AU2007202523A1 - Method, system and computer program product for conducting a gift registry - Google Patents
Method, system and computer program product for conducting a gift registry Download PDFInfo
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- AU2007202523A1 AU2007202523A1 AU2007202523A AU2007202523A AU2007202523A1 AU 2007202523 A1 AU2007202523 A1 AU 2007202523A1 AU 2007202523 A AU2007202523 A AU 2007202523A AU 2007202523 A AU2007202523 A AU 2007202523A AU 2007202523 A1 AU2007202523 A1 AU 2007202523A1
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- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 title claims description 44
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 31
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001932 seasonal effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007596 consolidation process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013515 script Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012217 deletion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037430 deletion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000010365 information processing Effects 0.000 description 1
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Description
S&FRef: 813125
AUSTRALIA
PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address of Applicant The Wedding List Company Pty Ltd, an Australian company, ACN 103 414 857, of Unit 31, 110 Bourke Road, Alexandria, New South Wales, 2015, Australia Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: George Lefeuvre Loiterton Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Method, system and computer program product for conducting a gift registry Associated Provisional Application Details: [33] Country:
AU
[31] Appl'n No(s): 2006903030 [32] Application Date: 02 Jun 2006 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845c(814322_1) -1- 0 METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CONDUCTING A GIFT REGISTRY Field of the Invention s The present invention relates generally to gift registries and more particularly to Sautomated methods for conducting gift registries.
C- Background O Conventional gift registries such as bridal registries are traditionally offered and ~1o conducted by large department stores. Desirable gift items from the department store's line items are selected by the bridal couple by way of a list or by physically visiting the department store. Thereafter, wedding guests and/or other parties review the selected gift items and purchase one or more of those gift items for the bridal couple.
The purchased gift items are delivered to or collected by the bridal couple.
IS Processing of sales and purchases of registry gift items by the department store typically occurs in accordance with the department store's normal sales and purchasing procedures. That is, sales and purchases of registry gift items are treated in the same manner as any other stock items. As a consequence, consolidation of sales and purchases of gift items relating to a particular bridal registry is performed manually. Furthermore, the registry gift items are subject to minimum stock holding requirements.
Accordingly, a need exists for improved methods and systems for conducting gift registries.
Summary A first aspect of the present invention provides a method for conducting a gift registry. The method comprises the steps of displaying a plurality of gift items for sale online that are associated with a first party; enabling other parties to purchase one or more of the plurality of gift items online for the first party; removing purchased gift items from display to the other parties upon purchase thereof; enabling the first party to review the purchased gift items online, closing the gift registry for further purchase IRN: 753803 -2of gift items by the other parties and automatically generating at least one purchase order for the purchased gift items.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a computer system for O conducting a gift registry. The computer system comprises a communications interface for transmitting and receiving data, a memory unit for storing data and Sinstructions to be performed by a processing unit and a processing unit coupled to the Scommunications interface and the memory unit. The processing unit is programmed to display a plurality of gift items for sale online that are associated with a first party; Senable other parties to purchase one or more of the plurality of gift items online for the first party; remove purchased gift items from display to the other parties upon purchase thereof; enable the first party to review the purchased gift items online, close the gift registry for further purchase of gift items by the other parties and automatically generate at least one purchase order for the purchased gift items.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium comprising a computer program recorded therein for conducting a gift registry. The computer program product comprises computer program code for displaying a gift registry associated with a first party online, the gift registry comprising a plurality of gift items for sale; computer program code for enabling other parties to purchase one or more of the plurality of gift items online for the first party; computer program code for removing purchased gift items from display to the other parties upon purchase thereof; computer program code for enabling the first party to review the purchased gift items online; computer program code for closing the gift registry for further purchase of gift items by the other parties; and computer program code for automatically generating at least one purchase order for the purchased gift items.
Brief Description of the Drawings A small number of embodiments are described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: IRN:753803 -3- Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for conducting an online gift registry in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of an automated method for conducting an online bridal registry in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a computer system with which embodiments of the present invention may be practised.
Detailed Description Embodiments of methods and systems are described hereinafter for conducting 1o gift registries. Although certain of the embodiments are described with specific reference to bridal registries, it is not intended that the present invention be limited in this maimer. For example, as the principles of the present invention have general applicability to other kinds of registries or targeted sales.
Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for conducting an online gift registry.
Referring to Fig. 1, a gift registry associated with a first party is displayed online at step 110. The gift registry comprises a plurality of gift items for sale and is typically displayed on an Internet website.
At step 120, other parties are enabled to view and purchase one or more of the plurality of gift items online for the first party. At step 130, purchased gift items are removed from display to the other parties, upon purchase of those gift items. This avoids repeat purchasing of the same gift items.
At step 140, the first party is enabled to review the purchased gift items online.
At step 150, the gift registry is closed for further purchase of items by the other parties. The gift registry may be closed on the instructions of the first party.
At step 160, at least one purchase order for the gift items purchased by the other parties is automatically generated.
Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of an automated method for conducting an online bridal registry.
IRN:753803 -4- Referring to Fig. 2, details relating to wedding gift items and suppliers thereof are entered into the bridal registry at step 210. Such details may include, but are not limited to: information about the gift items including item codes, images of the gift items, description, cost price, retail price and supplier contact details. The gift items may include gift vouchers, for example, honeymoon vouchers for redemption at a travel agent.
At step 220, a bridal couple's details are entered into the bridal registry system.
Such details may include, but are not limited to: names, address and wedding date.
At step 230, selected gift items for the bridal couple are displayed online. The io selected gift items are typically selected by the bridal couple.
At step 240, other parties wedding guests, friends and acquaintances) are enabled to purchase displayed gift items online. As gift items are purchased, they are removed from the bridal registry to avoid duplication. Gift items selected by the bridal couple that are unavailable for purchase by the other parties for reasons such as low stock levels, discontinued line items or seasonal considerations may be prevented from being purchased by the other parties.
The bridal couple is able to view the purchased gifts online.
At step 250, the bridal registry is closed so that no further displayed gift items can be purchased. Closing is typically done on the instructions of the bridal couple, who may add, delete and/or exchange gifts. In certain instances, particular gift items may be unavailable for reasons such as low stock levels, discontinued line items or seasonal considerations. The bridal couple may be notified online of gift items purchased for them by the other parties that are unavailable and may have one or more alternative gift items recommended to them for replacement. Gift certificates purchased by the other parties for the bridal couple may also be used to purchase additional items. Any shortfall or additional items may be paid for by way of a credit card payment.
The foregoing activities may be optionally managed in an "Adjustment Summary", which may include the following informnation or a subset thereof: The date the list was closed and the target date for delivery of the gift items to the bridal couple, IRN: 753803 A summary of items purchased and items unavailable out of stock, seasonal stock),
;Z
S A record of all additions and deletions and the relevant dates, S A financial summary of the changes, allowing for any applicable discounts and referral vouchers, and N A record of any outstanding credits or payments required to be made to or Sby the bridal couple.
At step 260, inventory items are allocated against the gift items on the closed list and gift items not in stock are automatically added to a purchase order for the relevant supplier. This enables automatic consolidation of orders from a plurality of registries, which may advantageously result in volume discounts. Purchase orders may, for example, be generated or finalized when a minimum order value is achieved or when the target date for delivery of the gift items to a bridal couple is within a specified time period 4 weeks). Additional items for standard inventory may be consolidated with a purchase order for items to meet specific gift registry requirements.
Bridal couples may be notified online if one or more gift items are subject to an extended delivery time.
At step 270, the ordered gift items are received and are automatically allocated to the bridal couples and a consolidated report or view of each registry is generated or updated.
Fig. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of a computer system 300 that can be used to practice the methods described herein. More specifically, the computer system 300 is provided for executing computer software that is programmed to assist in performing a method for conducting an online gift registry. The computer software executes under an operating system such as MS Windows 2000, MS Windows XPTI or Linux"M installed on the computer system 300.
The computer software involves a set of programmed logic instructions that may be executed by the computer system 300 for instructing the computer system 300 to perform predetermined functions specified by those instructions. The computer IRN: 753803 -6software may be expressed or recorded in any language, code or notation that comprises a set of instructions intended to cause a compatible information processing system to performnn particular functions, either directly or after conversion to another language, code or notation.
s The computer software program comprises statements in a computer language.
The computer program may be processed using a compiler into a binary format suitable for execution by the operating system. The computer program is programmed in a manner that involves various software components, or code, that perform particular steps of the methods described hereinbefore.
The components of the computer system 300 comprise: a computer 320, input devices 310, 315 and a video display 390. The computer 320 comprises: a processing unit 340, a memory unit 350, an input/output interface 360, a communications interface 365, a video interface 345, and a storage device 355. The computer 320 may comprise more than one of any of the foregoing units, interfaces, and devices.
The processing unit 340 may comprise one or more processors that execute the operating system and the computer software executing under the operating system.
The memory unit 350 may comprise random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory and/or any other type of memory known in the art for use under direction of the processing unit 340.
The video interface 345 is connected to the video display 390 and provides video signals for display on the video display 390. User input to operate the computer 320 is provided via the input devices 310 and 315, comprising a keyboard and a mouse, respectively. The storage device 355 may comprise a disk drive or any other suitable non-volatile storage medium.
Each of the components of the computer 320 is connected to a bus 330 that comprises data, address, and control buses, to allow the components to communicate with each other via the bus 330.
The computer system 300 may be connected to one or more other similar computers via the communications interface 365 using a communication channel 385 to a network 380, represented as the Internet.
IRN:753803 SThe computer software program may be provided as a computer program g product, and recorded on a portable storage medium. In this case, the computer
;Z
software program is accessible by the computer system 300 from the storage device O 355. Alternatively, the computer software may be accessible directly from the network 5 380 by the computer 320. In either case, a user can interact with the computer system ¢€3 300 using the keyboard 310 and mouse 315 to operate the programmed computer N' software executing on the computer 320.
N The computer system 300 has been described for illustrative purposes.
SAccordingly, the foregoing description relates to an example of a particular type of I to computer system such as a personal computer which is suitable for practicing the methods and computer program products described hereinbefore. Those skilled in the computer programming arts would readily appreciate that alternative configurations or types of computer systems may be used to practice the methods and computer program products described hereinbefore.
In a particular embodiment, the online display of the gift registry comprises web pages generated using html, java script and flash. Data stored in a SQL database is extracted by queries and scripts within the web pages in response to commands.
Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a consolidated view of the current status of each gift registry throughout their lifetimes. For example, consultants managing the registries have a consolidated view of gift items purchased and whether those gift items are in stock.
Embodiments of the present invention automatically integrate supplier, webbased sales and bridal couple (or other relevant party) information with a purchase order sub-system.
The foregoing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configurations of the present invention.
Rather, the description of the exemplary embodiments provides those skilled in the art IRN: 753803 -8with enabling descriptions for implementing an embodiment of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims hereinafter.
Where specific features, elements and steps referred to herein have known s equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. Furthermore, features, elements and steps referred to in respect of particular embodiments may optionally form part of any of the other embodiments unless stated to the contrary.
The term "comprising" and its grammatical variations such as "comprises" and io "is comprised of', as used herein, are used in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including" and not in the exclusive sense of"consisting only of".
IRN: 753803
Claims (29)
- 2. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of providing said purchased gift items to said first party.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said registry is closed in response to instructions of said first party.
- 4. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of enabling said first party to exchange gift items purchased by said other parties for alternative items after closing of said registry. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of automatically generating at least one purchase order comprises the step of generating a plurality of purchase orders for gift items purchased in a plurality of different gift registries. IRN: 753803
- 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said gift items are displayed on an Internet website. ;Z
- 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said gift registry comprises a bridal registry and s said first party comprises a bridal couple. t", ,I 8. A computer system for conducting a gift registry, said computer system comprising: a communications interface for transmitting and receiving data; 10 a memory unit for storing data and instructions to be performed by a processing unit; and a processing unit coupled to said communications interface and said memory unit, said processing unit programmed to: display a gift registry associated with a first party online, said gift registry comprising a plurality of gift items for sale; enable other parties to purchase one or more of said plurality of gift items online for said first party; remove purchased gift items from display to said other parties upon purchase thereof; enable said first party to review said purchased gift items online; close said gift registry for further purchase of gift items by said other parties; and automatically generate at least one purchase order for said purchased gift items.
- 9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein said processing unit is programmed to close said registry in response to instructions received from said first party via said communications interface. The computer system of claim 8, wherein said processing unit is programmed to enable said first party to exchange gift items purchased by said other parties for alternative items after closing of said registry, via said communications interface. IRN: 753803
- 11- 11. The computer system of claim 8, wherein said processing unit is programmed to generate a plurality of purchase orders for gift items purchased in a plurality of different gift registries.
- 12. The computer system of claim 8, wherein said gift items are displayed on an Internet website.
- 13. The computer system of claimrn 8, wherein said gift registry comprises a bridal io registry and said first party comprises a bridal couple.
- 14. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium comprising a computer program recorded therein for conducting a gift registry, said computer program product comprising: I computer program code for displaying a gift registry associated with a first party online, said gift registry comprising a plurality of gift items for sale; computer program code for enabling other parties to purchase one or more of said plurality of gift items online for said first party; computer program code for removing purchased gift items from display to said other parties upon purchase thereof; computer program code for enabling said first party to review said purchased gift items online; computer program code for closing said gift registry for further purchase of gift items by said other parties; and computer program code for automatically generating at least one purchase order for said purchased gift items. The computer program product of claim 14, comprising computer program code for closing said registry in response to instructions received from said first party. IRN:753803 -12-
- 16. The computer program product of claim 14, comprising computer program code Ffor enabling said first party to exchange gift items purchased by said other parties for ;Z alternative items after closing of said registry. s 17. The computer program product of claim 14, comprising computer program code C€3 C for generating a plurality of purchase orders for gift items purchased in a plurality of Sdifferent gift registries.
- 18. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said gift items are 0 o displayed onl an Internet website.
- 19. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said gift registry comprises a bridal registry and said first party comprises a bridal couple.
- 20. The computer program product of claim 14, comprising computer program code for preventing purchase of unavailable gift items by said other parties.
- 21. The computer program product of claim 14, comprising computer program code for displaying an online notification to said first party that one or more of said purchased gift items are unavailable.
- 22. The computer program product of claim 14, comprising computer program code for recommending at least one gift item to said first party online to replace an unavailable purchased gift item.
- 23. The computer program product of claim 14, comprising computer program code for displaying an online notification to said first party that one or more gift items are subject to an extended delivery time.
- 24. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said plurality of gift items in said gift registry include honeymoon travel vouchers. IRN: 753803 -13- The computer system of claim 8, wherein said processing unit is programmed to prevent purchase of unavailable gift items by said other parties.
- 26. The computer system of claim 8, wherein said processing unit is programmed to display an online notification to said first party that one or more of said purchased gift items are unavailable.
- 27. The computer system of claim 8, wherein said processing unit is programmed to recommend at least one gift item to replace an unavailable purchased gift item.
- 28. The computer system of claim 8, wherein said processing unit is programmed to display an online notification to said first party that one or more gift items are subject to an extended delivery time.
- 29. The computer system of claim 8, wherein said plurality of gift items in said gift registry include honeymoon travel vouchers. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of preventing purchase of unavailable gift items by said other parties.
- 31. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of displaying an online notification to said first party that one or more of said purchased gift items are unavailable.
- 32. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of recommending at least one gift item to said first party online to replace an unavailable purchased gift item.
- 33. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of displaying an online notification to said first party that one or more gift items are subject to an extended delivery time. IRN: 753803 -14-
- 34. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of gift items in said gift registry include honeymoon travel vouchers.
- 35. A method for conducting a gift registry substantially as herein described with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.
- 36. A computer system for conducting a gift registry substantially as herein described with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.
- 37. A computer program product for conducting a gift registry substantially as herein described with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. DATED this First Day of June, 2007 The Wedding List Company Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2007202523A AU2007202523A1 (en) | 2006-06-02 | 2007-06-01 | Method, system and computer program product for conducting a gift registry |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2006903030 | 2006-06-02 | ||
| AU2006903030A AU2006903030A0 (en) | 2006-06-02 | Method, system and computer program product for conducting a gift registry | |
| AU2007202523A AU2007202523A1 (en) | 2006-06-02 | 2007-06-01 | Method, system and computer program product for conducting a gift registry |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2007202523A1 true AU2007202523A1 (en) | 2007-12-20 |
Family
ID=38835200
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2007202523A Abandoned AU2007202523A1 (en) | 2006-06-02 | 2007-06-01 | Method, system and computer program product for conducting a gift registry |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2007202523A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8433623B2 (en) | 2011-06-03 | 2013-04-30 | Target Brands, Inc. | Methods for creating a gift registry web page with recommendations and assistance |
-
2007
- 2007-06-01 AU AU2007202523A patent/AU2007202523A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8433623B2 (en) | 2011-06-03 | 2013-04-30 | Target Brands, Inc. | Methods for creating a gift registry web page with recommendations and assistance |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK1 | Application lapsed section 142(2)(a) - no request for examination in relevant period |