System and method for providing internet accessible registries

• US 6,493,742 B1
• Filed: 12/13/1999
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Weddingchannel.com, Inc. (KNOT Worldwide Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Weddingchannel.com, Inc. (KNOT Worldwide Incorporated)
• Inventors: Herrin, Jessica Dilullo, Mosson, Andrew Michael, Holland, Jeremy Mark, Lefcourt, Jennifer
• Primary Examiner(s): Barot, Bharat
• Application Number:
  US09/459,766
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200-203, 709/213, 709/217-219, 709/223-224, 709/227-228, 707/1-10, 707/100, 707/104.1, 707/201-203, 705/26-27, 705/10, 705/14
• US Class Current: 709/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users

Abstract

A method of creating an aggregated Internet accessible registry includes the step of accepting a query from a registrant. The query contains an identifier and a search criteria, the identifier identifying one of a multitude of registry databases. Registries matching the search criteria in the selected registry database are retrieved. When the registrant selects one of the matching registries, a general user identifier that uniquely identifies the registrant is associated with the registry. Additional queries and registry selection completes the aggregation registry process. The aggregated registry is managed on-line by the registrants and accessed by guests. The aggregated registry provides a framework that allows automated updates by registry database provides without loss of the identity of an aggregated registry.

Claims

1. A method of creating an aggregated registry, said method comprising the steps of:

accepting a query from a registrant, said query including an identifier and a search criteria, said identifier designating a registry database in a plurality of registry databases;

retrieving a first set of registries from said registry database designated by said identifier, each registry in said first set of registries matching said search criteria;

receiving a selection of a registry in said first set of registries from said registrant;

associating a user identification with said registry, the user identification uniquely identifying said registrant; and

repeating said accepting, retrieving, receiving, and associating steps thereby forming said aggregated registry;

wherein said aggregated registry comprises each registry in each registry database in said plurality of registry databases that is associated with said user identification.

2. The method of claim 1, further including the steps of:

storing said plurality of registry databases on a server;

updating a registry database in said plurality of registry databases with an update file; and

restoring each association between a registry and a user identification in said registry database.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said retrieving step further includes the steps of:

accessing said registry database on a remote server; and

querying said registry database with said search criteria.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a registry database in said plurality of registry databases is created by the steps of:

providing an on-line catalog;

identifying items in said on-line catalog that are selected by said registrant; and

creating a registry in said registry database that includes said items.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing an option group, each option in said option group corresponding to a different registry database provider associated with a registry database in said plurality of registry databases;

receiving a selected option;

obtaining a search query;

searching a registry database associated with said selected option using said search query;

communicating a second set of registries from said registry database that match said search query; and

supporting, in response to a selection of a registry in said set of registries, on-line registration services for said registry.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

obtaining a first query from a guest;

searching each registry database in said plurality of registry databases for registries matching said first query;

communicating a first plurality of unique identifiers, each unique identifier in said first plurality of unique identifiers associated with a registry that matches said first query;

opening a first registry, in response to a selection of a first unique identifier from said first plurality of unique identifiers, the first registry associated with said first unique identifier;

identifying, in response to instructions from said guest, a first item in said first registry; and

adding said first item to an aggregated purchase list.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

acquiring a second query from said guest;

examining each registry database in said plurality of registry databases for registries matching said second query;

communicating a second plurality of unique identifiers, each unique identifier in said second plurality of unique identifiers associated with a registry that matches said second query;

opening a second registry, in response to a selection of a second unique identifier from said second plurality of unique identifiers, the second registry associated with said second unique identifier; and

adding, in response to an affirmation by said guest, a second item in said second registry to said aggregated purchase list that includes said first item.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of executing a purchase transaction, in response to a purchase request by said guest, said purchase transaction including the steps of:

producing a requisition for each registry database provider represented in said purchase list, said requisition including an on-line order for each item in said purchase list that originated from a registry database associated with the registry database provider; and

generating a set of on-line transactions using a purchase option associated with said guest;

each transaction in said set of transactions associated with a different registry database provider.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said first query includes a surname and an event date.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said first and said second registry are provided by different registry database providers.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

identifying a request from said registrant, said request including a password;

matching said password with a designation stored in a registrant profile associated with said registrant; and

when said password matches said designation, the method further comprising the steps of;

obtaining a unique user identifier from said registrant profile;

generating a list of registries, said list of registries including each registry in each registry database in said plurality of registry databases having said unique user identifier;

requiring selection of a registry from said list of registries; and

supporting on-line management of said registry by said registrant.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of supporting on-line management of said registry by said registrant includes at least one of:

adding an item to said registry;

deleting an item from said registry;

reviewing a purchase order history of said registry;

altering an item order quantity in said registry;

identifying a party that has made an order using said registry; and

sending a message to a party that has made an order using said registry.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of editing said registrant profile, in response to instructions from said registrant.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said instructions from said registrant include personal contact update information, a personal web site preference, an event date, an event type, a credit card number, a guest list, a guest E-mail address, or a guest broadcast message.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

performing an authentication operation, said authentication operation identifying and granting access to a registry database provider; and

providing said registry database provider access to a registry database associated with said registry database provider.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said providing step includes the option of:

reviewing registry orders associated with said registry database,

revising an on-line catalog of products offered by said registry database provider, and

updating a registry database associated with said registry database provider.

17. A computer readable memory used to direct a server to function in a specified manner, comprising:

registry database information stored in said memory, said registry database information including a location of each registry database in a plurality of registry databases; and

executable instructions stored in said memory, said executable instructions including;

instructions to accept a query from a registrant, said query including an identifier and a search criteria, the identifier designating a registry database in a plurality of registry databases;

instructions to retrieve a first set of registries from said registry database designated by said identifier, each registry in said first set of registries matching said search criteria;

instructions to receive a selection of a registry in said first set of registries from said registrant; and

instructions to associate a user identification with said registry, the user identification uniquely identifying said registrant;

wherein each registry in each registry database in said plurality of registry databases that is associated with said user identification forms an aggregated registry.

18. The computer memory claim 17, wherein said plurality of registry databases are stored on sais server, said executable instructions further including:

instructions for updating a registry database in said plurality of registry databases with an update file; and

instructions for restoring each association between a registry and a user identification in said registry database.

19. The computer memory of claim 17, wherein said instructions to retrieve further include:

instructions to access said registry database on a remote server; and

instructions to query said registry database with said search criteria.

20. The computer memory of claim 17, wherein said executable instructions further include:

instructions to provide an on-line catalog;

instructions to identify items in said on-line catalog that are selected by said registrant; and

instructions to create a registry in a registry database in said plurality of registry database that includes said items.

21. The computer memory of claim 17, wherein said executable instructions further include:

instructions for providing an option group, each option in said option group corresponding to a different registry database provider associated with a registry database in said plurality of registry databases;

instructions for requiring selection of an option;

instructions for obtaining a search query;

instructions for searching a registry database associated with said option using said search query;

instructions for communicating a second set of registries from said registry database that match said search query; and

instruction for supporting, in response to a selection of a registry in said set of registries, on-line registration services for said registry.

22. The computer memory of claim 17, wherein said executable instructions further include:

instructions for obtaining a first query from a guest;

instructions for searching each registry database in said plurality of registry databases for registries matching said first query;

instructions for communicating a first plurality of unique identifiers, each unique identifier in said first plurality of unique identifiers associated with a registry that matches said first query;

instructions for opening a first registry, in response to a selection of a first unique identifier from said first plurality of unique identifiers, the first registry associated with said first unique identifier;

instructions for identifying, in response to instructions from said guest, a first item in said first registry; and

adding said first item to an aggregated purchase list.

23. The computer memory of claim 22, wherein said executable instructions further include:

instructions for acquiring a second query;

instructions for examining each registry database in said plurality of registry databases for registries matching said second query;

instructions for communicating a second plurality of unique identifiers, each unique identifier in said second plurality of unique identifiers associated with a registry that matches said second query;

instructions for opening a second registry, in response to a selection of a second unique identifier from said second plurality of unique identifiers, the second registry associated with said second unique identifier; and

instructions for adding, in response to an affirmation by said guest, a second item in said second registry to said aggregated purchase list that includes said first item.

24. The computer memory of claim 23, wherein said executable instructions further include instructions for executing a purchase transaction, in response to a purchase request by said guest, said purchase transaction execution instructions including:

instructions for producing a requisition for each registry database provider represented in said purchase list, said requisition including an on-line order for each item in said purchase list that originated from a registry database associated with the registry database provider; and

instructions for generating a set of on-line transactions using a purchase option associated with said guest;

each transaction in said set of transactions associated with a different registry database provider.

25. The computer memory of claim 22, wherein said first query includes a surname and an event date.

26. The computer memory of claim 23, wherein said first and said second registries are provided by different registry database providers.

27. The computer memory of claim 17, wherein said executable instructions further include:

instructions for identifying a request from said registrant, said request including a password;

instructions for matching said password with a designation stored in a registrant profile associated with said registrant; and

when said password matches said designation, said executable instruction further include;

instructions for obtaining a unique user identifier from said registrant profile;

instructions for generating a list of registries, said list of registries including each registry in each registry database in said plurality of registry databases having said unique user identifier;

instructions for requiring selection of a registry from said list of registries; and

instructions for supporting on-line management of said registry by said registrant.

28. The computer memory of claim 27, wherein said instructions for supporting on-line management of said registry by said registrant includes at least one of:

instructions for adding an item to said registry;

instructions for deleting an item from said registry;

instructions for reviewing a purchase order history for said registry;

instructions for altering an item order quantity in said registry;

instructions for identifying a party that has made an order from said registry, and

instructions for sending a message to a party that has made an order using said registry.

29. The computer memory of claim 27, wherein said executable instructions further include instructions for editing, in response to input from said registrant, said registrant profile.

30. The computer memory of claim 29, wherein said input from said registrant includes personal contact update information, a personal web site preference, an event date, an event type, a credit card number, a guest list, a guest E-mail address, or a guest broadcast message.

31. The computer memory of claim 17, wherein said executable instructions further include:

instructions for performing an authentication operation, said authentication operation identifying and granting access to a registry database provider; and

instructions for providing said registry database provider access to a registry database associated with said registry database provider.

32. The computer memory of claim 31, wherein said instructions for providing said registry database provider access to a registry database includes instructions for providing the option to:

review registry orders associated with said registry database,

revise an on-line catalog of products offered by said registry database provider, and

update a registry database associated with said registry database provider.