Multi-merchant gift registry
First Claim
1. A multi-merchant gift registry comprising:
- a kiosk having an ATM function and a gift registry function with one or more merchants participating in the gift registry, the gift registry kiosk having;
a first data entry system through which first information and inquiries about registrants in the gift registry are entered into the computer system, the first information for each registrant including at least one name for the registrant;
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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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 merchants. 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.
109 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A multi-merchant gift registry comprising:
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a kiosk having an ATM function and a gift registry function with one or more merchants participating in the gift registry, the gift registry kiosk having;
a first data entry system through which first information and inquiries about registrants in the gift registry are entered into the computer system, the first information for each registrant including at least one name for the registrant;
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, 9, 10)
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11. 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 kiosk having an ATM function and a gift registry function for a plurality of merchants participating in the gift registry, the gift registry kiosk having a computer system containing identifying information about a registrant, the information for each registrant including at least one name for the registrant 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 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; 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 (12, 13, 14)
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15. A multi-merchant gift registry system comprising:
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a portable scanning device including a central processing unit, a memory, a communication module, and a data input module wherein registry information is entered into the memory and items are entered through the data input module and stored in a database within the memory; and
a docking station for securing the portable scanning device when the portable scanning device is not in use, wherein the docking station is an ATM. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of providing a multi-merchant gift registry, comprising:
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receiving registry information from a registrant;
receiving a designation of one or more registered products from one or more merchants participating in the multi-merchant gift registry;
receiving access information to a separate registry for the registrant;
accessing the separate registry and obtaining a designation of one or more additional registered products from the separate registry;
combining the registered products and the additional registered products as a combined registry in a database; and
providing the combined registry. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
updating the separate registry if an additional registered product is removed from the combined registry.
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27. The method of claim 25, further comprising:
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receiving a request to purchase a product from the combined registry; and
providing an indication of the request to a merchant from which the registrant selected the product.
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28. A method of utilizing a multi-merchant gift registry comprising:
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receiving registry information from a registrant;
receiving a list of selected products from the registrant and forming a registry of products;
providing a plurality of documents having an encoded identification of the registrant and an identification of the multi-merchant gift registry for distribution to one or more guests;
identifying the registrant when a guest presents the encoded identification; and
providing the registry of products to the guest. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
correlating a given document to a given guest;
providing incentives for the guest to present the document when making subsequent purchases; and
tracking purchasing habits and information of the given guest.
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31. The method of claim 30 wherein the document is a card.
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32. The method of claim 30, further comprising providing targeted advertising to the given guest, the targeted adverting having been based on the tracked purchasing habits and information.
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33. A method of using a multi-merchant gift registry, wherein the gift registry terminal provides both a gift registry function and a second function, the second function associated with an institution, the method comprising:
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receiving gift registry information including an identification of a registrant and an identification of an event;
querying the registrant as to whether the registrant wants to receive information about what the institution provides; and
providing information about the registrant to the institution. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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Specification