Automatically purchasing a gift from a wishlist

• US 8,280,781 B1
• Filed: 09/17/2008
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pottier, Nicolas, Snodgrass, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Haq, Naeem
• Application Number:
  US12/212,563
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/26.1, 705/26.2, 705/26.25, 705/26.3, 705/26.35, 705/26.4, 705 2641- 2644, 705/26.5, 705 2661- 2664, 705/26.7, 705/26.8, 705/26.81, 705/26.82, 705/26.9, 705/27.1, 705/27.2
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A facility for providing a gift is described. In one embodiment, the facility receives information identifying a first person that will give a gift and a second person that will receive the gift given by the first person. The facility then automatically chooses a gift to be given to the second person by the first person.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing a gift from a first person to a second person, comprising:

under control of one or more configured computing systems,

receiving from a second person a selection of items desired by the second person;

storing a wish list for the second person listing the selected items;

receiving a target price specification generated by a first person for a gift from the first person to a second person;

identifying in the stored wish list the gift having a price satisfying the received target price specification, the identified gift being comprised of a plurality of items, the plurality of items having prices that collectively satisfy the target price specification;

placing an order to purchase the identified gift for the second user on behalf of the first user;

generating a message from the second person to the first person thanking the first person for the gift;

delivering the generated message to the first person; and

adding the second person to a list of favorite people associated with the first person.

2. A computer-implemented method for providing a gift, comprising:

under control of one or more configured computing systems,

receiving a target price specification generated by a first person for a gift from the first person to a second person;

in a wish list containing items requested by the second person, identifying the gift having a price satisfying the received target price specification, the identified gift being comprised of a plurality of items, the plurality of items having prices that collectively satisfy the target price specification; and

placing an order to purchase the identified gift for the second user on behalf of the first user.

3. A computer-implemented method for providing a gift, comprising:

under control of one or more configured computing systems,

receiving information identifying a first person that will give a gift and a second person that will receive the gift given by the first person; and

automatically choosing a gift to be given to the second person by the first person wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon a target price provided by the first person, and wherein the chosen gift is comprised of a plurality of items, the plurality of items having prices that collectively satisfy the target price.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising placing an order to purchase the chosen gift for the second user on behalf of the first user.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 wherein the order is placed without further interaction with the first person.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, further comprising obtaining confirmation from the first person before placing the order.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, further comprising generating a message to the first person identifying the ordered gift.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen from a list of items specified by the second person.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen based using a product recommendation module.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising applying a product rating function that uses as an input information about prior purchases by the second person to choose the chosen gift.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon the nature of a relationship between the first person and the second person.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the information provided by the first person is a product type.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon stored information relating to the second person.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon information relating to the second person received from a third party.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 further comprising:

from information known about the second person, inferring additional information about the second person; and

using the inferred additional information in choosing the chosen gift.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 further comprising receiving from the first person an indication of a target price for the gift, and wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon the indicated target price.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 further comprising receiving from the first person an indication of a maximum price for the gift, and wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon the maximum price.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 further comprising receiving from the first person an indication of a minimum price for the gift, and wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon the minimum price.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 further comprising receiving from the first person an indication of a price range for the gift, and wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon the price range.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon the second person'"'"'s identity.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon the first person'"'"'s identity.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon relative profit margins associated with each of a plurality of gift candidates.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon inventory levels associated with each of a plurality of gift candidates.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon availability of constituent items of the chosen gift from a single source.

25. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon an indication of priorities specified on behalf of the second person.

26. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon opportunities to derive additional revenue from third parties for the sale of each of a plurality of gift candidates.

27. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen based upon prior purchases by the second person.

28. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift includes a gift certificate item.

29. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen in response to a standing instruction issued by the first person.

30. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen in response to an electronic mail interaction with the first person.

31. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen in response to a web interaction with the first person.

32. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen in response to an instant message interaction with the first person.

33. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen in response to a paper mail interaction with the first person.

34. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen in response to a voice message interaction with the first person.

35. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen in response to contemporaneous occurrence of an event relating to the second person.

36. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen in response to contemporaneous occurrence of a recurring event relating to the second person.

37. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen in response to contemporaneous occurrence of an annual event relating to the second person.

38. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the chosen gift is chosen in response to contemporaneous occurrence of the second person'"'"'s birthday.

39. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising identifying a pattern of gift giving from the first person to the second person, and wherein the chosen gift is chosen in response to identifying the pattern.

40. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising identifying a pattern of gift giving from the first person to the second person, and wherein the chosen gift is chosen in accordance with the identified pattern.

41. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising adding the second person to a favorite people list associated with the first person, wherein the chosen gift is chosen in response to the addition of the second person to the favorite people list and to contemporaneous occurrence of an event relating to the second person.

42. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising displaying information describing the chosen gift to the first person.

43. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, further comprising:

requesting authorization from the first person;

receiving authorization from the first person; and

placing an order to purchase the chosen gift for the second user on behalf of the first user only after receiving authorization from the first person.

44. A computing system for providing a gift, comprising:

a computing device implementing a receiving subsystem that receives information identifying a first person that will give a gift and information identifying a second person that will receive the gift given by the first person; and

a computing device implementing gift selection subsystem that automatically chooses a gift to be given to the second person by the first person wherein the gift selection subsystem determines a plurality of items that will correspond to the gift based upon a target price provided by the first person, the plurality of items having prices that collectively satisfy the target price.

45. One or more non-transitory computer memories that collectively contain a gift purchase instruction data structure, comprising:

information identifying a first person to purchase a gift;

information identifying a second person to receive the gift; and

a price specification specifying price information for the gift, wherein the price specification is received from the first person;

such that the contents of the data structure may be used to select a gift from a wish list associated with the second person satisfying the price specification, wherein the gift is comprised of a plurality of items, the plurality of items having prices that collectively satisfy the price specification, then purchase the selected item for the second person on behalf of the first person.