Abstract:
A coordinated system is provided whereby a subscriber or registrant may register with a specific merchant or a service which ties a plurality of merchants together. Preferences with the merchant or system are expressed and recorded in the system. Then, as items filling those preferences are purchased, a record is maintained of such purchases, and the orders are filled over a preselected period of time.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of computerized gift registries and, more particularly, to a registry system for the use of florists and similar merchants providing a capability of filling gift orders over time.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    A bride-to-be often registers at various merchants to express her preferences in certain items she would like to receive as gifts for her wedding. For example, she may register with a merchant who specializes in dinner ware and the like, and selects a particular style and pattern of dinnerware, and also selects specific items in that style and pattern. The merchant keeps track as items are purchased for the registered bride, preferably on a computer system, so that only a predetermined number of each item selected by the bride is purchased. Often, the bride registers at more than one merchant, and the merchants typically tie their tracking system together for the convenience of the bride and the purchasers so that the same item is not purchased at two different stores. Or one particular merchant may have more than one location, and the purchase of an item at one location is reflected in the records of all locations.  
           [0003]    Then, wedding guests wishing to buy a gift for the bride find out where the bride is registered and go to that merchant to select a gift for the bride. As each item is purchased, the purchase is noted and that way the bride receives no more than what she has selected.  
           [0004]    Such a system would be very helpful in other situations as well. For example, when someone is hospitalized, then his or her family can register with a florist or other gift merchant, expressing particular preferences in what the patient would appreciate receiving. Such a system could then be helpful in other ways. For example, if a patient is registered with a florist, or with a service which ties a plurality of such merchants together, then the flowers or other gifts could be delivered over a period of time, and not all on the same day.  
           [0005]    The present invention addresses this need in the art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention provides a coordinated system whereby a subscriber or registrant may register with a specific merchant or a service which ties a plurality of merchants together. Preferences with the merchant or system are expressed and recorded in the system. Then, as items filling those preferences are purchased, a record is maintained of such purchases, and the orders are filled over a preselected period of time or at some specified later date. Also, the system is capable of recalling that a purchase has been made and filled, but provides the capability of restoring that item to the registry if desired.  
           [0007]    Such a system is particularly adapted to a florist system and the like. In order to avoid a large quantity of goods such as flowers being delivered all at one time, the system maintains a timing record whereby ordered goods are delivered over a predetermined period of time. Cut flowers and the like are particularly perishable, so the timed delivery of the perishable goods ensures that fresh flowers are available over a longer period of time. For example, many people enjoy giving flowers to newlyweds, and the system provides the capability of delivering some flowers to the newlyweds before their honeymoon and some to them after they return.  
           [0008]    The system is also adapted to other situations where the timing of the delivery of perishable goods is important. For example, when a woman is expecting a baby, she is often given a baby shower. The system of this invention can be particularly useful in avoiding the duplication of gifts for the expectant mother, and for the delivery of merchandise over a specified time before and after the baby arrives. The system can also be expanded to specify specific baby items after the delivery, but is particularly well adapted to deliver flowers and other perishable goods so that they are not all provided at the same time.  
           [0009]    Further, anniversaries are often times of celebration, with the delivery of flowers. This system provides the capability of delivering appropriate goods specified for a particular anniversary, such as wood, or paper, or silver, or gold over a period of time. Or, if a husband remembers in December of an anniversary in March, he can register with the system of the present invention with confidence that his gift to his wife will be timely delivered.  
           [0010]    These and other features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the following detailed description. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a coordinated system of the present invention in which a number of terminals are tied together.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a logic flow diagram illustrating the basic features of the operation of the system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 depicts a basic schematic diagram wherein the present invention may find application. The diagram illustrates the presently preferred embodiment, but it should be understood that the present invention is equally applicable to a single site having a single computer system.  
         [0015]    A preferred coordinated system  10  includes a central control terminal  12  which communicates directly with a data base  14 . The terminal  12  is programmed with the logic illustrated in FIG. 2. The data base  14  preferably includes data regarding the preferences of prospective recipients of goods, such as types of flowers, colors, religion, non-profit organizations which may be the benefactors of monetary gifts, and other preferences.  
         [0016]    The terminal  12  is preferably coupled to a global communications network  16 , such as the Internet. One or more remote terminals  18   a  through  18   n  are also coupled to the network  16  for communicating with the terminal  12 .  
         [0017]    The terminal  12  may be physically located at a merchant&#39;s place of business, or it may be located at a service provider. In either case, security is provided to the data in the data base  14  so that the information provided is only accessible to the user of the control terminal. Data may be entered via the control terminal  12  either at the terminal  12  or through the network  16 . A prospective registrant logs in and is permitted to enter data regarding the preferences for goods, such as for example flowers, arrangements, gifts, and the like. Then, another registrant may log in and express the same or different preferences, which may also include a price range, religious preferences, or other distinctive features of the flowers or gifts that the registrant prefers. Other registrants may also log into the system and similarly order goods.  
         [0018]    The control terminal then schedules the delivery or filling of the orders by the various registrants over a period of time. That way, the requested goods, particularly perishable goods such as cut flowers, are not all delivered at the same time. The control terminal communicates with the data base  14 , which is preferably maintained in a structured query language (SQL) for ease of cross reference to the various characteristics of the goods available and the goods ordered. The control terminal  14  also includes an inventory control program with access to the same SQL data base  14  to ensure that advertised goods are timely available.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred logic for the program in the terminal  14 . The method illustrated in FIG. 2 begins with a start routine  30  which loads up a registry in step  32 . The registry preferably includes the preferences of the prospective recipient of the goods, but the registry may also be initiated by a single purchase from a registrant. Thus, the preferences may be specified by the prospective recipient or by registrants to the system. Once the registry is established, the prospective recipients may enroll their preferences into the system as previously described. The preferences are also preferably editable.  
         [0020]    When the merchant, having control over the terminal  12 , receives orders from registrants, a match is attempted with the preferences already established by the prospective recipient. The registrant is also provided with the option of ordering goods which are not within the preferences expressed by the recipient. The system then schedules the filling of the order or orders, and if more than one order is placed, the default setting for the system schedules delivery or filling of the orders at different times, i.e. over a time period.  
         [0021]    This invention is equally applicable to environments other than florists. For example, needy people may call into a church or ministerial organization, requesting assistance. The system registers the prospective recipient, and records preferences, such as baby formula for an infant, clothing sizes for children and adults, and other preferences. Then, the system will schedule the filling of the preferences over time, such as perishable food items and the like. Other scenarios are equally applicable.  
         [0022]    The principles, preferred embodiment, and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. This invention is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, since these are regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Moreover, variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.