Posted on Saturday, November 13 2010 @ 6:05 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
TechFlash
noticed that Amazon filed a patent for a system that would enable customers to intercept unwanted gifts and replace them with something you actually do want:
For example, the system would allow you to set up a rule like "Convert all gifts from Aunt Mildred" that would automatically convert any online gift orders from Mildred into a gift certificate.
The patent, titled System and method for converting gifts, was granted Nov. 9, and lists Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Colin Bryar as inventors.
Here's an excerpt from the patent filing: As in other gift-giving situations, it sometimes occurs that gifts purchased on-line do not meet the needs or tastes of the gift recipient. For example, the recipient may already have the item and may not need another one of that same item. Alternatively, the item may not be the right size, the right type, the right style, and so on. In such situations, the recipient may wish to convert the gift to something else, for example, by exchanging the gift for another item or by obtaining a redemption coupon, gift card, or other gift certificate to be redeemed later.
