Methods for product registering in a registry including use of stored value cards

• US 8,606,654 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2005
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ams AG (Ams-Osram AG)
• Original Assignee: ams AG (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Veeneman, William J., Veeneman, Kathleen M.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALLEN, WILLIAM J
• Application Number:
  US11/241,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20060080174A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,994 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/1.1, 705/14.1, 705 1427- 1428, 705/14.31, 705/4.36, 705 16- 21, 705 261- 272, 705 1437- 1438
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• 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 product registering in a registry comprising:

providing a registrant with an express registration card having an express registration number;

inputting into a portable scanning device, the express registration number by the registrant;

receiving, by the portable scanning device, selected product information and storing the selected product information in the portable scanning device in a computer-readable format; and

associating, by the portable scanning device, the selected product information with the express registration number to create a first registry list;

providing an incentive with the express registration card and, after receiving selected product information, providing the incentive to the registrant;

wherein the incentive is a stored value card having a monetary value and a number associated with the stored value card, the number associated with the stored value card being further associated with the first registry list; and

increasing, by a gift purchaser using the registry, the monetary value of the stored value card.

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 3, further comprising sending a personal registry card to the registrant after receipt of identification information.

6. The method of claim 3, 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 first 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 receiving product purchase information relating to a product purchased by a purchaser for the registrant, and adding the product purchase information to a reverse registry.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving product purchase information relating to a product purchased by the registrant and adding the product purchase information to a reverse registry.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving product return information relating to a product returned by the registrant, associating the product return information with the product purchase information relating to the same product, and removing the product purchase information from the reverse registry.

18. The method of claim 3, further comprising receiving selected preference information and associating the selected preference information with the identification information.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the first registry list to a potential purchaser, receiving product purchase information from the potential purchaser indicating a selected product has been purchased from the first registry list, removing the selected product from the first registry list, and adding the selected product to a reverse registry.