Gift assortment selection- and recommendation-system
The invention relates to a gift assortment selection- and recommendation-system comprising an electronic memory suitable to store and release elements from a gift data file, a display unit and a user's interface for the selection and for showing at least one element from the gift data file on the display unit. Such a gift assortment selection-system is used to relieve the strain on the sales assistants in gift shops, and in general, to provide givers with a means by which they can come to a decision with regard to a gift to be given.
Gift assortment selection-systems of the kind mentioned in the preamble are already available and accessible via Internet. Examples of these are http://www.eVillage.com, htt/://www eToys.com, http://www.RedRocket.com and http: //www.amazon. com. In general, these systems offer a gift selection based on static data; these known systems do not rise above the level of a conventional database in which, for example, per age group a number of gift possibilities are listed. It is the object of the invention to provide a more advanced gift assortment selection-system that is improved and optimized in accordance with the requirements of the system's user. To this end the gift assortment selection- system according to the invention is characterized in that the user interface is provided with an input-selection unit for determining at least one giver profile and one receiver profile, and which is provided with a gift criteria file and a decider unit that is equipped, in collaboration with the giver profile and the receiver profile, to select an element from the gift data file. By means of the system according to the invention it is thus possible to obtain an optimal result in the perception of the relation between the giver and the receiver of the gift, thereby promoting the further development of the relationship between these parties.
Moreover, in the system according to the invention the gift assortment selection is effected not only on the basis of aspects relating to the receiver, but also on the basis of aspects relating to the giver, in particular with regard to the relationship of the giver to the receiver.
In order to allow the decider unit to sensibly combine the gift criteria file with data from the giver profile and the receiver profile, it is desirable that the gift criteria file per section of receivers comprise data relating to at least one of the following groups:
- the most coveted gifts
- the desirable gifts
- interest profile
- occurring character structures/traits - composition of family
These data from the gift criteria file are preferably obtained from previously carried out but continuously repeated market research, and correspond with data from the giver profile and the receiver profile. Examples that could be mentioned are the interest profiles and the character patterns .
The effectiveness and purposeful selection ability of the gift assortment selection-system according to the invention is further promoted if the gift criteria file comprises data relating to the results that givers have attained with receivers of particular gifts. To this end users are encouraged, after the gift has been presented to the receiver, to feed-back relevant information to the system according to the invention. Preferably the gift assortment selection-system according to the invention is further characterized in that the gift criteria file is provided with gift-related data. Such gift-related data could be data that confer an extra added value on the moment of presenting the gift, such as data relating to a well-known personality for whom the respective gift at that time had a special meaning.
In all the embodiments of the gift assortment selection-system according to the invention, the same is preferably embodied such that the input-selection unit is
equipped, after selection of an element (example) from the gift data file and its presentation on the display unit, to determine whether the selected element meets the user's requirements. This enables the giver to adjust a gift selection recommendation according to the invention, for example, because the giver does after all not feel happy about the selected gift, or because the price attached is not right, the gift is not suited to the occasion, or the receiver already possesses the gift in question. A further characteristic of the gift assortment selection-system according to the invention is that during operation, the input-selection unit engages in a question- and-reply-session with the user, in which the kind of questions and their sequence depends on the replies that have been entered. This not only limits the duration of a session necessary before arriving at a selection, but also makes it possible to realize an optimal assortment selection by means of the feed-back received during the question-and-reply- session from the user of the system. With reference to the Figures 1-8, the invention will now be explained in more detail by means of an example, schematically representing the image on the screen that the gift assortment selection-system puts before the user. With reference first to Fig. 1, the screen is shown which the user sees at the beginning of the session and which shows two questions, namely:
1) For whom is the gift intended, and
2) What is the relationship of the giver of the gift to the receiver.
In the present example the gift assortment selection- system is equipped to select a gift assortment for a receiver who is not yet grown up. However, the invention is not limited to such an embodiment. With regard to the receiver of the gift, various age categories are identified, i.e. newborn, toddler, preschool child, beginning student, early teen and teenager.
With regard to the giver profile, a distinction is made between parent, grandparent, member of the family,
parent of the receiver's friend, a colleague or acquaintance of the child's parent.
Based on the replies given in the screen according to Fig. 1, a second screen appears as shown in Fig. 2, in which various suggestions for possible gift are made, for which the following criteria can be used, which criteria are filled in for each predetermined age group of possible receivers: the most coveted gifts, the desirable gifts, interest profiles of givers and receivers, occurring character structures/traits of givers and receivers, composition of the receiver's family, and the like. In addition, the gift recommendations mentioned may be based on feed-back data from previous users relating to the success or lesser success of gifts that have actually been given. For, example, the screen shown relates to the selection of a starting student as receiver (age 8-10) , in which the giver is identified as friend of the receiving child's parents.
If, in response to the screen according to Fig. 2 the giver has indicated that the gift recommendation is not suitable for the child, the screen shown in Fig. 3 appears, in which more data relating to the receiving child can be given, such as information about the child being a budding scientist, having artistic talent, enjoying reading or sports, having a preference for making music, or liking handicrafts best. If in respect of these aspects the giver is ignorant, there is still the possibility of reporting something with regard to the child's personality or with regard to the family background in another screen.
In screen 4, shown in Fig. 4, the child is assumed to have artistic talent, as selected in screen 3. The primary gift suggestion then appearing in screen 4 is a watercolour set, in addition to other gift recommendations that are less focused on the information provided so far. If, for example, the screen according to Fig. 4 indicates that the gift recommendation is still not adapted to the receiving child, the question-and-reply- session is continued with screen 5, as shown in Fig. 5.
Here data may be given relating to the manner in which the child likes to play, alone or with others, and enquiries are made regarding other aspects such as the question of whether the child is curious, accepting, doubting, sensitive, rambunctious, shy, outgoing, quiet or energetic .
If, for example, this latter choice is selected and if it is indicated that the child enjoys playing with others, screen 6 as shown in Fig. 6 will appear, with a primary gift recommendation in addition to alternatives, taking into account further data obtained in the meantime. Fig. 7 shown another alternative of the gift assortment selection-system according to the invention, namely the examination of gift recommendations as presented on the screen according to Fig. 2. Clicking on one of the alternative gift recommendations brings that recommendation into the centre of the screen, while the gift recommendation shown originally, moves into the periphery. In this manner it is possible to switch between the various gift recommendations to optimize the gift selection.
When the definite selection is made, it is registered and included in the gift criteria file of the desirable gifts. Fig. 8 finally, shows the screen that appears if in the screen shown in Fig. 2 the entry had indicated that the giver does not wish to give the recommended gift. The question-and-reply-session then continues with the screen shown in Fig. 8 in order to obtain further data about the giver by questions such as whether the giver goes along with the mainstream, or is in touch with the latest trends, or is seeking out alternative life styles. In addition, information is requested relating to the kind of gift that is sought, i.e. whether the gift has to be a sure hit, trendy, unique or aimed at the development of the child, or whether it has to be environmentally sound.
It will be obvious to the person skilled in the art that the above description of an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention is not exhaustive,
and that many variations are possible which all fall within the protective scope of the appended claims.
The gift assortment selection-system according to the invention generates recommendations taking into account users profiles and market data. However, variations of this system are applicable for the assortment selection of a diversity of products; the selection system may be applied for choosing and selecting from groups of vastly diverse products (for example, choosing between tickets for sporting events or clothes or toys) , but also for choices and selections from similar products (for example, choosing a trip/mortgage from different trips/mortgages) .
The system according to the invention is applied as a gift assortment selection-system for giving presents (in which a giver can make a choice and selection from a group of vastly diverse product possibilities) , in which recommendations are generated taking into account:
- profile of user/purchaser/giver - profile of receiver (s)
- relationship between these two
The assortment selection system bases its recommendations on market research. The market research closely follows these profile attributes. By attuning the profiles and the market research examples are generated from which the user can choose . The file and the presentation of examples and recommendations are continuously updated by means of :
- new market research - user/purchaser/giver behaviour registered by the system
- experience with similar users/purchasers/ givers registered by the system similar receivers - the addition of examples to the file (store)
The user can indicate his/her preference, thereby steering the decision-making process by switching from one subfile to a new subfile of examples until the user finally agrees with a recommendation/suggestion and comes to a decision
(to purchase) . The type and sequence of questions depend on replies and profiles that have been obtained.