Patents by Inventor Mark Hilinski

Mark Hilinski 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).

  • Publication number: 20080065485
    Abstract: A return coupon holder is described for holding a return coupon issued in a store in conjunction with a customer's merchandise return transaction. The return coupon holder is preferably sized large enough to discourage the customer from stowing the coupon away, such as in a handbag. Additionally, holders may be of different types that visually or electronically convey information about a category associated with the customer's return transaction. Thus, salespersons may accordingly provide appropriate customer service to the customer. The holder categories may indicate an approximate dollar value of the return transaction, a type of merchandise returned, a return payment method, an assessment of the profitability of the customer, an assessment of the risk of fraud associated with the return transaction, and the like. A computer decision system may select holder type. Some embodiments of the coupon holder are fitted with a device that allow tracing of the customer's movements while still in the store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: The Return Exchange, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Hammond, Peter Bradshaw, Jim Ibert, Dave Justus, Mark Hilinski, David Speights