A retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system

Abstract

Invention relates a retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system comprising an electronic cash register (162) with a cancel-return button (1622) is used by a cash register operator (14) to create and initiate a customer request (122) through a database (18); at least one manager (20) responsible for tracking and controlling potential fraud at the point of sale (16) has a mobile application (24) installed on their mobile device (22); pressing the cancel-return button (1622) generates an alert notification (244) on all managers' (20) mobile devices (22) from the electronic cash register (162) where the customer request (122) was created; an approval notification (2442) is given by the manager (20) in response to the alert notification (244); opening the mobile application (24) and providing the approval notification (2442) generates a first digital cancellation-return key (28) within the application (24); the first digital key (28) is scanned in two dimensions on the electronic cash register (162), containing a first verification information (30), which verifies the key's validity; a second digital cancellation-return key (32) in two dimensions is generated on the electronic cash register (162) once the first verification information (30) is provided, and contains a second verification information (34); the second key (32) is scanned through a mobile scanning mode (246) within the mobile application (24), and a mutual verification process is performed with the electronic cash register (162).

Description

[0001] A RETAIL STORE PAYMENT POINT DOCUMENT CANCELLATION AND PRODUCT RETURN SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system that prevents cash register fraud.

[0004] PRIOR ART

[0005] In the literature, document or line cancellations for product returns at a payment point are mostly done with a physical key and confirmation mechanism. The physical key is used in such a way that it cannot be reported by the person(s) who cancel without any control. This creates a security vulnerability against cashier’s fraud for product document cancellations or product returns in retail. Additionally, the cashier who uses the physical key can only be reported in the camera footage. This makes it difficult to analyze and detect the fraud that has been committed. For example, fraud can only be detected by looking at the time and cash register where the cancellation was made and reviewing the camera footage of that time. There are also systems available in stores that facilitate product document cancellations or product returns efficiently and reduce the cost of computer systems and the complexity of software for document cancellations and product returns. These systems also provide security by easily detecting any fraud committed by the cashier.

[0006] US2019147444 discloses systems and methods for mobile-initiated in-store return of products are provided. An example system can include: an OMM configured to store in a first database completed transactions and associated electronic receipts for customers; a mobile device having a mobile application installed thereon and configured to query and receive from the OMM selection of products for return; a RMM configured to apply rules to validate the return based on the information about the selected product; and a return station configured to verify and complete the return.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The purpose of the invention is to develop a retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system that prevents cashiers' fraud in transactions initiated at retail sales points with a customer request.

[0008] In order to achieve above objective, a retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system comprising a database in a retail store where the identity information, sales document information, and previously purchased product information of at least one customer who accessed the database are stored; at least one electronic cash register located in a sales point within a retail store that can access the database through internet connection; a customer request initiated by a cashier in the electronic cash register in a manner suitable for the desired transaction of the customer; an electronic cancel-return button pressed by the cashier on the electronic cash register to create and initiate the customer request in the database; at least one manager in the retail store who can track and control frauds that can be performed by the cashier in the sales point, and a mobile application installed on a mobile device of each manager based on their identity information to ensure the tracking and control of frauds before the customer request; a notification message sent to the mobile device of all managers from the electronic cash register where the customer request was created upon pressing the cancel-return button; an approval message given by the manager in response to the notification message; a first digital cancelreturn key created in the mobile application upon opening the mobile application on the mobile device of the manager who gave the approval message and arrived at the electronic cash register where the customer request was created; the first digital cancel-return key is scanned in two dimensions in the electronic cash register and a first verification information obtained by validating the first digital cancel-return key in the database. The system further comprising a second digital cancellation-return key created on the electronic cash register upon obtaining the first verification information; the second digital cancellation-return key contains a second verification information obtained through scanning the key with a mobile scanning mode on the mobile application, and verifying it with the electronic cash register. This prevents fraud that can be committed by the staff member who creates customer requests on the electronic cash register. An example of fraud in a retail store is when a customer approaches a cashier with a request to initiate a transaction, and the cashier records the transaction as completed without actually processing it, and takes the cash payment for himself. In order to monitor customer requests, a QR code is generated on the mobile application and on the electronic cash register, which are verified to track the cancellation-return process. This allows for monitoring and reporting. Another example of fraud is when a customer returns a product other than the one previously purchased, by colluding with the cashier beforehand to process the return. The document cancellationreturn system can also prevent such fraud by enabling monitoring and reporting.

[0009] The preferred structure of the invention involves a cancellation request that allows for the cancellation of a document in a way that enables the product sales cancellation due to customer demand. This way, the customer can visit the retail store and perform a transaction regarding the cancellation of the document, and it can be tracked through the system.

[0010] The preferred structure of the invention involves a return request of a previously purchased product due to customer demand. This way, the customer can visit the retail store and perform a transaction regarding the return of the previously purchased product, and it can be tracked through the system.

[0011] The preferred structure of the invention involves the recording of customer demand and managerial operations that provide confirmation notifications in the database by creating a second verification information on the electronic cash register.

[0012] The preferred structure of the invention involves setting the electronic cash register to access the database through a network server. This way, a mutual data flow with the mobile application can be established, and the return process can be realized.

[0013] The preferred structure of the invention involves setting the mobile scanning mode to scan the instant image coming from a camera on the mobile device. This way, the two-dimensional scanning of the second digital cancellation-return key, which is the newly created QR code, can be made through the instant image from the camera.

[0014] The preferred structure of the invention includes a notification that a customer demand has been provided for the second verification information. This way, the information is provided that the return process has been verified and completed in the system by ensuring doublesided verification between the mobile device and the electronic cash register.

[0015] The preferred structure of the invention includes the time of purchase, the place of purchase, and the payment method used in the database for the product. This way, each purchase transaction made in the store is recorded in the database. The preferred structure of the invention enables mutual data flow between an electronic cash register and a mobile application over an internet-connected access, which is set up to provide two-way authentication between the mobile device and the electronic cash register. Additionally, the security procedure is performed based on the validation of scanned digital cancellation-return keys, and if mutual authentication is not established between the mobile device and the electronic cash register, for example, document / receipt cancellation or product return is not allowed.

[0016] The preferred structure of the invention is set up to allow two-dimensional scanning by the mobile scanning mode. This enables the development of a mobile application that can scan a square code (QR code).

[0017] The preferred structure of the invention includes an optical scanner in the electronic cash register that enables two-dimensional scanning. This allows the analysis of the scan performed by the scanner defined in a POS device, for example, in the electronic cash register, and the creation of a second digital cancellation-return key on the POS screen.

[0018] DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES

[0019] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the payment point document cancellation and product return system of a retail store, which is the subject of the invention.

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] In this detailed description, the development of the invention is explained with references to examples only for a better understanding, without any limitation.

[0022] The subject of the invention, a schematic representation of a retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system, is shown in Figure 1. The retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system prevents fraud that can be carried out by a cashier (14) working in a retail store (10) or provides follow-up on fraud already committed. A sales point (16) is located in the retail store (10). At least one electronic cash register (162), such as a cash register, is available at the sales point (16) to allow instore transactions. Each electronic cash register (162) has internet access. The electronic cash register (162) can access a database (18) via a network server. The database (18) includes the identification information (182) of at least one customer (12) who made a purchase, the sales document information (184) of at least one product (186), and the product information (1862). The database (18) also includes the purchase time, place, and payment method of the product (186). The customer (12) makes a request for a document cancellation (1222) for a product (186) they have decided not to purchase at the retail store (10), or a return request (1224) for a previously purchased product (186), by going to the sales point (16) and making a customer request (122) from the cashier (14) at the electronic cash register (162). The cashier (14) creates a customer request (122) on the electronic cash register (162) and presses a cancellation-return button (1622) on the cash register to fulfill the customer's request (122). With the cashier's (14) pressing the cancellation-return button (1622), a data flow (26) is provided to manage the cancellation and return process within the store (10), and an alert notification (244) is sent to a mobile application (24) developed to prevent or monitor fraud that the store manager (20), responsible for the cancellation and return process within the store (10), and the control of fraud that the cashier (14) can carry out. Each manager's (20) identification information (242) is predefined in the mobile application (24). Therefore, information about the manager (20) who monitors and controls fraud can be obtained, and after a fraud case that occurred approximately during the transaction, the manager (20) who carried out the follow-up and control can be identified with their identification information (242). Then, the manager (20) logs into the application (24) with their identification information (242) and takes responsibility for every action they take through the application (24), and each operation they perform through the application (24) is logged in the database (18). Here, the alert notification (244) is sent to all managers (20) who have the mobile application (24) on their mobile device (22) within the retail store (10). If any of these managers (20) responds to and approves the alert notification (244), a confirmation notification (2442) is sent, and the alert notification (244) becomes inactive for other managers (20).

[0023] The notification message that appears here (244) is in the format of "Do you approve the cancellation request / product return request (customer request) (122) for register number 3?" For the manager (20) who approves the notification (244), the request is received in the electronic cash register (162) where the customer request (122) was made. After opening the mobile application (24), the first digital cancellation-return key (28) is created on the application. This prevents possible fraud such as not entering the product return into the system during cancellation transactions or product returns (1222, 1224) by the cashier (14), and the manager (20) monitors and tracks cancellation or product return requests (1222, 1224). Additionally, the first digital cancellation-return key (28) is a two-dimensional barcode, and it is scanned by the optical scanner (1624) in the electronic cash register (162) by the cashier (14). The electronic cash register, such as a computer PCS, has an optical scanner (1624) that can perform two-dimensional barcode scans (readings). The analysis of the key (28) scanned in the database (18) is conducted to verify whether it belongs to the manager (2442) who approved the notification. When the first cancellation-return key (28) is verified, a first verification information (30) is provided through the database (18). With the provision of the first verification information (30), a second digital cancellation-return key (32) is generated in the electronic cash register (162). The second digital cancellation-return key (32) is, for example, a two-dimensional barcode. For two-way verification between the electronic cash register (162) and the mobile device (22) of the manager (20) who confirms the notification (2442), the second digital cancellation-return key (32) is displayed on the mobile device (22). This display is performed through a mobile scanning mode (246) of a mobile application (24) that integrates with the camera of the mobile device (22) and ensures that the key (32) is scanned (identified). Thus, the scanned second digital cancellation-return key (32) is analyzed through the mobile application (24) for accuracy detection. For example, fraudulent acts, such as ending a customer request (122) made at another cash register (162) by a manager (20) who does not approve it, cannot be performed, and tracking of customer requests (document cancellation request, product return request) (122, 1222, 1224) is provided only within the responsibility of the manager (20) who provides the approval notification (2442). When accuracy detection is performed, a second verification information (34) is provided through mutual verification between the mobile device (22) and the cash register (162), which results in a customer request (122) being finalized and a notification (342) being provided for this result. In addition, the transactions of the manager (20) who provides the approval notification (2442) for the customer request (122) are recorded in the database (18). Thus, the risk of fraud that can be performed by cashiers (14) in the cash register (162) is prevented, and document cancellations (1222) and returns (1224) can be provided under the supervision of a manager (20) thanks to the invention of the retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system, which is the responsibility of the managers (20) who use the application (24) within the store (10).

[0024] REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0025] 10 Retail stores 1862 Product information

[0026] 12 Customers 20 Store manager

[0027] 122 Customer request 22 Mobile device

[0028] 1222 Product document cancellation 24 Mobile apps request 242 Admin credential 1224 Product return request 244 Warning notice

[0029] 14 Cashier 2442 Confirmation notice

[0030] 16 Sales point 246 Mobile browsing mode

[0031] 162 Electronic safe 26 Data flow

[0032] 1622 Cancel-return button 28 First digital cancel-return key

[0033] 1664 Optical scanner 30 First verification information

[0034] 18 Database 32 Second digital cancel-return key

[0035] 182 Customer credential 34 Second verification information

[0036] 184 Product documentation information 342 Customer request fulfilled notification

[0037] 186 Product

Claims

CLAIMS -1 A retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system comprising a database (18) in a retail store (10) where the identity information (182), sales document information (184), and previously purchased product information (1862) of at least one customer (12) who accessed the database (10) are stored; at least one electronic cash register (162) located in a sales point (16) within a retail store (10) that can access the database (18) through internet connection; a customer request (122) initiated by a cashier (14) in the electronic cash register (162) in a manner suitable for the desired transaction of the customer (12); an e tronic cancel-return button (1622) pressed by the cashier (14) on the electronic cash gister (162) to create and initiate the customer request (122) in the database (18); a ast one manager (20) in the retail store (10) who can track and control frauds that can performed by the cashier (14) in the sales point (16), and a mobile application (24) installed on a mobile device (22) of each manager (20) based on their identity information (242) to ensure the tracking and control of frauds before the customer request (122); a notification message (244) sent to the mobile device (22) of all managers (20) from the electronic cash register (162) where the customer request (122) was created upon pressing the cancel-return button (1622); an approval message (2442) given by the manager (20) in response to the notification message (244); a first digital cancel-return key (28) created in the mobile application (24) upon opening the mobile application (24) on the mobile device (22) of the manager (20) who gave the approval message (2442) and arrived at the electronic cash register (162) where the customer request (122) was created; the first digital cancel-return key (28) is scanned in two dimensions in the electronic cash register (162) and a first verification information (30) obtained by validating the first digital cancel-return key (28) in the database (18) characterized in that a second digital cancellation-return key (32) created on the electronic cash register (162) upon obtaining the first verification information (30); the second digital cancellation-return key (32) contains a second verification information (34) obtained through scanning the key with a mobile scanning mode (246) on the mobile application (24), and verifying it with the electronic cash register (162). 2- A retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein customer request (122) is a document cancellation request that results in the cancellation of a product (186) sale. 3- A retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein the customer request (122) is a return request (1224) of the previously purchased product (186).4- A retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system according to Claim 1 , wherein the second authentication information (34) with the customer request (122) and the actions of the manager (20) who gave approval notification (2442) for the customer request (122) being generated in the electronic cash register (162) is being recorded in the database (18).5- A retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein the electronic safe (162) is provide access to the database (18) through a network server.6- A retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile scan mode (246) is set to scan the snapshot from a camera on the mobile device (22).7- A retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second verification information (34) has a customer request granted notification (342).8- A retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the database (18) includes the time of purchase of the product (186), the place of purchase and the method of payment made.9- A retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile application (24) is set up to provide data flow (26) with the electronic cash register (162) over internet connection access.10- A retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile scanning mode (246) is set to scan in two dimensions.11- A retail store payment point document cancellation and product return system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the electronic cash register (162) includes an optical scanner (1624) that provides two-dimensional scanning.

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