Abstract: A non-serialized electronic product registration (ER) system and method which enables return qualification information to be provided upon request for non-serialized products. Retailer specific return policies are enforced by providing the ER system with retailer return policies for UPCs, SKUs, model numbers and/or other non-unique product identifiers. The retailer periodically provides information to the ER system that indicates the last date on which products having a particular non-unique identifier have been sold. The ER system then determine the last date on which such products can be returned and provides non-serialized return qualification information to the retailer upon request.

Abstract: A non-serialized electronic product registration (ER) system and method which enables return qualification information to be provided upon request for non-serialized products. Retailer specific return policies are enforced by providing the ER system with retailer return policies for UPCs, SKUs, model numbers and/or other non-unique product identifiers. The retailer periodically provides information to the ER system that indicates the last date on which products having a particular non-unique identifier have been sold. The ER system then determine the last date on which such products can be returned and provides non-serialized return qualification information to the retailer upon request.

Abstract: A non-serialized electronic product registration (ER) system and method which enables return qualification information to be provided upon request for non-serialized products. Retailer specific return policies are enforced by providing the ER system with retailer return policies for UPCs, SKUs, model numbers and/or other non-unique product identifiers. The retailer periodically provides information to the ER system that indicates the last date on which products having a particular non-unique identifier have been sold. The ER system then determine the last date on which such products can be returned and provides non-serialized return qualification information to the retailer upon request.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments described herein relate to the field of electronic registration (ER) of purchased items and, more particularly, to improved electronic registration techniques that provide validation and/or verification services for an award points program and/or products having associated award points. Certain exemplary embodiments provide electronic award points management techniques that authenticate item purchases, determine eligibility for inclusion in a manufacturer's or a retailer's award program, help identify and detect potential fraudulent transactions involving award points and/or associated products, etc. Certain exemplary embodiments may allow point information to be printed directly on a case where it is continually visible, which may, in turn, help increase enrollment by increasing visibility of the program, reducing the likelihood of insert cards being lost, etc., while at the same time reducing costs for program implementation on the part of manufacturers, retailers, etc.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments described herein relate to the field of electronic registration (ER) of purchased items and, more particularly, to improved electronic registration techniques that provide validation and/or verification services for an award points program and/or products having associated award points. Certain exemplary embodiments provide electronic award points management techniques that authenticate item purchases, determine eligibility for inclusion in a manufacturer's or a retailer's award program, help identify and detect potential fraudulent transactions involving award points and/or associated products, etc. Certain exemplary embodiments may allow point information to be printed directly on a case where it is continually visible, which may, in turn, help increase enrollment by increasing visibility of the program, reducing the likelihood of insert cards being lost, etc., while at the same time reducing costs for program implementation on the part of manufacturers, retailers, etc.

Abstract: A non-serialized electronic product registration (ER) system and method which enables return qualification information to be provided upon request for non-serialized products. Retailer specific return policies are enforced by providing the ER system with retailer return policies for UPCs, SKUs, model numbers and/or other non-unique product identifiers. The retailer periodically provides information to the ER system that indicates the last date on which products having a particular non-unique identifier have been sold. The ER system then determine the last date on which such products can be returned and provides non-serialized return qualification information to the retailer upon request.

Abstract: A non-serialized electronic product registration (ER) system and method which enables return qualification information to be provided upon request for non-serialized products. Retailer specific return policies are enforced by providing the ER system with retailer return policies for UPCs, SKUs, model numbers and/or other non-unique product identifiers. The retailer periodically provides information to the ER system that indicates the last date on which products having a particular non-unique identifier have been sold. The ER system then determine the last date on which such products can be returned and provides non-serialized return qualification information to the retailer upon request.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments described herein relate to the field of electronic registration (ER) of purchased items and, more particularly, to improved electronic registration techniques that provide validation and/or verification services for an award points program and/or products having associated award points. Certain exemplary embodiments provide electronic award points management techniques that authenticate item purchases, determine eligibility for inclusion in a manufacturer's or a retailer's award program, help identify and detect potential fraudulent transactions involving award points and/or associated products, etc. Certain exemplary embodiments may allow point information to be printed directly on a case where it is continually visible, which may, in turn, help increase enrollment by increasing visibility of the program, reducing the likelihood of insert cards being lost, etc., while at the same time reducing costs for program implementation on the part of manufacturers, retailers, etc.

Abstract: A loudspeaker may include a baffle, a planar diaphragm transducer carried by the baffle and having a front surface for radiating acoustic energy therefrom, and a slotted waveguide adjacent the front surface of the planar diaphragm transducer. The planar diaphragm transducer may be operable to a desired high frequency, and the slotted opening may have a width not substantially greater than a wavelength corresponding to the desired high frequency. For example, for a desired high frequency of about 20 KHz, the slotted opening may have a width not greater than about two-thirds of an inch. Accordingly, the loudspeaker including the slotted waveguide may provide nearly constant horizontal directivity over a large angle. In another embodiment, the loudspeaker may include a conical diaphragm transducer with a slotted waveguide adjacent its front surface.

Abstract: A non-serialized electronic product registration (ER) system and method which enables return qualification information to be provided upon request for non-serialized products. Retailer specific return policies are enforced by providing the ER system with retailer return policies for UPCs, SKUs, model numbers and/or other non-unique product identifiers. The retailer periodically provides information to the ER system that indicates the last date on which products having a particular non-unique identifier have been sold. The ER system then determine the last date on which such products can be returned and provides non-serialized return qualification information to the retailer upon request.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making lithium-containing aluminum base alloy extrusion having at least a section thereof having a low aspect ratio, the extrusions having improved properties in sections thereof having the low aspect ratio. The method comprises providing a body of a lithium-containing aluminum alloy, extruding a low aspect ratio extrusion section, the aspect ratio being in the range of 1 to 2.5, and maintaining the body in a temperature range of 400.degree. to 1000.degree. F. and at least a 4:1 extrusion reduction during said extrusion step, the extrusion section having tensile yield strength of at least 60 ksi and having an ultimate yield strength of at least 4.5 ksi greater than the tensile yield strength.

Abstract: A method for thermally treating an article made from an aluminum alloy having a first temperature at which solute atoms cluster to yield nuclei for the formation and growth of strengthening precipitates, and a second higher temperature at which the strengthening precipitates dissolve. The method comprises: heating the article to allow substantially all soluble alloy components to enter into solution; rapidly cooling the article in a quenching medium; and precipitation hardening the article by aging at or below the first temperature for a few hours to several months; then aging above the first temperature and below the second temperature until desired strength is achieved. A method for imparting improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness to a solution heat treated-article which includes an aluminum-lithium alloy is also disclosed. This method comprises aging the article at one or more temperatures at or below a first temperature of about 93.degree. C. (200.degree. F.