Patent Application
20050038712
The present invention relates to a gift registry system. In particular, the present invention relates to a multi-merchant gift registry system.
Bridal registries are commonly known. Traditionally, in the United States, when a couple decides to marry, they will often go to particular stores and choose certain items which they would like to receive as gifts at their wedding. The particular store registers the name of the couple and the gifts that they have selected. The register is often nothing more than a log book. In recent times the registry has become a computer database that is available for interaction by a touch screen.
The current practice is to have a bridal registry or baby registry in a single store. Multiple stores in a shopping mall may each have their own registries. This requires the registrants to go through the registration process at each store where they wish to register. Additionally, potential purchasers must follow the current practice of entering certain information regarding the registrant via the interactive touch screen at each store where the registrant is registered. This then requires the potential purchasers to have to wait in line to operate the registry and get printouts at each of the multiple stores.
Currently, it is only the larger stores that can afford to have the equipment to operate an automated self service gift registry system. Consequently, many smaller stores and vendors at which the bride and the groom or the parents of the child may wish to be registered are not able to have their own registry system. Additionally, potential purchasers may not like the store typically used for registries, or the potential purchasers may have coupons at other stores or have employee discounts at other stores. Finally, because other stores may have the same items that the registrants have registered for at a lower price than the store in which the registry is located, the registry at the first store often does not accurately reflect the gifts which have been purchased elsewhere.
While this kind of self-service gift registry system has met with tremendous acceptance in the marketplace, there is a continued need for a multi-merchant registry that allows registrants to register for goods from a multitude of merchants.
The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a system for registering items selected by a registrant from a plurality of participating merchants for subsequent communication to a prospective purchaser. The system has a computer system that contains identifying information about the registrant. A portable input and storage device is provided that can be carried by the registrant into a plurality of participating stores. The portable input and storage device is capable of acquiring and transmitting information regarding gifts that the registrant desires to receive as presents.
The present invention, in another embodiment, is a method of conveying gift registration information to a gift buyer. The method comprises indicating a gift item for purchase, indicating an entity where the gift item may be purchased, and providing a machine readable code associated with a registrant.
The present invention, in another embodiment, is an apparatus for conveying information to a gift buyer regarding a gift item recorded in a gift registration system as being intended for a registrant. The apparatus comprises a first location, a second location, and a machine-readable code associated with a registrant. The first location is adapted to convey information regarding the gift item. The second location is adapted to convey where the gift buyer may obtain the gift item.
The present invention, in another embodiment, is a method of recording a gift item into a gift registration system. The method comprises providing a machine readable form, recording on the machine readable form information regarding the gift item, recording on the machine readable form information regarding a registrant, and associating the machine readable form with a location where the gift item may be obtained.
The present invention, in another embodiment, is an apparatus for recording a gift item into a gift registration system, wherein the gift item is available at a merchant location and intended for a registrant. The apparatus comprises a first location, a second location, and a machine-readable code associated with the merchant location. The first location is adapted to receive, in a machine-readable format, information regarding the gift item. The second location is adapted to receive, in a machine-readable format, information regarding the registrant.
FIGS. 1OA-G are a series of illustrations representing screen images that are displayed to a registrant user or a purchaser user;
FIGS. 12A-B are a flow chart representation of steps taken by a registrant to obtain a portable bar code scanner from a housing like that shown in
A gift registry apparatus will be described below. The apparatus will be described with specific reference to a wedding gift registry but it should be understood that it is equally applicable to a baby gift registry or birthday gift registry. Additionally, like elements in the figures are correspondingly identified with primed numerals.
The present invention is designed such that a registrant, or first user, may register for gifts from multiple merchants as opposed to the current practice of only registering in a single store. The present invention will be described with reference to an enclosed shopping mall, but it should be noted that the gift registry apparatus could be located in a kiosk adjacent a strip mall, in the side of a wall of one of the buildings of the strip mall, or in a kiosk in its own small protective shelter similar to some automatic teller machines, adjacent a downtown shopping area or other like area.
The present invention is illustrated schematically in
The input and storage device stores a unique identifier for the particular merchant for each desired gift, as well as a unique identifier for the gift itself. The unique identifiers are preferably in the form of a bar code that is scanned in by the registrant for each merchant and each gift. A transfer device is provided connected to the computer system for receiving and transferring the information from the portable input and storage device regarding the registrant's desired gifts and the particular merchant those gifts are from. Finally, a prospective purchaser interface device is provided that allows the prospective purchaser to view a list of the gifts desired by the registrant and which particular merchant those gifts are from.
A gift registry apparatus is designated generally by the numeral 20 in
The scanning mechanism 24 includes not only the bar code reading feature, but also a mechanism for transferring the information to computer mechanism 22. Bar code scanning mechanism 24 includes a bar code scanner 40 and may include a holder 44 with a locking mechanism 46 which unlocks only when a card reader 36 has appropriately read a magnetically encoded card, such as a credit card. Holder 44 may include a transfer device 45 which reads the memory of bar code scanning mechanism 24 for communication to a computer 26. The various electrical connections and locking/unlocking mechanism for use with the bar code scanning mechanism are conventional.
It is noted that scanning mechanism 24 is a key feature of an arrangement which may also include a card reader 36 which functions as a key to unlock scanning mechanism 24 as discussed in more detail hereinafter. Such arrangement allows the registrant (also called the first user) to browse among possible gift items to identify a group of the items which are desired as gifts. After registration is completed by a registrant, although a potential gift purchaser may not personally use the scanning mechanism 24 as a part of the arrangement which allows the potential gift purchaser to browse among the group of items selected by the registrant to identify a particular one of the group for purchase, it is likely that a store clerk will scan bar codes or otherwise obtain necessary information for transfer to computer mechanism 22 regarding items purchased.
Computer mechanism 22 includes a printer 34 and computer 26, as well as an interface mechanism 28 which comprises a monitor 30 and a touch screen 32. Computer mechanism 22 also includes software (not shown). Computer 26 preferably has a modem 37 for communication with a central processing mechanism as described more fully with respect to
The software includes a first mechanism for receiving the first information about the registrant user and a second mechanism for receiving the second information about possible gift items. The software also includes a mechanism for associating the first and second information. In addition, the software includes a mechanism for obtaining the first and second information which has been associated together.
Computer mechanism 22 and bar code scanning mechanism 24 in conjunction with the software preferably further include a mechanism for verifying by the registrant that the items on which information has been entered are those desired by the registrant as a result of being able to review at least some of the information obtained from scanning the bar codes. The verifying mechanism includes a display mechanism 212 (see
A kiosk representative of a housing 200 appropriate for containing the various mechanisms is depicted in
Kiosk 200 is also useful for dispensing gift certificates. When functioning to dispense a gift certificate, the certificate is dispensed at opening 208. Likewise, printouts requested as part of the gift registry are also dispensed from opening 208. Thus, with the two functions possible using the same housing 200, it is possible to provide a reward in the form of a gift certificate to the gift registry registrant as an acknowledgement for using the apparatus. The gift certificate function is more fully explained in U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,174, herein incorporated by reference. Bar code scanner 40 is portable and preferably, although not required, includes a keyboard 210 and an LCD screen 212. The keyboard can be used to enter the identification number or an equivalent UPC number of a bar code which does not scan. The keyboard can also be used to enter purchase information after a purchaser makes a purchase. As indicated, the LCD screen is available for immediate verification that the correct bar code was scanned with respect to the item desired. An acceptable portable bar code scanner for this apparatus is Symbol Model LDT 3805. The particularly novel characteristic of apparatus 200 is that it allows the gift registry system to be a complete self-service system up to the point of purchase of a gift by the second user or gift buyer.
With respect to the gift registrant taking the portable bar code scanner to browse the store, a preferred form of security is that the registrant would provide a credit card to opening 202 to be read. Credit on the credit card account would be checked and a predetermined sum, for example $200, would be debited to the account before releasing the scanner. When the account was verified, credit found to be available, and the debit made, door 206 would either automatically open or, at least, would unlock and a prompt would appear on the monitor for the registrant to open the door and take the scanner. When door 206 was sensed to be open, another prompt could appear on the monitor for the registrant to take the bar code scanner 40. When it was sensed that the bar code scanner was no longer present, door 206 would automatically close and lock or the registrant would be prompted to close the door. After the registrant had completed use of the scanner 40, either an appropriate indication would be made on a menu at monitor 30 or the credit card could once again be inserted and read, whereupon appropriate menus would instruct the registrant to open door 206 and place scanner 40 properly on the charging stand and transfer device 45. The physical presence of scanner 40 would be sensed. An appropriate communication would be made between the terminal computer or the central processing computer and the scanner to verify that it was placed properly. Door 206 would then automatically close or a prompt would be given for the registrant to close the door. When the door was sensed to be closed, the credit card account would be credited an equal amount as the earlier debit, and the registrant would be informed of such action and thanked for registering gifts in the registry.
Alternatively, the portable bar code scanner is in the possession of the retail store. In this case, when a registrant wishes to register gifts in the registry apparatus, a store clerk requires, for example, cash, a credit card, driver's license, or something equivalent as security for giving the bar code scanner to the registrant user.
After the user has initiated apparatus 20 by entering first information on themselves in the computer, they walk around the store with the bar code scanner. Second information obtained from the bar codes scanned on the desired items, is communicated to the computer. In this regard, as shown in
A further alternative is shown in
Apparatus 20″ is an interesting embodiment in that conceivably bar code scanner 40″ could be located in the first user's home. Appropriate first information on the user could be entered into computer 26″ in various ways, such as through a home personal computer with a modem connection to the store computer, by orally giving the first information over the telephone to a person entering it into the store computer 26″, or by the first user entering the first information into computer 26″ when the first user registrant is visiting the store. In any case, the store could send a catalog to perspective users. The catalog, as well as showing various items available, could include bar codes for those items. In that way, the bar code scanner could be used to scan bar codes of interest in order to enter appropriate second information as indicated via apparatus 20″. The second information would be sent to computer 26″ via the connection which can be made between the modems. Likewise, a shopper second user could select a gift from the catalog and communicate appropriate information, including the second information obtained from scanning the bar code, via the connection between the modems. In the usual way that business is conducted with respect to catalog sales, the gift item would be sent to the shopper second user.
In the preferred of these various embodiments, with reference to
Holder 44 functioning as a transfer device is a Symbol CBM 38bb Cradle Base Module. In the embodiment of
Gift registry apparatus 20 operates independently as shown in
It is noted that network 58 can also access a credit card authorization computer 70 in a known fashion through public telephone channels 64. This may be desirable to validate particular registrants, and as indicated, is useful in debiting an account as security for the bar code scanner with a subsequent credit when the scanner is returned.
Flow charts depicting a registrant user's use of the gift registry apparatus are shown in
As indicated at box 76, the registrant obtains the identification number and password and requests the bar code scanner. In the presently discussed embodiment, the store retains control of the bar code scanner, so that as indicated at box 78, it is the store which provides the bar code scanner to the registrant upon request. As indicated at box 80, the registrant then scans the identification number in the form of a unique bar code and walks about the store scanning bar codes of desired gift items to obtain second information. Alternatively, the identification number could be provided to the bar code scanner by the computer through the transfer device or could be manually entered at the scanner keyboard. When the registrant has completed scanning the bar codes of all the items which they may wish to receive as gifts, as indicated at box 82, the registrant returns the scanner to a store clerk. The store clerk, as indicated at box 84, places the scanner in the transfer device so that the second information can be downloaded to the computer. As indicated at box 86, the gift registry apparatus receives the second information and, as indicated at box 88, it associates the first and second information together. As indicated at box 89, the gift registry apparatus can be on-line to databases which include UPC data and current prices.
The flow charts of
The flow chart depicted in
The procedure discussed thus far is sufficient for a useful gift registry system. With references to
The flow chart of
As with the procedure of
In one embodiment of the invention, the registrant utilizes a form to record desired gift items with the registration system. In one embodiment, information regarding the registrant, the participating store, and the desired gift items is entered on the form by hand, delivered to the participating merchant or registration system, and then entered by hand into the registration system.
In another embodiment, the registrant utilizes a machine-readable tri-fold form to record desired gift items with the registration system.
As shown in
The registrant information section 360 includes a registrant identification number section 364, a registrant name section 366, and a merchant identification code section 368. In one embodiment, information is printed or typed in these sections 364, 366, 368 and a character recognition system reads the text and provides it to the registration system. In another embodiment, these sections 364, 366, 368 exist in a Scantron® type format. The registrant's name is placed in the registrant name section 366 and the registrant's identification number is placed in the registrant identification number section 364.
As shown in
In one embodiment, the bar code 358 represents, in machine-readable form, an identification code associated with the store name 356 listed on the form. In one embodiment, the identification code represented by the bar code 358 is the same code provided in the merchant code section 368. When a machine reads the form, the machine receives the store's identification code and associates the information provided in the various sections of the form with the proper store.
In one embodiment, the gift item sections 362 include a name/description section 370, an identification code section 372, a price section 374, a quantity needed/desired section 376, and a vendor/style section 378. In one embodiment, information is printed or typed in these sections 370, 372, 374, 376, 378 and a character recognition system reads the text and provides it to the registration system. In another embodiment, these sections 370, 372, 374, 376, 378 exist in a Scantron® type format. The gift item's name/description is placed in the name/description section 370, the gift item's identification code is placed in the identification code section 372, the gift item's price is placed in the price section 374, and the gift item's manufacturer is listed in the vendor/style section 378. The quantity of each desired gift item is placed in the quantity needed/desired section 376. Thus, information necessary to identify the desired gift item, its price, and the desired quantities of the gift item is available to the registration system via a completed gift item section 362.
Providing one of the above-described forms, whether the information is provided to the registration system in a machine-readable format or entered into the registration system by hand, allows small retailers the ability to provide a gift registry to its customers. Also, the above-described forms allow stores to participate in the registration system despite being located outside the mall where the registration system kiosk is located. Thus, providing the above-described form is advantageous because it expands the number of stores from which a registrant may select gift items. The forms allow a single gift registry system to list desired gift items at any and all stores, whether or not the stores are located within the mall where the registration system kiosk is located, and even if the store is small and is without a computerized, price-scanning, checkout register system.
In one embodiment of the invention, a registrant enters the name of a participating store into the registration system. The registration system then prints a form as shown in
In one embodiment, as shown in
Whether the form is printed from the registration system or obtained from the store clerk, the registrant's information is entered into the registrant information section 360 as previously described, and the registrant takes the form through the participating store and selects the desired gift items. When a desired gift item is selected, the item's name/description, identification code, quantity, manufacturer, and price are entered into the appropriate sections within the gift item section 362 as previously described. The clerk then retains the completed form for entry into the registration system, or the registrant returns the completed form to the registration system. In either case, the information on the form may be entered into the registration system manually or via one of the machine-readable processes previously described.
In one embodiment adapted for stores without a computerized, price-scanning, checkout register system, once the information on the form is entered into the registration system, the registration system assigns an identification number to each gift listed on the form. The registration system then provides the identification numbers to the store. When a gift purchaser buys one or more of the gifts listed on the form, the store provides the corresponding identification numbers to the registration system, which updates the registrant's overall gift list accordingly.
The procedure for using the gift registry apparatus, which is followed by potential gift buyers, is shown in
A representative printout, as referenced at box 118, is shown in
The bar code 280 represents the registrant identification number in machine-readable form. As will be explained more fully later in this specification, when a gift buyer purchases a gift item listed on the printout, the bar code 280 on the printout may be scanned to provide a store checkout system with the registrant identification number. The registrant identification number may then be forwarded with the gift item purchase information (i.e., the gift item identification code and the number of each gift item purchased) to the gift registration system to update the printout.
The graphics section 268 includes individual images 284 of consumer products. In one embodiment, the individual images 284 are representative of the types of products that can be purchased at the stores participating in the gift registry system. In another embodiment, the individual images 284 are images of the gift items listed in the gift information section 272.
Showing individual images 284 of the gift items listed in the gift information section 272 provides two benefits. First, it creates excitement about shopping off of the list because the listed gift items become more than a name and number. Second, it provides the gift buyer with a better understanding of each listed gift item's nature, which allows the gift buyer to make decisions regarding each listed gift item without having to visit the store where the gift item is stocked. This saves time for the gift buyer.
The store/mall identification section 270 includes the name of the store/mall 286 and/or its address 288 and phone number 290. The store/mall identification section 270 tells a gift buyer where the gift list originated. In one embodiment, besides providing location and contact information for a mall where the gift registry kiosk is located, the printout can also provide location and contact information for participating stores located outside the mall.
The gift information section 272 includes a gift item/preference column 292, an item code column 294, a gift status column 296, and a price/notes column 298. The gift item/preference column 292 lists each gift item by name/description 340. In one embodiment, the gift item's image 284 appears adjacent to each name/description 340.
In one embodiment, the item code column 294 includes the identification code 342 for each gift item listed in the gift item/preference column 292. Where the gift item has an essentially unlimited availability, the identification code 342 may be a number assigned by the gift registry apparatus, a number assigned by the store selling the gift item, a number assigned by the manufacturer of the gift item, or a UPC number. In one embodiment, the identification code 342 is a bar code.
In some gift item situations, the identification code 342 may be text, such as the word “Preference,” as illustrated at A in
The word “Preference,” or a similar word, phrase or symbol in the item code column 294, tells the gift buyer that the associated name/description 340 in the gift item/preference column 292 indicates a group or class of gift items with which the registrant might be pleased to receive as a gift. In one embodiment, where the word “Preference,” or its equivalent appears in the item code column 294, the associated name/descriptions 340 in the gift item/preference column 292 may be listed in the alternative as indicated by E in
The listing of preferences is advantageous because it broadens the number of possible gift items with which the registrant will be pleased. This is especially useful in the context of limited availability items. For example, as indicated by E in
In another example, the registrant desires custom tailored slacks. In the gift item/preference column 292, the registrant might have the following information displayed: “custom tailored slacks; solid colors—blue, black and/or dark gray; 33 inch waist, 34 inch in-seem.” Thus, the gift buyer could go to the participating tailor and purchase slacks that have the color and size the registrant will find acceptable.
The item code column 294 also includes the store name 344 associated with each identification code 342. In other words, for each listed gift item, the item code column 294 identifies the appropriate gift item identification code 342 and the name 344 of the store where the gift item can be purchased. In one embodiment, each store name 344 is displayed in its logo format as indicated in
The gift status column 296 includes a want column 346, a received column 348, and a number purchased column 350. The want column 346 indicates the number of each gift item desired by the registrant. The received column 348 indicates the number of each gift item purchased for the registrant as of the date of the printout. The number purchased column 350 indicates the number of each gift item purchased by the current gift buyer.
The price/notes column 298 includes prices 352 and/or notes 354 for each of the gift items listed in the printout. The notes may indicate an unlimited number of things regarding the gift item. For example, the notes may indicate that the item is seasonal, of limited availability (see B in
The information displayed in the gift information section 272 may be organized in several different ways. For example, as shown in
In another embodiment, the gift items are listed according to their alphabetical order. In another embodiment, the gift items are listed or grouped according to their category of merchandise or according to their price. In either case, in one embodiment, each gift item identification code 342 is listed individually with its associated store name 344. In one embodiment of the registration system, the registrant and/or the gift buyer may determine the format in which the gift information section 272 is displayed on the printout.
In one embodiment, gift item purchase information is manually updated in the gift registration system. Specifically, in the number purchased column 350 of the printout, the store clerk records the number of units of a particular gift item purchased by the gift buyer. This creates a physical record of the gift items purchased. This physical record is saved until someone can update the information in the gift registry system to show that the particular gift item has been purchased.
In another embodiment, as illustrated in
As shown at box 124, the gift buyer receives the printout, selects desired gifts, and the gift buyer or a store clerk uses a bar code scanner to scan bar codes of items purchased to obtain third information. In this regard, in an advanced system, the store clerk could use the same bar code scanning mechanism that is used in checking items at the purchase counter for payment. For example, there may be a code to enter or a button to touch that would initiate a software routine allowing receipt of the third information simultaneous with other use of the information with respect to checkout. The third information would be transferred as appropriate to the central computer of apparatus 20.
In one embodiment, the retailer has a dedicated scanner that is interconnected to the gift registry system. The retailer scans the items purchased by the gift buyer and the gift registry system automatically updates the listing associated with the registrant for whom the gift purchase was made.
In one automated embodiment, the registrant identification number is provided to the central computer of the apparatus 20 by scanning the bar code 280 on the printout or by entering the registrant identification number by hand. Then the third information including the bar code or other identifying information of the gift item and the quantity of the particular gift item purchased is entered. Depending on the programming, the third information is then appropriately communicated and, by using the received registrant identification number, is associated with other accumulate information. As indicated at box 130, the gift registry apparatus receives the third information and, as indicated at box 132, the third information is associated with the first and second information. This is advantageous because it allows real-time updating of the gift registry system and the printout.
Alternatively, the third information can be transmitted by radio frequency as discussed hereinbefore directly from the bar code scanner to the computer terminal and immediately associated with the first and second information. Such procedure is indicated by the solid arrow 134 extending from box 124 to box 130.
In one embodiment, a store's purchase tracking system may communicate to the registration system that a sale or discount is being offered on gift items that have yet to be purchased. For example, as shown in
Gift registry apparatus 20 is programmed as known to those skilled in the art based on the representative screens of FIGS. 10A-G. Particular branch computers 60 (see
With reference to FIGS. 10A-G, as indicated at box 136, the first screen of the program welcomes a user to the “XYZ Gift Registry”. The user is given the option of accessing the “registry” or proceeding with “registration”. The instruction is given to touch one of the regions indicated.
Most screens include an option for the user to request “help” and will not be further discussed.
If the user touches “registration”, then the screen represented by box 138 appears. The registrant user is given the opportunity to select between the options of “new registration”, “update previous registration”, “release bar code scanner”, or “return bar code scanner”.
Beginning with box 138, most screens in addition include the option of touching a region entitled “previous screen”, which if touched, would result in the previous screen appearing so that the user could then proceed in accordance with the previous screen. Since this option is also available on most screens except the final processing and thank-you screens, it also will not be any further discussed.
If “new registration” is touched, control proceeds to screen 140. Screen 140 provides the registrant user the option of providing information relating to “wedding date”, “bride's name”, or “groom's name”. If the bride's name or the groom's name is selected, control proceeds to the screen represented by box 142. It is understood that box 142 is representative with respect to different screens for the groom and for the bride as appropriate. In any case, the registrant user now has the option to provide information relating to name, address, city, state, zip code, daytime phone and evening phone. When all the information has been provided, there is the additional option of touching the region identified by the word “done”. In that way, control can proceed after all information is entered back to box 140. Depending on the item of information to be provided, control proceeds from box 142 to box 144 so that the appropriate information can be entered. The information to be entered is identified in the space marked “variable”. As information is entered by depressing either numbers or letters, the appropriate information appears following the colon after the variable information. There may also be space and erase or backspace options. When all the information for the particular variable has been entered, the registrant user touches “done” and control returns to box 142. After the bride's name and the groom's name information has been entered or if the wedding date option is selected, control proceeds as indicated by a bubble “B” to box 146 shown in
If the registrant at the screen represented by box 138 touches “update previous registration”, then control proceeds as shown by bubble “E” to the screen represented by box 172 in
The screen represented by box 174 provides a series of options which identify items of information requiring correction. The registrant touches one of the items, and control proceeds to an appropriate screen such as might be found in
At box 176, the registrant is given the option to “delete gift” or “change quantity of gift”. Regardless of which option is selected, control proceeds to the screen of box 178 where the appropriate gift number is entered. On completion of entry, “done” is touched. If the option was to delete the gift, control would then revert to box 174. If the option was to change quantity of gift, then control proceeds to the screen represented by box 180. At box 180, a new quantity for the gift is entered. Thereafter, “done” is touched and control reverts to box 174.
As indicated, after all information requiring correction has been corrected, “done” is touched at box 174 and control either immediately reverts to the welcome box 136 or does so after providing a gift certificate as discussed, depending on the option of the system.
If the user who approaches the gift registry apparatus touches “registry” on the first screen as represented by box 136, control proceeds as indicated at bubble “A” to box 154. The potential gift user is given the option to touch “bride's name” or “groom's name”. Control then moves to screen 156 or alternatively to screen 158. The screen represented by box 156 provides the option of touching the date of the wedding. In addition, options to scroll to earlier or later dates is also provided. When a date has been touched, control proceeds to box 158 where the bride's or groom's last name is requested and an alphabet is provided so that letters can be touched and the name typed. When the name is completed, the user touches “done” and control proceeds to the screen represented by box 160. Since the last name has been provided in 158, box 160 provides a series of names in the registry which are identical to or similar to the name provided by the user. The user then has the ability to see the first name and perhaps a middle initial. The user can then more positively identify the name of the person who is presumably known to the user. The screen also provides the capability to scroll up or down so that more names can be viewed. After a name has been touched, control proceeds to the screen represented by box 162. Box 162 allows the user to confirm the wedding of interest by touching “yes” or “no”. The box shows the name of the bride, the name of the groom, and the date of the wedding. If “no” is touched, control reverts to box 154. If “yes” is touched, control proceeds as indicated by a bubble “D” to box 164 shown in
In a case when a registrant has the capability of taking the bar code scanner from a kiosk housing, the registrant is greeted as indicated by the welcome screen 136. The registrant presses registration and screen 138 appears. If it is a new registration, the new registration portion of screen 138 is pressed and the various screens relating to registering as earlier described appear. Similarly, a registrant can update a previous registration. Of interest at the moment, is the self-service feature which allows the registrant to take the portable bar code scanner. With this in mind, the registrant presses “release bar code scanner”. As indicated by the circle “F”, the next screen is represented at box 250 in
When the registrant is ready to return the scanner, the “registration” portion of welcome screen 136 is again touched. At screen 138, “return bar code scanner” is touched. Control then reverts as indicated at circle “G” to the representative screen shown in
It is understood that the various screens presented are representative and that more or less information may be provided. It is further understood that fewer or more options may be made available to the user in accordance with the previously disclosed procedures to provide the full capability contemplated by the system.
The present invention is illustrated schematically in
Each of the merchants which are participating in the gift registry system are identified by a reference number, as illustrated in
The present invention will be described with particular reference to stores as opposed to merchants. The term store is used for ease of understanding the invention and for making the written text easier to read. It is understood that the present invention is equally applicable to vendors who do not have a “store”. For instance, there are often times many merchants who have small booths, stands or kiosks in a shopping mall that are not actually stores, with four walls as people have come to use the term. Additionally, participating merchants may be only available through catalogs, as will be described below. These other merchants are understood to be included when the term store is used.
Bar code scanner 40, as previously described, is portable. This allows the registrant to carry scanner 40 from store to store. As the registrant enters a participating store, scanner 40 identifies which particular store the registrant is in by a unique store identifier code. This may be done by scanning in a bar code that is on the doorway of each participating store or printed on a printout provided to the registrant from the kiosk or from a web site with scanner 40, The store may be selected by manually entering a code number for each store via key board 210 or it may be done remotely. For instance, each scanner may have a small receiver (not shown) inside it. As a registrant enters each participating store they typically walk through a security system. This security system may be set up to transmit an identifying signal each time someone walks through the door. This identifying signal may be received by the receiver in scanner 40 and recorded. By recording a unique store identifier, the gift registry system will know which gifts come from which store.
Once the registrant has scanned in each gift that is desired from the participating stores, scanning device 40 is placed back in transfer device 45 which reads the memory of bar code scanning mechanism 24 for communication to computer 26. It would also be possible to have a transfer device in each store, such that when a registrant was about to leave a store, they would insert the scanner into transfer device 45 and download the gifts selected from that store. This information would then be remotely transmitted to the computer in kiosk 200. From this point on, the gift registry system operates the same as previously described, with the exception that when the information is printed out for a prospective purchaser, the particular store that each gift is located in will be printed out.
As previously stated with respect to the gift registry apparatus described above, bar code scanner 40 could be located in a registrant's home such that the registrant could register for items from multiple merchants via a catalogue that includes bar codes for the items. The registrant would communicate to the kiosk via remote communication, such as a modem or the InterNet. The term catalog should be understood to be not limited to a physical paper catalog, but also encompasses things such as CD-ROMs, and other data storage devices. In this embodiment, it would be required that there be a unique bar code for each catalog to identify the supplier of the particular item. This identifying code could be on the front cover, the back cover, or somewhere within the catalog.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, each particular merchant would assist in updating the information in computer 26 such that the computer keeps an accurate list of desired gifts for each particular registrant. This may be done in a number of ways. In one embodiment, the merchant would be in remote communication with the computer of kiosk 200 via modem 37. As the prospective purchaser buys a gift, the merchant would request the list of gifts generated by the gift registry system from the prospective purchaser (e.g., the list shown in
In another embodiment, similar to that just discussed, a merchant would simply ask for the gift list from the prospective purchaser as the merchant is ringing up the sale. The merchant would then manually mark which items and how many items were purchased on the list. At the end of the day, all of the merchants associated with the multi-merchant registry would deposit them with a system operator or in a slot 302 as seen in
In another embodiment, the merchant uses a point of sale system wherein the scanner is coupled to the merchant's own gift registry system and/or coupled to the multi-merchant gift registry system. As the merchant scans the purchased items with the scanner, the scanner communicates the purchase to the individual store database (e.g., the store's own gift registry system) and/or the database for the multi-merchant registry system. In this way, the registry may be updated for the registrant. It should be noted that these are only two examples of how computer 26 may be updated and many other methods of updating computer 26 may be utilized without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
Referring to
In one embodiment, kiosk 300 functions similarly to the previously described embodiments. That is, kiosk 300 includes a CPU that operates both the ATM and the gift registry, the appropriate communications links, and various databases. Combining such systems allows kiosk 300 to offer more functions to the consumer and allows the retailer and/or financial institution to reduce overall equipment cost and required floor space when providing these services.
In use, a registrant will insert a credit card or otherwise authorize payment such as by accessing an account via the ATM. The payment or potential payment serves as a deposit to authorize the release of the handheld scanner 340 from compartment 306. The registrant will need to provide various information, as indicated above, to proceed with the gift registry process. Once so provide, the registrant uses scanner 340 to select gifts, which are then stored in memory. When scanner 340 is returned (or through the use of wireless communication) the selected items are transferred to kiosk 300 or a printer station (not shown) and processed.
Alternatively, kiosk 300 could be configured to require less interaction with the multi-merchant gift registry. That is, one or more scanners 340 are operatively coupled with kiosk 300 and an appropriate deposit may be required to access scanner 340, but the scanner 340 may be a self contained registry system. That is, scanner 340 may incorporate all of the required hardware, software and functionality of the multi-store gift registry embodiments previously described. Scanner 340 may include its own CPU, memory, databases, and communications systems to serve as an independent registry terminal that can communicate with a central registry database, through wireless or hardwire communication protocols. This configuration requires less modification of the accompanying kiosk's alternative function, such as being an ATM or having various other functions.
Referring to
As used throughout, scanner 340 can take on any forms. For example, scanner 340 could be a bar code scanner, a digital camera utilizing photo recognition software, or other types of registration devices. One such type of registration device would be an RF emitter. Each product would have a unique RF tag that would register with the emitter when scanned.
Scanner 340 includes a communication module 440 that allows for communication with a centralized registry. As previously noted, communication module 440 can be a wireless platform or a hardwired configuration accessible when stored within kiosk 300. Scanner 340 also includes various data input mechanisms 450, such as an optical scanner 452 for scanning bar codes. Additionally, data input mechanisms 450 may include manual inputs 454, such as keypad 310, a touch screen or various other input mechanisms. Through data input mechanism 450, the registrant can select a store to scan items in, view and modify a list of selections made, select quantities of scanned products, enter products without scanning, and performing queries such as for availability and pricing. To select the proper store the registrant may type in the name of the store or an appropriate code identifying the store, select it from a list of stores on the display, or scan a bar code identifying the store. The bar code scanned may be physically displayed near an entrance to the store or any other convenient place. Alternatively, the registrant may be provided with a printout of barcodes identifying the various accessible stores. The registrant then need only scan the bar code on the printout to select the store. Various other store selection protocols could also be employed. For example, scanner 340 could detect a signal emitted from a transmitter within the store, uniquely identifying that store and causing scanner 340 to automatically select that store's database. The transmitter could be a dedicated device devoted to the gift registry system or it could be incorporated with an existing system such as a security device.
An identification sensor 455 may optionally be provided. Identification sensor 455 may receive a signal from a transmitter located near or within a given store or merchant location. The signal can toggle scanner 340 to automatically select the appropriate store, in order to choose the proper database of bar codes. Alternatively, the signal may cause scanner 340 to emit an audible or visual signal, such as a beep or flashing light to remind the registrant to select the proper store.
Whatever method is employed, the registrant will typically provide certain basic information 510 such as: name, address, an event identifier, date, certain financial information such as credit card information, and a gift delivery address. Various other information can also be requested. Once received, selected information may be stored within a central database 512 that may be accessible by the various participating merchants 514. Optionally, merchants 514 can update information and otherwise maintain 516 their portion of database 512.
At some point in time after registering 500, the registrant will enter gift information 518 into the system. The selected gifts may be from one or more stores participating the multi-store gift registry. One convenient way to enter this information is to use the hand held scanner 340 to scan merchandise within a store or other location. To obtain scanner 340, the registrant goes to a convenient kiosk 300 and requests a scanner. Because of the value of the scanner, it may be prudent to require the registrant to leave a deposit 520. Since, in some embodiments, kiosk 300 also functions as an ATM, there are various ways to leave the deposit. A credit or debit card may be provided and the information may simply be retained or an appropriate amount is actually charged against the card. Additionally, money may be transferred from any account, such as a checking or savings account, that is accessible from the ATM. Alternatively, a local attendant may be provided to accept other forms of payment and manually gain access to the scanner. After receiving a deposit (if required), access opening 302 opens revealing one or more scanners 340 within compartment 304. Scanner 340 is unlocked and the registrant is able to remove 522 the scanner. Of course, various other mechanisms may be employed for securing scanner 340 to or within kiosk 300.
The registrant then proceeds to select a store to begin the registry. For example, the multi-merchant registry may be located within a mall and many or all of the mall tenants may participate. The registrant will simply determine where to begin and then go to that merchant's location. Whenever multiple merchants are participating and each merchant has a different database corresponding to the bar codes of their merchandise, the particular merchant location selected must be entered 524 into scanner 340. Selecting the merchant can occur in any number of ways. For example, the registrant may simply scan a bar code physically located near or within the store or merchant location. Alternatively, a list of all participating merchants and identifying bar codes may be provided so that the registrant can scan the identifying bar code off the sheet. The registrant could select the merchant from a list displayed on the scanner or could simply type in a name of the store or merchant. Should the registrant forget to select a merchant or move to another store without indicating this, scanner 340 can be configured to periodically query the registrant as to the store or product identification. As mentioned above, various automatic systems could be employed to electronically transmit a unique store code to scanner 340 as the registrant enters the store.
Once the store has been selected, the registrant scans 526 various items within the store that she would like to add to her registry. If an item does not have an associated bar code, the registrant can look that item up from a list displayed on scanner 340 and select it, or simply type the item in to select it. An associated quantity is also selected. Should the registrant make an error, the keypad 310 and display screen 312 can be used to modify the list of selected items 528.
As each item is scanned, it is associated with a product and stored 530 within memory 430 of scanner 340. Associating a bar code with a product requires having access to a database of that merchant's products and bar codes. With a self-contained scanner 340 that database might be stored locally in memory 430 or contained within a central database and transmitted to the scanner when needed. Alternatively, the scanned data is stored in a raw format and correlated at a later point. Either upon the completion of the registry or after each item is scanned, data is transmitted to database 512 where the registry is maintained.
In one embodiment, the registrant scans the various items within the store and the data is wirelessly transmitted to a remote terminal (e.g. the common database of the main registry computer for the multi-merchant gift registry system). In one embodiment, the data is wirelessly transmitted to the store's local database, which is part of its point of sale system or its own gift registry system. In one embodiment, the local database will be in communication with the multi-merchant gift registry system. Whether the database being utilized is the one at the remote terminal or the one in the store, the scanned information is correlated with a product identification, which is then transmitted back to the scanner where it is displayed. The registrant then chooses the product and enters a quantity. This information is again wirelessly transmitted to the same database and the registry is updated.
The registrant may move from merchant to merchant selecting as many products as desired. When finished, scanner 340 is returned to kiosk 300 and the deposit is voided, returned or a reimbursement is issued. Stored within database 512 is a complete list for the registrant including each product selected and the merchant it was selected from.
The registrant could select products in a variety of other ways 532. For example, a catalog may be provided either in a paper format or on-line in an electronic format. Once again, various merchants can be identified (or may have store specific catalogs) and items selected. When on-line, the items can simply be selected with the registrant's computer. With a paper catalog, a scanner may be provided to scan bar codes and either the data is transmitted or the scanner is brought to a kiosk 300. Alternatively, a list or a description of items as well as a desired merchant (that is, a given merchant need not participate with the multi-merchant registry and a registrant can still have items from that merchant added to their registry) may be selected either by scanning, otherwise electronically providing, or manually providing the description of the product of service. This information can be phoned, faxed, emailed or otherwise transferred to the system. Finally, items may be placed on the registry by telephone either through a CSR or IVR system. The items chosen are selected and sent 534 to database 512.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the system provides a gift card 650 as illustrated in
The mall name section 654 states the name of the participating shopping mall or merchant. The location information section 656 provides the address of the participating shopping mall or merchant. The gift registry service section 658 states the name of the gift registry service providing the card 650.
As shown in
The registry identification number section 666 indicates the number associated with the registrant in the gift registry system and allows a gift buyer to read the number 666 and manually enter it into the gift registry system to receive a printout of the gifts selected by the registrant. The email address section 668 indicates the email address for the gift registry system and allows a gift buyer to locate the website for the gift registry system. The telephone number section 670 indicates the telephone number for the gift registry system.
In one embodiment, the magnetic strip 662 and/or the bar code 664, and the imbedded chip 672 each carry the registry identification number (i.e., the number associated with the registrant in the gift registry system) in machine readable form. This allows the gift buyer to insert the card 650 into a reader at the gift registry kiosk to obtain a listing of the gifts for which the registrant has registered. In one embodiment, the magnetic strip 662 and the imbedded chip 672 also contain information regarding the gifts selected by the registrant.
In one embodiment, the magnetic strip 662 and/or the imbedded chip 672 are used to associate a stored value with the card 650 and/or registrant. The stored value can be used to purchase items at a participating store. By providing the gift registry system with a monetary source (e.g., inserting a credit card into the gift registry system kiosk), a stored value can be associated with the gift card 650. In other words, the gift card 650 will have a credited amount associated with it that can be used to make purchases of items listed in the registrant's gift list.
In one embodiment, the stored value is electronically stored on the card's magnetic strip 662 and/or imbedded chip 672. In another embodiment, the stored value is electronically stored in an account database separate from the card (e.g., a bank account database or an account database set up with a merchant) and the card's magnetic strip 662 and/or imbedded chip 672 is used to associate the card 650 with the account database. For example, the card 650 is inserted into the kiosk and the kiosk reads the card's identification number from the card's magnetic strip 662. The kiosk communicates with the account database associated with the card and verifies the amount of monies deposited in the account. Purchases can then be made and the merchant will be credited the purchase price and the account will be reduced by the purchase price.
When utilizing the registry, the guest identifies 548 the appropriate registrant. This can be done by typing in the registrant's name or selecting it from a list. Alternatively, the card 650 may simply be scanned thereby causing the registrant to be identified to the system. Once so identified, a list of desired gifts is provided 550 in either an paper or electronic format. The guest may then choose a particular gift from a particular store and purchase it 552. The guest may make the purchase in person at the store, on-line through an electronic catalog (where the encoded information can again be used to identify the registrant), or via telephone through a CSR or IVR system. Once an item is purchased, the registrant's list is updated to reflect that purchase.
Often, a gift buyer will find it difficult to select the appropriate gift for a person. For example, a gift-buying spouse may have difficulty finding a gift that will please a gift-receiving spouse on their anniversary. In one embodiment of the invention, the registrant gift-receiving spouse compiles a gift wish list by shopping for acceptable gifts and recording the acceptable gifts with the gift registry system. The gift registration system provides the gift-receiving spouse with a gift card 650 as illustrated in
The gift-receiving spouse gives the gift card 650 to the gift-buying spouse. The gift-buying spouse takes the gift card 650 to the gift registry kiosk or, in one embodiment, to an ATM adapted to interface with the gift registry system. The gift-buying spouse enters the registry identification number into the registry system by manually entering the number printed on the card 650 or inserting the card 650 into the card reader at the kiosk or ATM. The kiosk or ATM then provides the gift wish list to the gift-buying spouse by displaying the list on a screen or printing the list. The gift-buying spouse may then purchase one or more items listed on the gift wish list knowing that the gift-receiving spouse will be happy about the gift that is received.
The gift card 650 facilitates an ongoing relationship between an individual and the gift registry service and, indirectly, between the individual and the merchants affiliated with the gift registry service. For example, the individual carries the gift card 650 in his wallet with his identification, credit cards, etc. The individual typically receives gifts on various occasions throughout the year and over the course of his life (e.g., birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, accomplishments, Christmas, etc.). Thus, as he makes various shopping trips over the course of time, he keeps his eyes open for potential gifts he would like to receive. When the individual happens to encounter an item that he would like to receive as a gift, he takes the gift card 650 to the registration system kiosk, where he enters his registration identification number into the registration system by manually typing the number on the kiosk keyboard or inserting the card 650 into the kiosk card reader. The gift registration system then inquires as to whether he would like a printout of his gift wish list or whether he would like to update his gift wish list. He then selects the option allowing updating of the gift wish list.
When updating his gift wish list, he may, as previously described, manually enter the appropriate codes for the store and desired gift item. Alternatively, when updating his gift wish list, he may, as previously described, take the machine-readable tri-fold form or handheld scanner to the appropriate store to record the appropriate codes for the store and desired gift item. The gift and store codes are then entered from the scanner or tri-fold form into the gift registration system, thereby updating the gift wish list.
When a gift-receiving occasion arises for the individual, he provides the gift card 650 to a prospective gift-buyer, who then uses the card 650 to obtain a listing of the gift wish list from the kiosk or an ATM. The gift-buyer may then utilize the gift wish list to guide his purchasing.
As previously mentioned, in one embodiment of the gift card 650, the magnetic strip 662 and/or the imbedded chip 672 also contain a stored value that can be used to purchase items at the participating store. This aspect of the gift card 650 is advantageous. For example, young children often desire to give presents to their parents on the parent's birthday, on mother's or father's day, on Christmas, etc. However, young children typically lack the monetary means to purchase a gift for their parent's gift-receiving occasion.
In one embodiment of the invention, the parent gives the gift card 650 and a printout of the gift list to the child. The child takes the card 650 and the list to the a participating store and selects a listed gift item. The child purchases the a listed gift item by presenting the card 650 to a cashier who swipes the card through a reader. The stored value associated with the card 650 is decreased by the dollar amount of the purchase, while the store is credited with the dollar amount of the purchase. This system allows the child to have the satisfaction of providing his parent with a desired gift while allowing the parent to be surprised by the gift.
In one embodiment, the registrant may allocate all or a portion of the stored value to one or more specific gift items listed in the gift wish list. Thus, the child may only utilize the card 650 to purchase those gifts for which the stored value is allocated.
Because of the stored value feature and the ability of the stored value to be allocated to specific gift items listed in the gift wish list, a registrant may also use their gift card 650 to purchase gifts for other people. For example, a mother, who is the registrant and owner of the gift card 650, may go shopping for school clothing for her teenager. The mother selects a number of clothing items that serve as candidates from which the teenager may select. The candidate clothing items are entered into the gift wish list as previously described. The mother allocates an appropriate portion of the stored value to each selected clothing item and gives the gift card 650 to the teenager.
The teenager goes to the kiosk or ATM to obtain a listing of the candidate clothing and takes the listing and card 650 to the participating stores. The teenager then selects from the candidate clothing those items with the sizes, colors and styles with which the teenager is most pleased. After making the selections, the teenager presents the card 650 to the cashier who swipes the card through the reader. The stored value associated with the card 650 is decreased by the dollar amount of the purchase, while the store is credited with the dollar amount of the purchase.
This system is advantageous because it allows a teenager to have some freedom in the selection of school clothing and the expenditure of money allocated to school clothing. Also, this system is advantageous because the teenager's selection of clothing occurs within style and monetary parameters established by the parent, without the parent having to be present while the teenager determines fit or preferences.
In one embodiment, the gift card 650 can operate as an electronic gift certificate. For example, a gift-buying registrant selects prospective gift items for a gift-receiving person. The registrant has the prospective gift items added to the gift list associated with the gift card 650. The registrant has an appropriate amount of the stored value associated with each gift item listed. The registrant provides the gift card 650 to the gift-receiving person who takes the gift card 650 to a kiosk or ATM to obtain a printout of the prospective gift items from which the gift-receiving person may chose. The gift-receiving person then selects a gift from the list of the prospective gift items and provides the gift card 650 to the casher who swipes the card 650 through a card reader. The stored value associated with the card 650 is decreased by the dollar amount of the purchase, while the store is credited with the dollar amount of the purchase. Thus, the gift card can serve as an electronic gift certificate.
Where a registrant desires to increase the stored value of the gift card 650, the registrant, in one embodiment, enters a participating store and presents the gift card 650 to the clerk operating the checkout register. The registrant communicates the desired amount of increase (e.g., $200.00) to the clerk and pays the communicated dollar amount (e.g., via cash, credit or check). In one embodiment, the gift card 650 is then run through a device (i.e., a magnetic strip or imbedded chip writing device) that increases the stored value of the gift card 650 by downloading the new stored value onto the magnetic strip 662 or imbedded chip 672 of the card 650. In another embodiment, the stored value of the card 650 is updated in the registration system to reflect the new stored value. In one embodiment, both the card 650 and the registration system are updated.
As shown in
One strength of the multi-store gift registry system is the ability to allow a registrant to register for gifts at any number of stores or merchants that may be physically close together or remote from one another. For example, multiple stores within a mall can utilize the system, a chain of store may use the system throughout their various stores, or a number of completely unrelated stores that are physically separated may utilize the system. Thus, the registrant can conveniently register for whatever they want and provide easy access to the entire registry to their guests. However, for various reasons some stores may maintain their own registry system and do not participate in the multi-store gift registry system. For example, a given store may be very large and already has an extensive registry system.
Universal registry 570 provides access to registrant 572 to view her registry and make changes. For example, registrant 572 may access a Web site for universal registry 570, enter a unique identifier, and have the registry presented electronically. Registrant 572 may then select an aggregation function provided. Once selected, universal registry queries registrant 572 as to any other registries that have been utilized and what the registrant's identification and password information is for each of those registries. Universal registry 570 then accesses the designated registries 576, 578 and provides the registrant's ID and password. The registries 576, 578 access their respective databases 580, 582 and provide the registry information to universal registry 570. Universal registry 570 then updates its own registry information to include the items from the other registries. When a guest 586 later accesses universal registry 570, they are provided with a complete registry, including items selected from stores not necessarily participating in the multi-merchant gift registry.
Guest 586 can simply view the complete registry and then go to any individual merchant and purchase the product. As this occurs, merchants 588, 590 update their registries and databases 580, 582. Universal registry 570 periodically accesses these registries 576, 578 and updates the universal registry to reflect any purchases made or other changes. Universal registry 570 can also provide a purchase system 584 by which guest 586 can purchase items off the registry. Purchase system can function like any on-line retailer, taking order and payment information and arranging delivery. However, as universal registry 570 may be established to provide registry information and not necessarily to engage in retail transactions, an alternative purchase system 584 may be provided. Purchase system 584 can take a request to purchase a registry item from guest 586 along with any level of contact and payment information. This information can then be passed to the appropriate merchant 588, 590 as a “hot lead.” The merchant can either initiate a commercial transaction with guest 586 if sufficient information and authorization was provided or may simply contact guest 586 to offer the product.
In any event, merchants 588, 590 benefit from the increased traffic to the on-line site and/or their brick-and-mortar presence and they retain the ability to sell the registered products. That is, universal registry, in this embodiment, does not just identify the products registered for and try to find alternative sources for the guest to purchase the product. Of course, universal registry could offer such a service, but it would likely discourage merchants 588, 590 from fully cooperating. Another benefit provided by both the multi-merchant registry and/or the universal registry 570 is the ability of the registrant to present their entire registry and all the stored registered at to each guest. Traditionally, there may have be some tendency on the part of the registrant to “pre-screen” their own guests. That is, registrant's would not inform certain guests that they were registered at certain stores that the registrant deemed to be “beneath” the guest or alternatively, they would not inform their guests that they were registered at stores considered by the registrant to be to extravagant or too expensive. Now, all the information can be provided to all the guests without fear of being presumptuous. The use of a card having registrant specific information also furthers this dissemination and facilitates the use of the universal registry. That is, the card can indicate where to go to physically take advantage of the multi-merchant registry retailers and can also indicate various Web sites or other electronic forums that utilize the universal registry.
By pairing a multi-merchant registry with another utilitarian device, such as an ATM, opportunities for cross-sale marketing can be realized. Referring to
One common type of registry is a wedding registry. For most couples, a wedding is a major life changing event that will require them to make many decisions and purchases beyond the gift registry. For example, many couples will buy jewelry, a home, or an automobile. These couples may want to consolidate debt or banking accounts, obtain financing or other credit. Thus, these leads can be of tremendous value to the financial institution paired with the gift registry system. Of course, at this particular time the couple is usually very busy and often overwhelmed. Thus, sorting through the plethora of financial options may seem very daunting and undesirable. Thus, the system simplifies the process and provides a direct, low pressure solution. That is, the registrant is presented with information about products and services they will very likely need or want and an easy way of obtaining information from the financial institution.
With any of the embodiments described above, the registrant will formulate a list of gifts and many guests will purchase and provide those gifts 612. However, in many cases registrants will not receive all of the gifts on their list and they may not receive the gifts they most wanted. Thus, the multi-merchant gift registry system maintains an updated registry for the registrant even after the event. Working with the various merchants, targeted mailings 614 or other solicitation can be provided to the registrant after the event for those specific items selected for the registry that were not purchased by guests. Thus, the system provides a unique opportunity for merchants to entice the registrant to purchase products that the merchant knows the registrant wants. Of course, various special offers or pricing could be offered for further entice the registrant. The targeted advertising can take any form, from traditional paper mailings, electronic advertisements, or telephone solicitations.
After the event, the cards sent to guests may continue to be utilized in a way that is beneficial to the guest, the retailer, and the registry system. The cards can have a unique identifier (such as a bar code that is scanned at the time of purchase) that identifies the guest to the system. Special offers, discounts, or promotions may be offered to encourage people to present their cards when making purchases. Thus, malls or other entities can utilize the card to track the purchasing habits of individuals even as they move between unrelated stores. This allows their purchasing habits to be analyzed and allows for targeted advertising to be generated. This can also allow malls or other entities to track the effectiveness of their various promotions.
Initially, the registrant will acquire scanner 760 from a local registry system 720 located within the given location, such as mall 710. Local registry system 720 can be any location where one or more scanners 760 are stored when not in use. For example, local registry system 720 could be located at a service counter in mall 710, a service counter in a retailer, an office, in a free-standing kiosk, in a modified ATM kiosk, or at any number of locations wherein scanner 760 are monitored by human agents or automated means.
The registrant takes scanner 760 to an individual retailer, for example retailer 712 and retailer 712 is identified to system 700. This can be accomplished by keying in a name or identification for retailer 712, scanning a code located in or near retailer 712, or receiving a signal indicating retailer 712 via transceiver 761 from a transmitter within retailer 712 (a transmitter could be dedicated to this task or serve another primary purpose, such as a security device). That is, system 700 is toggled in some manner to indicate that the codes that will be scanned should correlate with a product database of retailer 712. The registrant then scans an identifier, such as a bar code, associated with an item within retailer 712. Alternatively, other than scanning similar data could be entered in a variety of different ways. For example, voice recognition or electronic identifier could be utilized, rather than optically scanning data. Data related to a given product simply needs to be entered into the scanner in an appropriate manner. That data is transmitted by transceiver 761 from the scanner to a transceiver 768 (
Referring to
Controller 766 receives information from scanner 760 and accesses an appropriate database. If that database is maintained within local registry system 720 or central system 722, then controller 768 relies on retailer communication 772 for access. That is, controller 766 utilizes retailer communication 772 to communicate with local registry system 720 and/or central system 722. Retailer communication 772 can include access to a LAN 724 (local area network) maintained within mall 710 that couples retailer 712 with local registry system 720. Alternatively, retailer communication 772 could include internet access 726 and local registry system 720 or central system 722 could also be provided with internet access 728. Of course, any other communication medium such as telephone lines, satellite communication or various other communication platforms could be utilized.
Thus, controller 766 acts to receive data from scanner 760 and correlate that data with a product identification. Then, the product identification data is sent back to scanner 760. The registrant may elect to select the identified product and this data is passed back to controller 766. Controller 766 then updates the gift registry maintained either at local registry system 720 or central system 722. Controller 766 can update the registry each time an item is received, or the data can be stored temporarily in controller database 770 and then update the registry only when then registrant indicates that they have completed registering at retailer 712.
To summarize the embodiment of
Repeaters 740, 742 are positioned such that wherever scanner 760 is utilized within a given participating retailer, signals may be communicated between local registry system 720 and scanner 760. In the illustrated embodiment, each retailer 712, 714, 716, and 718 will have one or more repeaters (not shown) to define coverage areas 732, 734, 736 and 738. Repeaters 740, 742 have included coverage areas 744, 746 that overlap the retailer's coverage areas. A combination of the embodiment of
In either of the previous two embodiments or a combination thereof, scanner 760 is essentially a “dumb” device. That is, scanner 760 scans and sends information out and any matching of the scanned data with product information is performed by another component. The information received by the scanner may be displayed and additional information may be requested and input, but no processing occurs within the scanner. However, in another embodiment illustrated in
In use, the registrant identifies an item they wish to add to their gift registry. The registrant scans (800) a bar code or other identifier associated with the product by using scanner 760. Scanner 760 then transmits (802) the scanned data and the transmitted data is received (804) by a transceiver located elsewhere. The receiving transceiver passes (806) the data to a first computer that searches (808) a database to correlate (810) the scanned data with a product identification. The first computer could be a retailer's own system, controller 766, local registry system 720, or central system 722. That is, the first computer could be any configuration of hardware and/or software capable of accessing and processing the required information. Likewise, the database could be the retailer's product database or an independent database of the retailer's products maintained in conjunction with controller 766, local registry system 720, or central system 722.
In the most simple application, the correlated data could be added (826) directly to a gift registry. That is, the product is scanned and one product is identified and added to the registry without further confirmation or requests for a quantity.
Alternatively, after the data has been correlated (810) with a product identification, that product identification is passed back to the transceiver (812) from which it is then sent (814) to scanner 760. The product identification is then displayed (816) on scanner 760. This allows the registrant to confirm that the correct product was scanned and would also avoid any issue relating to having improperly selected the retailer's identity. That is, if the wrong retailer is selected, the scanned products will not be matched with the proper data base and the registrant can recognize the problem via the displayed information.
Once the product information is displayed (816), a query is presented (818). The query could simply be to confirm whether this is the correct product or the query could further include a requested quantity. The system could also be configured such that quantity information could always be selectively entered but if it is not, a default of one is presumed. The registrant responds (820) to the query by inputting the requested information and scanner 760 then transmits this information to a transceiver (822). This could be the same transceiver utilized to receive the scanned information or a different transceiver. For example, the initial scanned data could be received (804) by a transceiver coupled with the retailer's database wherein the transceiver utilized to received the registrant's input could be coupled directly to the local registry system. As explained above, there are multiple configurations available to accomplish the task.
In any event, the received information is passed to a second computer (824). The second computer is any hardware, software or combination thereof that can receive and process the data appropriately. The first computer and the second computer can be the same device or they can be different devices. As in the previous example, the first computer could be equipment associated with the retailer's own database to process a request for product identification. The second computer in this example, could be coupled with the local registry system and/or central system 722. Again, multiple configurations are possible. The second computer acts to update (826) the gift registry, which can be maintained at local registry system 720 or by central system 722.
As may be appreciated, there are a number of components that can be utilized in various combinations to achieve the appropriate communications.
For example, in the first variation the transceiver of scanner 760 communicates via a wireless link to local registry system 720 and local registry system 720 acts as the first computer to correlate the scanned data with product information. While not shown on the chart, the database used could be associated with a given retailer or associated with the local registry system itself. In the fourth variation from the top, the transceiver of scanner 760 transmits data that is repeated by a repeater and sent to local registry system 720 and is then passed to central registry system 722, wherein central registry system 722 acts as the first computer in the above described flowcharts.
It is understood that equivalents are possible within the spirit of the present invention and that changes made from the present disclosure, to the full extent extended by the general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed, are understood to be within the principle of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application of U.S. patent application 10/212,323, filed Aug. 5, 2002, which is a CIP application of U.S. patent application 10/008,647, filed Nov. 9, 2001, which are all hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10212323 | Aug 2002 | US |
| Child | 10662754 | Sep 2003 | US |
| Parent | 10008647 | Nov 2001 | US |
| Child | 10212323 | Aug 2002 | US |
