Method and system of gift registry

• US 20060080174A1
• Filed: 09/29/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kathleen M. Veeneman, William J. Veeneman
• Original Assignee: ams AG (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Veeneman, Kathleen M., Veeneman, William J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,606,654 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.360
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for facilitating gift registry. A variety of systems are provided which make registering for gifts more efficient for consumers and retailers. These systems include an express registration card system and a reverse registry system. The methods associate the various systems with a common registry number. The express registration card system enables a registrant to register for gifts without requiring identification information first be given. The reverse registry enables registration of items already owned in order to inform potential gift givers of preferences.

Claims

1. A method for gift registering comprising:

providing an express registration card having an express registration number;

receiving selected product information from a registrant;

associating the selected product information with the express registration number to create a first registry list.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the express registration card is a store loyalty program card, membership card, gift card, or other store-generated card and the express registration number is a number associated with such card.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving identification information and associating the identification information with the express registration number.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the identification information comprises personal information, event information, and/or preferences.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising sending a personal registry card to the registrant after receipt of identification information.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising sending a welcoming kit to the registrant after receipt of identification information.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the welcoming kit comprises at least one of a personal registry card, a gift card, or gift registry announcements associated with the registry list.

8. The method of claim 3, further comprising associating a personal ID number with the first registry list.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein the identification information is received via online communication.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the identification information is received from a kiosk or in-store computer.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein the identification information is received via a phone, facsimile, or mail.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein the identification information is received after receiving selected product information.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a second express registration card having a second express registration number, receiving selected product information, associating the selected product information with the second express registration number to create a second registry list;

and associating the second registry list with the first registry list to create a master registry list.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving identification information and associating the identification information with the first registry list, the second registry list, or the master registry list.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an incentive with the express registration card and, after receiving selected product information, providing the incentive to the registrant.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the incentive is a card having a monetary or service value wherein a number associated with the card is further associated with the registry list.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the monetary value of the gift card may be increased.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the monetary value of the gift card is increased by a gift purchaser using the registry.

19. A method of gift registry comprising:

receiving registry account information;

receiving product information relating to products owned by a registrant;

associating the product information with the registry account information to create a reverse registry.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the registry account information comprises an express registration number.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising generating a list of possible gift items based upon the product information.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising providing the reverse registry to a purchaser, receiving product purchase information relating to a product purchased by the purchaser for the registrant, and adding the product purchase information to the reverse registry.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving product purchase information relating to a product purchased by the registrant and adding the product purchase information to the reverse registry.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising receiving product return information relating to a product returned by the registrant, associating the product return information with product purchase information relating to the same product, and removing the product purchase information from the reverse registry.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving selected product information or preference information and associating the selected product information or preference information with the registry account information to create a registry list.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising providing the registry list to a potential purchaser, receiving product purchase information from the potential purchaser indicating a selected product has been purchased from the registry list, removing the selected product from the registry list, and adding the selected product to the reverse registry.