Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MULTI-PURPOSE FORMS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. nonprovisional patent
application
serial number 12/768,671 filed on April 27, 2010 and from U.S. nonprovisional
patent
application serial number 12/777,810 filed on May 11, 2010. The foregoing
applications are
incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to multi-purpose forms. More particularly, the
invention
relates to multi-purpose forms having detachable components that can be
customized by
imprinting thereon using computer software and a printer to create user-
customized products.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Forms featuring detachable components are manufactured in commercial
printing plants using printing presses and finishing equipment. Currently,
forms such as
snap-apart forms, two- and three-level forms having areas for imprinting using
a typewriter or
manually writing thereon, labels, and business cards are available for
purchase by consumers
in packs. Such printable forms include customizable spaces onto which a user
may print text
or images chosen by the user. The forms typically feature a plurality of
identically sized and
shaped detachable components. Printing or imprinting on the customizable
spaces of
conventional forms may be accomplished using a desktop printer or any other
printing device
of the appropriate size and feed capability.
[0004] Conventional greeting cards are sold or distributed as individual units
or in
packs of identical or varying cards at retail locations and websites. Such
greeting cards are
generally not customizable by the user with the exception of some blank spaces
on interior
surfaces of the greeting card that may be reserved by the manufacturer to
permit the
purchasing user to write a message or to include any other printed or
typically handwritten
text, image, or symbol desired to be transmitted to a recipient. Exterior
surfaces, and
particularly the front exterior surface, of such greeting cards almost always
include artwork,
symbols, images, or text printed thereon by the manufacturer, and leave little
or no space for
user customizations. Forms featuring a single component such as a greeting
card have also
been available in commerce for imprinting thereon by a consumer using a
desktop printer.
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Such printable and imprintable forms often are packaged with a separate
envelope on which
the consumer may imprint or write addresses and affix postage.
[0005] As the consumer market moved away from the use of cash, direct debit
and
credit became popular payment alternatives, gift cards came into common usage.
Gift
certificates have been used in place of cash when consumers have desired to
give a gift that
could be used by a recipient user to purchase goods or services. Gift cards
have rapidly
replaced gift certificates as the dominant means of gift giving either in the
form of cash
credit, a specific good, or a specific service. Gift cards are preferable over
the use of gift
certificates because, unlike gift certificates, conventional plastic gift
cards include magnetic
stripes onto which data can be encoded, e.g., the amount of funds contributed
by the giftor,
the gift (i.e., good or service) selected by the giftor, the giftor's personal
information, the
giftee's personal information, and the bank, store, or manufacturer's
information. Gift cards
were also preferred over gift certificates because, being the size of a credit
card or debit card,
they can fit into a smaller area such as a wallet. Gift cards were also viewed
as advantageous
over gift certificates because of the security features and point-of-sale
transaction entry
capabilities included in the magnetic encoding of the gift cards.
[0006] Conventional gift cards are purchased or obtained at a retail location
such as a
store or website, and include pre-printed graphics and text printed thereon by
the
manufacturer or issuer of the gift card. Such pre-printed gift cards do not
permit the
purchaser (i.e., the giftor) to customize the gift card prior to its delivery
to a recipient (i.e., the
giftee).
[0007] Greeting cards and envelopes can also be purchased or acquired from an
on-
line service. Greeting cards generated by on-line services may allow the user
to make limited
personalization and customization of a card by selecting themes, images and
messages from a
library of such content. In some instances, the on-line service may permit the
user to upload
photographs for additional customization. Such on-line service generated
greeting cards
generally do not have the ability to attach a gift card, nor do they include
detachable sections
that can be used for another purpose upon receipt by the recipient.
[0008] Gift cards and greeting cards, in addition to envelopes, have not been
previously provided in a combined multi-purpose imprintable format having
detachable
components so that a consumer or end user can obtain the multi-purpose form
that may
include one or more sheets and, using a desktop printer or other printing
device, imprint
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thereon certain customized text, images, or symbols selected by the user.
SUMMARY
[0009] A multi-purpose printable form can be manufactured to include one, two,
three
or more sheets, each of which can include one or more detachable components.
Detachable
components that may be formed as part of the sheet can include a greeting
card, a gift card,
and an envelope. Each of the detachable components can be used alone or in
combination
with the other detachable components of the multi-purpose form. Each sheet can
include a
frame formed from the paper or other material of the sheet. The frame can be
formed around
the side edges of each detachable component, or the sheet may be constructed
so that the
frame is formed only around the outside edges of each sheet. Each sheet may
also include no
frame at all but only detachable components connected to one another, or in
another
embodiment where the multi-purpose form includes a plurality of sheets, some
sheets may
include a frame while other sheets do not. The detachable components can be
sized, shaped,
and arranged on the sheet so as to maximize the usage of paper included in
each sheet and to
reduce waste by ensuring that the frame forms only a minimally necessary
portion of the
sheet.
[0010] The detachable components may be torn, punched out, or otherwise
detached
from the sheet along lines of separation. The lines of separation can be
perforations that
assist the user in cleanly removing each detachable component from the sheet
without
creating rips in the detachable component or leaving hanging paper fragments
that result
when two detachable components are separated along a line of separation (e.g.,
a fold line)
that does not include perforations. Microperforations can also be used to
provide the cleanest
separation so that the edges of the separated detachable components appear
smooth.
[0011] The multi-purpose form can include graphics and text printed thereon
during
manufacturing or the form may be supplied to the user totally blank. Software
that can be
installed on the user's computer or accessed remotely on a website via the
Internet can be
used to customize and imprint customizations on the multi-purpose form.
[0012] The terms "print" and "printable" as used herein relate to printing on
one of
the multi-purpose forms during the manufacturing of the form, or printing on a
surface of the
form in a first instance by a manufacturer. The terms "imprint" and
"imprintable" as used
herein refer to printing on one of the forms by a user subsequent to
manufacturing.
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Imprinting can be accomplished manually using a pen, pencil, or other handheld
writing
instrument, or mechanically using a printer or printing device. For example,
the user may
imprint customizations onto a blank form in the first instance where the
manufacturer has not
printed any information on the form during manufacturing, or the user may
imprint
customizations in a second, third, fourth or other instance onto a form that
includes
information printed thereon by the manufacturer during manufacturing. By way
of further
example, a form that includes information printed thereon by the manufacturer
during
manufacturing is printed in the first instance, customizations subsequently
printed onto the
form by a giftor are imprinted in the second instance, and additional
information thereafter
printed onto the same form by a giftee is imprinted in the third instance.
[0013] One advantage of the multi-purpose form is that it permits a user to
create a
customized greeting card and gift card to give to a recipient in replacement
of a conventional
store-bought greeting card and gift card, neither of which can be customized
by the user to
the extent desired by many users. The multi-purpose form permits the user to
customize the
graphics and text of both the greeting card and the gift card. Customizable
text can include
imprinting of the sender (e.g., user or giftor) or recipient's (e.g., giftee)
name, address, and
other contact information.
[0014] Another advantage of the multi-purpose form is that it allows a user to
shop
for gifts for a recipient from home, from an office, or from any location that
is remote to a
store. Once the user obtains the multi-purpose form, the user can customize
the graphics and
text on the detachable components using a printer, select a gift or cash value
that can be
imprinted on the gift card, greeting card or on both, and fund the card via a
website operated
by the card issuer, a manufacturer, a retailer, a distributor, a bank, or a
merchant processor.
[0015] Still another advantage of the multi-purpose form is that users become
more
involved in the gift giving process because of the craft and artistic aspects
of customizing or
decorating, imprinting, and assembling the multi-purpose form and its
detachable
components into the final pieces (e.g., greeting card, gift card, and
envelope) for delivery to
the recipient.
[0016] Yet another advantage of the multi-purpose form is that its usage
increases e-
commerce conversions, e.g., finishing of gift card purchase transactions,
thereby resulting in
fewer abandoned on-line shopping carts where customers fail to complete the
purchase after
selecting an item for sale on a website.
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[0017] Yet another advantage of the multi-purpose form is that it can be used
with a
website to collect and compile both the giftor and giftee's personal
information into a
database, which enhances the security of e-commerce and permits the retailer,
manufacturer,
advertiser, or website system operator to market goods and services to the
giftor and giftee.
[0018] Still another advantage of the multi-purpose form is that it can
delivered
directly to the user's home, solicited or unsolicited, which can increase
spending and usage of
the gift card component of the form as opposed to relying upon users to visit
a retail location
having a gift card mall to purchase and fund a gift card.
[0019] Still another advantage of the multi-purpose form is that it may be
constructed
so as to be flat and of a uniform or nearly uniform thickness so that when a
plurality of the
multi-purpose forms are packaged, the packaged forms comply with United States
Postal
Service or other mailing or courier service guidelines and regulations related
to the required
flatness of printed materials being mailed.
[0020] Yet another advantage of the multi-purpose form is that it allows the
user to
imprint a greeting card, a gift card, and an envelope all using a desktop
printer by feeding a
single or more than one sheet through the printer. The imprinting of all of
these components
may be accomplished simultaneously where the printer includes features
permitting front and
back printing of a sheet during a single pass through the printer.
[0021] Yet another advantage of the multi-purpose form is that, in embodiments
including a gift card, paper gift cards are safer to mail than plastic cards
due to their slim
thickness that cannot easily be felt through a closed envelope as opposed to
thicker plastic
cards that are easily recognized by touching the surfaces of a closed
envelope. As an
additional safety feature, a website of the systems described herein for use
with the multi-
purpose form can be used to register a gift card to its intended recipient so
that only the
intended recipient can redeem the gift card using a login, password, or other
information that
can be used to confirm the recipient's identity through the website.
[0022] Accordingly, the invention can feature a multi-purpose form that can be
a
single sheet having at least two detachable components. The detachable
components can
include at least a correspondence piece and a scrip.
[0023] In another aspect, the invention can feature the sheet further
including a frame
to which the detachable components are attached and are detachable therefrom.
[0024] In another aspect, the invention can feature the correspondence piece
being a
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greeting card.
[0025] In another aspect, the invention can feature the correspondence piece
being a
post card.
[0026] In another aspect, the invention can feature the detachable components
further
including at least one customizable component on which a photograph can be
imprinted to
create a wallet-size photograph capable of fitting into a wallet.
[0027] In another aspect, the invention can feature the detachable components
further
including an envelope piece that is detachable from the frame.
[0028] In another aspect, the invention can feature the envelope piece
including a
plurality of foldable leafs and adhesive areas for use in assembling the
envelope piece into an
envelope.
[0029] In another aspect, the invention can feature the envelope piece further
including one of the plurality of foldable leafs being an envelope lid and an
adhesive area on
one surface of the envelope lid for use in sealing the assembled envelope.
[0030] In another aspect, the invention can feature the scrip being a gift
card.
[0031] In another aspect, the invention can feature the scrip being a gift
certificate.
[0032] In another aspect the invention can feature the scrip being a coupon.
[0033] In another aspect, the invention can feature the scrip being any non-
monetary
certificate that is redeemable for currency, goods, or services of value.
[0034] In another aspect, the invention can feature the sheet including lines
of
separation from which the detachable components can be separated.
[0035] In another aspect, the invention can feature the lines of separation
being
perforations.
[0036] In another aspect, the invention can feature the sheet including a
first surface,
a second surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges.
[0037] In another aspect, the invention can feature the sheet including pre-
printed
information printed on at least one of the first surface and the second
surface.
[0038] In another aspect, the invention can feature the detachable components
including customizable spaces on which a user may imprint or affix the user's
own
customizations.
[0039] In another aspect, the invention can feature the customizations
including at
least one imprinted, written, drawn, embossed, or affixed item selected from
among: text, an
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image, a symbol, a label, and a stamp.
[0040] In another aspect, the invention can feature the sheet further
including a
postage stamp that can be affixed to the envelope as postage paid for mailing
the envelope
and its contents.
[0041] In another aspect, the invention can feature the customizations being
imprintable by the user using a software program and a printer.
[0042] In another aspect, the invention can feature the software program being
installed on a computer.
[0043] In another aspect, the invention can feature the software program being
accessible on a remote server via a communications network.
[0044] In another aspect, the invention can feature the software program
including a
computer-generated version of each sheet of the multi-purpose form.
[0045] In another aspect, the invention can feature each multi-purpose form
including
a form identification number that uniquely identifies the multi-purpose form.
[0046] In another aspect, the invention can feature the software program being
accessible via a website. The website can include a data field in which the
form
identification number on the multi-purpose form can be entered by the user and
transmitted
through the website to permit the software program to populate the computer-
generated
version of each sheet of the multi-purpose form with personal information
related to the user
that is stored on a remote database.
[0047] In another aspect, the invention can feature the multi-purpose form
including a
plurality of sheets, each sheet including at least two detachable components.
[0048] In another aspect, the invention can feature a plurality of multi-
purpose forms
being packaged into a single pack for distribution to a user.
[0049] In another aspect, the invention can feature the packaged plurality of
multi-
purpose forms being a flat package that is no less than about 6 inches wide by
about 5 inches
long with about 0.125-inch radius rounded corners, no more than about 0.75
inches in
thickness from any edge of the package, and being flexible enough so that the
package is
capable of bending one inch from any edge without effecting the contents
inside the package.
The package can also be a uniform thickness so that any bumps, protrusions, or
other
irregularities do not cause more than about one-quarter of an inch in variance
in the thickness
of the package.
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[0050] In another aspect, the invention can feature the single sheet including
two plies
of paper adhered together.
[0051] In another aspect, the invention can feature the single sheet including
three
plies of paper adhered together.
[0052] In another aspect, the invention can feature the single sheet including
more
than one ply of paper adhered together.
[0053] In another aspect, the invention can feature an envelope including a
pocket
that is formed between two of the plies of paper.
[0054] In another aspect, the invention can feature the detachable components
including one or more product stamps.
[0055] In another aspect, the invention can feature the one or more product
stamps
each including a gift representation.
[0056] In another aspect, the invention can feature the gift representation
including a
visual or textual description of a gift item or gift service for gifting by a
giftor to a giftee.
[0057] In another aspect, the invention can feature the detachable components
also
include a coupon.
[0058] The invention can also feature a multi-purpose form that includes a
single
sheet, which has at least one detachable component. The detachable component
can be an
envelope piece.
[0059] In another aspect, the invention can feature the envelope piece having
a
plurality of leafs and adhesive areas capable of being assembled to create an
envelope.
[0060] In another aspect, the invention can feature the sheet including at
least two
plies and the envelope piece including a fully assembled envelope that is
detachable from the
sheet.
[0061] In another aspect, the invention can feature the envelope including a
pocket
formed in a space between the two plies of the sheet. The two plies can be
adhered together
on three sides.
[0062] The invention can also feature a multi-purpose form having at least one
sheet,
wherein the sheet includes at least one detachable component and a form
identification
number. The form identification number can be entered into software as input
data to allow
the software to configure output data for imprinting on the multi-purpose form
by a printer.
[0063] In another aspect, the invention can feature the software including a
website
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that is accessible via a communications network.
[0064] In another aspect, the invention can feature the output data being
text,
graphics, or images.
[0065] In another aspect, the invention can feature the detachable component
being at
least one item selected from among: a correspondence piece, a scrip, an
envelope piece, an
envelope, a product stamp, a postage stamp, a coupon, a register, a business
card, and a
customizable component.
[0066] A method of the invention can be used with a multi-purpose form. The
method can include the steps of (a) providing a multi-purpose form that
includes a form
identification number printed thereon and customizable spaces; (b) entering as
a first input
the form identification number into a data field of a website; and (c)
transmitting the form
identification number through the website to a remote server via a
communications network.
The method also includes the steps of (d) using a software program installed
on the remote
server, associating the transmitted form identification number with a
corresponding
computer-generated version of the multi-purpose form stored on the remote
server; and (e)
displaying the computer-generated version of the multi-purpose form via the
website on a
display screen of a computer. The computer-generated version of the multi-
purpose form can
feature computer-generated customizable spaces. The method further includes
the steps of (f)
selecting data via the website to be added to the computer-generated
customizable spaces to
customize the computer-generated version of the multi-purpose form; (g)
populating the
computer-generated customizable spaces with the data selected via the website;
and (h)
imprinting the data added to the computer-generated customizable spaces on the
customizable spaces of the multi-purpose form using a printer.
[0067] Another method of the invention can include providing a plurality of
multi-
purpose forms, wherein all multi-purpose forms that are identical feature the
same form
identification number printed thereon and multi-purpose forms that are
different feature
different form identification numbers.
[0068] Another method of the invention can include each multi-purpose form
featuring two or more sheets. All sheets that are identical can include the
same form
identification number printed thereon and sheets that are different can
include different form
identification numbers.
[0069] Another method of the invention can include a plurality of multi-
purpose
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forms, and each of the plurality of multi-purpose forms can feature its own
unique form
identification number.
[0070] Another method of the invention can include the data being selected
from
among at least one of the following items: text, a symbol, an image, a
photograph, personal
information of a user, and personal information of a person other than the
user.
[0071] Another method of the invention can include the steps of requiring a
user to
log into the website prior to entering the form identification number as a
first input,
associating the user's account with personal information compiled in a
database, and using
the user's personal information to populate the computer-generated
customizable spaces with
data that is imprintable on the customizable spaces of the multi-purpose form.
[0072] Another method of the invention can include the step of uploading data
to the
website that is used to populate the computer-generated customizable spaces
for imprinting
on the customizable spaces of the multi-purpose form.
[0073] Another method of the invention can include the step of adjusting the
printer's
settings based upon the form identification number entered into the website so
as to optimize
the printer for imprinting onto the customizable spaces of the multi-purpose
form.
[0074] A method of the invention can also be used to deliver a correspondence
piece
from a user to a recipient. The method can include the steps of: (a) providing
a website
accessible via a communications network through which a user registers for an
account by
providing personal information related to the user that is stored in a remote
database
communicatively connected to the website; and (b) requiring the user to log
into the user's
account on the website upon each visit to the website so as to relate the user
using the website
to the user's personal information in the database. The method can also
include the steps of:
(c) providing a plurality of virtual e-cards from which the user can select a
user-selected
virtual e-card for delivery to a recipient; and (d) providing software program
tools on the
website that permit the user to create computer-generated customizations that
are added to the
user-selected virtual e-card. The method can further include the steps of. (e)
providing a
multi-purpose form that features a form identification number printed thereon
and
customizable spaces; (f) entering as a first input the form identification
number into a data
field of the website; (g) transmitting the form identification number through
the website to
the remote server via the communications network; and (h) using a software
program
installed on the remote server, associating the transmitted form
identification number with
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imprinting instructions optimized for the multi-purpose form associated with
the form
identification number entered into the website and transmitted by the user.
The method may
also include the steps of. (i) imprinting the computer-generated
customizations added to the
user-selected virtual e-card onto the multi-purpose form, wherein the multi-
purpose form
features detachable components that include a correspondence piece; (j)
physically delivering
the correspondence piece to the recipient; and (k) electronically delivering
the virtual e-card
to the recipient.
[0075] Another method of the invention can include at least one detachable
component being a scrip that is imprintable and deliverable to the recipient.
[0076] Another method of the invention can include the step of funding the
scrip by
authorizing the transfer of funds via the website.
[0077] Another method of the invention can include the virtual e-card further
including a virtual scrip that is fundable via the website and transmittable
electronically.
[0078] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which
this invention
belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those
described herein can
be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods
and materials are
described below. All publications, patent applications, patents and other
references
mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case
of conflict, the
present specification, including definitions will control.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0079] Figure 1 is a front plan view of a multi-purpose form featuring a scrip
and a
greeting card.
[0080] Figure 2 is a rear plan view of the multi-purpose form of Figure 1.
[0081] Figure 3 is a front plan view of a two-ply multi-purpose form.
[0082] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the multi-purpose form of Figure 3
showing
the pocket formed between the two plies of paper.
[0083] Figure 5 is a front plan view of another embodiment of a multi-purpose
form
featuring a scrip, a greeting card, and an envelope piece.
[0084] Figure 6 is a rear plan view of the multi-purpose form of Figure 5.
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[0085] Figure 7 is a front plan view of another embodiment of the multi-
purpose form
of Figure 1 including a second sheet featuring an envelope as a detachable
component.
[0086] Figure 8 is a rear plan view of the multi-purpose form of Figure 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0087] The invention provides interactive gifting systems and methods that can
include multimedia components. The gifting system can be utilized by a gift
card issuer to
promote and advertise retail products and services to a user through gifting,
entertainment,
and game and rewards methods. The user can be a consumer, and the consumer can
be a
giftor (i.e., a gift giver) or a giftee (i.e., gift recipient). The card
issuer can be an advertiser, a
retailer, a manufacturer, or a service provider.
[0088] The invention can include a gift card system that allows gift-giving by
a giftor
to a giftee and serves as an advertising and marketing tool for goods and
services produced,
provided, and sold by manufacturers and retailers. The gift card system can
include a gift
card, which may be a physical gift card, an electronic gift card, or both. The
system may
include only a single gift card so that the giftor can purchase his or her own
greeting card and
envelope within which the gift card can be inserted.
[0089] In an exemplary embodiment, the gift card can be a combination gift
card,
greeting card, instruction sheet, and envelope. These components can form a
gift card
package that can be delivered to the giftee. The gift card package can also
include a catalog,
a brochure, a pamphlet, or another suitable insert containing images or
descriptions of
products that can be purchased by the giftor for the giftee. These components
of the
exemplary embodiment may be manufactured by any suitable printing and folding
means.
Each gift card can be personalized with a unique card identifier such as, for
example, a
hexadecimal number or a standard sixteen-digit gift card number that may be
accepted for
payment at point-of-sale (POS) terminals at retail locations. The gift card
can also be marked
with or have printed or affixed thereon a product or retailer name or logo.
The gift card can
also have a description of a gift item selected by the giftor printed thereon
or affixed thereto.
In other embodiments, either or both of the greeting card and the envelope may
also include
product or retailer names, logos, or descriptions printed thereon or affixed
thereto.
[0090] In another embodiment, the system may include only a gift card, a
greeting
card, and an envelope. In still another embodiment, the system may include
only a gift card
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and an envelope. In still other embodiments, either or both of the greeting
card and the
instructions may be omitted. In one embodiment, the system can further include
a receipt. In
one embodiment, the gift card system can include an envelope that is
manufactured around
the gift card and other contents (e.g., greeting card, instruction sheet, and
catalog) so that
these items are enclosed within the envelope simultaneously with the
manufacturing of the
envelope.
[0091] The physical gift card can be a gift card constructed from paper,
plastic, or
another suitable material on which indicia may be printed, embossed, engraved,
stamped, or
affixed. The electronic gift card can be a downloadable file, a web page, a
virtual card or an
e-mail, any of which may contain alphanumeric text and other type characters,
images, audio
data, video data, or other types of data suitable for inclusion in or
attachment to the electronic
gift card. The gift card can be redeemable for a gift item. The gift item can
be a good, e.g., a
retail item such as a shirt or a television, or a service, such as, for
example, a manicure or a
golf lesson. In another embodiment, the gift card can be redeemable for money.
[0092] In embodiments in which the gift card is a physical gift card, the gift
card can
be a printable email card, a two-dimensional gift card, or a three-dimensional
card. In one
embodiment, the two-dimensional gift card can include a form that features a
single sheet
having perforations to separate a detachable gift card, greeting card, and
envelope. In another
embodiment, the three-dimensional gift card can be pre-scored and/or pre-
folded and may
include a pop-up portion, which is folded in such a way that a portion of the
card "pops up"
or rises when the card is changed from a closed configuration to an open
configuration. The
pop-up portion of the card may include a photograph, e.g., a photograph of the
giftor,
artwork, a logo, alphanumeric text, or any other desired information or
images. The three-
dimensional pop-up cards can be in the form of a greeting card or a business
card and may
also include a gift representation that visually represents a gift item
selected by the giftor for
the giftee. In one embodiment, the business card can be an expandable card.
The gift card
may be custom designed for or by the giftor or may be selected by the giftor
from among one
or more templates provided by the card issuer.
[0093] The greeting card and gift card sections can be personalized by the
giftor. The
personalized gift card can be further customized using personal information of
the giftor
and/or of the giftee. Personal information can include a name, address,
location information,
photograph, e-mail address, birth date, anniversary date, or other personally
significant
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information related to either or both of the giftor and the giftee.
[0094] The gift card system can further include a gift representation of at
least one
gift item. In an exemplary embodiment, the gift card system can include a
plurality of gift
representations each of which depicts a unique gift item. The gift
representations can be
depicted in the form of a photograph or a drawing of the gift item. In another
embodiment,
the gift representation can be a written or typed name of the gift item and
may further include
a written or typed description of the gift item. The gift representations can
be displayed as
part of a list or other collection of gift representations.
[0095] The gift representation may be displayed on printed material or
electronically.
For example, the gift representation may be printed in a magazine, a catalog,
a brochure, or
other printed matter. In another example, the gift representation can be
displayed as an
electronic image or text on a website or in an e-mail.
[0096] The gift card or a plurality of gift cards, e.g., a multi-pack, can be
delivered to
the giftor who may select from among the gift cards (each of which may include
a different
gift representation) a gift item to be purchased for the giftee. The gift card
or a package
containing the plurality of gift cards can be delivered to the giftor by
direct mail or obtained
by the giftor at a retail store location. The gift card or package of gift
cards can be delivered
to the giftor upon the giftor's request or may be mailed or otherwise
delivered to the giftor
unsolicited. The gift representations appearing on each gift card can be
printed, embossed,
engraved, or stamped onto each gift card. In another embodiment, the gift
representation can
be printed on a stamp having an adhesive backing that can be affixed to the
gift card. In
embodiments in which a gift card package is provided to the giftor, the
package may include
a catalog that can contain a plurality of gift representations each of which
is printed on a
detachable stamp. The giftor can select one or more gift items by detaching
the gift
representation stamp for each selected gift item and attaching the stamp or
stamps to one or
more gift cards to be delivered by the giftor to the giftee.
[0097] The gift card system can also include a website having a graphical user
interface (UI) that is accessible via a communications network such as, for
example, the
Internet. In other embodiments, the communications network can be a local area
network
(LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a global area network (GAN), an intranet, or
another
suitable communications network. The graphical user interface of the website
can be capable
of receiving information input or uploaded by a user of the website (such as,
for example, the
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giftor or the giftee) and of transmitting the information to a server. The
server can be a
remote server. The server can include a processor for electronically
manipulating the data
transmitted to the server via the website. The server can also include a data
storage device,
which serves to store information submitted through the UI and transmitted by
software of
the website to the server via the communications network. Information
submitted through the
UI and website can include personal information of the giftor and giftee,
credit card or other
account information enabling the giftor or giftee to make a purchase, and
photographs,
images, audio files and video files permitting customization of the gift card
or of a greeting
card by the giftor.
[0098] In one embodiment, the website can include account management features
that
permit the giftor to transfer funds to the card issuer. The remote server
connected to the
global telecommunications network can be capable of storing funds data
associated with the
gift card. The funds data relate to the funds transferred by the giftor to the
card issuer.
[0099] The website can include a dynamic button navigation system permitting
the
user to easily and quickly navigate the gift representations representing gift
items that are
displayed on the website. The dynamic button navigation system can also be
used by the
giftor or giftee to navigate between retailers whose products are available
for purchase on the
card issuer's website.
[00100] In one method, the giftor can send a physical or electronic gift card
to the
giftee by purchasing the gift item and ordering the gift card using the gift
card system
website.
[00101] In another method, where the giftor has received or obtained a
physical gift
card by direct mail or other delivery means, the giftor may activate the gift
card by funding
the gift card to purchase the gift item represented by the gift representation
thereon using
purchasing features on the gift card system website. The gift card can then be
mailed by the
giftor or otherwise delivered by the giftor to the giftee. The giftee can then
activate the card
by accessing the system website, providing identifying personal information or
a code
provided by the giftor, and using gift redemption features of the website to
redeem the gift
card for the gift or to select a different gift item than the one selected by
the giftor. In this
method, the giftor engages in a first (or purchase phase) activation of the
gift card initially
and the giftee engages in a second (or redemption phase) activation of the
gift card to redeem
the gift card for the gift item or for another item selected by the giftee.
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[00102] In an exemplary embodiment of the gift card system, the gift card can
include
the unique card identifier. The unique card identifier may be a unique account
or
identification number (e.g., a series of alphanumeric characters such as a
series of sixteen
numbers), a unique bar code encoding a unique account or identification
number, a chip
storing and encoding a unique account or identification number, or another
unique identifier
that associates the gift card with an account of the user into which monetary
funds have been
deposited. The unique card identifier can also be associated with the user and
the user's
personal information.
[00103] In an exemplary embodiment, the unique card identifier can be a
hexadecimal
number, also known as a hexadecimal digit or hex number or any alphanumeric
numbering
system. The hexadecimal digit may be standard in that it may be represented by
a
combination of the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-F. The hexadecimal number may
include a
check digit that can be used to detect errors in the input of the hexadecimal
digit, for
example, where one digit of the hexadecimal number is mistyped.
[00104] The hexadecimal number can be used to identify the gift card, its
original
distribution method (e.g., direct mail or insertion into a publication), and
the original giftee
(i.e., the giftor). The hexadecimal number can also be used by the giftor to
perform a first
activation in which the gift card is activated and funded by the giftor. The
gift card can then
be delivered to the giftee in a gift card package. If the giftor is a new
user, the website may
prompt the giftor to register to create a new account before permitting the
giftor to activate
and fund the gift card.
[00105] Upon receipt of the gift card package, the giftee can access the
system website
and submit the same hexadecimal number to perform a second activation of the
gift card that
confirms receipt of the gift card by the correct intended recipient. During
this second
activation, the website may also provide the recipient with an option to send
a printed or
electronic "thank you" message to the giftor.
[00106] In an exemplary embodiment, the hexadecimal number can be used in
connection with internet-based transactions and gift redemptions conducted
through the
system website. In another embodiment of the system, the hexadecimal number
can be
submitted through the website and converted by software to a printable
document that can be
used by the giftee at a brick-and-mortar retail location having a POS system.
Once printed,
the printable document, i.e., the printed gift card, can include a bar code in
which a standard
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sixteen-digit gift card number is encoded that will be accepted by a POS
terminal. In another
embodiment, the printed gift card can include the printed standard gift card
number and no
bar code. The hexadecimal number can also be used by system software to
identify the user
accessing the website so as to customize the website based upon data available
that is related
to the specific user.
[00107] The hexadecimal number may be printed or otherwise notated on or in a
source such as, for example, the gift card, which can be either a physical
card, e.g., a gift card
constructed from paper or plastic, or a virtual gift card or "e-gift card."
Hexadecimal
numbers may also be printed on or in any of numerous other sources including,
without
limitation, catalogs, newspaper advertisements, catalog and newspaper inserts,
brochures,
magazines, conventional greeting cards, and virtual greeting cards or "e-
greeting cards."
[00108] Each hexadecimal number can be unique and may be used as a primary
identification ("primary ID") for one or more items of information. For
example, the primary
ID can be a name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, facsimile number,
publication
name, publication issue date, publication volume, card issuer name, account
number, or any
other item of information that identifies a person, entity, or publication.
Publications may
include, for example, brochures, catalogs, magazines, newspapers, and
advertising inserts.
[00109] Each hexadecimal number can also be used as a secondary identification
("secondary ID") for one or more items of information. For example, the
secondary ID can
be the name of a publisher or retailer, an effective date, an in-house date, a
publication date, a
date of transaction, a source of a mail list, a recipient's name, a
recipient's address, a
recipient's e-mail address, a specific product, a giftor's name, a giftor's
address, a giftor's e-
mail address, a type of transaction, or other information that can be used to
identify the giftor,
the recipient, the publisher, or the retailer.
[00110] In an exemplary embodiment, the source can be an e-gift card that may
feature
the name and address of a direct mail recipient of the e-gift card as the
primary ID. The
secondary ID can be one or more of the publisher, the retailer, the specific
product, the
publication date of the publication, the date of the transaction, and the type
of transaction.
[00111] In another embodiment, the source can be a virtual greeting card that
may
feature the recipient's e-mail address as the primary ID. The secondary ID can
be one or
more of the giftor's e-mail address, specific product, publisher, retailer,
date of transaction,
and the type of transaction.
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[00112] In another embodiment, the source can be a catalog such as, for
example, a
store catalog. The primary ID can be the name and address of the catalog
recipient. The
secondary ID can be one or more of the catalog publisher, retailer, in-house
date, effective
dates, the source of the mail list, specific product in the catalog, and
recipient's e-mail
address.
[00113] In another embodiment, the source can be a newspaper insert that may
feature
the issue date and publication volume as the primary ID. The secondary ID can
be a specific
product.
[00114] In another embodiment, the source can be a newspaper advertisement
that may
feature the issue date and publication volume as the primary ID. The secondary
ID can be a
specific product.
[00115] In another embodiment, the source can be a brochure and the primary ID
can
include the publication issue date and publication volume. The secondary ID
can be one or
more of a specific product, the publisher, the retailer of a specific product,
the publication
date, the effective date, the name and address of the brochure's recipient,
and the recipient's
e-mail address.
[00116] In still another embodiment, the source can be a magazine and the
primary ID
can be the magazine recipient's name and address. The secondary ID can be one
or more of
the magazine publisher, the in-house date, effective date, the source of the
mail list, a specific
product, and the recipient's e-mail address.
[00117] In yet another embodiment, the source can be a conventional gift card
or
conventional greeting card. The primary ID can be the card issuer and an
account number.
The secondary ID can be one or more of the recipient's e-mail address, a
specific product, the
date of transaction, and the type of transaction.
[00118] The hexadecimal number can be used in conjunction with one or more
computer databases to track the purchasing habits of consumers including both
giftors and
giftees. The information obtained by the retailer, publisher, or advertiser
using the tracking
features can be used for predictive advertising in which related products are
suggested to the
giftor or to the giftee after a first product is purchased. For example, the
system may use data
related to a giftor's purchase of a birthday gift for a giftee during the
previous year to
recommend products or services for purchase by the giftor for the giftee's
birthday during the
current year. In one embodiment, the hexadecimal number can be used in
connection with
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social networking websites such as, for example, FacebookTM or MySpaceTM, to
obtain
information and data pertaining to the users of the social networking website.
The data and
information obtained may relate to advertisements viewed within the social
networking
website by its users. This user data and information can be compiled in a
computer database
and linked to products or services that can be displayed in advertising
targeted to and
customized for specific individuals or groups of individuals.
[00119] In another embodiment, the unique identifier can be a stock keeping
unit
(SKU) where each product is assigned a separate and unique SKU. The SKU can be
a
universal SKU system that may be used to identify products by multiple
retailers or
manufacturers rather than a conventional SKU that uses digits assigned by each
retailer or
manufacturer using its own numbering system. The hexadecimal number can be
used in
place of the SKU or in combination with the SKU.
[00120] In one embodiment, a hexadecimal number appearing in a catalog or
other
publication, once entered into the system by the user using the system
website, can be used
by the system to identify the user and the publication, for example, where the
publication is a
subscription sent regularly to the user. The catalog can further include
unique SKU's each of
which identifies a unique retail item or service or gift item displayed in the
catalog. The user
can select a gift item or retail item or service for purchase by entering the
item's associated
SKU into the UI of the website. The system then directs the user to a web page
of the
website that provides information about the selected item as well as
purchasing options.
[00121] The hexadecimal number associated with a gift item appearing in a
publication
can be entered into the website's UI by the user, which is then identified by
the system and
matched with the location or IP address of a specific web page on the retailer
or card issuer's
website that can display an image of the gift item and a description of the
gift item. The
system associates the hexadecimal number with the user so that the system can
track, among
other data, the user's history concerning publications read by the user,
products viewed on the
system website by the user, and products purchased through the system website
by the user.
[00122] The gift card can be used by the giftor to make a monetary gift to the
giftee
that can be used to purchase goods or services from a specific retailer,
manufacturer, or
service provider, or, in one exemplary embodiment, to make a gift to the
giftee that is a
specific good sold or produced by a specific manufacturer or retailer or a
specific service
provided by a specific predetermined service provider.
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[00123] For example, the gift card could be for a specific magazine
subscription, a
specific perfume, or a specific set of golf clubs. The gift card could also be
redeemable for a
service such as a manicure or trip to a day spa. The gift card may include a
photograph or
other image of the gift selected by the giftor for the giftee. The gift card
may further include
a web address for the card issuer's website where the giftee can redeem the
gift card. The
gift card can also feature the purchase price or fund amount of the card so
that the giftee will
know the amount of funds available to use for purchases made when redeeming
the card.
The gift card can be obtained by the giftor from a card issuer, who may be a
retailer,
manufacturer, advertiser, or a third party working on behalf of the retailer,
manufacturer, or
advertiser.
[00124] The gift card system also includes means for the giftor to deliver the
gift card
to the giftee. The delivery means can be a separate envelope into which the
gift card can be
inserted, an integrated gift card-envelope combination, or an email or other
electronic or
digital delivery means that can be viewed on a display monitor and/or printed
by a printer
connected to a computer.
[00125] The gift card may be a stored-value card that includes a magnetic
strip to
encode the card number and funds data. In an exemplary embodiment, funds data
is the
amount of money transferred to the card issuer by the giftor to fund the card.
The funds data
can be physically stored as data encoded on a magnetic strip of the gift card,
however, in an
exemplary embodiment, the funds data is stored on a remote server that is
accessible via a
global telecommunications network. The remote server can be maintained by an
issuer of the
card.
[00126] In one exemplary embodiment, the gift card can be a paper card. The
paper
gift card may be a closed-end mailer that includes a combined envelope to
which the card is
connected for mailing by the giftor to the giftee. The combined gift card and
envelope can be
a single unitary piece and may also include a separate brochure. The envelope
may include a
bar code to enable tracking by the card issuer of the individuals to whom each
gift card is
sent, particularly when the gift cards are distributed unsolicited inside
magazines, attached to
packaging, or by broadcast mass-mailings or emails. The brochure can be used
to provide
directions to the giftor concerning how to fund the gift card or directions to
the giftee
regarding how to redeem the card. In another embodiment, the brochure can
include
advertising information related to other products or services sold or provided
by the card
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issuer, retailer, or manufacturer.
[00127] In another embodiment, the gift card may also include a portion that
is a
greeting card or, in another alternate embodiment, the gift card can be a
greeting card that
includes a unique card identifier, e.g., a hex number or a gift card number,
that permits the
card to be funded securely by the giftor and securely activated and redeemed
by the intended
recipient.
[00128] The paper gift card can be in the form of a coupon or as part of a
packaged
envelope, card, and advertising information that can be mass-distributed by
mail either
randomly or through targeted mailings to specific individuals or households.
The coupon
version of the gift card can include a card number to permit funding of the
card by the giftor
and activation of the card by the recipient at a retail location or online
through the card
issuer's website. The gift card can be used and delivered to a giftor as a
stand-alone
brochure, a package insert, or a direct mail piece. In another embodiment, the
paper gift card
can be inserted unattached or bound into a magazine, catalog, newspaper or
other publication
that is will be purchased or viewed by individuals of unknown identity. In
still another
embodiment, the gift card can be predictive in nature, for example, where the
card issuer
obtains information from retailers or another source related to an
individual's contact
information and shopping preferences to distribute the card to a targeted set
of individuals.
[00129] The paper gift card can be connected to a tongue of an envelope that
can be
delivered via mail or other delivery means. The envelope can be oriented in an
open
configuration so that contents of the envelope such as, for example, the gift
card, gift card
instructions, a catalog, a brochure, or a greeting card, can be accessed by
the recipient. The
envelope can also be oriented in a closed configuration to enclose or seal the
contents inside
the envelope. The gift card can be detachably connected to an inner surface of
the envelope's
tongue by an adhesive. The gift card may comprise an affixed portion attached
to the
envelope tongue by the adhesive or other attachment means. The gift card and
affixed
portion may be separated by a perforation that permits the gift card to be
detached from the
affixed portion by tearing. The gift card can be sized and attached to the
inner surface of the
envelope tongue in such a way that a top edge of the gift card may extend
further than and
hang beneath a bottom edge of the envelope tongue. The gift card can be
inserted into a
pouch (or interior space) of the envelope when the envelope is oriented in the
closed
configuration. When the envelope tongue is grasped and opened by the giftor,
the gift card is
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pulled out of the pouch of the envelope so as to be visible to the user.
[00130] The gift card may further include space to write or print the giftee's
name.
Once the giftor has detached the gift card from the affixed portion, the
giftor may insert the
gift card into the pouch of the envelope and then seal the envelope in a
sealed configuration
for delivery to the giftee.
[00131] In another embodiment, the gift card can be detachably connected to
the
envelope via perforations. The gift card can remain entirely or partially
exposed outside of
the envelope's pouch when the envelope is oriented in the closed configuration
so as to be
visible. When the envelope tongue is oriented in the closed configuration, the
gift card can
still be visible to the user because the gift card may protrude from and hang
beneath a bottom
edge of the envelope tongue. After the gift card has been activated and
funded, the giftor can
detach the gift card from the bottom edge of the envelope tongue and insert
the card into the
envelope which can be sealed in the closed configuration for delivery to the
giftee.
[00132] In another embodiment, the envelope tongue can further include a
detachable
portion or stub connected to a bottom edge of the tongue. The detachable
portion can include
an image or description of the gift item purchased by the giftor and
redeemable by the giftee
using the gift card enclosed within the envelope. The detachable portion may
be detached by
the giftor and discarded or detached and retained by the giftor as a record of
the gift item
purchased for the giftee.
[00133] In one embodiment, the paper gift card can be attached to a box, for
example,
to the top of a pizza box, or to other packaging in which a product is
delivered to consumers.
The paper gift card can be attached to the box or other packaging by a magna-
strip or other
resins or glues, although any suitable attachment means may be used for the
purpose.
Magna-strips may also be utilized to attach the gift card inside, on, and to
magazines and
other publications.
[00134] In another embodiment, the gifting system may use a multi-pack, which
can be
a package or envelope containing multiple gift cards for a plurality of
products or services or
from a plurality of retailers or manufacturers. The multi-pack can be
delivered to the
consumer, e.g., by direct mail, so that the consumer can browse the gift cards
and select one
or more to activate and fund for gifting to a giftee. The giftor's opportunity
to select one or
more gift cards for activation and gifting to a giftee from among the
plurality of gift cards
contained by the multi-pack provides a type of "gift card mall" experience
that is delivered
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directly to the giftor's home. The giftor can select a gift from among the
gift representations
provided in the multi-pack and activate and fund the gift card via the website
from a location
and computer that is convenient for the giftor. The multi-pack can be mailed
to a consumer
upon the consumer's request or can be mailed to a group of consumers whose
contact
information is obtained from a mailing list compiled or acquired by the card
issuer or
advertiser.
[00135] The multi-pack and the plurality of individually unique gift cards
contained
therein can be manufactured using a single stream in-line process, by a sheet-
fed operation,
manually, or by any other suitable printing and folding means. To efficiently
create the
multi-pack, a variable printing machine may be used to print unique cards
sequentially via
inkjet printing means. The sequential printing feature of the printer allows a
single set of a
plurality of unique gift cards, e.g., gift cards for a plurality of different
gifts or from a
plurality of different retailers or manufacturers, to be printed as one
sequential set that can be
packaged together rather than requiring printing and subsequent collation of
the different
cards. The gift cards can be variably printed so that each card differs in the
name of the
consumer, the gift representation, the retailer, or the manufacturer printed
on each card in the
set that is to be packaged. In this way, each consumer can receive a multi-
pack that is
individually personalized for the specific user and which can contain gift
cards that are the
same as or different from those contained in any other multi-pack.
Personalization of each
multi-pack for each specific user can be accomplished using personal
information contained
in a database related to each user. The printing machine can collate the cards
automatically
rather than requiring each set of identical gift cards to be separately
printed and subsequently
collated by manual or mechanical means. In one embodiment, the multi-pack may
also
contain one or more mailable greeting cards and envelopes in addition to the
plurality of gift
cards. In another embodiment, the multi-pack can be made available for pick-up
by giftors in
a retail location. Each gift card in the multi-pack may include a unique
hexadecimal number,
standard gift card number, and/or bar code printed thereon. Other information
can also be
printed on each unique gift card within the multi-pack to further personalize
the gift card such
as, for example, the giftor's name and address, the product name or product
image, and
product information. Similar personalized data can be printed on the greeting
card in
embodiments in which the multi-pack contains one or more greeting cards.
[00136] In another exemplary embodiment, the gift card can be digital or
electronic.
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For example, the gift card may take the form of an email that includes a
unique card
identifier. The email may be printable so that once sent by the giftor to the
giftee, the giftee
may receive, print, and use the gift card to make a purchase. The electronic
gift card may be
designed by the giftor using design features available on the website. For
example, the
website may permit the giftor to include a photograph of the giftor on the
gift card.
[00137] The invention also features a method in which a giftor creates and
logs into an
account on a card issuer's website and accesses account features on the
website that enable
the giftor to order, personalize, fund, address, and send a personalized gift
card to a giftee.
Once the gift card has been purchased, the website may generate a receipt,
which can be an
animation, to notify the giftor that the purchase transaction has been
completed and that the
gift card will be delivered to the giftee. The receipt may be delivered to the
giftor in an
email. Upon receipt of the gift card, which may be a printed paper gift card
that is mailed or
otherwise delivered or an electronic gift card (or e-gift card or e-card) that
is emailed or
otherwise electronically transmitted to the giftee, the giftee can redeem the
gift card by
accessing the card issuer's website and following instructions provided
therein to activate the
card. In another embodiment, the giftee can activate the card via a telephone
system of the
card issuer.
[00138] In embodiments utilizing the e-gift card, the e-gift card may include
a link to
an advertisement for the gift item or for other products or services sold by
the gift item's
retailer. In another embodiment, the advertisement may be attached to the e-
gift card as a
separate file, which can be a multimedia file.
[00139] The giftor may register for access to the website, and once
registration is
completed, may receive a log-in or username as well as a personal
identification number (pin)
or password to access the website. Personal information entered by the giftor
during
registration can be saved on a remote server maintained or controlled by the
card issuer. The
giftor may choose a gift to be purchased and given to the giftee as a gift
card that can be
redeemed online or at a retail store. To send a gift card to the giftee, the
giftor must enter
predetermined personal information related to the giftee, which can also be
stored on the
remote server. The website may generate a password that can be provided to the
giftee to
activate the gift card online, by telephone, or at a retail store to redeem
the gift card for the
gift. In another embodiment, users can access the website without being
required to use a
password.
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[00140] In another embodiment, the method includes a step wherein the giftee
must
also register for access to the website, thereby providing certain
predetermined personal
information, to activate the gift card. Once the giftee has registered and
logged in to the
website, the giftee may activate the card to redeem the gift. If the giftee
accepts the gift,
acceptance confirmation may be provided. Shipping confirmation may also be
provided via
the website, email, or mail where the gift is to be shipped to the giftee
rather than received at
a retail store.
[00141] The website may include an avatar created from software that generates
a
human voice to orally describe the products being advertised, provide
instructions, greet the
individual accessing the website, provide gift card delivery status, or
provide information
pertaining to points or rewards earned through use of the card issuer's
website. The avatar
and its related software can provide dynamic personalization to user account
accessible via
the website by communicatively linking the avatar software to a database
stored on a server.
The database can include user information such as, for example, the user's
name, address,
birth date, anniversary date, and other personal information that is
associated specifically
with the user. The system can include text-to-speech software that converts
text entered into
the system and preselected user information obtained by the avatar software
from the
database into an audio file that sounds similar to or mimics a human voice.
The avatar's
speech can include reading or playing aloud the website user's name as part of
a greeting
message to the user. In another example, the audio file which appears to be
spoken by the
avatar can include a birthday greeting message on or around the time of the
user's birth date.
[00142] In one embodiment, the system may use data related to the user's
shopping
interests and previous purchases to suggest gifts through information "read"
aloud by the
avatar. For example, if the user/giftor is shopping on or around the time of
Mother's Day, the
system by means of the avatar speech can recommend a gift to the giftor
similar to the gift
that the giftor purchased for the giftee the previous year. In another
embodiment, the
system's avatar may recommend a variety of gifts for purchase by the giftor
which are
appropriate for the occasion. For example, if the giftor is shopping on the
website for a
female giftee's birthday gift, the avatar may "read" descriptions of one or
more gift items
such as, for example, jewelry or women's perfume. In this way, the appearance
and content
of the website's web pages and content can be customized to be predictive
based upon the
user's history and habits recorded by the system during the user's previous
visits to the
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website.
[00143] If the giftor has selected a particular gift for the giftee, which can
be indicated
in information provided on the gift card, and if the giftee desires a
different gift than the one
selected by the giftor, the giftee may choose a different gift of the same or
a lesser value by
accessing the card issuer's website and following instructions provided
therein for changing
the gift selection.
[00144] In another embodiment where the card issuer is a brick-and-mortar
retailer, the
giftee may redeem the card to receive the gift by visiting one of the
retailer's store locations.
[00145] The invention also relates to a method for gifting and advertising. In
one step
of the method, when the giftee accesses the card issuer's website to activate
the gift card, the
giftee will have the option to send a thank you message, which can be
delivered via email, to
the giftor.
[00146] In one embodiment of the method, the website may be customized to have
a
different appearance or to contain different content, for example, advertising
content, for each
giftor and giftee that accesses the website. Advertisements on the website can
be linked or
hosted.
[00147] The invention also relates to a method of gifting that can include the
use of a
unique card identifier that can be an alphanumeric identifier such as, for
example, a
hexadecimal number, stock keeping unit (SKU), or standard gift card number
(e.g., a standard
sixteen-digit gift card number), or the unique card identifier can be a bar
code having any of
the aforementioned identifiers encoded thereon. The method can include the
step of
providing a printed material including a plurality of gift representations
each representing an
actual gift item. A unique printed alphanumeric identifier stored on a server
can be assigned
to each of the plurality of gift items represented by the plurality of gift
representations. The
method can be used to associate tracking data with each alphanumeric
identifier. The method
can also provide a website that is connected to the server via a
communications network by
which a user can purchase at least one gift item selected from among the
plurality of gift
representations appearing in the printed material. The user can be required to
enter the
alphanumeric identifier assigned to the selected gift item into a graphical
user interface of the
website. The method can also require the user to provide personal information
through the
graphical user interface of the website. The alphanumeric identifier can be
associated with
the user, e.g., in a database in which alphanumeric identifiers are each
associated with one of
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a plurality of users.
[00148] Where a hexadecimal number or SKU is used, the method may include the
step of converting the alphanumeric identifier into a standard sixteen-digit
gift card number
that is acceptable at POS terminals in retail locations.
[00149] The method can also include the step of analyzing the tracking data,
personal
information, browsing habits, and shopping habits of the user collected during
the user's
access to the website to determine the user's predicted shopping preferences.
Advertisements
may be presented to the user based upon the user's predicted shopping
preferences.
[00150] The method may include the step of purchasing a gift item through the
website
to be gifted by the user to a giftee, wherein the user is a giftor. Another
step of the method
can include delivering a gift card to the giftee. The gift card can feature a
gift representation
of the actual gift item selected and purchased by the giftor. The gift card
may be redeemed
for the actual gift item by the giftee providing the giftee's personal
information through the
graphical user interface of the website.
[00151] The method can be used to record data related to the shopping and
purchasing
activities of the giftor and giftee accessing the website. Using the recorded
data, gift items
can be suggested to the giftor for purchase by the giftor during the giftor's
subsequent visits
to the website based upon the giftor's shopping and purchasing activity data
during previous
visits to the website. The giftee may redeem the gift card for the gift item
selected and
purchased for the giftee by the giftor. Alternatively, the giftee may reject
the gift item
selected and purchased by the giftor and to select a different gift item
chosen by the giftee.
[00152] The invention also relates to a method that can be used to advertise
and
promote retail goods and services through gifting. Once the user, e.g., a
consumer, a giftor or
a giftee, has accessed the system website, the user may elect to play and view
an
advertisement, which features information related to a retail item. The retail
item can be a
good or a service. Through the website, the user can then be asked or
presented with a series
of questions related to the retail item. The user can be awarded points based
upon the number
of questions answered correctly by the user. The user may then redeem the
points awarded
by the system for a reward item. The reward item can be a downloadable movie,
a
downloadable song file, a downloadable audiobook, a pay-per-view movie, a
downloadable
image file, a downloadable computer screen saver, a downloadable video file,
or a movie
rental voucher. The method can permit a giftor to gift points earned or a
reward item selected
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by the giftor to a giftee.
[00153] In another step of the method, when giftors and giftees access the
card issuer's
website they may be shown advertisements and other marketing information
provided by the
card issuer, retailers, and/or manufacturers. The advertising information may
be provided as
video and/or audio presentations, still photographs, and/or text
advertisements. The
advertising information can also be provided through games in which the giftor
or giftee
answers questions to earn points that are redeemable for rewards. Where the
website is
operated by a third party and not by one or more retailers or manufacturers,
the retailer and/or
manufacturer may pay for the rewards earned by users of the website. The
questions on the
website may be directed to information about the retailer and/or
manufacturer's products.
Consumers can be rewarded or paid to watch advertisements. A consumer may earn
reward
points by watching advertisements on the website and answering questions about
each
advertisement correctly. The consumer may also be awarded points for making
purchases
through the website including gift card purchases. The number of points
awarded may also
be dependent upon another variable such as the number of seconds of
advertising watched
while the giftor or giftee is accessing the website. Examples of rewards that
may be earned
through the game-like advertising on the website include streaming and
downloadable
movies that can be viewed online, pay-per-view movie credits, music downloads,
gas credits,
or any other suitable product or service. In one embodiment, the interactive
gifting system
permits the consumer to select the advertisements that he or she watches.
[00154] The method can include the step of using the system to record the
number of
correct and incorrect answers provided by the consumer. Other information such
as, for
example, information concerning the specific questions answered correctly or
incorrectly by
the consumer can also be recorded. In this way, more points may be awarded to
the
consumer for answering certain questions correctly than other questions.
Because the method
incorporates these data mining features that are recorded in association with
the identity and
personal information of a specific consumer, advertisers can receive more
viable and valuable
leads related to individuals to whom the advertiser should target its
advertisements and
promotions.
[00155] The method and systems related thereto are viral in that one consumer
can
refer another consumer to the website for the system. In one example, the
referral is
accomplished by a giftor delivering a gift card to a giftee so that the giftee
is directed to the
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website by instructions included with the gift card in order to redeem the
gift. Once the giftee
accesses the website, in addition to redeeming the gift card for a gift item,
the giftee may also
engage in game play of a commercial game, e.g., watching advertisements on the
website and
answering questions concerning those advertisements to earn reward points that
are
redeemable for a retail good or service. The method can also include steps in
which a first
consumer refers a second consumer to the website by emailing a link to the
website, by word-
of-mouth, or by submitting the second consumer's e-mail address or other
contact
information through the website to allow the system to generate an e-mail,
direct mail, or
other communication to the second consumer with information related to the
game and
reward point system.
[00156] Multi-Purpose Forms
[00157] As described herein, the gift card can include a form that features a
single
sheet having detachable portions. This invention can relate to a multi-purpose
form that
includes at least two detachable components, which can be customized by a
user. The user
can be an individual, e.g., a consumer, a person who is a giftor or a giftee,
a commercial
printer, educational or institutional user, a business user, a service bureau
that prints or
imprints and creates greeting cards or gift cards for consumers, or any other
person or entity
that has a personal or commercial need to use the multi-purpose form. The
invention also
relates to methods for using the multi-purpose form and methods for gift
giving and sending
correspondence. The multi-purpose form can feature a single sheet or two or
more sheets,
and each sheet will include at least one detachable component. In exemplary
embodiments,
each sheet includes at least two detachable components. As shown in Figures 1-
4, the
detachable components of the multi-purpose form include at least a
correspondence piece and
a scrip. In exemplary embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 5-8, the
detachable
components also include an envelope.
[00158] In other embodiments, the sheet can include only a single sheet with a
single
detachable component that is an envelope piece. The envelope piece can be a
flat, planar
piece that includes a plurality of leafs (e.g., five or more leafs) and
adhesive areas for folding
and assembling the envelope piece into an envelope. The assembled envelope can
include a
lid, three close sides, one open side, and a pocket. In another embodiment,
the sheet can
include two or more plies of material and the detachable component can be a
fully assembled
envelope that is detachable from the sheet. In this embodiment, an envelope
pocket can be
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formed in a space between two plies which may be adhered together on three
sides and open
on a fourth side.
[00159] The sheets can be formed from a single ply of material such as, for
example,
paper. In an exemplary embodiment, each sheet can be formed from two plies of
material. In
other embodiments, one or more of the sheets can be formed from more than two
plies of
material. When multiple plies of material are used to create the sheet, the
plies may be
sandwiched and attached securely together using an adhesive. In an exemplary
embodiment,
the sheet includes two plies that are adhered together only around the
perimeter of the sheet
or around the perimeter of one or more particular detachable components such
as, for
example, around a perimeter of the envelope. Each ply can be made from the
same material
or each ply can be made of a different material. For example, in a two-ply
embodiment, a
first ply can be constructed paper and a second ply from plastic. In another
example, a three-
ply sheet can include a first ply made from paper, a second ply made from
plastic, and a third
ply made from foil. In embodiments in which the sheet includes multiple plies,
each ply may
be pre-printed during manufacturing on a printing press or other printing
means with text,
graphics, images, or other information that is not visible on interior
surfaces once the plies
are adhered together. When the detachable components are removed from the
sheet, the plies
may be opened or folded open by the giftor or giftee to reveal the text,
graphics, images or
other information that was formerly concealed by the adhesion of the plies
together. Once
detached from the sheet, the multiple plies can each be assembled into a page
of a single
greeting card or a gift card. The plies (or pages) can be sealed with an
adhesive or open.
[00160] Each sheet of the multi-purpose form features a first surface, a
second surface,
a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges. The first surface can be a
front surface and
the second surface can be a rear surface, or vice versa. Each sheet of the
multi-purpose form
can include perforations, scores, slits, die cuts and any type of adhesive
that allows the user to
fasten parts of the detachable components together after their separation from
the multi-
purpose form and from one another. Each sheet can feature pre-printed
information printed
on the first surface, on the second surface, or on both. The pre-printed
information can also
be printed on the detachable components, which form part of the first and
second surfaces. In
an exemplary embodiment, the detachable components can include customizable
spaces on
which a user may imprint or affix the user's own customizations. Such
customizations can
include at least one imprinted, written, drawn, embossed, or affixed item such
as, for
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example, text, an image, a symbol, a label, and a stamp. The customizations
can be selected
using software that can be provided with or separate from the multi-purpose
form and
installed on a computer or using software that is accessible via a website
available on the
Internet or another communications network. The user may select from among
stock
customizations provided by the software manufacturer or website operator, or
the user may
choose to use custom content provided by the user to create the customizations
that can be
imprinted on the customizable spaces of the sheet using a printer.
[00161] In an exemplary embodiment, each multi-purpose form may include a form
identification number that uniquely identifies that form. For example, all
multi-purpose
forms of an identical type (e.g., identical size, shape, material, structure,
or layout and
orientation of detachable components) can have the same form identification
number printed
on each sheet of that multi-purpose form set. In one embodiment, each sheet of
the multi-
purpose form can feature a separate and unique form identification number. For
example, if a
multi-purpose form includes two sheets, e.g., a first sheet and a second
sheet, among a
plurality of identical multi-purpose forms, all exemplars of the first sheet
of the multi-purpose
form can have a first form identification number (i.e., the same first form
identification
number is printed on each first sheet) and all exemplars of the second sheet
of the multi-
purpose form can have a second form identification number (i.e., the same
second form
identification number is printed on each second sheet). The form
identification number can
identify each type of multi-purpose form, its size, and the format or layout
and size of the
detachable components included on each sheet of the multi-purpose form. Each
type of
multi-purpose form can include a plurality or set of multi-purpose forms all
of which are
identical in size, shape, orientation, material, construction, and format or
layout and shape
and size of their detachable components. In another embodiment, the form
identification
number can identify each unique, individual multi-purpose form, its size, and
the format or
layout and size of the detachable components included on each sheet of the
multi-purpose
form. The form identification number can be printed on a frame (as described
below), in
embodiments of the multi-purpose form that include a frame, or on one or more
of the
detachable components.
[00162] In another embodiment, the form identification number can be printed
on the
form or encoded on the form in a magnetic stripe, embedded microchip, bar
code, quick
response (QR) code, alphanumeric number, or hexadecimal number.
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[00163] The software, whether installed on a computer, e.g., the user's
computer, or
accessed through a website, can include a field in which the form
identification number can
be entered and submitted. Once submitted, the software can recognize the multi-
purpose
form on which the user intends to imprint. The software can optimize the
printer's print
settings such as, for example, paper size, margins, and location and
orientation of
customizable spaces on each sheet of the multi-purpose form, based upon the
user's input of
the correct form identification number as printed on the sheet being imprinted
on by the user.
In this way, the printer can position or configure print heads or other
printing mechanisms so
that imprinting of the customizations selected by the user occurs within a
perimeter or
boundary of each detachable component and in an appropriate field, position,
orientation, and
location on each detachable component.
[00164] In another exemplary embodiment, the website can be used to collect
and
compile one or more databases of personal information related to the users of
the website.
The website or software can also be used to collect and compile one or more
databases of
personal information related to the gift recipients (or giftees) who have
received gifts from
gift givers (or giftors). Personal information can include name, address,
telephone number, e-
mail address, other contact information (e.g., facsimile number, pager number,
online
messenger screen name, social networking website screen name, and any other
information
that allows a person to be contacted or communicated with by another), date of
birth,
anniversary date, these types of information related to the user's contacts
(e.g., the user's
spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, other relatives, fiance or
fiancee, and
friends) and the user's shopping habits and preferences related to personal
purchases and
purchases intended as gifts. In embodiments in which the software is installed
on a
computer, the software may collect information that can be transmitted via an
Internet or
other communications network connection to a remote server for addition to and
compilation
in a database.
[00165] When the website or a software program is used to collect and compile
personal information into databases, every multi-purpose form produced may
include its own
unique form identification number. The website and software can include online
or
computer-based versions of each multi-purpose form that can be viewed on a
computer
screen or monitor, populated with information and images, and imprinted by the
user using a
printer. (For purposes of convenience only and not by way of introducing any
limitation, the
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remainder of the description of this particular embodiment of the invention is
described with
reference to the entry and transmission of the form identification number into
and through a
website, although it should be noted that software installed on a computer
having an Internet
or other communications network connection may also be used in this embodiment
in place
of or in conjunction with a website. All of the features and tools described
herein in relation
to the website and its software can also be included with and implemented by
the software
program that is installable on a computer.) A user can locate and read the
unique form
identification number pre-printed on a particular multi-purpose form and type
or otherwise
enter that unique form identification number into a data field of the website.
The website
transmits the unique form identification number to a remote server where the
software is
installed and the software locates personal information related to the user on
the database.
The website uses the software to access the database to collect personal
information stored
therein related to the user. The user can also access the website provider's
library of images
including, for example, photographs, computer-generated images, animations
with or without
uploaded and/or editable photographs, artwork, drawings, paintings, and other
electronic or
digital images, to select stock images for use in customizing the multi-
purpose form with
which the user is then working. Alternatively, as described herein, the user
may select and
upload the user's own images for imprinting as customizations onto the
customizable spaces
of the detachable components.
[00166] Once the user has entered the unique form identification number of the
particular multi-purpose form being used into the website, the website's
software can access
the remote database, collect the user's stored personal information from the
database, and
populate certain fields of the multi-purpose form with the user's information.
For example,
the website and its software may populate any fields of the online version of
the multi-
purpose form with the user's name, address and other contact information or
with the name,
address, and date of birth of the giftee. In another example, the website and
its software may
populate the fields of the multi-purpose form's online version with personal
information
obtained from an e-card, virtual greeting card, or animated e-card that the
user has previously
created or that the user is creating simultaneously with the multi-purpose
form using the
website. The website's software can process the personal information to
arrange it in the
online version of the multi-purpose form to match the specific format of the
multi-purpose
form having the form identification number entered and submitted by the user
into and
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through the website. Using a personal, desktop, or other printer, the user can
then imprint the
multi-purpose form populated with text, images, and other data or information
selected by the
user and populated into appropriate fields and locations on the online version
of the multi-
purpose form. The website may also use the unique form identification number
to populate
fields and locations to be imprinted by the printer on the multi-purpose form
without first
creating an online version of the multi-purpose form that is viewable on the
computer
monitor. After the multi-purpose form, or each sheet of the multi-purpose
form, has been
imprinted, the detachable components that require further assembly (e.g., the
envelope piece
and the correspondence piece) can be detached from each sheet and assembled.
[00167] In another embodiment, the multi-purpose form's detachable components
may
be pre-printed with photographs, images, symbols, text, or other printable
content such as a
theme (e.g., birthday or holiday-related graphics) that corresponds or is
identical or similar to
existing computer-generated graphics or animations on the virtual e-card. Once
the user
enters the multi-purpose form's unique form identification number into the
website, the
website can prompt the user to enter the user's personalized and customized
date or
information into a virtual e-card, which in some embodiments can feature an
animation. In
this manner the multi-purpose form and its form identification number are used
to create a
virtual-card from the user for the giftee.
[00168] Personal information related to the user or to the user's relatives,
friends, and
acquaintances can be obtained through the website and then be used to populate
or customize
the customizable spaces of the detachable components and of computer-generated
customizable spaces on computer-generated versions of the multi-purpose form
that are
viewable on a computer's display screen.
[00169] For example, the user can visit the website using a computer with a
browser
software program and an Internet connection or a connection to another
communications
network. The user can create an account through the website, which account may
include a
login or screen name and a password. The website can require that the user
submit personal
information, e.g., name, address, date of birth, etc., in order to register
the account to use
services provided through the website. After the user has created an account,
the user may
log in to the website. In addition to using the website to customize the multi-
purpose form
for imprinting by the printer and for funding the scrip, the website may also
permit the user to
select a vendor name (e.g., a retailer or a manufacturer) for the gift that is
to be given to the
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giftee. The software program of the website can be programmed to add the
vendor's name,
logo, product information, or other information related to the vendor to one
of the computer-
generated customizable spaces of the computer-generated multi-purpose form,
which can
then be imprinted on the customizable spaces of the multi-purpose form. In
another
embodiment, the vendor's name, logo, product information, or other information
related to
the vendor to a virtual e-card that can be generated by the software of the
website. The
virtual e-card can be delivered to the recipient by electronic means such as
via attachment to
an e-mail or by access through a link to a website, the link being insertable
into an e-mail sent
to the recipient. The virtual e-card may be animated in that it can include
cartoons or other
animations created as GIF, Flash, MPEG, or any other type of animation file.
Personal
information related to the user or to the recipient may be collected from the
user as the user
creates a virtual e-card, even when the user is using the website to create
only a virtual e-card
and not for imprinting one of the multi-purpose forms of this invention. In
this way, the
website can be used to compile personal information in the aforementioned
database. The
user can also use the website to provide payment information, e.g., the user's
credit card,
debit card, or checking account number, to fund the scrip where the scrip is a
gift card or a
gift certificate. The user can enter a user-selected dollar amount that can be
deducted from or
charged to the user's other bank or credit accounts to fund the scrip.
[00170] As a security feature, the website can be used to register the scrip
for use and
redemption only by the giftee intended by the giftor rather than by any bearer
of the scrip.
[00171] As explained above, the user can use the website and databases or
libraries of
data such as, for example, images, symbols, photographs, and text, to select
data to be added
to the virtual e-card to customize it according to the user's preferences. The
user can also use
an upload feature of the website to upload data saved locally on the user's
computer or on a
server or computer of a connected communications network to be used in
customizing the
virtual e-card. The website can also provide a plurality of virtual e-card
designs and themes
from among which the user may select a virtual e-card that meets the user's
preferences, that
is appropriate for sending to the recipient on a certain occasion (e.g., on a
particular holiday,
or on the recipient's birthday or anniversary), or that the use knows or
believes would be
liked or appreciated by the recipient. The website may also permit the user to
select the
virtual e-card's animation, if any, from among a plurality of animations
available through the
website. The user can further personalize the virtual e-card by typing a
personalized message
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to the recipient that appears in a text field of the virtual e-card. In one
embodiment, the user
can select a message for the recipient to be added to the virtual e-card from
among a plurality
of messages made available for selection on the website. Further
customizations such as
selecting the color, typeface, or font used on the virtual e-card are also
possible.
[00172] Concerning the upload of data described above, the user can upload
photographs or other images to the website for addition to the virtual e-card
as
customizations.
[00173] In one embodiment, the user can select a photograph from the website's
database or may upload a photograph to the website from a computer or
communications
network and use a photo editing tool included in the software of the website
to create an
editable space within the photograph. The original image of the photograph in
the editable
space may appear as a blank area in the photograph or the editable space may
appear as a
silhouetted area so that the original image is visible to the user as if it is
positioned beneath
the editable space. For example, the color, contrast, and brightness of the
original image may
be decreased or muted in the area of the editable image in the photograph.
Using the photo
editing tool of the website's software, the user can select the size, shape,
orientation, and
location of the editable space in or on the photograph. The website's software
may also
permit the user to create more than one editable space within a single
photograph. In one
embodiment, the software may automatically recognize human faces appearing in
an
uploaded photograph and automatically create editable spaces over each face.
[00174] Once an editable space has been created, the photo editing tool may be
used to
crop the original image in the editable space out of the photograph. The photo
editing tool
may also permit the original image in the editable space to be rotated or
changed in, for
example, size, orientation, color, contrast, brightness, or any other
dimension, quality,
characteristic, or feature related to images and photographic images. In one
embodiment, the
photo editing tool can be used to resize and rotate the original image within
the editable
space. For example, a face appearing in the original image can be rotated
within the editable
space of the photograph using the photo editing tool. In another embodiment,
the user may
upload and add a second photograph that can be inserted into the editable
space, thereby
altering the appearance of the original photograph and replacing the original
image appearing
in the editable space. For example, the user may create an editable space over
a first human
face appearing in a first photograph (e.g., a stock image in the website's
connected databases,
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or an image uploaded by the user to the website) and can upload a second
photograph
featuring a second human face that may be positioned in a layer behind the
first photograph.
The second human face can be the user's face, the recipient's face, or another
person or
animal's face. In this manner, the user can replace the first face in the
first photograph by
positioning the second face of the second photograph into the editable space
of the first
photograph. Animated virtual e-cards can also be created using photographs and
other
images in a like manner. The user's customizations to the editable space can
also be
imprinted on corresponding detachable components of the multi-purpose form.
For example,
the multi-purpose form may include detachable components in which photographs,
e.g., face
photographs, can be imprinted, detached, and affixed via an adhesive or other
fastening
means (tape, glue, staple, clip, or other suitable fastener) to another of the
detachable
components, e.g., to the correspondence piece.
[00175] The website may feature audio and video instructions as well as text
instructions to instruct the user how to create the virtual e-card, how to
create, imprint and
assemble the multi-purpose form and its detachable components, or both.
[00176] Once the user has completed customization of the virtual e-card, the
virtual e-
card can be electronically transmitted via e-mail or other means over a
communications
network to the recipient. The user can input the form identification number
printed on a
multi-purpose form of the invention so that the website and its software can
imprint the data
of the virtual e-card's user-selected customizations onto one or more specific
positions on the
multi-purpose form and its detachable components. The software of the website
can
automatically format the virtual e-card's customizations that were selected by
the user for
imprinting on the multi-purpose form and its detachable components based upon
matching
the form identification number of the multi-purpose form entered into the
website by the user
with that multi-purpose form's known programmed formatting criteria, e.g.,
dimensions,
orientation, material, construction, and layout, shape and size of its
detachable components.
The software of the website can also use the entered form identification
number to determine
whether the multi-purpose form being imprinted by the user requires imprinting
on only one
side or on both sides. After the multi-purpose form is imprinted with
customizations
corresponding to those matching the customizations selected by the user in
creating the
virtual e-card, the detachable components of the multi-purpose form can be
separated and
assembled, where necessary, by folding, gluing, and inserting techniques. The
assembled
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detachable components can then be mailed or otherwise physically delivered by
the user to
the recipient.
[00177] In another use, after receiving the envelope containing the
correspondence
piece and scrip, the giftee can locate the form identification number printed
on one or more of
the detachable components
[00178] In one example, the correspondence piece can include a pre-printed
scene that
includes one or more human figures. The faces of each human figure can be
omitted and
replaced with customizable spaces. The user may then select a photo belonging
to the user to
imprint on the customizable space of correspondence piece. In this way, the
user could
imprint the user's face, the giftee's face, a third person's face, or another
photograph or
image in the customizable space of the pre-printed scene.
[00179] In another example, the detachable components can include one or more
customizable components onto which the user may imprint a photograph, image,
or symbol.
The customizable component may include an adhesive on a rear surface. The
customizable
component, e.g., a photograph of a person's face, can be detached and affixed
to the
correspondence piece or to one of the other detachable components as part of
the user's
customizations of those components of the multi-purpose form. In another
embodiment, the
detachable components can feature one or more customizable components on which
photographs can be imprinted. These detachable customizable components can be,
for
example, wallet-size photographs that can be detached and inserted into a
wallet.
[00180] In one embodiment, the customizations can be imprinted on one or more
separate customization pieces that are detachable components. The
customization piece can
feature an adhesive backing that permits it to be removed from the sheet after
imprinting and
attached as a label or sticker over a portion of one of the other detachable
components such
as, for example, the greeting card. In one example, the user can imprint a
photograph, e.g., a
face, on the front non-adhesive surface of the customization piece. The
imprinted
customization piece can be removed from the sheet and affixed onto and over a
corresponding similarly shaped and sized customization space on the
correspondence piece.
For example, a face photograph could be imprinted on the customization piece
and removed
by the user from the sheet to be affixed over a face or head area constituting
a customizable
space above an image of a human figure's body pre-printed on the
correspondence piece.
Customizable pieces can also be imprinted and affixed to the envelope or
scrip.
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[00181] Adhesives used in this invention can be pressure-sensitive, fugitive,
remoistenable, or any glue that is suitable for attaching portions of the form
together after
imprinting. The multi-purpose forms can be manufactured and printed using a
printing press
and finishing equipment as described herein. Finishing equipment can be used
during
manufacturing to vary the size or shape of each sheet or each detachable
component included
on each form in a package of multi-purpose forms. The sheets of the invention
can be
collected in stacks of individual sheets, rolls of sheets, or accordion forms,
e.g., fan-folded
accordion forms, with or without sprocket holes or other elements that may or
may not be
needed, to feed the sheet through a printer, printing press, or other suitable
printing device.
Each sheet can include a plurality of identical multi-purpose forms, a
plurality of different
multi-purpose forms, or a plurality of multi-purpose forms some of which are
identical and
some of which are different.
[00182] The detachable components can be detached from the sheet by tearing,
ripping, or cutting along lines of separation between each detachable
component or between
each detachable component and a frame. The lines of separation can be fold
lines, score
lines, or printed dashed or dotted lines. In an exemplary embodiment, the
lines of separation
can be perforations. In a most exemplary embodiment, the lines of separation
can be
microperforations.
[00183] The sheets of the multi-purpose form can be manufactured from any
material
that can be fed through a printer and which has a surface on which the printer
may print.
Suitable materials can include paper, plastic, metallic or semi-metallic foil,
and paperboard.
The material can be of any weight, thickness, or stiffness or rigidity as long
as the material is
sufficiently flexible to be moved mechanically through the printer. The
material can also be
any size or shape that can be received by and fed through the printer. In
exemplary
embodiments, the material can be 8.5 inches by 11 inches (letter size), 8.5
inches by 14
inches (legal size), 11 inches by 17 inches, 11 inches by 25.5 inches, 14
inches by 25.5
inches, or A4. Large paper sizes can include perforations or lines of
separation that can be
used to separate the sheet of paper into two or more pieces that can be fed
through the printer.
In this way, if a printer capable of receiving an 11 inches by 17 inches sheet
of paper is not
available to the user, the multi-purpose form can include, for example,
centerline perforations
that can be used to separate the sheet of paper into two letter size sheets,
thereby allowing the
user to imprint the multi-purpose form using the printing device that is
available. In another
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embodiment, a multi-purpose form that is 11 inches by 25.5 inches in size can
include
perforations or lines of separation that permit the user to separate it into
three letter size
sheets for imprinting. In still another embodiment, a multi-purpose form that
is 14 inches by
25.5 inches in size can include perforations or lines of separation that
permit the user to
separate it into three legal size sheets for imprinting.
[00184] The printer used with this invention can be any printing device
capable of
receiving and feeding the sheets of the multi-purpose form therethrough. For
example, the
printer can be a home or office printer, such as, for example, a personal
printer or desktop
printer, or a larger stand-alone multifunction printer such as the types
commonly found in
offices. The printer can also be an inkjet printer, a laser printer, a wide
format plotter, a copy
machine, a litho printer, or any other suitable type of printer. The printer
can be a standard
printing press, a digital printing device or a variable printing device.
Because the multi-
purpose form is contemplated to be commonly used by consumers at home, the
multi-purpose
form and software used therewith may be optimized for use with desktop
printers. The
printer may be of a type capable of printing on only a single side of a sheet
or on both sides
of a sheet of the multi-purpose form. The multi-purpose forms can also be
imprinted with
customizations on a digital printing press or any other type of printer so
that the user can
imprint customizations thereon using a printer that is available to the user.
[00185] Printing and imprinting can occur in stages (also described as
instances
herein). In a first stage, information can be printed on a multi-purpose form
by the
manufacturer during or after manufacturing of the form. In a second stage,
information can
be imprinted on the multi-purpose form by a user, e.g., a giftor. In a third
stage, additional
information can be imprinted on the multi-purpose form by another user, e.g.,
a giftee. A
giftee (or gift recipient) may have a need to imprint additional information
on the multi-
purpose form after receiving it from the giftor. For example, while activating
the scrip using
the website described herein, the giftee may be given the option to enter a
contest. If the
giftee wins the contest, the website may require, or the giftee may desire,
that additional
information (e.g., information related to a contest prize) be imprinted on the
multi-purpose
form during the third stage of imprinting.
[00186] In an exemplary embodiment, the correspondence piece can be a greeting
card. The greeting card can feature two leafs that can be folded together
along a fold line. In
other embodiments, the greeting card can feature three, four or more leafs and
multiple fold
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lines for folding the card together once the correspondence piece is detached
from the sheet.
In another embodiment, the correspondence piece can be a post card.
[00187] In an exemplary embodiment, the scrip is a gift card. In other
embodiments,
the scrip can be a gift certificate or a coupon. The scrip can be any non-
monetary certificate
that is redeemable for currency, goods, or services of value. Currency can
include official
currency (e.g., the United States dollar) or loyalty or rewards points
accumulated by a user
through use of a website or other shopping service. The scrip can be two-
dimensional or flat,
and generally, does not require folding or other assembly after being detached
from the sheet.
The scrip can feature one or more identifiers on which or by which data
related to the user
(i.e., giftor), the giftee, the retailer, the manufacturer, the card issuer,
the bank, the funds
loaded on the card or contributed to the card account, and the goods or
services selected as a
gift may be encoded. Suitable identifiers include magnetic stripes, embedded
microchips, bar
codes, quick response (QR) codes, gift card numbers, alphanumeric numbers, and
hexadecimal numbers. Retailers, manufacturer, banks, card issuers, and card
processors can
use the information encoded on or by the identifier to authorize and reconcile
the purchase
made using the scrip. Information encoded on or by the scrip may also be used
by the
retailer, manufacturer, bank, card issuer, and card processor to track the
shopping habits and
preferences of consumers, and particularly, where the scrip is used by the
giftor and giftee in
conjunction with an online shopping website that can be part of this
invention.
[00188] In one embodiment, the scrip can include adhesive on at least one
surface for
use in attaching the scrip to another of the detachable components, e.g., to
the envelope or to
the correspondence piece. The adhesive can be remoistenable glue, pressure-
sensitive glue,
or any other adhesive that is suitable for attaching the material of the scrip
to the material of
one of the other detachable components. In another embodiment, the scrip can
be secured to
one of the detachable components by inserting two or more of its corners into
slots or holes
cut into the detachable component. For example, where the correspondence piece
is a
foldable two-leaf greeting card, the correspondence piece can include four
slots cut into an
inner surface of one of the leafs and positioned so as to receive each of the
four corners of the
scrip where the scrip is a gift card.
[00189] Each sheet of the multi-purpose form can also include a frame to which
the at
least two detachable components are attached. The detachable components are
detachable
from the frame. In embodiments in which the multi-purpose form does not
include a frame,
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the detachable components can be connected to and detachable from one another.
The frame
can be blank or it may include colored, e.g., gray, areas to assist the user
in identifying which
portions to remove from around the detachable components. The frame can also
feature
directions or symbols instructing the user as to the orientation of the
surface and edge of the
sheet that must first be loaded into the printer for imprinting the user's
customizations onto
the sheet. After the imprinting of customizations on one surface of the sheet
has been
completed, the software or printer may notify or instruct the user to remove
the imprinted
sheet and to orient and insert it into the printer again for imprinting of the
customizations, if
any, selected by the user for the reverse surface of the sheet. In other
embodiments, the
detachable components can form the entire sheet and no frame may be included
in the multi-
purpose form.
[00190] The detachable components can further include an envelope piece. In
embodiments of the multi-purpose form that include a frame, the envelope piece
can be
detachable from the frame. In embodiments of the multi-purpose form that do
not include a
frame, the envelope piece can be detachable from the other detachable
components. In some
embodiments, the envelope piece may be formed from an entire sheet of the
multi-purpose
form. The envelope piece can also be a part of the sheet that includes the
correspondence
piece and scrip.
[00191] The envelope piece can include a plurality of foldable leafs and
adhesive areas
for use in assembling the envelope piece into an envelope. In one embodiment,
the adhesive
areas may include wax paper coverings or other coverings that can be peeled
off to expose
the adhesive when the adhesive area needs to be used, for example, to assemble
or to seal an
envelope or envelope piece. One of the plurality of foldable leafs can form an
envelope lid
that features an adhesive area on one surface for use in sealing the envelope.
The envelope
further includes a pocket when assembled that may be formed as described below
or that may
be pre-formed during manufacturing by the adhesion of two plies of materials
together in the
two-ply and other multi-ply embodiments of the invention. In an exemplary
embodiment,
where the plies are intended to form the envelope pocket, the plies will be
connected by
adhesive on only three sides with the fourth side being open to receive the
insertion of
contents intended by the user to be delivered in the envelope. The assembled
envelope can
be sized and shaped to permit insertion of the correspondence piece and scrip
into the pocket
for mailing to the giftee.
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[00192] In one embodiment, the envelope piece can include a central back panel
flanked by first and second side panels, a top lid portion, and a bottom front
portion. The
central back panel, first side panel, second side panel, top lid portion, and
bottom front
portion each include front and rear surfaces. Once the envelope piece has been
detached and
removed from the sheet, the first and second side panels can each be folded
over to place
them in contact with the front surface of the central back panel. The bottom
front portion can
then be folded upward and secured by adhesive to the first and second side
panels. The
adhesive can be featured on either two side edges of the bottom front portion
or on the rear
surfaces of the first and second side panels so that when the side panels and
bottom front
portion are folded and assembled, the adhesive can secure the parts of the
envelope piece
together. The front surface of the top lid portion can also feature an
adhesive that can be used
to seal the lid of the envelope to the rear surface of the bottom front
portion once the
envelope is assembled and contents have been inserted therein. The rear
surface of the
central back panel forms the back of the assembled envelope and can include
space or blank
lines for writing or imprinting delivery and return addresses and indicia over
which a postage
stamp may be affixed.
[00193] The detachable components can further include a postage stamp, for
example,
a U.S. postage stamp, that can be affixed to the envelope as postage paid for
mailing the
envelope and its contents, the contents being one or more of the other
assembled detachable
components. In another embodiment, the stamp can be pre-printed directly on
the envelope
piece or imprinted directly thereon by the user rather than having a separate
stamp that must
be imprinted as a detachable component and then removed and affixed to the
envelope.
[00194] In addition to the correspondence piece, scrip and envelope, the
detachable
components of the multi-purpose form can also feature a coupon. The coupon may
be used
by the user or recipient to obtain a discount price for goods or services or
free goods or
services of value sold or made by a particular retailer or manufacturer.
[00195] In one embodiment, the detachable components of the multi-purpose form
can
include one or more product stamps that show gift representations. The product
stamps can
be provided as part of the multi-purpose form and may take the form of stamps,
stickers, or
labels that may be affixed to the correspondence piece or to the scrip to
provide the giftee
with a visual identification of the gift that is being given by the giftor.
The gift representation
appearing on a front surface of each product stamp can feature text (e.g.,
words, numbers, or
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typographical symbols), symbols or images that identify the gift being given.
For example, if
the gift being given to the giftee is cash, several product stamps that show
gift representations
in the form of specific dollar amounts may be provided for attachment by the
giftee to the
correspondence piece or to the scrip. In another example, if specific goods
are being given as
the gift, the multi-purpose form can include several product stamps
illustrating gift
representations that show images or text identifying the goods being gifted.
Services may
also be identified by product stamps showing gift representations in a similar
manner.
[00196] The multi-purpose form can also include instructions for folding and
assembling the detachable components into their respective end pieces. e.g.,
folding the
correspondence piece to form a greeting card, or folding and assembling the
envelope piece
to create an envelope. The instructions can be a part of the frame or a
separate detachable
component of a sheet of the multi-purpose form. The instructions can be text,
schematic
drawings, or a combination of both.
[00197] The multi-purpose form can also feature a detachable component that is
a
register. The register can comprise a series of lines or cells in which the
recipient may write
or other enter purchases made using the scrip so that the remaining value of
funds on the
scrip can be tracked. The register can be similar to a check register of the
type that is
commonly included in check passbooks. In an exemplary embodiment, the record
of funds
available on the scrip can also be stored and accessed online via the website.
[00198] The multi-purpose form can also feature a detachable component that is
a
business card. The business card may be a single-panel two-dimensional piece
that does not
require folding, or the business card can be a multi-panel folding expandable
business card
such as, for example, those described in U.S. patent application serial no.
11/365,071, which
is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The scrip of the multi-
purpose form may
also be constructed as a detachable component that, once assembled, is also
expandable in a
manner identical or similar to the expandable business card.
[00199] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of multi-purpose forms can be
packaged into a single package for distribution to a user. The package of
multi-purpose
forms can be flat. The package of multi-purpose forms can be used as desired
by the user for
various occasions and for making gifts to various giftees. In this embodiment,
the multi-
purpose forms may be blank with little or no pre-printed information (e.g.,
images or text) on
them. In this way, the user can select the user's own customizations or stock
images and text
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made available through the software and service provider to customize the
sheets of the
multi-purpose form for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and any other
occasion on which
the sending of a greeting card and gift would be appropriate.
[00200] Single multi-purpose forms or packages of multi-purpose forms can be
distributed to consumers by direct mail, by order or request from the
consumer, at retail
locations, and via distribution through insertion of the multi-purpose form
into other
publications or packaging of the multi-purpose form with other goods. In an
exemplary
embodiment, packages of multi-purpose forms can be shrink-wrapped, although in
other
embodiments, other known and presently unknown packaging methods and materials
may be
utilized.
[00201] During manufacturing, the sheets can be formatted to maximize the
number of
multi-purpose forms that can be packaged for Flat Rate Standard Mail in
accordance with the
United States Postal Service ("USPS") Direct Mail Manual specifications and
regulations for
USPS Flat Rate Standard Mail. To comply with USPS regulations and
specifications
applicable to USPS Flat Rate Standard Mail, the package of multi-purpose forms
can be a
minimum of about 6 inches wide x 5 inches long with about 0.125-inch radius
rounded
corners and the packaged multi-purpose forms can be no more than about 0.75
inches in
thickness from any edge of the package. The package of multi-purpose forms is
flexible so
that the package is capable of bending one inch from any edge without
affecting the contents
inside the package. The package of multi-purpose forms can also be a uniform
thickness so
that any bumps, protrusions, or other irregularities do not cause more than
one-quarter of an
inch in variance in the thickness of the package. These dimensions minimize
the postage
expense for mailing each package of multi-purpose forms. The paper from which
the multi-
purpose forms are constructed may be almost any weight, but in exemplary
embodiments,
can be 50 lb. or 60 lb. base weight uncoated book paper or 20 lb. or 24 lb.
base weight bond
weight paper. Using the 24 lb. bond paper or the 60 lb. uncoated book paper,
thirty multi-
purpose forms, each including a single sheet, can be packaged within a single
package for
delivery or distribution to a consumer as USPS Flat Rate Standard Mail. If
lighter weight
papers such as the 20 lb. bond paper or the 50 lb. uncoated book paper are
used, more than
thirty multi-purpose forms may be packaged and shipped to a consumer using
USPS Flat
Rate Standard Mail rates.
[00202] During manufacturing and packaging, each package of multi-purpose
forms
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can be personalized with a name and address of a different consumer. The first
or last multi-
purpose form of the collated sets of multi-purpose forms in a package can be
coded with a
readable mark that is printed thereon. When scanned or otherwise digitally or
electronically
recognized by the manufacturing and packaging machinery, the readable mark can
be used to
separate the multi-purpose forms into collated sets. Each collated set of
multi-purpose forms
can then be wrapped using methods and materials, e.g., shrink-wrapping or
polyethylene
bagging, to create individual packages of multi-purpose forms for mailing to
consumers. The
consumer's mailing address can be printed by inkjet or another printing method
on the
surface of the packaging, on one of the packaged multi-purpose forms, or on a
separate sheet
of material packaged on top of the multi-purpose forms. The mailing address
may also be
affixed to the surface of the package on a label.
Other Embodiments
[00203] It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in
conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description
is intended to
illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the
scope of the
appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the
scope of the
following claims.
46
