Systems and methods for reviewing gift information

Abstract

A method of creating an aggregated Internet accessible registry includes the :step of accepting a query from a registrant. The query contains an identifier and a search criteria, the identifier identifying one of a multitude of registry databases. Registries matching the search criteria in the selected registry database are retrieved. When the registrant selects one of the matching registries, a general user identifier that uniquely identifies the registrant is associated with the registry. Additional queries and registry selection completes the aggregation registry process. The aggregated registry is managed on-line by the registrants and accessed by guests. The aggregated registry provides a framework that allows automated updates by registry database provides without loss of the identity of an aggregated registry.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 611,540, filed Jun. 30, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 273,326, filed Oct. 15, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,618,753, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 459,766, filed Dec. 13, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,742, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates generally to the field of Internet accessible product registries. More particularly, this invention relates to a system and method for aggregating and managing multiple registries over the Internet. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] The advent of widespread access to the Internet has generated interest in the development of web applications capable of accessing registry databases. Registry databases are collections of registries. Each registry in a regi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The present invention provides a system and method for aggregating registries. The system and method allows registrants to collect all registries, both custom and retailer-specific, in a single web site. The present invention allows registrants to expand the number of event types for which they create registries. Using the features of the present invention, registries for even the most common events, such as birthdays, are created by registrants and are easily accessed by relatives and friends over the Internet.

Problems solved by technology

Retailers that provide registration services over the Internet typically restrict the content of their registry databases to products offered by the individual retailer or, at best, to those of a highly limited number of retail partners.

Often registrants are not satisfied with the scope of their selections even after several different retailer-specific registries have been made.

However, the typical registrant does not create more retailer-specific registries because of the burden it places on guests and because of the high degree of maintenance that is required by the registrant to maintain such a large number of registries.

Further, existing retailer-specific registries do not offer registrants the option of registering unconventional items such as maid service, cooking lessons, or camping gear.

Even with the introduction of Internet accessible registries, the practice of restricting registry database content produces the unsatisfactory result that guests attempting to buy gifts for registrants must search multiple retailer-specific web sites.

Such inconvenience is magnified when the guest does not even know where the registrant is registered.

However, while functional, such web sites are unsatisfactory in practice.

Further, there is no method by which a retailer can update the registry when a purchase is made.

This has the disadvantage that every guest must use the registrant's web page and diligently update it.

Often, this is simply not possible because some of the guests do not have access to the Internet.

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