         [0083]    Field  804  is the date of the return entered by the store  312  into the database  214 .  
         [0084]    Field  806  is the store  312  (or company) returning the product.  
         [0085]    Field  808  is the destination company used for disposition, auction or donation destinations.  
         [0086]    Field  810  is the destination of a city for the company of Field  808 .  
         [0087]    Field  812  is the destination state of the destination company of Field  808 .  
         [0088]    Field  814  is the manufacturer&#39;s product code.  
         [0089]    Field  816  is the manufacturer&#39;s authorization number for the authorized debit invoice. This is sometimes called a RMA (return material authorization).  
         [0090]    Field  818  is the credit memo field (if applicable) for a bank  314  to credit the seller  312 .  
         [0091]    Three buttons, search  818 , find all  820  and clear  822 , complete the search area  802 . The search results  820  area shows the results from database  214  that match the search from search area  802 . Several fields are shown as the result of the search  802 . A product code field  822 , a quantity  824 , a unit of measure  826 , a product name  828 , a lot/batch  830 , an expiration date  832 , a reason for return  834 , a estimated return value  836 , and an actual return value  838  are displayed. The estimated return value  836  or ERU is an estimated return value of a product based on the average wholesale price. This is an amount suggested to the manufacturer  306  for return credit. The actual return value  838 , or ARV is the actual amount credit by the manufacturer  306  to the seller/store  312 .  
         [0092]    In one embodiment where the seller/store received the ARV or return credit and the tax liability of unsaleable inventory is eliminated.  
         [0093]    Exemplary User Interface Return-Processing GUI  
         [0094]    [0094]FIG. 9 is an exemplary user interface  900  for reviewing products for return previously submitted in FIG. 6 for return-processing, according to the present invention. There are two main sections to return products interface comprising a report and shipping section  902  and a detail section  910 . In the report and shipping section  902 , a report icon  904 , shipping label  906 , and shipping confirmation button  908  are presented. The shipping label  906  creates a shipping label for the carrier  310 . The shipping confirmation button  908  updates the database  214 , that a return product is ready for shipping. The detail section  910  shows the details for the returns submitted for processing that are in the database  214 .  
         [0095]    Exemplary Manufacturing Service Site-Map  
         [0096]    [0096]FIG. 10 is an exemplary block diagram of the overall site map  1000  of the manufacturing services group  610  of FIG. 6. The site is broken into five major groups as follows:  
         [0097]    A login/register/logoff group/contact us group  1002 , which is analogous to group  602  of FIG. 6 above.  
         [0098]    A search group  1004 , which is analogous to group  604  of FIG. 6 above.  
         [0099]    A return group  1006 , allows a store  312  using a graphical user interface to create a return-processing slip as is discussed in FIG. 6 below. In a pharmaceutical embodiment for returning products, DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) guidelines, FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and other government agency guidelines. It is important to point out the Search Authority Samples  1010 , which allows manufacturers to have samples used by a sales force returned for processing as well. For example, a pharmaceutical sales representative may have samples that are being returned because the promotion is over for the samples. The pharmaceutical representative would be the seller  312  and fill out return-processing form  600  of FIG. 6.  
         [0100]    A promotional group  1008  which is analogous to group  1008  of FIG. 6 above.  
         [0101]    A return-processing processor  600  group provides information which is described in FIG. 6 above.  
         [0102]    Exemplary Return-Processing Process Flow  
         [0103]    The following table is a high-level flow diagram of the information being transmitted and received between the return-processing server  202  and the other servers of FIG. 3, according to the present invention.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
 
         [0104]    Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be understood by those having skill in the art that changes can be made to this specific embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiment, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.