公开(公告)号：US08489519B2

公开(公告)日：2013-07-16

申请号：US11510801

申请日：2006-08-24

申请人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu

发明人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu

IPC分类号： G06Q30/00 ,  G06F17/00 ,  G06G7/00

CPC分类号： G06Q10/0835 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q10/0834 ,  G06Q10/08345 ,  G06Q10/10 ,  G06Q10/101 ,  G06Q30/0282 ,  G06Q30/0601

摘要： The present invention provides a plurality of Enterprises with a single online user interface with which the Enterprise can provide Enterprise Shippers, shipping origination users and shipping intermediary users with an automated parcel management system for a plurality of supported Carriers for a plurality of services. The present invention provides for the hierarchical definition of users, including the establishment of at least one user for each Enterprise as a Super-Administrator with the highest level of privileges and authority for the Enterprise, and the identification of other users as Sub-Administrators, Desktop Users and Shipping Station Users. The present invention also provides for the hierarchical definition of organizational units within each Enterprise, including the definition of sites, groups within a site, and users within a group and for a distinct definition of policies, privileges, and other types of specifications for each user level, each user, and each organizational unit.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了具有单个在线用户界面的多个企业，企业可以通过该企业提供企业托运人，为起始用户和运输中间用户提供用于多个服务的多个被支持运营商的自动包裹管理系统。 本发明提供了用户的分层定义，包括为每个企业建立至少一个具有企业级别的权限和权限的超级管理员的用户，以及将其他用户识别为子管理员， 桌面用户和航运站用户。 本发明还提供了每个企业内的组织单位的分层定义，包括站点的定义，站点内的组以及组内的用户以及针对每个用户的策略，特权和其他类型的规范的明确定义 级别，每个用户和每个组织单位。

公开(公告)号：US06952678B2

公开(公告)日：2005-10-04

申请号：US09944324

申请日：2001-08-30

申请人： Daniel F. Williams ,  Lawrence L. Ostema ,  Matthew N. Jensen

发明人： Daniel F. Williams ,  Lawrence L. Ostema ,  Matthew N. Jensen

IPC分类号： G06F7/00 ,  H04L20060101 ,  G06F17/60

CPC分类号： G06Q10/105 ,  G06Q30/0203

摘要： A system, method, and apparatus for facilitating a self-organizing workforce of one or more workers through payment and recognition incentives, a set of configurable operating rules, and a set of credentials to represent the reputations and organizational capital of individual workers. The system includes a worksite having one or more configurable worksite rules where the one or more workers may work on an idea. Work includes posting to a discussion about the idea, voting on the idea, and recommending an outcome for the idea. Worker credentials for each worker are updated based on a worker's work on the idea within the worksite. The worker credentials include merit, which is a measure of the quantity, quality, and significance of work done; links, which is a function of what one worker thinks of another worker's work; wisdom, which reflects the worker's ability to spot a good idea; and, influence, which is a function of merit, links, and wisdom, and which reflects a worker's overall organizational capital within the system.

摘要翻译： 一种用于通过支付和识别激励来促进一个或多个工作人员的自组织劳动力的系统，方法和装置，一组可配置的操作规则，以及一组代表每个工人的声誉和组织资本的凭据。 该系统包括具有一个或多个可配置的工地规则的工地，其中一个或多个工人可以在一个想法上工作。 工作包括发表关于这个想法的讨论，对这个想法进行投票，并为这个想法推荐结果。 每个工作人员的工作人员凭证将根据工作人员在工作现场的想法进行工作进行更新。 工作人员凭证包括优点，这是对完成工作的数量，质量和意义的度量; 链接，这是一个工人认为另一个工作者的工作的功能; 智慧，反映了工人发现一个好主意的能力; 和影响力，这是优点，联系和智慧的功能，反映了工人在体系内的整体组织资本。

公开(公告)号：US08600913B2

公开(公告)日：2013-12-03

申请号：US12626487

申请日：2009-11-25

申请人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu ,  Richard M. Antush ,  Scott Joseph Bean

发明人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu ,  Richard M. Antush ,  Scott Joseph Bean

IPC分类号： G06Q30/00

CPC分类号： G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q10/0837 ,  G06Q30/0601

摘要： The present invention provides a computer system (the “Return System”) that provides multi-carrier shipment rating, shipment labeling, shipment tracking, shipment tracking management reports, returns analysis and returns management reporting. In an exemplary embodiment, the Return System has three major components: 1.) A Returns Manager Subsystem that provides a user interface to each Merchant to setup the Merchant's account, setup the Merchant's return policy and rules, and to monitor the status and movement of return shipments; 2.) A Consumer Returns Subsystem that provides each consumer using the Returns System with an online user interface that leads the consumer through the returns process, displays the return policies and rules to the consumer, provides shipping document to ship the return package if appropriate, and permits the consumer to track their return shipments; and 3.) a Returns Processing Subsystem that, in the exemplary embodiment, provides background shipping and tracking functionality.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供一种计算机系统（“返回系统”），其提供多载体装运等级，装运标签，装运跟踪，装运跟踪管理报告，返回分析和返回管理报告。 在一个示例性实施例中，退货系统具有三个主要组成部分：1.）退货管理器子系统，其向每个商户提供用户界面以设置商家的账户，设置商家的退货政策和规则，以及监视 退货; 2.）消费者退货子系统为每个使用退货系统的消费者提供通过退货流程引导消费者的在线用户界面，向消费者显示退货政策和规则，如果合适，提供运送单据以发运退货包， 并允许消费者跟踪他们的退货; 和3.）返回处理子系统，其在示例性实施例中提供背景运送和跟踪功能。

公开(公告)号：US20110246384A1

公开(公告)日：2011-10-06

申请号：US13093551

申请日：2011-04-25

申请人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu

发明人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu

IPC分类号： G06Q30/00

CPC分类号： G06Q10/0835 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q10/0834 ,  G06Q10/08345 ,  G06Q10/10 ,  G06Q10/101 ,  G06Q30/0282 ,  G06Q30/0601

摘要： The present invention provides a plurality of Enterprises with a single online user interface with which the Enterprise can provide Enterprise Shippers, shipping origination users and shipping intermediary users with an automated parcel management system for a plurality of supported Carriers for a plurality of services. The present invention provides for the hierarchical definition of users, including the establishment of at least one user for each Enterprise as a Super-Administrator with the highest level of privileges and authority for the Enterprise, and the identification of other users as Sub-Administrators, Desktop Users and Shipping Station Users. The present invention also provides for the hierarchical definition of organizational units within each Enterprise, including the definition of sites, groups within a site, and users within a group. The present invention further provides for a distinct definition of policies, privileges, and other types of specifications for each user level, each user, and each organizational unit. The present invention applies the user and organizational policies, privileges and other specifications as they apply to each particular user to drive the interactive interface with each particular user and to provide among other things, shipping options, shipping services, shipping rates, traveler and/or shipping label preparation, and shipment tracking.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了具有单个在线用户界面的多个企业，企业可以通过该企业提供企业托运人，为起始用户和运输中间用户提供用于多个服务的多个被支持运营商的自动包裹管理系统。 本发明提供了用户的分层定义，包括为每个企业建立至少一个具有企业级别的权限和权限的超级管理员的用户，以及将其他用户识别为子管理员， 桌面用户和航运站用户。 本发明还提供了每个企业内的组织单位的分层定义，包括站点的定义，站点内的组和组内的用户。 本发明还提供了针对每个用户级别，每个用户和每个组织单元的策略，特权和其他类型的规范的明确定义。 本发明适用于它们适用于每个特定用户的用户和组织策略，特权和其他规范以驱动与每个特定用户的交互式界面，并且提供其他方面，包括运送选项，运送服务，运费，旅行者和/或 运送标签准备和出货跟踪。

公开(公告)号：US07660721B2

公开(公告)日：2010-02-09

申请号：US09820292

申请日：2001-03-27

申请人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu ,  Richard M. Antush ,  Scott Joseph Bean

发明人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu ,  Richard M. Antush ,  Scott Joseph Bean

IPC分类号： G06Q30/00

CPC分类号： G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q10/0837 ,  G06Q30/0601

摘要： The present invention provides a computer system (the “System”, or the “Return System”) that is configured and programmed to provide online stores with a fast, simple, convenient way for eCommerce customers of an online store to return merchandise purchased from that store from within that online store. The Return System provides multi-carrier shipment rating, shipment labeling, shipment tracking, shipment tracking management reports, returns analysis and returns management reporting In an exemplary embodiment, the Return System has three major components: 1.) A Returns Manager Subsystem that provides a user interface to each Merchant to setup the Merchant's account, setup the Merchant's return policy and rules, and to monitor the status and movement of return shipments; 2.) A Consumer Returns Subsystem (also sometimes referred to as a “Customer Returns Subsystem”) that provides each consumer using the Returns System with an online user interface that leads the consumer through the returns process, displays the return policies and rules to the consumer, provides shipping document to ship the return package if appropriate, and permits the consumer to track their return shipments; and 3.) a Returns Processing Subsystem that, in the exemplary embodiment, provides background shipping and tracking functionality. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the Online Merchant integrates the Merchant's online system with the Returns Processing Subsystem. In another exemplary embodiment, the Returns Processing Subsystem is provided as an independent web-based application service (referred to as a “Return Merchant Service System”) operated by a common provider. In such an embodiment, the Merchant's system interacts with the Return Merchant Service System through Application Program Interfaces (“API”).

公开(公告)号：US07774284B2

公开(公告)日：2010-08-10

申请号：US09820377

申请日：2001-03-27

申请人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu

发明人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu

IPC分类号： G06Q30/00

CPC分类号： G06Q10/0835 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q10/0834 ,  G06Q10/08345 ,  G06Q10/10 ,  G06Q10/101 ,  G06Q30/0282 ,  G06Q30/0601

摘要： The present invention provides a plurality of Enterprises with a single online user interface with which the Enterprise can provide Enterprise Shippers, shipping origination users and shipping intermediary users with an automated parcel management system for a plurality of supported Carriers for a plurality of services. The present invention provides for the hierarchical definition of users, including the establishment of at least one user for each Enterprise as a Super-Administrator with the highest level of privileges and authority for the Enterprise, and the identification of other users as Sub-Administrators, Desktop Users and Shipping Station Users. The present invention also provides for the hierarchical definition of organizational units within each Enterprise, including the definition of sites, groups within a site, and users within a group. The present invention further provides for a distinct definition of policies, privileges, and other types of specifications for each user level, each user, and each organizational unit. The present invention applies the user and organizational policies, privileges and other specifications as they apply to each particular user to drive the interactive interface with each particular user and to provide among other things, shipping options, shipping services, shipping rates, traveler and/or shipping label preparation, and shipment tracking.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了具有单个在线用户界面的多个企业，企业可以通过该企业提供企业托运人，为起始用户和运输中间用户提供用于多个服务的多个被支持运营商的自动包裹管理系统。 本发明提供了用户的分层定义，包括为每个企业建立至少一个具有企业级别的权限和权限的超级管理员的用户，以及将其他用户识别为子管理员， 桌面用户和航运站用户。 本发明还提供了每个企业内的组织单位的分层定义，包括站点的定义，站点内的组和组内的用户。 本发明还提供了针对每个用户级别，每个用户和每个组织单元的策略，特权和其他类型的规范的明确定义。 本发明适用于它们适用于每个特定用户的用户和组织策略，特权和其他规范以驱动与每个特定用户的交互式界面，并且提供其他方面，包括运送选项，运输服务，运费，旅行者和/或 运送标签准备和出货跟踪。

公开(公告)号：US07664651B1

公开(公告)日：2010-02-16

申请号：US09684866

申请日：2000-10-06

申请人： David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Scott Joseph Bean ,  Daniel F. Williams ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu ,  Harland Fred Maier, Jr. ,  Gary Rhoe Ingram

发明人： David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Scott Joseph Bean ,  Daniel F. Williams ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu ,  Harland Fred Maier, Jr. ,  Gary Rhoe Ingram

IPC分类号： G06Q30/00 ,  G06F17/00

CPC分类号： G06Q10/10 ,  G06Q10/025 ,  G06Q10/063 ,  G06Q10/0631 ,  G06Q10/06311 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q10/0833 ,  G06Q10/0834 ,  G06Q10/08345 ,  G06Q10/0835 ,  G06Q10/1093

摘要： The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods providing a single system available over a global communications network for shipping management for each parcel from a plurality of parcels that each Shipper of a plurality of Shippers ships using any one of a plurality of services offered by any one of a plurality of carriers.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了通过全球通信网络提供单个系统的装置，系统和方法，用于从多个包裹中的每个包裹运送管理，多个托运人的每个托运人使用任何一个提供的多个服务中的任一个 多个载体之一。

公开(公告)号：US08374970B2

公开(公告)日：2013-02-12

申请号：US13093551

申请日：2011-04-25

申请人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu

发明人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu

IPC分类号： G06Q10/00 ,  G01G19/413 ,  G06F17/00 ,  G07B17/02

CPC分类号： G06Q10/0835 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q10/0834 ,  G06Q10/08345 ,  G06Q10/10 ,  G06Q10/101 ,  G06Q30/0282 ,  G06Q30/0601

摘要： The present invention provides a plurality of Enterprises with a single online user interface with which the Enterprise can provide Enterprise Shippers, shipping origination users and shipping intermediary users with an automated parcel management system for a plurality of supported Carriers for a plurality of services. The present invention provides for the hierarchical definition of users, including the hierarchical definition of organizational units within each Enterprise. The present invention further provides for a distinct definition of policies, privileges, and other types of specifications for each user level, each user, and each organizational unit. The present invention applies the user and organizational policies, privileges and other specifications as they apply to each particular user to drive the interactive interface with each particular user and to provide among other things, shipping options, shipping services, shipping rates, traveler and/or shipping label preparation, and shipment tracking.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了具有单个在线用户界面的多个企业，企业可以通过该企业提供企业托运人，为起始用户和运输中间用户提供用于多个服务的多个被支持运营商的自动包裹管理系统。 本发明提供了用户的分层定义，包括每个企业内的组织单位的分层定义。 本发明还提供了针对每个用户级别，每个用户和每个组织单元的策略，特权和其他类型的规范的明确定义。 本发明适用于它们适用于每个特定用户的用户和组织策略，特权和其他规范以驱动与每个特定用户的交互式界面，并且提供其他方面，包括运送选项，运输服务，运费，旅行者和/或 运送标签准备和出货跟踪。

公开(公告)号：US08255337B1

公开(公告)日：2012-08-28

申请号：US12652710

申请日：2010-01-05

申请人： David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Scott Joseph Bean ,  Daniel F. Williams ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu ,  Harland Fred Maier, Jr. ,  Gary Rhoe Ingram

发明人： David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Scott Joseph Bean ,  Daniel F. Williams ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M. Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu ,  Harland Fred Maier, Jr. ,  Gary Rhoe Ingram

IPC分类号： G06Q30/00

CPC分类号： G06Q10/10 ,  G06Q10/025 ,  G06Q10/063 ,  G06Q10/0631 ,  G06Q10/06311 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q10/0833 ,  G06Q10/0834 ,  G06Q10/08345 ,  G06Q10/0835 ,  G06Q10/1093

摘要： The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods providing a single system available over a global communications network for shipping management for each parcel from a plurality of parcels that each Shipper of a plurality of Shippers ships using any one of a plurality of services offered by any one of a plurality of carriers.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了通过全球通信网络提供单个系统的装置，系统和方法，用于从多个包裹中的每个包裹运送管理，多个托运人的每个托运人使用任何一个提供的多个服务中的任一个 多个载体之一。

公开(公告)号：US20100131420A1

公开(公告)日：2010-05-27

申请号：US12626487

申请日：2009-11-25

申请人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M, Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu ,  Richard M. Antush ,  Scott Joseph Bean

发明人： Daniel F. Williams ,  David Allison Bennett ,  Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber ,  Dennis Glavin ,  Lory Elizabeth Krett ,  Charles D. Mentzer ,  Stephen M. Teglovic ,  John M, Dietz ,  William W. Smith, III ,  Paul Bilibin ,  Jinyue Liu ,  Paul R. McLaughlin ,  Scott Meyer ,  Sean Hu ,  Richard M. Antush ,  Scott Joseph Bean

IPC分类号： G06Q50/00 ,  G06Q30/00 ,  G06Q10/00 ,  G06F3/048

CPC分类号： G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q10/0837 ,  G06Q30/0601

摘要： The present invention provides a computer system (the “System”, or the “Return System”) that is configured and programmed to provide online stores with a fast, simple, convenient way for eCommerce customers of an online store to return merchandise purchased from that store from within that online store. The Return System provides multi-carrier shipment rating, shipment labeling, shipment tracking, shipment tracking management reports, returns analysis and returns management reporting In an exemplary embodiment, the Return System has three major components: 1.) A Returns Manager Subsystem that provides a user interface to each Merchant to setup the Merchant's account, setup the Merchant's return policy and rules, and to monitor the status and movement of return shipments; 2.) A Consumer Returns Subsystem (also sometimes referred to as a “Customer Returns Subsystem”) that provides each consumer using the Returns System with an online user interface that leads the consumer through the returns process, displays the return policies and rules to the consumer, provides shipping document to ship the return package if appropriate, and permits the consumer to track their return shipments; and 3.) a Returns Processing Subsystem that, in the exemplary embodiment, provides background shipping and tracking functionality. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the Online Merchant integrates the Merchant's online system with the Returns Processing Subsystem. In another exemplary embodiment, the Returns Processing Subsystem is provided as an independent web-based application service (referred to as a “Return Merchant Service System”) operated by a common provider. In such an embodiment, the Merchant's system interacts with the Return Merchant Service System through Application Program Interfaces (“API”).