JP4491648B2 - Network server, control method thereof and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention utilizes computers and networks to perform return of consumer productsNetwork serveras well asIts controlRegarding the method. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is intended to facilitate returning from a consumer of used consumables to a destination pre-selected by the manufacturer for disposal, including collection and reuse.Network serveras well asIts controlRegarding the method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There are many situations in which it is desirable to return a product from a consumer to a manufacturer for a variety of reasons. For example, in the field of laser toner cartridges, it is desirable to return the cartridge from the consumer to the manufacturer so that the manufacturer can dispose of it by collecting or reusing all or part of the used cartridge. Such a system allows a manufacturer to reuse some parts of the cartridge to make new cartridges, and make other parts scrap material and reuse them again. By disposing of the cartridge in this manner, the manufacturer can manufacture a new cartridge at a lower cost and has a very favorable effect on the environment.
[0003]
U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,858 to Suzuki et al. Proposes a manufacturer's article reuse program. In that patent, an article is manufactured at a manufacturing plant, delivered to a retail store, and purchased by a customer at the retail store. After the customer has used the item for a specified period of time, the item is discarded (or delivered to the retail store and then sent by the retail store) to the disposal site, where the category or grade at the disposal site And then sent to the appropriate recycling facility. However, the Suzuki et al. Patent does not give any details on how the goods are moved from the customer to the disposal site.
[0004]
One conventional method of delivering consumer products for disposal is to include a pre-authorized shipping label with the newly purchased product. Such labels are usually pre-printed with a pre-selected destination (such as the manufacturer's recycling facility) and are pre-authorized by a specific carrier (such as United Parcel Service). . When it is time for the consumer to use up the product and return it, the consumer will find the label that came with the product, find the box in which the product should be stored, attach the label, and place the product in the box with the label To do.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  The method described above is generally a good method and has been used to run product disposal programs with very good results. However, this method has several significant drawbacks, many of which are derived from the fact that this method is essentially a system that lacks expandability and adaptability that cannot be easily modified in response to changing circumstances. is doing. For example, if the label contained in the original package is lost, the consumer cannot easily return the product.
[0006]
Another drawback associated with this conventional method is that the manufacturer must select a product return destination when the consumer product is first packaged, after which the destination cannot be changed. It is also impossible to adapt a product to a specific consumer because this choice must be made at the time of product packaging before the manufacturer knows who the product will ultimately be in. is there. Thus, the manufacturer cannot guide the consumer product to be returned to a destination closer to the consumer, thereby reducing shipping costs.
[0007]
Another shortcoming of the conventional method of handling product return is that this method does not provide a mode for conducting consumer interaction during the return process. In fact, the product manufacturer usually cannot tell where the returned package originated or whether the product is in the returned package.
[0008]
In addition, packaging pre-approved shipping labels with consumer products will result in the manufacturer being tied to the carrier service indicated on the shipping label. This reduces the likelihood that the manufacturer will negotiate with the carrier service available to obtain the cheapest cost.
[0009]
Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for performing consumer product return that employs a completely new approach and overcomes the drawbacks associated with the prior methods described above.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present application has been made under such a purpose, and the network server of one invention of the present application can communicate with the client terminal via the network, and transmits the shipping label data for returning the consumer product to the client terminal. Receiving means for receiving at least location information indicating a location of a consumer product and product identification information for identifying the consumer product from the client terminal;A database for storing the identification information of the product to be returned, the regional information of the product return source, the return destination information to which the product is to be returned, and the information of the carrier service to be shipped, in association with each other; Memorized information andThe location information received by the receiving means,Determining means for determining a return destination and a carrier service for the consumer product based on the product identification information; and at least information for identifying the return destination and the carrier service determined by the determining means. It has a generating means for generating shipping label data, and a transmitting means for transmitting the shipping label data generated by the generating means to the client terminal.
[0011]
  The network server control method according to one aspect of the invention can communicate with a client terminal via a network,A database for storing the identification information of the product to be returned, the regional information of the product return source, the return destination information to which the product is to be returned, and the information of the carrier service to be shipped;A method for controlling a network server for transmitting shipping label data for returning a consumer product to a client terminal, wherein the receiving means includes location information indicating at least the location of the consumer product from the client terminal, and the consumer product. Receiving step for receiving product identification information for identifyingInformation stored in the database;The location information received in the receiving step,A decision step for determining a return destination and a carrier service of the consumer product based on the product identification information; and information for identifying the return destination and the carrier service determined by the generation step by the generating means. And a sending step for sending the sending label data generated in the generating step to the client terminal.
[0012]
  Moreover, the program of the one invention can communicate with a client terminal via a network,A database for storing the identification information of the product to be returned, the regional information of the product return source, the return destination information to which the product is to be returned, and the information of the carrier service to be shipped;A network server control method for sending shipping label data for returning consumer products to client terminals.In order for a computer to run,Receiving from the client terminal at least location information indicating the location of the consumer product and product identification information for identifying the consumer productmeansWhen,Information stored in the database;The received location information,A decision to determine a return destination and a carrier service for the consumer product based on the product identification information;meansGenerating shipping label data including at least the determined return destination and information identifying the carrier servicemeansAnd transmitting the generated shipping label data to the client terminal.meansAnd havingMake it function as a network serverIt is characterized by that.
[0016]
The above objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention as well as other objects, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following brief description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings.
[0017]
[Description of Preferred Embodiment]
“Consumer” generally means a person or entity that wishes to return a consumer product. In the preferred embodiment, the consumer is an individual or entity that can actually purchase and consume the product to be returned and maintain the consumer profile. However, in the broadest embodiment, the consumer is simply the entity that performs the return of the consumer product.
[0018]
A “maker” is a person or entity that organizes and authorizes the return of consumer products. In the preferred embodiment, the entity that organizes and authorizes the return of the consumer product is actually the entity that actually manufactured the product, as described in more detail below, and uses the system of the present invention. Product usage information and consumer information. Nevertheless, as disclosed broadly herein, this is not required for the system and method.
[0019]
“Consumer product” or sometimes simply “product” means any product in the world. In a preferred embodiment, the consumer product to be returned is a reusable product, such as a reusable toner cartridge for a laser printer. However, the system and method for performing product return in accordance with the present invention is adaptable to any consumer product return.
[0020]
“Computer” may refer to either a single computer or a system of computers that interact with each other. Generally speaking, a computer is a combination of a hardware system, a software operating system, and possibly one or more software application programs. Examples of computers include an IBM personal computer (PC) having an operating system such as DOS, Windows (registered trademark), OX / 2 or Linux; a Macintosh computer; hardware having a JAVA (registered trademark) -OS operating system; UNIX Such as, but not limited to, Sun Microsystems and Silicon Graphics workstations with a registered trademark operating system; PalmPilots; and PilotPC.
[0021]
“Network” means a connection of two or more computers that allows the transmission of data. An example of a network is the Internet.
[0022]
A “client / server” architecture is a network architecture in which each computer or process on the network is either a “client” or a “server”. A “server” is a computer or device on a network that manages network resources and is operable to receive requests from third parties on the network and respond to those requests. The request is sent to the server by an “client”, usually an application that runs on a personal computer or workstation and performs some operations depending on the server.
[0023]
“User identification information” is consumer information that uniquely describes one consumer and includes, but is not limited to, user ID and password information.
[0024]
“Web pages” include markup languages including but not limited to HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) or VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language), Dynamic HTML, XML (Extensible Markup Language) or related computer languages. As well as any document available via a specific URL (Uniform Resource Locator), or any such document that is reachable via a specific Internet address or at a specific website Means a collection of
[0025]
A “website” is at least one webpage, preferably a plurality of webpages, virtually connected to form one logically consistent group.
[0026]
"Web browser" means a client software program that runs on a computer and can display text and / or graphics from a web page on a website. Examples of this web browser include, but are not limited to, Netscape, Navigator, and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
[0027]
A “web server” is a server that can serve a web browser with at least one web page.
[0028]
The phrase “display a web page” includes all actions necessary to render at least a portion of the information on a web page available to the computer user. Thus, this term includes, but is not limited to, static visual display of still graphic information, audible playback of audio information, animated visual display of animation, and visual display of video stream data.
[0029]
In the case of the present invention, the software application can also be written in a programming language such as substantially suitable, which programming language could be easily selected by those skilled in the art. The programming language selected should be compatible with the computer executing the software application, particularly the computer operating system. Examples of suitable programming languages include, but are not limited to, C, C ++, CGI, Java ™ and Java ™ Scripts. Furthermore, when described as a series of steps in a method, the functions of the present invention are described as a series of operations to be performed by a data processor so that the present invention can be implemented as software, firmware or hardware, or a combination thereof. It could be implemented as software instructions.
[0030]
An example of the system of the present invention is schematically shown in FIG. As shown, the system includes a database server 150 and a manufacturer's web server 110 operably connected to a network 120. The network 120 may be the Internet, for example. A client computer 100 (such as a consumer client computer) is also connected to the network 120, and the client computer 100 is capable of printing a shipping label 170 (preferably a laser) in a manner described in more detail below. Printer) 160.
[0031]
The database server 150 is a relational database management system in which stored information is arranged in a table of rows and columns associated with each other by a predetermined function, and is accessible by a database query protocol such as a structure query language (SQL). Preferably there is.
[0032]
It will be readily appreciated that the schematic diagram of FIG. 1 is merely an example and that many variations are easily possible. For example, each computer 100 and 110 may be connected to its own network, which is connected to the network 120. The system may be realized by a plurality of client computers and a plurality of web servers. There are other variations as well.
[0033]
Client computer 100 preferably includes an operating system having communication hardware and a graphical user interface (GUI) function to configure an interface with the Internet, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. The browser software is preferably loaded and operable to read and send hypertext markup language (HTML) format to and from a hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) server on the web. The client computer 100 is preferably operable to function as a virtual machine for executing a Java (registered trademark) applet downloaded from a server by a browser. Specifically, the client computer 100 must be able to supply consumer information to the manufacturer's server computer, as described below. The manufacturer's web server 110 preferably includes hardware, HTTP compliant software, an operating system, and common gateway interface (CGI) software for interfacing with input queries and data sources. The web server 110 receives the consumer information and stores the consumer information in the database server 150.
[0034]
FIG. 1 further illustrates a carrier web server 180 that represents a carrier service web server that performs the actual shipment of the product to be returned, such as from a customer location to a location specified by the manufacturer. Examples of such carriers are United States Post Office, United Parcel Service, and Federal Express. The manufacturer's web server 110 communicates with the carrier web server 180 via the network 120. The carrier web server 180 is operably connected to a unique database server 190. In practice, it will be appreciated that a manufacturer may have more than one carrier, in which case multiple carrier web servers and database servers would be part of the system (carrier web server 180N and As indicated by database server 190N).
[0035]
With reference to FIG. 2, the operation of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a consumer who decides to return a product first searches and displays a web page, for example, by entering the URL of the web page into the web browser of the client computer 100. Connect to the web server 110 (S210). In today's economic activities, this action, which is a daily activity, is generally referred to as the “visiting website” of a manufacturer. The URL may be provided to the consumer along with instructions for searching the web page if they wish to return the product in or on the original packaging of the item.
[0036]
FIG. 3 shows an example of the web page 30 that the web server 110 may serve to the client computer 100 at the first connection. As shown, the web page asks whether the customer is using the program for the first time or has used the program before (S220). Two buttons 31 and 32 are provided for customer response. When a customer uses the program for the first time, the web server serves a web page that causes the consumer to register with the program, such as the web page 40 in the example shown in FIG. This web page is in a CGI format that includes a plurality of fields that allow the consumer to enter (or request to enter) various data, and an execute button 41 to send the information to the web server. When information is received, the information is stored in the database server 150. It will be appreciated that the particular fields shown in FIG. 4 are merely examples, and other fields may be used in addition to or in place of all or some of those fields.
[0037]
In order to direct consumer products to the facility closest to the consumer, it may be advantageous to use the consumer's name and address. For example, a particular manufacturer operating a reuse program may decide to install two recycling facilities, one on the east coast and one on the west coast of the United States. The manufacturer may request the location of the consumer so that the product is guided to the facility closest to the consumer of the two facilities.
[0038]
When presenting the format of the web page 40, the web server serves a web page that allows the consumer to specify user identification information ("user ID") and password, such as the web page 50 of FIG. When those data are received by the web server, the web server stores the data in the database server 150 and, as shown in FIG. 6, displays a web page for confirming the user ID designated by the consumer to the client computer 100. Serve (S222).
[0039]
If the user ID is determined by the web server, the consumer does not need to perform registration steps S221 and S223 in order to return the product. In the second and subsequent visits, the web server serves a web page that provides a format for inputting a user ID and password that have already been determined, such as the web page 70 shown in FIG. 7 (S222). .
[0040]
In another embodiment, the user ID and password information is not manually entered by the consumer, but is a cookie file placed on the client computer 100 by the web server during the initial registration process. Automatically provided through.
[0041]
In any case, when the web server receives the user ID and password information, the web server performs validity checking to determine whether or not the user ID is valid (S224). Specifically, the web server compares the information received from the client computer with consumer information stored in the database server 150. Thus, if the given user ID does not exist or does not match the given consumer name information, for example, the consumer is served the web page 70 again to re-enter the user ID. Also good.
[0042]
Following a successful validation (or following the first click of the subsequent button 61 of the web page 60 by the user), in step S230, the client computer 100 serves the web page 80 shown in FIG. Web page 80 provides a form for entering data indicating information about the product to be returned. This information is typically considered to include information indicating what type of product will be returned, and may be a product type or text description. This information may be input by the user through a keyboard or the like, or may be input by the user selecting one product from a list of returnable products provided in a form such as a pull-down menu. The entered product type information is subjected to the same type of validity checks that are performed in S224 in connection with the validity of the user identification information. That is, the entered product is compared with a list of products maintained in the database server 150 to determine whether the entered product is a valid product. If it is not a valid product, an appropriate message is returned to the client computer 100.
[0043]
If the product type is appropriate, the destination is determined and the shipping label data is transmitted as described below. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, product identification information includes not only information indicating the general type of product (eg, “laser toner cartridge”), but also an indication of the serial number of a particular product. In such a case, the serial number is also validated by comparing the serial number with a serial number in a list of serial numbers maintained in the database server 150. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, after receiving product information from the client computer 100, the web server 110 serves a web page that provides a form for entering information about the consumer's use of the product. Such usage information is, for example, whether the consumer is using the product for home or office use; the amount of the product that the consumer is using; the consumer paid for the product It is likely to include the amount; the place where the consumer purchased or learned the product; and the myriad other data that the manufacturer is interested in. When this information is received by the web server, it is stored in the database server 150. Such information allows the database server to maintain a wealth of information not only about the specific consumer but also about the specific product being returned.
[0044]
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the product is provided with a small chip that collects information about the consumer product during use. If the product is a printer cartridge, the information can include the number of copies printed, the type of printer in which the cartridge is used, or any other information about the product that the small chip can be programmed to record. This information can be added to the database server 150 after being retrieved from the returned product. Product information collected from small chips may be associated with a particular consumer in the database server 150, for example by product serial number. In this way, the manufacturer can monitor the life of the product more precisely.
[0045]
After the product information is input and received by the web server, the web server selects a product return address for the consumer product and a carrier service that handles the shipment (S240). In general, the web server 110 determines the destination of the product according to the type of product that delivers the product to the facility where it is processed. For example, when a laser toner cartridge is returned for reuse, a destination where the recycling can be performed is selected. Further, to minimize shipping costs, an appropriate destination closest to the consumer may be selected and the destination selected strictly according to the location of the consumer. The database server maintains a list of all available destinations, their locations and processing capabilities, and is accessed by the web server 110 in determining the destination for a particular product.
[0046]
The database server 150 also maintains a list of all carrier services and their rates for a specified transport. The web server 110 uses this information to determine the nature of the product to be returned (such as its weight and dimensions) and which carrier service is most economical given the collection and delivery points. Also access. The carrier's server 150 is preferably updated periodically to indicate fee changes, newly negotiated contracts, and the like.
[0047]
If the destination and carrier service are selected, the web server generates shipping label data (S250). The shipping label data includes data sufficient to instruct the printer 160 to print a shipping label that includes identification information of the selected destination and carrier service. This shipping label data is necessary to print a realization code on the label indicating that the package to which the label is attached is pre-authorized and that the recipient (ie, the manufacturer) will pay the shipping cost. Further includes data. Further, the shipping label data preferably includes data necessary to print the sender's address.
[0048]
The shipping label data is transmitted from the web server 150 (S260) and received by the client computer 100 (S270). This client computer is operatively connected to a printer 160 for printing a shipping label (S280). In a preferred embodiment, the shipping label data is transmitted and received in a format that allows the consumer to print the label without installing additional software on the client computer. In any case, the product to be returned is properly packaged by the consumer and a printed label is affixed to it.
[0049]
The delivery step (S290) is executed by a carrier service such as United States Postal Service, United Parcel Service, or Federal Express. Typically, the carrier service collects the package from the consumer and delivers the package to the destination printed on the shipping label.
[0050]
In practice, since it is the carrier service that receives permission on the shipping label, the carrier service typically has a contract with the manufacturer to allow transmission of the shipping label data. Therefore, in general, the carrier service itself receives and transmits permission information via the network.
[0051]
In another independent embodiment, the client computer is located at the receiving location rather than at the consumer's home or facility. This receiving location may be a location where different consumers deliver the product to be returned. In this example, the receiving location obtains this information in the same way that the consumer obtained the user ID and password in the previous example. However, additional consumer information “number of boxes requested” is required as part of the consumer information transmitted from the client computer to the manufacturer's web server.
[0052]
Similar to the previous embodiment, an appropriate product destination is selected based on the product type and consumer information. However, instead of sending the shipping label data to the client computer as in the previous embodiment, an empty box to which the shipping label can be attached is mailed to the receiving location. Thereafter, transmission and reception of the shipping label data and printing of the shipping label proceed in the same manner as in the embodiment described above. Several products are packed in a box and the box is delivered to a destination selected by the carrier service.
[0053]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the interaction between the client computer 100 (consumer side client computer in this example) and the web server 110 (in this example, the manufacturer's web server) according to one embodiment of the present invention. This process begins at S9000 where the client accesses the server. The server receives an access request (or data as described below) in S9010, and analyzes and processes the request in steps S9020-S9030. The server serves an appropriate web page to the client in S9040. One common example of a suitable web page is a format that prompts the consumer to enter some information (ie, data); more specific examples are discussed below.
[0054]
In S9050, the client receives the web page served by the server and displays it. In S9060, the consumer inputs the data requested by the page (if such data exists), and the client displays the data on the web page to the consumer. In S9070, the client waits until a transaction is executed by the consumer, for example, the consumer clicks an execution button on the displayed page. When the transaction is executed, the client moves to S9080, and the data input by the consumer is transmitted by the client to the server. Upon reception of such data, the server returns to S9010. Following S9010, the server goes through each of the steps previously described to S9040, where the server serves another web page to the client. This process is repeated until the client has received all the necessary web pages from the server and has presented all the necessary data to the server.
[0055]
One specific example of a web page that can be served to a client by a server at the time of initial access is shown in FIG. 10A. This page is used to obtain the next web page needed to initiate the process of requesting a box and / or shipping label to perform product return, as described in more detail below. , Including a hyperlink 1000 (the word “here”) that the consumer clicks on. Examples of other web pages are shown in FIGS. 10B to 10N, and many of them will be referred to below.
[0056]
An example of the next page served to the client after clicking the hyperlink 1000 is shown in FIG. 10B. Through this page, registered users can log in to the system by entering their email ID and password in the fields 1001 and 1002, respectively, and clicking the "Login" button 1003. Alternatively, if the registered user forgets the password, the user is provided with the password by clicking on the hyperlink 1004. Finally, unregistered consumers may execute the registration process by clicking the “Register Now!” Button 1005.
[0057]
An example of a web page served to a consumer who clicked the “Register Now!” Button 1005 is shown in FIG. 10C. This page contains necessary information (eg name, user type, address, city, state, zip code, email, password and password confirmation) and optional information (eg title, company name, phone number) A plurality of fields for inputting both, a button 1006 for executing the input data, and a button 1007 for resetting the format are provided. In addition, the page may further include a field 1008 for indicating whether or not a notification regarding an offer for a new product or service is desired. As shown, default input is presented in the user type field and field 1008. In any case, all data entered by the consumer is provided to the server by the client for analysis and processing in accordance with the steps outlined in FIG. 9 and the procedures described below. After the consumer provides the information requested by the web page of FIG. 10C, the consumer's registration is confirmed by the server, and the associated client is served again by the web page of FIG. It is only necessary to log in using the newly acquired email ID and password via the page.
[0058]
An example of a web page that is considered to be served to a consumer who clicked the “Forgot Password?” Hyperlink 1004 is shown in FIG. 10D. This page includes a field 1009 for entering an e-mail address and a button 1010 for executing it. After execution, the input data (ie, email address) is provided to the server, which parses and processes it, correlates the data with the appropriate password stored in the database, and passes the password to the consumer. To the given email address via email. This process of notifying registered users of forgotten passwords is well known in the art. In any case, after the form of FIG. 10D is submitted to the server, the associated client is notified that the password has been sent and a “Next” button 1011 to obtain the login page of FIG. 10B. The provided web page of the example of FIG. 10E is provided.
[0059]
An example of a “welcome” web page served to a client that has successfully completed the login process is shown in FIG. 10F. This page includes a welcome message and a message 1017 that prompts the consumer to select one of several menu options by clicking on one of the left hyperlinks 1012-1016. Some examples of hyperlinks include “Return Container” hyperlink 1012 (starts the return process); “View Return History” hyperlink 1013 (has been returned or returned by the relevant consumer) Browse the comprehensive history of the product on the way); “Update profile” hyperlink 1014 (for example, let consumers update their user profile by changing their email address, etc.); “Site feedback” There is a hyperlink 1015 (giving consumers feedback about the site); and an “Exit” hyperlink 1016 that requires no explanation. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, these menu options are merely examples, and other options are possible. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, all or some of the web pages that follow the “Welcome” web page have their hyperlinks on the left so that the consumer can access the menu option hyperlinks 1012- 1016 at any time. Display all or part of
[0060]
An example of a web page served to the client when the “Return Container” hyperlink 1012 is selected is shown in FIG. 10G. This page includes a field 1018 for entering the exact type of product to be returned and a field 1019 for entering the quantity of the product to be returned. If the product is a consumable used in conjunction with a large machine (eg, a consumable laser toner cartridge used in connection with a laser printer), to enter the type of machine (eg, laser printer) An additional field 1020 and a field 1021 for entering a specific serial number of the machine may be further provided. In any case, the information in fields 1018-1021 is entered by the consumer by typing on the keyboard or by using a well-known pull-down menu, and in many cases the latter method is preferred. The web page of FIG. 10G further includes a field 1022a for selecting a shipping label and a field 1022b for selecting a multi-shipping box. In the figure, the field 1022a is selected by default. Needless to say, a button 1023 for presenting input data to the server and a button 1024 for resetting the format are also included.
[0061]
When the consumer requests a large number of shipping boxes (field 1022b), as shown in FIG. 10H, it is notified that the unassembled box will be shipped, and when the box is full, the consumer A page will be served to the client that requires the website to be visited again for acquisition. This type of mass return is more efficient, less expensive and environmentally friendly than returning individual products. In addition, by delaying the distribution of shipping labels in this way, decisions regarding the destination of the product and the identity of the carrier can be made as close to the actual shipping date as possible, thereby making the optimal decision. In that respect, the system becomes even more dynamic. For example, when a large number of shipping boxes are requested, the manufacturer has gained the most advantageous fee from carrier X, but then the more advantageous fee from carrier Y before the consumer fills the box. Assume that you have received negotiations. In that case, delaying the delivery of the shipping label will allow the manufacturer to use the carrier Y instead of the carrier X and will be able to ship the box at the most advantageous rate.
[0062]
Considering the benefits of mass return, in some circumstances, incentives for consumers and choosing the means of mass return for consumers, for example, first requesting a shipping box that can hold a large number of products, and that shipping box It may be advisable to delay sending the shipping label request and the actual return until it is full. An example of such an incentive is to provide a coupon to the consumer when a multi-shipping box is ordered or after receiving a full multi-shipping box. The coupon may be free product, discount the product purchase price by some percentage, discount the product purchase price by a certain amount, and so on. This coupon can be mailed to the consumer's address in hard copy or provided to the consumer in electronic form, such as a web page, printed on the consumer's side, or provided via email It will be possible. Another example of this incentive is to allow consumers who order or return multiple shipping boxes to participate in the contest and give prizes. It will be possible to determine who will win the prize at random (eg once a month) and notify on a web page or via email.
[0063]
To maximize the effectiveness of the solicitation, the web page of FIG. 10G should be modified to indicate to the consumer that there is an incentive associated with ordering and / or using multiple shipping boxes. One convenient way to do this is labeled with a message such as "Click Here For Information On Our Multiple Shipment Box Incentive Program". Is to provide a button. Clicking that button explains the benefits of mass return, encourages consumers to perform mass returns, and serves a new web page that outlines the details of the incentives offered at that time (or Window will be opened).
[0064]
It should be noted that the incentive program described above is not only applicable to encourage consumers to perform mass returns, but not individual returns, but first consumes the system to use this system for returning. It can also be applied to recommend it to a person. Such solicitations may be used when returning to the consumer, such as when using the present invention to facilitate the return of used consumables for disposal, including collection and reuse. This is particularly useful when the present invention is used to return products that are considered to have no other incentive.
[0065]
Returning to FIG. 10G, if the consumer requests a shipping label (field 1022a), the client will then be served a page as in FIG. 10I. This page indicates the details of the shipping label that will be provided, including sender information 1025 and container information 1026. The consumer is prompted to click the “Continue” button 1027 to print the label if the information is accurate, or click the “Update Profile” hyperlink 1014 if the sender information needs to be edited. It is. A “Cancel” button 1028 is also provided in case the consumer wishes to cancel the label request.
[0066]
The web page of FIG. 10I further includes a graphical representation of the actual shipping label 1029. In addition, the page includes instructions to affix the actual label 1029 to the package and perform collection and drop-off. Needless to say, this label 1029 contains everything needed to authorize shipping of the associated package and is in the format of the specific carrier performing the shipment. This label 1029 also includes a sender address 1029a; a destination address 1029b; a package weight 1029c; and information 1029d used by the carrier to collect and track the package (tracking number and any machine-readable barcode). Etc.). This tracking number may be provided to the manufacturer by the carrier upon request or may be generated by the manufacturer based on rules provided to the manufacturer by the carrier.
[0067]
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the web page of FIG. 10I further includes a hyperlink 1030 that the consumer can click to obtain information about the location of the carrier's drop-off facility. One convenient way to provide this information is simply to direct the client to the carrier's website again, at least for large carriers, the website Already contains tools for identifying locations. Alternatively, the manufacturer's server provides this information directly by sending the consumer's address to the carrier's server and receiving the location of the drop-off site closest to that location from the carrier's server. It would be possible to do that. FIG. 10J takes the format of a map of the consumer's local area and shows an example of a web page that provides this information, where the “X” mark represents the exact location of the consumer. , “C” represents the location of the facility closest to the carrier.
[0068]
FIG. 10K illustrates an example of a web page that is displayed when the consumer clicks the “view return history” hyperlink 1013 of FIG. 10F (or any web page that includes a “view return history” hyperlink). . For each return (only shown once in FIG. 10K), the page will return date and time 1031; tracking number 1032; carrier 1033 identification information (in this example, a temporary carrier “XYZ”) ); Product identity 1034; quantity 1035; machine type 1036; machine serial number 1037; and special hyperlink “LABEL” 1038. Return date and time 1031 represent the date and time when the shipping label was provided to the client. The tracking number 1032 is a tracking number assigned by the carrier (or by the manufacturer according to the carrier's rules) and is a hyperlink for obtaining information about the package associated therewith. The carrier entry 1033 is also a hyperlink that typically connects to the home page of the carrier website. Hyperlink 1038 links to a page on the manufacturer's website, such as the web page shown in FIG. 10G, where fields 1018-1021 are already filled with the same information as one of the associated summary lines, and thus has already been returned. Serve as a shortcut to obtain a shipping label for a product that is the same as the product that was made.
[0069]
FIG. 10L shows an example of a web page that is displayed when the consumer clicks the “update profile” hyperlink 1014 of FIG. 10F (or any web page that includes the “update profile” hyperlink). This page is quite similar to the web page of FIG. 10C provided to the consumer at the first registration, except for the text at the top of the page and that this form is already filled with the consumer's current information. It is very similar. The consumer can leave the information entered as it is or edit it as appropriate. However, for security reasons, asterisks are displayed in the password and password confirmation fields instead of actual characters, as is commonly done in the art. The web page in FIG. 10L further includes an “update” button 1039 for transmitting data to the server and a button 1040 for resetting the format.
[0070]
FIG. 10M shows an example of a web page that is displayed when the consumer clicks on the “site feedback” hyperlink of FIG. 10F (or any web page that includes the “site feedback” hyperlink). This web page contains a series of questions (four questions in this example) derived from consumer feedback regarding the quality of the website and the product return program. Some of the questions are questions that can be answered yes or no; others provide a response that is divided into several stages, such as “satisfied”, “neither” and “unsatisfied”. In addition, a field for freely entering a comment text is also provided. When the “Submit feedback” button 1042 is clicked, the input data is transmitted to the server. Upon receiving this data, the server serves a web page of the type shown in FIG. 10N to the client, thank the consumer for feedback, and proceeds to the next by selecting one of the menu options on the left. Ask.
[0071]
Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11C, the operation of the manufacturer's server when analyzing and processing the access request and / or data received by the client according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention (ie, , S9020 and S9030 in FIG. 9 will be described. This process begins at S1101. In S1102, the server determines whether it is responding to the first access request, that is, whether it is responding to a click on the hyperlink 1000 ("here") in FIG. 10A. If the response is positive, in S1103, the server creates a web page as shown in FIG. 10B and serves it. If not, in S1104, the server determines whether or not it responds to the click of the “Register Now!” Button 1005 in FIG. 10B. If the response is affirmative, the server creates a web page as shown in FIG. 10C and serves it in S1105.
[0072]
If not, in S1106, the server determines whether or not it responds to the click of the “login” button 1003 in FIG. 10B. If the response is affirmative, the server executes S1107 to S1110. In S1107, the server stores the email ID and password (ie, data entered in fields 1001 and 1002) in a database to determine whether the email ID is valid and the password corresponds to it. Authenticate those data by comparing them with the data that is being used. In S1108, the server determines whether or not the email ID and password are approved. If approved, the server creates and serves the “Welcome” web page of FIG. 10F in S1109. If they are not approved, in S1110 the server creates a re-entry web page that advises the consumer to re-enter and gives the consumer the opportunity to re-enter the ID and password.
[0073]
If it is determined in S1106 that the server has not responded to the click of the “login” button 1003, it is determined in S1111 whether or not the server is responding to the click of the “Forgot password?” Hyperlink 1004. If the response is positive, in S1112, the server creates a web page as shown in FIG. 10D. In S1113, the server receives the e-mail address input and transmitted by the consumer, and authenticates the e-mail address by comparing the e-mail address with the e-mail ID stored in the server database in S1114. If the e-mail address is authenticated in S1115, the server obtains the password corresponding to the e-mail ID from the database in S1116, transmits the password to the e-mail address in S1117, and in S1118, the web as shown in FIG. 10E. Create and serve pages. If the e-mail address is not authenticated in S1115, the server creates a re-entry web page that recommends re-entry to the consumer in S1119, giving the consumer the opportunity to re-enter the e-mail address.
[0074]
If it is determined in S1111 that the server has not responded to the click of the “Forgot password?” Hyperlink 1004, the server determines in S1120 whether or not consumer information for registration has been received. If so, in S1121, the server sends the address information entered by the consumer to the server of one of the carriers (preferably the carrier that the manufacturer uses in the consumer's geographic area). Send and receive information from the carrier for address validation. The validity check of this address is executed in S1122. If this address is valid, in S1123 the server stores the information entered by the consumer in its database, and in S1124 creates and serves the “Welcome” web page of FIG. 10F. If the address is not valid, in S1125, the server creates and serves a web page that indicates that the address information entered by the consumer does not match any information in the shipping company database.
[0075]
If the server determines in S1120 that the consumer information for registration has not been received, the server determines in S1126 whether the consumer has clicked the “Return Container” hyperlink 1012. If so, the server creates a web page as shown in FIG. 10G and serves it in S1127. If not clicked, the server determines in step S1128 whether or not the user has clicked the “present” button 1023 to send product information and a related request for a shipping label or multiple shipping box.
[0076]
If so, in S1130, the server verifies the presented product, machine type, and machine serial number information by checking the information against the information stored in the database, and S1131. It is determined whether or not there is an error. If there is an error, in S1132, the server creates a web page indicating information mismatch. If there is no error, in S1133, the server determines whether or not the request is a label request. If the request is not a label request, the request is a multiple box request, and the server creates a web page as shown in FIG. 10H and serves it in S1134. Thereafter, in S1135, the server orders shipping of the box to the consumer.
[0077]
If the request is a label request, the server selects the destination of the product to be returned based on the product type and the consumer's location (S1137); the selected destination is available. (S1137), if it cannot be used, it is determined whether it is overflow or alternative destination (S1138); similarly, the carrier is determined based on the location of the consumer (S1139). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the server at this point contacts the carriers' servers to obtain a rate estimate from each of the plurality of carriers and presents the most advantageous rates. The carrier determined by the server is automatically selected.
[0078]
The product destination selection in S1137 is made by the manufacturer's server based on specific rules that take into account the consumer's geographical location (ie, the origin of the package) and the nature of the product to be returned. For example, this rule states that all products of type A that should be returned by consumers west of the Mississippi River in the United States go to Los Angeles facilities; they are returned by consumers east of the Mississippi River in the United States. All products of type A to go to New York facilities; all products of type B to be returned by consumers west of the Mississippi River in the United States go to San Francisco facilities; east of the Mississippi River in the United States It would be possible to specify that all products of type B that are to be returned by consumers in the United States go to a facility in Miami. This rule is only an example, and other rules are clearly possible, including rules for more types of products and more possible destinations, and rules that take into account additional factors. Needless to say. In any case, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturer's server specifies the rules for destination selection by an authorized administrator when program operation is first started, and Provide tools that allow those rules to be changed or updated during the duration.
[0079]
In any case, if the carrier is determined, in S1140, the server transmits information including the departure location and destination location of the package, the size and weight of the package, etc. to the selected carrier server. In S1141, the server receives fee information from the carrier server and stores the information in the database. In S1142, the server creates and serves a web page as shown in FIG. 10I based on the data, information, and rules provided by the associated carrier.
[0080]
If the server determines in S1128 that the “Submit” button 1023 has not been clicked, the server determines in S1143 whether or not the user has clicked the “view return history” hyperlink 1013. If so, the server receives the return history of the consumer from the database in S1144, and creates and serves a web page as shown in FIG. 10K using the data in S1145. If not clicked, the server determines in step S1146 whether or not the “LABEL” hyperlink 1038 has been clicked to execute the label shortcut request. If the button is clicked, the server appropriately executes S1130 to S1142 using data corresponding to the return history.
[0081]
If the “LABEL” hyperlink 1038 has not been clicked, the server determines whether or not the “LABEL” hyperlink 1030 in FIG. If the response is positive, in S1148, the server sends consumer information including the consumer's location (ie, address) to the carrier server and receives the nearest drop-off location from the carrier server. Next, in S1149, the server creates and serves a web page as shown in FIG. 10J in order to communicate the location of the drop-off site to the consumer.
[0082]
In the improved embodiment of the present invention, the web page of FIG. 10I is provided with a hyperlink that the consumer can click to request the carrier to retrieve the package at the consumer's residence. . This feature may be made available only to large consumers who are operating a facility where, for example, the carrier collects as a daily routine anyway. In any case, in the system incorporating the above-described features, the server determines whether or not a collection request has been executed by the consumer in S1150, and if it has been executed, the server collects it in the server of the carrier in S1151. Send request information and receive confirmation from carrier server for collection. Next, in S1152, the server creates and serves a web page that confirms collection to the consumer.
[0083]
In S1153, the server determines whether the tracking number hyperlink 1032 in FIG. 10K has been clicked to request tracking information. If so, in S1154 the server sends a request for information regarding the tracking number to the carrier's server and receives the information; in S1155, a web page is presented that presents the information to the consumer. Create and serve. If not clicked, the server determines in S1156 whether or not the carrier hyperlink 1033 has been clicked. If so, the server directs the client to the carrier server again in S1157.
[0084]
In S 1158, the server determines whether the consumer has clicked the “profile update” hyperlink 1014. If so, the server retrieves the consumer profile data from the database in S1159, and creates a web page as shown in FIG. 10L in which consumer information is entered and editable in S1160. Serve. If not clicked, in S1161, the server determines whether or not the “site feedback” hyperlink 1015 is clicked. If so, the server creates a web page as shown in FIG. To do. If not clicked, the server determines in S1163 whether the “submit feedback” button 1042 is clicked. If it is clicked, the server stores the submitted survey information in the database in S1164, and creates and serves a web page as shown in FIG. 10N in S1165. If not clicked, in S1166, the server determines whether an “end” hyperlink 1016 indicating that the user wishes to leave the system is clicked. If so, the server creates and serves an end web page in S1167. If not clicked, in S1168, the server creates and serves an error web page indicating that an unprocessable action has been executed.
[0085]
Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the operation of the above-described embodiment of the present invention will be described from the perspective of the carrier's server. The operation starts in S1201 and proceeds as follows.
[0086]
If the manufacturer's server has issued an address validation request (S1202), the carrier server validates the address, city, state and zip code with information from the server database in S1203; S1204 To notify the manufacturer's server as to whether the information is valid.
[0087]
If the manufacturer has issued a fee request (S1205), in S1206, the carrier's server retrieves the shipping fee from its database; in S1207, it transmits the fee information to the manufacturer's server.
[0088]
If the manufacturer's server has issued the nearest drop-off location request (S1208), the carrier server in S1209 determines the location of the carrier's facility closest to the consumer specified by the manufacturer's server. The location data is created in S1210 and served to the manufacturer's server.
[0089]
If the manufacturer's server has issued a collection request (S1211), in S1212 the carrier server logs the collection request so that the collection request is realized, and sends a confirmation to the manufacturer's server.
[0090]
If the manufacturer has issued a tracking information request (S1213), the carrier's server retrieves the relevant tracking information from its database in S1214; it creates that information and sends it to the manufacturer's server in S1215.
[0091]
If the manufacturer issues a homepage access request for the carrier (S1216), the carrier server connects the client to the homepage in S1217.
[0092]
FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the product to be returned is a consumable that is manufactured by a first manufacturer and used in a large machine manufactured by a second manufacturer. The product is returned to the first manufacturer where it is disposed of, but the consumer interfaces with the second manufacturer's web server.
[0093]
This embodiment may be necessary, for example, in situations where a laser toner cartridge is manufactured by a first manufacturer and used in a laser printer manufactured by a second manufacturer. In such a case, according to this embodiment, the purchaser of the printer visits the printer manufacturer's website to send the cartridge to the cartridge manufacturer's facility for disposal, eg, collection and reuse. It would be possible to obtain a shipping label.
[0094]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first manufacturer (for example, cartridge manufacturer), the second manufacturer (for example, printer manufacturer), and the server of the carrier and the interaction between them. In S1301, the consumer connects to the second manufacturer's website, and in S1302, the consumer's address information, product information, etc. (in a preferred embodiment, all of the information required by the formats of FIGS. 10C and 10G). Is transmitted to the server of the second manufacturer. Part of the information, for example, the consumer's state, city, and postal code, is transmitted from the second manufacturer's server to the carrier's server. Validate the address by comparing it with the stored information. The carrier's server then notifies the second manufacturer's server as to whether the address is valid.
[0095]
As shown in S1304, if the address is not valid, the process returns to S1302 to receive an updated, possibly correct, transmission of consumer information. If the address is valid, the manufacturer's server stores the consumer information in a primary text file (such as a flat file in the server database) in S1305. The manufacturer's server may store this information permanently for use in connection with purposes unrelated to the return program. In any case, the consumer's address information and product information are transmitted from the second manufacturer's server to the first manufacturer's server, and in step S1306, the first manufacturer's server stores the information in its own database.
[0096]
In S1307, the first manufacturer's server determines the destination of the product according to the method described above; it generates the tracking number according to the rules previously provided by the carrier. Therefore, the second manufacturer's server provides the information to the first manufacturer's server, and the first manufacturer's server receives the other consumer information stored in the server database in S1308. Connect to generate shipping label. Thereafter, the process ends at S1309.
[0097]
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier's web server and the first manufacturer's web server use the X12 Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standard promulgated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). (For example, once a day). The data provided to the first manufacturer's server by the carrier server may include, for example, data describing the types of packages owned by the carrier and the delivery schedule for those packages. The data provided by the first manufacturer's server to the carrier's server describes, for example, a generated electronic label to inform the carrier that the carrier appears to be in the process of receiving the package. It may contain data. Obviously, such data is merely an example, and other types of data are possible as well.
[0098]
In order to implement a consumer product return program in accordance with the present invention, the database server 150 communicating with the manufacturer's web server 110 may be of various types such as registered consumer, administrator, return center, product, etc. data. Of course you have to store the data. FIG. 14 shows an example of a data structure for organizing and storing such information. Data is stored as related tables and is preferably managed and accessed by a relational database management system such as that commercially available from Oracle, Sybase, etc. In the data format shown in FIG. 14, the entire database is divided into several sections, each section storing data related to a different aspect of the system.
[0099]
Section 1401, labeled “Management Data”, stores data related to administrators authorized to log on to the system to perform management functions. For each administrator A,..., N, this section contains a data record containing information such as the administrator's name, company name, department, email address, logon ID, password, and the like. Section 1402 labeled “Consumer Data” stores similar types of information but related information to users who are registered to access the system as consumers. For each consumer A,..., N, this section returns information describing the consumer's name, address, email address, phone number, logon ID, password, etc., as well as the return that the consumer has already made Contains data records that contain historical information. The data records for the two sections 1401 and 1402 are created when the associated administrator or consumer (sometimes) registers a new user with the system using information that requires registration to provide Is done. Needless to say, these data records are modified when the user updates the profile and when the user uses the system to perform transactions.
[0100]
Section 1403 labeled “Return Center Data” contains a data record for each return center to which the consumer product will be returned. A data record for each of the return centers A,..., N may be created by an authorized administrator who is logged on to the system, and includes a center code, center name, address, telephone number, facsimile number, and data record. It includes information such as the name of the administrator who was initially set and the type of returned consumer product that would be shipped there. The data record for a given return center A may be modified by an authorized administrator, for example, if the given return center A is determined to receive a different or additional type of consumer product. good.
[0101]
Section 1404 labeled “Product Data” contains a data record for each type of consumer product that can use the system for return. Each such data record A,..., N includes a product code, a product name, a product description, and the like. This data record preferably further includes product dimensions such as product length, width, height and depth that can be used to estimate or calculate shipping charges. Also, if the product is a consumable used in connection with a large machine, the data record may include identification information for the machine with which the product is used. For example, if the product is a laser toner cartridge, the data record may include the model number of the printer in which the cartridge is used. In any case, a consumer product data record that can use the system for return can be created and updated by an authorized administrator.
[0102]
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the data record for each product A,..., N contains additional information, ie a product group code specified by the administrator at the time the data record is created. Usually, several types of similar products are assigned the same group code. By classifying products into groups in this way, similar products that should be processed in a similar manner can be grouped together, thus facilitating the process of classifying returned products.
[0103]
Section 1405 labeled “Survey Data” stores various responses and comments presented by consumers who provided feedback to the system. Section 1406 labeled “Carrier Data” includes a data record for each carrier A,..., N used by the system, which includes the carrier name, carrier code, carrier website. Information such as the basic resource locator (URL) and the carrier's fee structure. Section 1407 labeled “Model Data” stores a data record for each large machine that can use a product that has a record in section 1404. Each type record A,..., N includes a type name, a type code, and product identification information (eg, relating to a product code or group code) that can be used with the type.
[0104]
Section 1408 labeled “Auto Select Data” stores data for determining to which return center a given consumer product should be returned and for determining the carrier that will perform the shipment. The data stored in this section is entered and updated by an authorized administrator. One preferred way of organizing this data is in a matrix of rows and columns, and this matrix is scanned in a predetermined way so that the correct return center and carrier can be verified for each consumer request. It is good to do so.
[0105]
An example of such a matrix is shown in FIG. In this example: product (identification of the product to be returned); state (state from which the product is returned); return center (return center to which the product is to be returned); Each column of merchant identification information). When determining the return center and carrier identity for a given product, the system scans this matrix by sequentially scanning each row 1,. As each row is scanned, the system determines whether the product identity and location matches the entry in that row. If there is a match, the system determines that the product should be shipped to the return center indicated on that line by the carrier indicated on that line. If there is no match, the next row (row 2) is processed in the same manner and continues until a match is found. This process is illustrated in the examples below.
[0106]
Example 1
The consumer presented a request for a label to return Product B from the location in New York. The system examines row 1 and determines that all products A, B or C from New York are shipped by the carrier X to the return center NE (“Northeast”); generates an appropriate label.
[0107]
Example 2
Consumers have submitted a request for a label to return Product C from their location in California. The system examines row 1 and determines that it meets product standards (Product C is in the range of AC) but does not meet state standards. The system then moves to inspect row 2 and determines that any product originating from California should be shipped by carrier Y to center SW ("southwest"); generates an appropriate label .
[0108]
Example 3
The consumer submitted a request for a label to return Product D from the location in New York. The system examines row 1 and determines that it meets state standards but does not meet product standards (product D is outside the range of AC). The system then moves to examine row 2 and determines that the row applies to all types of products, but only applies to returns originating in California. Thus, the system moves to line 3 and determines that the line applies to any product from any state (ie, any product that can be returned using the system). The system then determines that product D should be shipped by carrier Z to return center MW ("Midwest"); generates an appropriate label.
[0109]
In the type of data structure illustrated in FIG. 15, it will be readily understood that the order of the rows directly affects the final result. For example, row 3 indicates that “any” product from “any” state is shipped by carrier Z to return center MW, while row 2 returns “any” product from California by carrier Y. It shows that the product is sent to the center SW. Also, since row 2 is inspected before row 3, it has control priority so that all products from California are shipped to SW by Y instead of MW by Z.
[0110]
Needless to say, the matrix of FIG. 15 is merely an example and should not be construed as having any limiting meaning. Obviously, more complex matrices containing more rows and corresponding to more products, return centers and carriers are possible. Similarly, to be able to determine the destination and carrier based on other or additional factors (e.g., the group code of the product to be returned or the country, region, city and / or zip code of the consumer) Obviously, other columns can be added. Other configurations are possible as well.
[0111]
More generally speaking, the above detailed description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, although most of the above description relates to a product disposal program, the system and method of the present invention may be used to perform product return for reasons of product service, product repair, customer dissatisfaction, and the like. Various other modifications are possible as well.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a system embodied in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a flowchart showing a continuation of the flowchart of FIG.
[Fig. 3]
[Figure 4]
FIG.
FIG.
FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a web page served by a web server during operation of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an interaction between a client computer and a web server in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10A
FIG. 10B
FIG. 10C
FIG. 10D
FIG. 10E
FIG. 10F
FIG. 10G
FIG. 10H
FIG. 10I
FIG. 10J
FIG. 10K
FIG. 10L
FIG. 10M
FIG. 10N illustrates several examples of web pages served to client computers.
FIG. 11A
FIG. 11B
FIG. 11C is a flowchart showing the operation of the manufacturer's server in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server of the carrier in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first manufacturer's server, the second manufacturer's server, and the carrier's server in the embodiment of the present invention and the interaction between them.
FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a data structure for organizing and storing information.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a matrix of data processed to determine a return center and carrier according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (9)

A network server capable of communicating with a client terminal via a network and transmitting shipping label data for returning consumer products to the client terminal,
Receiving means for receiving at least location information indicating a location of a consumer product and product identification information for identifying the consumer product from the client terminal;
A database that stores the identification information of the product to be returned, the regional information of the product return source, the return destination information to which the product is to be returned, and the carrier service information to be shipped in association with each other;
Determining means for determining a return address and a carrier service of the consumer product based on the information stored in the database and the location information received by the receiving means, the product identification information;
Generating means for generating shipping label data including at least the return address determined by the determining means and information for identifying the carrier service;
Transmitting means for transmitting the shipping label data generated by the generating means to the client terminal;
A network server characterized by comprising: The network server according to claim 1, wherein the product identification information includes product serial number data. The network server is a web server, the client terminal is a computer having a web browser, a network server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the network is the Internet. The network server according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the consumer product is reusable and the destination is a recycling facility. 5. The network server according to claim 4 , wherein the consumer product is a toner cartridge of a laser printer, and the client terminal is a computer connected to the laser printer. It is possible to communicate with the client terminal via the network, and the identification information of the product to be returned, the regional information of the product return source, the return destination information to which the product is to be returned, and the information of the carrier service to be shipped. A network server control method comprising a database for storing data in association with each other and transmitting shipping label data for returning a consumer product to a client terminal,
A receiving step for receiving at least location information indicating a location of a consumer product and product identification information for identifying the consumer product from the client terminal;
A determining step for determining a return destination and a carrier service of the consumer product based on the information stored in the database, the location information received in the receiving step, and the product identification information;
A generating step of generating shipping label data including at least the return destination determined in the determining step and information identifying the carrier service;
A transmitting means for transmitting the shipping label data generated in the generating step to the client terminal; and
A method for controlling a network server, comprising: The network server control method according to claim 6 , wherein the product identification information includes product serial number data. It is possible to communicate with the client terminal via the network, and the identification information of the product to be returned, the regional information of the product return source, the return destination information to which the product is to be returned, and the information of the carrier service to be shipped. In order to cause a computer to execute a method of controlling a network server that includes a database stored in association with each other and transmits shipping label data for returning consumer products to a client terminal,
Receiving means for receiving at least location information indicating a location of a consumer product and product identification information for identifying the consumer product from the client terminal;
Determining means for determining a return destination and a carrier service of the consumer product based on the information stored in the database and the received location information and the product identification information;
Generating means for generating shipping label data including at least information for identifying the determined return destination and carrier service;
A program that functions as a network server having transmission means for transmitting the generated shipping label data to the client terminal. The program according to claim 8 , wherein the product identification information includes product serial number data.

Images