Patents by Inventor Kenny C. Vu

Kenny C. Vu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9996839
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return and whether to provide a coupon to the customer. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: The Retail Equation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw
  • Publication number: 20170039572
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return and whether to provide a coupon to the customer. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 9424588
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return and whether to provide a coupon to the customer. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: The Retail Equation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw
  • Publication number: 20160055524
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return and whether to provide a coupon to the customer. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 9076159
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return and whether to provide a coupon to the customer. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Retail Equation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw
  • Publication number: 20140236702
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return and whether to provide a coupon to the customer. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: The Retail Equation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 8708233
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return and whether to provide a coupon to the customer. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Retail Equation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw
  • Publication number: 20140046750
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return and whether to provide a coupon to the customer. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: The Retail Equation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 8561896
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Retail Equation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 8356750
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Retail Equation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw
  • Publication number: 20120166296
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: THE RETAIL EQUATION, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 8025229
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: The Retail Equation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw
  • Publication number: 20090076870
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: The Retail Equation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 7455226
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data at a merchant's point of return for use in processing a merchandise return transaction that is being requested by a customer. In various embodiments, the data may be collected using a wide variety of data collection technologies and may be used in conjunction with stored data, including data collected from other merchants, by a return authorization system to make a determination whether to accept or deny the requested merchandise return. The data may additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether to issue a warning to the customer about limitations on future return transactions presented by the customer. Examples of data categories that may be collected include, but are not limited to, information about: the merchant, the customer, the requested transaction, the merchandise being returned, one or more receipts, a clerk processing the transaction, and other general applicable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: The Return Exchange, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Hammond, Mark R. Hilinski, David B. Speights, Kenny C. Vu, James D. Holland, Peter L. Bradshaw