Customized item self-returns system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12014380-B2
Application number	US-202217573482-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 11, 2022
Priority date	Feb 8, 2018
Publication date	Jun 18, 2024
Grant date	Jun 18, 2024

Abstract

Examples provide customized authorization of item self-returns. A customized returns manager component calculates a customized return-trust score and a per-item return value based on analysis of item data and transaction history data. If a per-user return-trust score is within an unacceptable threshold range or an item value is within an unacceptable threshold value range, a second user is assigned to assist a first user with completion of the proposed return of the selected item. If the per-user return-trust score and the item value is within an acceptable threshold range, a return authorization component authorizes unassisted self-return of the selected item. An item disposition component determines in real-time whether to permit the first user to keep the selected item or instruct the first user to return the selected item to a designated item return area prior to completion of the item return based on a set of item disposition criteria.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system enabling item returns, the system comprising:
at least one processor;
a memory communicatively coupled with the at least one processor;
a calculation component, implemented on the at least one processor, configured to access a returns account associated with a selected user attempting to return a selected item, calculate a per-user return-trust score for the selected user, and automatically calculate a per-item return value of the selected item as a function of a ratio of purchases to returns of the selected item by a plurality of users within a predetermined time-period;
a return authorization component, implemented on the at least one processor, configured to analyze the per-user return-trust score and item data associated with the selected item, including a value of the selected item and the per-item return value, and determine whether to authorize unassisted self-return of the selected item by the selected user based on results of the analysis;
an item disposition component, implemented on the at least one processor, configured to generate a set of item disposition instructions associated with the selected item in real-time based on a set of item disposition criteria and a set of item return data, wherein the set of item disposition instructions comprising at least one of a first instruction to leave the selected item at a designated return location or a second instruction to retain the selected item by the selected user; and
an application configured to be executed on a first user device, wherein the first user device comprises a mobile device, and wherein the application when executed on the first user device is configured to:
detect a geo-fence active relative to a store that includes the designated return location; and
generate a reminder to the selected user of a pending return of the selected item in response to receiving the set of item disposition instructions and detecting the geo-fence;

wherein the calculation component is further configured to, in response to an actual return of the selected item or failure to return the selected item, update in real-time the per-user return-trust score of the selected user based on the return or failure to return, and store the updated per-user return-trust score in the returns account associated with the selected user.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a notification component configured to identify and output one of multiple different notifications based on the determination of whether to authorize the unassisted self-return of the selected item by the selected user, the multiple different notifications comprising:
a first notification to a second user device associated with a second user assigning the second user to assist the selected user with completing a return of the selected item when the return authorization component does not authorize the unassisted self-return of the selected item; and
a second notification to the second user device comprising a restock instruction associated with the selected item.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the calculation component is configured to calculate the per-item return value for the selected item based on a set of item attributes and a set of item-value parameters, wherein the set of item-value parameters comprising at least one of a threshold value of the selected item, a threshold number of instances of a returned item per time-period, a threshold number of item returns in a single transaction, a set of self-return ineligible categories, and a set of self-return ineligible items.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the calculation component is configured to calculate the per-item return value for the selected item based on a set of item attributes and a set of item-value parameters, wherein the set of item attributes comprises at least one of a category of the selected item, the value of the selected item, and an item returns history associated with the selected item, wherein the item returns history corresponding to the selected item comprises at least one of a number of instances of the selected item returned within a first time-period, a number of valid returns of instances of the selected item within a second time-period, and a number of invalid attempted returns of instances of the selected item within a third time-period.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a notification component configured to output a disposition notification to a second user device associated with a second user based on the selected item being returned to the designated return location and an estimated cost of restocking the selected item being below a restocking threshold, the disposition notification comprising a restock instruction associated with the selected item.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a notification component configured to output a disposition notification to a second user device associated with a second user to send the selected item to a supplier associated with the selected item based on the selected item being received at the designated return location and the selected item being designated as an item to be returned to the supplier.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a notification component configured to output a disposition notification to a second user device associated with a second user to dispose of the selected item based on the selected item being received at the designated return location and the selected item is a perishable item associated with a cold-chain compliance requirement.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the calculation component is further configured to calculate the per-user return-trust score for the selected user based on an analysis of the item data associated with the selected item and transaction history data associated with the selected user, wherein the transaction history data comprises at least one of a method of payment utilized to complete previous transactions, a credit score associated with the selected user, an identification of one or more issues associated with previously returned items, and user provided data associated with the returns account of the selected user.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein calculation component is further configured to calculate the per-user return-trust score for the selected user based on an analysis of the item data associated with the selected item and transaction history data associated with the selected user, wherein the transaction history data comprises at least one of a number of items returned by the selected user within a second predetermined time-period, a number of items purchased by the selected user within the second predetermined time-period, an identification of items previously returned, and a value of each item previously returned.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a task assignment component configured to assign a second user to assist the selected user with completion of the proposed return of the selected item based on at least one of the return-trust score associated with the selected user being outside of a return-trust score threshold range or the per-item return value associated with the selected item being outside of a return value threshold range.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
wherein the return authorization component is configured to authorize the unassisted self-return of the selected item by the selected user based on at least one of the per-user return-trust score associated with the selected user being within a return-trust score threshold range and the per-item return value associated with the selected item being within a return value threshold range.

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Assignees

• Walmart Apollo Llc

Inventors

• Flores Brandon
• Irvin Leslie
• Humphrys Douglas E
• Crozier Ryan
• Eckert Daniel
• Matthews Mark

Classifications

• G06Q20/4016

  involving fraud or risk level assessment in transaction processing · CPC title

• G06Q30/0281

  Customer communication at a business location, e.g. providing product or service information, consulting · CPC title

• G06Q20/407

  Cancellation of a transaction · CPC title

• G06Q30/016 Primary

  After-sales · CPC title