Multi-merchant gift registry
First Claim
1. A multi-merchant gift registry system for enabling a registrant to input gift information into a gift registry that is maintained for the stores of a plurality of merchants that are located in an area, the gift registry system comprising:
- at least one data terminal comprising;
a first data entry system through which first information and inquiries about registrants in the gift registry are entered into the gift registry system, the first information for each registrant including at least the registrant'"'"'s name;
a second data entry system capable of receiving second information, the second information including a list of potential gifts which the registrant has identified and a unique identifier associated with the particular merchant having each of the desired gifts;
a database storage system that stores and retrieves the first and second information about the registrant and the unique identifier associated with the particular merchant having each of the desired gifts; and
a display system that displays the list of potential gifts for a particular registrant and information about the particular merchants the desired gifts are from, including the unique identifier associated with the particular merchant having each of the desired gifts, in response to an inquiry from a prospective purchaser.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention 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 receiving and storing information regarding gifts that the registrant desires to receive as presents. The input and storage device stores a unique identifier for the particular merchant each desired gift is from. A transfer device is provided connected to the computer system that receives the information regarding the registrant'"'"'s desired gifts from the portable input and storage device and transfers the information to the computer system. Finally, a prospective purchaser interface device is provided that allows the prospective purchaser to view, sort or print a list of the gifts desired by the registrant and which particular merchant those gifts are from.
28 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A multi-merchant gift registry system for enabling a registrant to input gift information into a gift registry that is maintained for the stores of a plurality of merchants that are located in an area, the gift registry system comprising:
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at least one data terminal comprising;
a first data entry system through which first information and inquiries about registrants in the gift registry are entered into the gift registry system, the first information for each registrant including at least the registrant'"'"'s name;
a second data entry system capable of receiving second information, the second information including a list of potential gifts which the registrant has identified and a unique identifier associated with the particular merchant having each of the desired gifts;
a database storage system that stores and retrieves the first and second information about the registrant and the unique identifier associated with the particular merchant having each of the desired gifts; and
a display system that displays the list of potential gifts for a particular registrant and information about the particular merchants the desired gifts are from, including the unique identifier associated with the particular merchant having each of the desired gifts, in response to an inquiry from a prospective purchaser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for registering items selected by a registrant from a plurality of participating merchants for subsequent communication to a prospective purchaser, the system comprising:
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a gift registry computer system containing identifying information about a registrant, the information for each registrant including at least the registrant'"'"'s name and a list of potential gifts which the registrant has identified;
a portable input and storage device for use by the registrant with a plurality of participating merchants, the input and storage device being capable of receiving and storing information regarding the registrant'"'"'s desired gifts including the merchant each desired gift is from, wherein the input and storage device stores a unique identifier for the particular merchant each desired gift is from;
a transfer device connected to the gift registry computer system that receives the information regarding the registrant'"'"'s desired gifts from the portable input and storage device and transfers the information to the gift registry computer system; and
a prospective purchaser interface device that allows a prospective purchaser to view a list of the goods desired by the registrant wherein the list includes information about the particular merchant each gift is from. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating a gift registry system capable of registering items selected by a registrant from a plurality of participating merchants in a shopping area as possible gifts for the registrant for subsequent communication to a prospective purchaser for possible purchase as gifts for the registrant, the system having a computer system, a portable input and storage device, a transfer device and a prospective purchaser interface device, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving identifying information about a registrant at the computer system;
using the portable input and storage device to select desired gifts from a plurality of participating merchants;
using the portable input and storage device to enter a unique identifier for each participating merchant, such that each gift chosen by the registrant will be identified as being from a certain merchant; and
transferring the information received and stored by the portable input and storage device into the computer system via the transfer device; and
interfacing with a prospective purchaser such that the prospective purchaser can view a list of the gifts desired by the registrant and the particular merchants the gifts are from. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A multi-merchant gift registry system for registering items that are selected by a registrant from items available from a plurality of merchants that are located in an area, as possible gifts for the registrant, the multi-merchant gift registry system comprising:
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first data entry means through which first information, including at least a registrant name, are entered into said gift registry system;
second data entry means capable of receiving second information, including data identifying potential gifts which said registrant has selected and a unique merchant identifier associated with each of said potential gifts;
database storage means for storing and retrieving said first information and said second information; and
display means for displaying registrant gift data, that identifies at least one of said potential gifts for a particular registrant and the particular merchant associated with said at least one of said potential gifts, in response to an inquiry from a prospective purchaser. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A multi-merchant gift registry system for registering items that are selected by a registrant from items available from a plurality of merchants that are located in an area, as possible gifts for the registrant, the multi-merchant gift registry system comprising:
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at least one registrant terminal device comprising;
first data entry means through which first information, including at least a registrant name, are entered into said gift registry system;
second data entry means capable of receiving second information, including data identifying potential gifts which said registrant has selected and a unique merchant identifier associated with each of said potential gifts;
server means in communication with said at least one registrant terminal device, comprising;
database storage means for storing and retrieving said first information and said second information, and display means for displaying registrant gift data, that identifies at least one of said potential gifts for a particular registrant and the particular merchant associated with said at least one of said potential gifts, in response to an inquiry from a prospective purchaser. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of operating a multi-merchant gift registry system for registering items that are selected by a registrant from items available from a plurality of merchants that are located in an area, as possible gifts for the registrant, the multi-merchant gift registry system comprising at least one registrant terminal device for enabling a registrant to enter registrant gift data into said gift registry system and a server to receive and store said registrant gift data, said method of operating a multi-merchant gift registry system, comprising the steps of:
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entering first data, including at least a registrant name, into said gift registry system via said registrant terminal device;
entering second data, including data identifying potential gifts which said registrant has selected and a unique merchant identifier associated with each of said potential gifts, into said gift registry system via said registrant terminal device;
storing and retrieving said first information and said second information in a database; and
displaying to a prospective purchaser registrant gift data, that identifies at least one of said potential gifts for a particular registrant and the particular merchant associated with said at least one of said potential gifts, in response to an inquiry from said prospective purchaser. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification