WO2018045265A1

WO2018045265A1 - Mechanisms for the management of the purchase of gift assets and data extraction

Info

Publication number: WO2018045265A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/049814
Authority: WO
Inventors: Terrance LUCIANI
Original assignee: Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
Priority date: 2016-09-01
Filing date: 2017-09-01
Publication date: 2018-03-08

Abstract

Methods and systems for management of gift purchases. A non-transitory computer- readable medium stores a plurality of user profiles and a plurality of provider profiles. A processor receives a user's input to create a user profile, including billing information, a recipient, a purchase date set in the future, gift requirement and presentation information. The processor monitors the purchase date as it approaches. The processor selects, from gifts available at all providers, a predetermined number of gift options that meet the user's gift requirement. The processor receives the user's selection of gift. The processor determines the provider associated with the user's selection of gift. The processor notifies the provider about the user's presentation information. The processor orders the user's selection of gift to be shipped to the recipient. The processor charges the user using the billing information provided by the user. The processor sends a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is sent. The processor also sends a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is received by the recipient.

Description

Mechanisms for the Management of the Purchase of Gift Assets and Data Extraction TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a data platform for managing gift assets according to a preset selective criteria and executing purchase orders.

BACKGROUND DISCLOSED

[0002] Existing technology currently lacks effective solutions to manage and automatically monitor a user's desired purchase schedule. Further, existing technology does not effectively leverage existing customer information to increase sales of providers, including cross-selling and up-selling. A large amount of useful data is left unexploited.

[0003] It is desirable to have a system that improves the user's gift purchase experiences, and at the same time increases sales of providers.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] One aspect of the present technology relates to a system for managing gift purchases. The system includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of user profiles and a plurality of provider profiles. The system also includes a processor. The processor receives a user's input to create a user profile, including billing information, a recipient, a purchase date set in the future, gift requirement and presentation information. The processor monitors the purchase date as it approaches. The processor selects, from gifts available at all providers, a predetermined number of gift options that meet the user's gift requirement. The processor receives the user's selection of gift. The processor determines the provider associated with the user's selection of gift. The processor notifies the provider about the user's presentation information. The processor orders the user's selection of gift to be shipped to the recipient. The processor charges the user using the billing information provided by the user. The processor sends a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is sent. The processor sends a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is received by the recipient.

[0005] Another aspect of the present technology relates to a method for managing gift purchase. The method includes receiving, by a processor, a user's input to create a user profile, including billing information, a recipient, a purchase date set in the future, gift requirement and presentation information. The processor monitors the purchase date as it approaches. The processor selects from gifts available at all providers, a predetermined number of gift options that meet the user's gift requirement. The processor receives the user's selection of gift. The processor determines the provider associated with the user's selection of gift. The processor notifies the provider about the user's presentation information. The processor orders the user's selection of gift to be shipped to the recipient. The processor charges the user using the billing information provided by the user. The processor sends a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is sent. The processor sends a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is received by the recipient.

[0006] A further aspect of the present technology relates to a non-transitory computer-readable medium with computer-executable instructions for causing one or more processors to execute the computer-executable instructions as follows. A processor receives a user's input to create a user profile, including billing information, a recipient, a purchase date set in the future, gift requirement and presentation information. The processor monitors the purchase date as it approaches. The processor selects, from gifts available at all providers, a predetermined number of gift options that meet the user's gift requirement. The processor receives receive the user's selection of gift. The processor determines the provider associated with the user's selection of gift. The processor notifies the provider about the user's presentation information. The processor orders the user's selection of gift to be shipped to the recipient. The processor charges the user using the billing information provided by the user. The processor sends a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is sent. The processor sends a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is received by the recipient.

[0007] Various aspects of the described example embodiments may be combined with aspects of certain other example embodiments to realize yet further embodiments. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one example may be combined with one or more features of the other example. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in any example or examples may constitute patentable subject matter. Other features of the technology will be apparent from consideration of the information contained in the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The following Detailed Description is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments, but the subject matter is not limited to the specific elements and instrumentalities disclosed.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an example block diagram of a system for managing gift purchases according to one aspect of the disclosed technology.

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of a data storage of the system according to one aspect of the disclosed technology.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating example steps executable by a processor to manage gift purchases according to one aspect of the present technology.

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a high-level process flow of the system according to one aspect of the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the various embodiments of the present invention, various illustrative embodiments are explained below. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the present invention is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or examples. The present invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity.

[0014] It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a component is intended also to include composition of a plurality of components. References to a composition containing "a" constituent is intended to include other constituents in addition to the one named.

[0015] Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0016] By "comprising" or "containing" or "including" is meant that at least the named compound, element, particle, or method step is present in the composition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, materials, particles, method steps, even if the other such compounds, material, particles, method steps have the same function as what is named.

[0017] It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. Similarly, it is also to be understood that the mention of one or more components in a composition does not preclude the presence of additional components than those expressly identified. Such other components or steps not described herein can include, but are not limited to, for example, similar components or steps that are developed after development of the disclosed technology.

1. System Overview

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an architectural overview of a system 100 for managing a user's gift purchases. For example, the system 100 may manage a user's special purchase dates and provide notifications to the user with regard to gift purchasing. The system 100 may provide choices for the user to select a gift. If no selection is received, the system 100 may automatically makes choice on the user and arranges shipping and delivery of the gift.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 may communicate between user computing devices 102 and provider computing devices 104. Each user computing device 102 may be operable by a user 106. Similarly, each provider computing device 104 may be operable by a provider 108. The user computing devices 102 and the provider computing devices 104 may be mobile devices. The system 100 may communicate with the user computing devices 102 and the provider computing devices 104 via one or more of the following networks: a cellular network such as a Global System for Mobile Communications network ("GSM"), a Code Division Multiple Access ("CDMA") network, 3G/4G network, a satellite communication network, a local area network ("LAN"), such as an Ethernet network, a wide-area network, a virtual network, including without limitation a virtual private network ("VPN"), the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, and a wireless network (e.g., a network operating under any of the IEEE 802.11 suite of protocols, the Bluetooth® protocol known in the art, and/or any other wireless protocol), among other possibilities. In one example, the system 100 may communicate with the user computing devices 102 and the provider computing devices 104 over the Internet.

[0020] The system 100 may include data storage 110, a user interface 112, and a processor 114, among other possibilities. Discussions with respect to each of them are provided below.

1.1 Data Storage

[0021] The data storage 110 may be any one or a combination of a hard drive, random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory and a memory cache, among other possibilities. The data storage 110 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The data storage 110 may include a database implemented as relational database tables or structured XML documents.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, in one example, the database storage 110 may include a plurality of user or customer profiles 130, where each profile may be identified by a unique user identifier. A user profile 130 may include various information of a user, including but not limited to, user name, authentication information to log into the system 100, home address, email address, billing information such as credit card information, and legal acceptance, among other possibilities.

[0023] The user profile 130 may also include one or more gift recipient entries 131. A gift recipient entry 131 may include, but not limited to, recipient name, recipient relationship to the user, recipient address, recipient phone number, recipient email address, key date(s), recipient age level, and recipient gift profile, among other possibilities.

[0024] The user profile 130 may also include one or more special date entries 132. A special date entry 132 may include, but not limited to, a date, date significance, recipients impacted, gift type and notification preferences.

[0025] Further, the user profile 130 may include one or more spending preferences 133, including, but not limited to, overall spending preference, spending by event, spending by recipient, spending limit spectrum, and time parameters for purchases, among other possibilities.

[0026] The user profile 130 may include one or more gift preferences 134, including, but not limited to, overall gift preference, gift by event, and gift by recipient, among other possibilities.

[0027] The user profile 130 may include one or more presentation preferences 135, including, but not limited to, presentation by event, presentation by recipient, wrapping, and cards or messaging, among other possibilities.

[0028] The user profile 130 may include one or more notification preferences 136, including, but not limited to, overall notification preference, notification by event, notification by recipient, timing, and contact type, among other possibilities.

[0029] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the database storage 110 may also include one or more provider profiles 140, where each profile may be identified by a unique provider identifier. A provider profile 140 may include various information of a provider, including but not limited to, the provider's store profile 142, the provider's gift catalog 144, shipping options 146 available at the provider, and the provider's payment preferences 148, among other possibilities.

[0030] The provider's store profile 142 may include, but not limited to, store name, store type or category, store address and store phone number, among other possibilities.

[0031] The provider's gift catalog 144 may include, but not limited to, gifts available at the provider and their prices.

[0032] The provider's shipping options 146 may include, but not limited to, shipping to user, shipping to a physical address of a third part or intermediary, and shipping types, among other possibilities.

[0033] The provider's payment preferences 148 may include, but not limited to, credit cards accepted, PayPal accepted, wire transfer information, and payment terms acceptance, among other possibilities.

1.2 User Interface

[0034] Users 106 and providers 108 may interact with the system 100 via the user interface 112. The user interface 112 may include a web portal, such as a web page that may be displayed in any browser. Other types of the user interface may also be envisioned.

[0035] In one example, each user may create, edit, review or delete his or her user profile at the user interface 112. All information provided by the user at the user interface 112 may be recorded in the database 110. For instance, to create a user profile, the user may set up a user name, login information, home address, email address, billing information such as credit card information, and legal acceptance, among other possibilities.

[0036] At the user interface 112, the user may add, edit, review or delete one or more recipients to receive gifts. To add a recipient, the user may enter the recipient's name, relationship to the user, address, phone number, email address, key dates, recipient's age level, and recipient's gift profile, among other possibilities.

[0037] At the user interface 112, the user may add, edit, review or delete one or more special dates. To add a special date, the user may provide the date, its significant, recipients impacted by this date, gift type and one or more notification preferences, among other possibilities.

[0038] At the user interface 112, the user may add, edit, review or delete one or more spending preferences, including, but not limited to, overall spending preference, spending by event, spending by recipient, spending limit spectrum, and time parameters for purchase, among other possibilities.

[0039] At the user interface 112, the user may add, edit, review or delete one or more gift preferences, including, but not limited to, overall gift preference, gift by event and gift by recipient, among other possibilities.

[0040] At the user interface 112, the user may add, edit, review or delete one or more presentation preferences, including, but not limited to, presentation by event, presentation by recipient, wrapping, and cards or messaging, among other possibilities.

[0041] At the user interface 112, the user may add, edit, review or delete one or more notification preferences, including, but not limited to, overall notification preference, notification by event, notification by recipient, timing, and contact type, among other possibilities.

[0042] Similarly, each provider may create, edit, or review his or her provider profile at the user interface 112. All information provided by the provider at the user interface 112 may be recorded in the database 110. For instance, to create a provider profile, the provider may set up a store profile, including, but not limited to, store name, store type or category, store address and store phone.

[0043] At the user interface 112, the provider may add, edit, review or delete one or more gift catalogs. To add a gift catalog, the provider may enter available gifts and the gift pricing.

[0044] At the user interface 112, the provider may add, edit, review or delete shipping preferences. For example, the provider may arrange shipment directly to the user, or to an intermediary. The provider may specify one or more shipping types.

[0045] At the user interface 112, the provider may add, edit, review or delete payment preferences. For example, the provider may specify whether credit cards are accepted, whether PayPal is accepted, wire transfer information, and payment terms acceptance, among other possibilities.

1.3 Processor

[0046] The processor 114 may refer to a single data processor on a single computing device or a collection of data processors. The collection of data processors may reside on a single computing device or spread across multiple computing devices. The processor 114 may execute computer program code stored in the data storage 110 or a memory.

[0047] The processor 114 may monitor special dates provided by each user as stored in the user profile. When a special date as indicated in a user profile is approaching, the processor 114 may leverage the gift preference as indicated in the user profile to select three gift options from all available providers. For example, the processor 114 may search for gifts from gift catalogs as indicated in each provider profile, and select the best three gift options that meet the gift preference as indicated in the user profile. The processor 114 may send notification to the user with the best three gift options for the user's selection. Once the processor 114 receives the user's selection of one gift, the processor 114 may send a request to the provider offering that particular gift to order shipment of that gift to the user's predefined recipient as stored in the user profile. In some events, if the process 114 does not receive the user's selection before time expires or by the special date, the processor 114 may treat the first gift option as selected by the user and order its shipment. When sending the request to the provider, the processor 114 may also send the user's preselected presentation information as stored in the user profile, such as wrapping or card information. The processor 114 may charge the user for the order using the user's billing information as stored in the user's profile. The processor 114 may send a notification to the user when the gift is sent to the recipient. The processor 114 may also send a notification to the user when the gift is received by the recipient. [0048] FIG. 3 is a flow chart 300 illustrating example steps that may be executed by the processor 114 according to one aspect of the present technology. At step 302, the processor 114 may receive a user's input to create a user profile, including billing information, a recipient, a purchase date set in the future, gift requirement and presentation information. At step 304, the processor 114 may monitor the purchase date as it approaches. At step 306, the processor 114 may select, from gifts available at all providers, a predetermined number of gift options that meet the user's gift requirement. At step 308, the processor may receive the user's selection. At step 310, the processor may determine the provider associated with the user's selection of gift. At 312, the processor may notify the provider about the user's presentation information. At step 314, the processor may order the user's selection of gift to be shipped to the recipient. At step 316, the processor may charge the user using the billing information provided by the user. At step 318, the processor may send a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is sent. At step 320, the processor may send a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is received by the recipient.

2. Exemplary Operations

[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates a high-level process flow of the system 100 according to one aspect of the disclosed technology. At step 402, a user logs in to the system 100 or creates a new user profile. At step 404, the user enters billing information into the user profile. At step 406, the user adds a recipient, special date and gift information. At step 408, the system 100 identifies that special date is approaching. At step 410, the system 100 leverages gift profile to select three gift options. The gift options may be chosen from gift solutions provided by all partners at 409. At step 412, the system 100 may send notification to the user with gift options for selection. At step 414, when selection is provided by the user or time period expires, the system 100 orders the selected gift. At step 416, the system 100 uses the user's billing preference to pay for the order. At step 418, gift is sent to recipient with pre-selected presentation, such as wrapping or card. At step 420, the user receives notification when gift is sent and received.

[0050] While certain implementations of the disclosed technology have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various implementations, it is to be understood that the disclosed technology is not to be limited to the disclosed implementations, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. For example, the disclosed technology may be applied to many industry areas, including but not limited to commercial transactions, reservation systems, and financial services such as telephone banking, credit card and insurance services, among many other possibilities.

[0051] Certain implementations of the disclosed technology are described above with reference to block and flow diagrams of systems and methods and/or computer program products according to example implementations of the disclosed technology. It will be understood that one or more blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flow diagrams, respectively, can be implemented by computer-executable program instructions. Likewise, some blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams may not necessarily need to be performed in the order presented, or may not necessarily need to be performed at all, according to some implementations of the disclosed technology.

[0052] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks.

[0053] Implementations of the disclosed technology may provide for a computer program product, comprising a computer-usable medium having a computer-readable program code or program instructions embodied therein, said computer-readable program code adapted to be executed to implement one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational elements or steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide elements or steps for implementing the functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks.

[0054] Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of elements or steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flow diagrams, can be implemented by special-purpose, hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions, elements or steps, or combinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0055] This written description uses examples to disclose certain implementations of the disclosed technology, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice certain implementations of the disclosed technology, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of certain implementations of the disclosed technology is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A system for managing gift purchase comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of user profiles and a plurality of provider profiles;

a processor configured to:

receive a user's input to create a user profile, including billing information, a recipient, a purchase date set in the future, gift requirement and presentation information; monitor the purchase date as it approaches; determine, from gifts available at all providers, one or more gift options according to the user's gift requirement; receive the user's selection of gift; determine the provider associated with the user's selection of gift; notify the provider about the user's presentation information; order the user's selection of gift to be shipped to the recipient; charge the user using the billing information provided by the user; transmit a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is sent; and transmit a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is received by the recipient.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor receives, from the user, one or more of the following information: the recipient relationship to the user, recipient address, recipient phone number, recipient email address, recipient age level and recipient gift profile.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the gift requirement includes one or more of the following: gift type and gift preference, wherein the gift preference includes one or more of the following: overall gift preference, gift by event and gift by recipient.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor receives information indicative of significance of the purchase date, and wherein the recipient is impacted by the purchase date.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor receives, from the user, a notification preference, and wherein the notification preference includes one or more of the following: an overall notification preference, notification by event, notification by recipient, timing and contact type.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor receives, from the user, the user's spending preference including one or more of the following: spending by event, spending by recipient, spending limit spectrum, and time parameters for purchase.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the presentation information includes one or more of the following: presentation by event, presentation by recipient, wrapping, and cards or messaging.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor receives a provider's input to create a provider profile.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the provider profile includes a store profile, and wherein the store profile includes store name, store type, store address and store phone.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the provider profile includes a gift catalog, and wherein the gift catalog includes available gifts and gift pricing.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the provider profile includes a shipping preference, and wherein the shipping preference includes one or more of the following: shipping to user, shipping to an intermediary, and shipping type.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the provider profile includes a payment preference, and wherein the payment preference includes whether credit cards are accepted, whether paypal are accepted, wire transfer information and payment terms acceptance.

13. A method for managing gift purchase, comprising:

receiving, by a processor, a user's input to create a user profile, including billing information, a recipient, a purchase date set in the future, gift requirement and presentation information; monitoring, by the processor, the purchase date as it approaches; determine, by the processor, from gifts available at all providers, one or more gift options according to the user's gift requirement; receiving, by the processor, the user's selection of gift; determining, by the processor, the provider associated with the user's selection of gift; notifying, by the processor, the provider about the user's presentation information; ordering, by the processor, the user's selection of gift to be shipped to the recipient; charging, by the processor, the user using the billing information provided by the user; sending, by the processor, a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is sent; and sending, by the processor, a notification to the user when the user's selection of gift is received by the recipient.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving, by the processor, from the user, one or more of the following information: the recipient relationship to the user, recipient address, recipient phone number, recipient email address, recipient age level and recipient gift profile.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving, by the processor, information indicative of significance of the purchase date, and wherein the recipient is impacted by the purchase date.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving by the processor,, from the user, a notification preference, and wherein the notification preference includes one or more of the following: an overall notification preference, notification by event, notification by recipient, timing and contact type.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving, by the processor, from the user, the user's spending preference including one or more of the following: spending by event, spending by recipient, spending limit spectrum, and time parameters for purchase.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving, by the processor, a provider's input to create a provider profile.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising computer-executable instructions, for causing one or more processors to execute the computer-executable instructions to: