Abstract: A method that facilitates customer returns of merchandise by generating return labels that integrate a carrier-compliant format and return processing data on the same label. A return label generating process accesses data about an item to be returned, the customer, the package in which it is expected to be shipped, and the transaction associated with the item. The process evaluates this data in view of stored merchant rules, to determine how the package will be shipped. It then generates a label whose coding and format ensure that the package will be handled in this manner.

Abstract: A method of providing returnable customer items, originally purchased from a merchant. The merchant provides the customer with a special returns label that permits the customer to drop the return package with a carrier without paying shipping charges to the carrier. The label includes an integrated machine readable code, which permits a returns center to easily assess shipping charges and perform other services related to the return.

Abstract: A method that facilitates customer returns of merchandise. The method makes use of a distributed system of returns centers. Customer returns are made using machine readable return labels. The labels are addressed so that they are initially shipped to a returns center closest to the customer, thereby enabling “reverse zone skipping”. The labels also identify the package, such as by invoice number. Once a package is received at the returns center, the label is scanned into a processing system that also stores various returns “rules”, including rules for dispositioning returns.

Abstract: A method that facilitates customer returns of merchandise. The method makes use of a distributed system of returns centers. Customer returns are made using special machine readable return labels. The labels are addressed so that they are initially shipped to a returns center closest to the customer, thereby enabling “reverse zone skipping”. The labels also identify the package, such as by invoice number. Once a package is received at the returns center, the label is scanned into a processing system that also stores various returns “rules”, including rules for notifying the merchant and/or the returnee and for other data communications.

Abstract: A short message service center allowing processing characteristics to be modified for service users within a given type so that the storage and delivery of short messages to one service user of a given type may be different for another service user within the same given type is provided. The short message service center alleviates some of the potential “jams” associated with the processing of large distribution lists and closed user groups. The short message service center further allows for distributed administration. Additionally, the short message service center receives a short message in one standard format and delivers the short message in another standard format. The short message service center also utilizes both a table routing method and a global title translation method for routing messages to a recipient. The short message service center also allows a complete transmission of short messages between service entities having differing short message length definitions.

Abstract: A system and method for exposing a radiation sensitive layer to one or more repetitious design cells. Each design cell includes at least one design shape on at least one buildlevel. Each shape represents a circuit shape, or part of a circuit shape on an integrated circuit layer in a circuit on an integrated circuit chip. For each buildlevel: the design is parceled into units that contain approximately the same optimum number of vertices; and for each parcel: Each design cell occurrence, or transform, is examined to determine whether it has proximity effect commonality with other cell transforms (a common environment) and, based on that determination, the cell transform is placed into one of three groups, Macro Candidates, Nested Candidates, and Unnested Candidates. In each Macro Candidate and Nested Candidate any overlapping shapes are combined, or unioned, to form a single shape and, then, the shapes are reconstructed (filled) with rectangles (fill rectangles).