System and Method for Providing Electronic Multi-Merchant Gift Registry Services Over a Distributed Network

Abstract

A method of providing a gift registry service over a distributed network of computers. The method includes the steps of running a gift registrar application on at least one gift registry site, running a gift registration agent application on at least one goods or services provider (SP) site, a gift registrant accessing the at least one SP site and making a gift selection from the site, the gift registration agent application sending the gift selection to the gift registrar application, gift registrar application storing the gift selection as an update to a wish list in a wish list data memory structure accessible to the at least one gift registry site, and a gift purchaser accessing the stored wish list from a site on the distributed network remote from any gift registry site.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for providing an online multi-merchant gift registry service over a distributed network, with the capability to support multiple online merchants of any size and from any net-accessible location in the world, the system comprising:
 a plurality of service provider (SP) sites connected to the distributed network, each SP site running at least one service application to provide an online service to users over the distributed network;   a plurality of user computers connected to the distributed network, each user computer running at least one client application for accessing online services of the SP sites;   a gift registry site connected to the plurality of SP sites, the gift registry site running at least one gift registry service, the gift registry site including a user database containing authentication information of users that have registered to use the gift registry service, and an SP database containing authentication information of service providers that have registered to participate in the gift registry service, the registered users accessing the SP sites from the user computers over the distributed network;   a database which stores user-specific customization data, the customization data specifying preferences of the registered users with respect to online services of the SP sites, the customization data provided to the SP sites by the online multi-merchant gift registry service to enable the SP sites to customize the online services to the preferences of individual registered users;   a database which stores service provider information, the service provider information specifying communication information necessary for establishing secure connections between the service providers and the gift registry site;   a database which stores registered events, the registered event database maintaining for each event a list of gift items and distribution lists associated with said event; a database which stores wish list items;   a database which stores user reminders;   a database which stores SP notifications, the SP notifications being triggered by registered events, the SP notifications causing the SP sites to perform site-specific actions; and   an authentication protocol for enabling the gift registry service to authenticate users and service providers, and communication links with service providers' systems, the authentication protocol implemented by software components of the service providers' sites and the gift registry site.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each SP site enables a wish list item or a gift purchase to be registered on behalf of a user. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a gift purchaser purchases a gift for a registrant. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , comprising a search mechanism for accessing a gift registrant's wish list. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the gift registry site refers a gift purchaser to an SP site with gift information that will pre-populate a virtual shopping basket of the gift purchaser, and present a checkout page to the gift purchaser to enable a speedy purchase;
 and wherein said SP site may be either a preferred reseller specified by the gift registrant or an alternate reseller chosen by the gift purchaser.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , comprising means wherein gift so recommendations are provided based on individuals' past buying habits and desires. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising means for sending automatic reminder messages to users, the sending of said automatic reminder messages being triggered by the occurrence of pre-registered events. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a service provider registers a sale event, and wherein said sale event triggers automatic notifications to registrants who have registered an interest in at least one item upon which said service provider registers a sale event. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising means for enabling users to register major events of multiple types, and be provided event services, the event services comprising the registration of event-specific gift desires, distribution lists, discussion groups, or other related resources. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein users are enabled to select from multiple styles of stationery for mailings. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein users reserve halls and meeting rooms for the registered events. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein users contract with other event-related business. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said event-related businesses comprise caterers, photographers, videographers, consultants, florists, clowns, comedians, musicians, dj's, or other entertainers. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein users send out pre-canned templates with customized information as email notices to all users identified in distribution lists. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein service providers obtain marketing information. 
     
     
         16 . A gift registry service apparatus for enabling gift registrants to register wish lists of items desired as gifts for weddings or other occasions, the gift registry service facilitating seamless connection among gift registrants, purchasers, and registered merchants for the registering of user wish list items and the purchasing of items, the apparatus comprising:
 a gift registry server operatively connected to a computer network, the server having a processor and a computer readable memory, the memory storing gift registry implementation software, including database management software, customer access software, and artificial intelligence software;   at least one data structure including a list of gift registrants along with corresponding ID and profile information, and including a list of participating merchants, with their corresponding communication information, the list of participating merchants being a subset of the sites available to users of the computer network, the at least one data structure further including data regarding the registration of occasions, wish lists, reminders, and notifications;   a first data entry system through which first information about gift registrants is entered into the computer system, the first information for each registrant including at least a first name, last name, and e-mail address;   wherein a unique identifier is assigned to each registrant, the unique identifier comprising the registrant's first name, last name, and e-mail address;   a second data entry system capable of receiving second information, the second information including a list of potential gifts or wish list items which the registrant has identified as desired, and a unique identifier associated with a preferred reseller of those gifts;   a database storage system that stores and retrieves the first and second information about the registrant and the unique identifier associated with the preferred reseller of the desired potential gifts;   a third data entry system through which information about service providers/merchants is entered into the computer system, the third information for each service provider including at least a contact name and e-mail address; and   a fourth data entry system capable of receiving fourth information, the fourth information including marketing reports which can be used to tailor individualized services or products to present or potential customers;   and wherein the database storage system includes data regarding occasions, in addition to wish list items.   
     
     
         17 . The gift registry apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth data entry systems comprise a client application running on a user computer. 
     
     
         18 . The gift registry apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising updating means for updating data in the database storage system as a prospective purchaser buys a gift from a participating service provider, the gift being on the list of potential gifts for a particular registrant, and the participating service provider registers the gift purchase on the registrant's behalf. 
     
     
         19 . The gift registry apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a database storage system which resides on more than one computer at one or more sites, the computers working in tandem.