WO2008157798A1

WO2008157798A1 - System and method for interactive electronic data card

Info

Publication number: WO2008157798A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/067755
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sandy Kosloff
Original assignee: ICI ENTERPRISES LLC
Current assignee: ICI ENTERPRISES LLC
Priority date: 2007-06-21
Filing date: 2008-06-20
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2009-12-21

Abstract

A system and method for creating and sharing an interactive electronic data card that can be transmitted to others through communication devices. Once transmitted, the interactive electronic data card functions as a mini website where the receiver can access different parts of the card to obtain various types of information. An icon on the website of the interactive electronic data card user enables others to access the user's interactive electronic data card.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC DATA CARD

Field of Invention

The present invention relates, generally, to a system and method for interactive electronic data cards, and more particularly to a system and method for enabling a user to communicate information and data to others through a seamless interface that transmits directly into a receiver's communication device of choice. Background of the Invention

Business cards printed on paper or cardstock have functioned as a standard way of providing professional contact information, and other information, to others. With the introduction of the internet, programs have been created where users can enter contact information for individuals, businesses, and others that can be stored and accessed by several other users. The contact information that is entered and stored may also be sent to others outside of the originating group that uses the particular program. However, although these types of stored contact information can be easily amended and updated, the information that is submitted and that can be accessed is typically limited to individual names, company names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses.

The ability to send an interactive electronic business card or other type of card to an individual would enable a user to provide more extensive amounts of data and information in an interesting and fun, interactive format. An interactive electronic card would enable a recipient of the card to obtain the exact information they want or need quickly and easily without having to navigate an entire website of a company or a business.

Accordingly, there is a need for an interactive electronic data card that can provide the subject of the data card with an opportunity to put a human face to their business or purpose and thereby leave a more lasting impression on a recipient. An interactive electronic business would enable a user to deliver precisely the message they want their potential clients to hear and enable the user to quickly and easily update the information that they want their potential clients to hear. There is also a need for an interactive electronic business or company card that provides an efficient and cost effective way to build a company's corporate brand image along with promoting trust and credibility with customers. Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a system and method for creating and sharing an interactive electronic data card The interactive electronic data card is an interactive electronic data card that is capable of being transmitted to a communications device where, once transmitted, it can function as a mini website for the receiver The receiver can click on various paits of the interactive electiomc card to access different types of information relating to the subject of the card

The method for creating and sharing the interactive electronic data card includes entering information to access a system as a usei, inputting data into the system to be communicated to otheis, converting the data into a readable interactive electronic card, and transmitting the interactive electronic card to a communication tool The communication tool may include, but is not limited to, a cellular telephone, a PDA, the internet, an intranet, and an electiomc e-mail address A user may also incorporate a link to their interactive electronic data card and incorporate this link into their e-mail signature The interactive electronic data card may incorpoiate many different types of data and/or information including, but not limited to, a user's name and photo, a company name, a title, a phone number, a fax number, a cell phone number, a website addiess, a mission statement, product information, service information, medical information, employment information, missing person information, voice over capabilities, directions, voice mail, and video clips

The system for creating and shaimg an interactive electronic data card includes a host server, a usei interface for accessing the host server and inputting data, a processor for processing the inputted data, a memory for storing the processed data, and display means for displaying the processed data to a receiver in the form of an interactive electronic data card that functions as a mini website The memory includes at least one database for storing the processed data and may contain multiple databases for storing different categories of piocessed data The program application for directing the processing of the inputted data may be stoied m the memory The system may also include an input digitizer coupled or connected to the server for digitizing the data input by the user The present invention is also directed to a searchable directory of interactive electiomc data caids that are created by users In addition, the present invention includes pioviding an icon relating to a user's interactive electronic data card that the user can download to their website thereby enabling anyone visiting the user's website to access the user's interactive electronic data card. In addition, a reference to a user's interactive electronic data card may be placed on one or more of a print advertisement, a computer network, a newspaper, a billboard, a retail customer, a store sign, a sticker, a packaging material, an animal tag, a medical tag, a promotional product, a television advertisement, and a television program thereby enabling others to access the user's interactive electronic data card. Brief Description of the Drawings

The figures illustrate various embodiments of the present invention by way of example, and not by way of limitation. Embodiments of the present invention may include part or all of the features shown in one of these figures, or may include features from two or more figures. Embodiments of the present invention may also include features described in the specification, or elements of features described in the specification. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may include features that would be familiar to a person of ordinary skill in the art having studied this document. Thus, a more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures. Where like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the figures, and

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system for providing an interactive electronic data card;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an interactive electronic data card provided in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the exemplary interactive electronic data card in FIG. 2 being sent to a receiver via e-mail; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing one exemplary embodiment of a method for creating and sharing an interactive electronic data card;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing exemplary databases for a method for creating and sharing an interactive electronic data card;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of the payment and processing functions of a method for creating an interactive electronic data card;

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of an interactive electronic professional business card provided in accordance with the present invention; FlG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of an interactive electronic personal card provided in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of an interactive electronic medical card provided in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of an interactive electronic real estate card provided in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of an interactive electronic amber alert card provided in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment of an interactive electronic product card provided in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of an interactive electronic service card provided in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of an interactive electronic employment card provided in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 15 shows an exemplary embodiment of a web page sign up for the interactive electronic data card of the present invention. Detailed Description

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings and pictures, which show the exemplary embodiment by way of illustration and its best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented. Moreover, any of the functions or steps may be outsourced to or performed by one or more third parties. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component may include a singular embodiment. For the sake of brevity, conventional data networking, application development and other functional aspects of the systems (and components of the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present m a practical system The vanous system components discussed herein may include one or more of the following a host server or other computing systems including a processor for processing digital data, a memory coupled to the processor for storing digital data, an input digitizer coupled to the piocessoi for inputting digital data, an application program stored in the memory and accessible by the processor for directing processing of digital data by the piocessoi, a display device coupled to the processor and memory for displaying information deπved ftom digital data piocessed by the piocessor, and a plurality of databases Various databases used herein may include, but are not limited to, client data, merchant data, product data, personal data, medical data, employment data, service data, etc As those skilled in the art will appreciate, user computer may include an operating system (e g , Windows NT, 95/98/2000, OS2, UNIX, Linux, Solans, MacOS, etc ) as well as various conventional support software and drivers typically associated with computers The computer may include any suitable personal computer, network computer, workstation, minicomputer, mainframe oi the like User computer can be in a home oi business environment with access to a netwoik In an exemplary embodiment, access is through a network or the Internet thiough a commercially-available web-browser software package

As used heiein, the term "network" shall include any electronic communications means which incorporates both hardware and software components of such Communication among the parties may be accomplished through any suitable communication channels, such as, foi example, a telephone network, an extranet, an intranet, Internet, point of interaction device (point of sale device, peisonal digital assistant (e g , Palm Pilot®, Blackberry®), cellulai phone, kiosk, etc ), online communications, satellite communications, off-line communications, wireless communications, transponder communications, local area netwoik (LAN), wide area network (WAN), networked or linked devices, keyboard, mouse and/or any suitable communication or data input modality Moreover, although the system is frequently described herein as being implemented with TCP/IP communications protocols, the system may also be implemented using IPX, Appletalk, IP-6, NetBIOS, OSI or any number of existing oi futuie protocols If the network is m the nature of a public network, such as the Internet, it may be advantageous to presume the network to be insecure and open to eavesdroppeis Specific information related to the protocols, standards, and application software utilized in connection with the Internet is generally known to those skilled in the art and, as such, need not be detailed herein See, for example, DILIP NAIK, INTERNET STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS (1998), JAVA 2 COMPLETE, various authors, (Sybex 1999), DEBORAH RAY AND ERIC RAY, MASTERING HTML 4 0 (1997), and LOSHIN, TCP/IP CLEARLY EXPLAINED (1997) and DAVID GOURLEY AND BRIAN TOTTY, HTTP, THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE (2002), the contents of which are hereby incorpoi ated by reference The various system components may be independently, separately or collectively suitably coupled to the network via data links which includes, for example, a connection to an Internet Service Piovider (ISP) over the local loop as is typically used in connection with standaid modem communication, cable modem, Dish networks, ISDN, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or vanous wireless communication methods, see, e g , GILBERT HELD, UNDERSTANDING DATA COMMUNICATIONS (1996), which is hereby incorporated by reference It is noted that the network may be implemented as other types of networks, such as an interactive television (ITV) network Moreover, the system contemplates the use, sale oi distiibution of any goods, services or information over any network having similar functionality described herein As used herein, "transmit" may include sending electronic data from one system component to another over a network connection Additionally, as used herein, "data" may include encompassing information such as commands, queries, files, data for storage, and the like in digital or any other form

As used herein, "issue a debit", "debit" or "debiting" refers to either causing the debiting of a stoied value oi prepaid caid-type financial account, or causing the charging of a credit oi charge card-type financial account, as applicable

The system contemplates uses in association with web services, utility computing, pervasive and individualized computing, security and identity solutions, autonomic computing, commodity computing, mobility and wireless solutions, open source, biometrics, grid computing and/or mesh computing

Any databases discussed herein may include relational, hierarchical, graphical, or object-oriented structure and/or any other database configurations Common database products that may be used to implement the databases include DB2 by IBM (White Plains, NY), vaiious database products available from Oracle Corporation (Redwood Shores, CA), Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Servei by Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, Washington), or any other suitable database product Moieover, the databases may be organized in any suitable manner, for example, as data tables or lookup tables Each record may be a single file, a series of files, a linked series of data fields or any other data structure. Association of certain data may be accomplished through any desired data association technique such as those known or practiced in the art. For example, the association may be accomplished eithei manually 01 automatically. Automatic association techniques may include, foi example, a database search, a database merge, GREP, AGREP, SQL, using a key field in the tables to speed seaiches, sequential searches through all the tables and files, soiting recoids in the file according to a known order to simplify lookup, and/or the like. The association step may be accomplished by a database merge function, for example, using a "key field" in pre-selected databases or data sectors More particularly, a "key field" partitions the database according to the high-level class of objects defined by the key field. For example, certain types of data may be designated as a key field in a plurality of related data tables and the data tables may then be linked on the basis of the type of data in the key field. The data corresponding to the key field in each of the linked data tables is preferably the same or of the same type. However, data tables having similar, though not identical, data in the key fields may also be linked by using AGREP, for example In accordance with one embodiment, any suitable data storage technique may be utilized to store data without a standard format. Data sets may be stored using any suitable technique, including, for example, storing individual files using an ISO/IEC 7816-4 file structure; implementing a domain whereby a dedicated file is selected that exposes one or more elementary files containing one oi more data sets, using data sets stored in individual files using a hierarchical filing system; data sets stored as records in a single file (including compression, SQL accessible, hashed via one or more keys, numeric, alphabetical by first tuple, etc.), Binary Large Object (BLOB); stored as ungrouped data elements encoded using ISO/IEC 7816-6 data elements; stored as ungrouped data elements encoded using ISO/IEC Abstract Syntax Notation (ASN.l) as in ISO/IEC 8824 and 8825; and/oi othet piopiietary techniques that may include fractal compression methods, image compression methods, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, the ability to store a wide variety of information in different formats is facilitated by storing the information as a BLOB. Thus, any binary information can be stored in a storage space associated with a data set. The BLOB method may store data sets as ungrouped data elements formatted as a block of binary via a fixed memory offset using either fixed storage allocation, circular queue techniques, or best practices with respect to memory management (e.g., paged memory, least recently used, etc.). By using BLOB methods, the ability to store various data sets that have different formats facilitates the storage of data associated with the interactive electronic data card by multiple and unrelated owners of the data sets. For example, a first data set which may be stored may be provided by a first party, a second data set which may be stored may be provided by an unrelated second party, and yet a third data set which may be stored, may be provided by a third party unrelated to the first and second party. Each of these three exemplary data sets may contain different information that is stored using different data storage formats and/or techniques. Further, each data set may contain subsets of data that also may be distinct from other subsets.

As stated above, in various embodiments, the data can be stored without regard to a common format. However, in one exemplary embodiment, the data set (e.g., BLOB) may be annotated in a standard manner when provided for manipulating the data onto the interactive electronic data card. The annotation may comprise a short header, trailer, or other appropriate indicator related to each data set that is configured to convey information useful in managing the various data sets. For example, the annotation may be called a "condition header", "header", "trailer", or "status", herein, and may comprise an indication of the status of the data set or may include an identifier correlated to a specific issuer or owner of the data. In one example, the first three bytes of each data set BLOB may be configured or configurable to indicate the status of that particular data set; e.g., LOADED, INITIALIZED, READY, BLOCKED, REMOVABLE, or DELETED. Subsequent bytes of data may be used to indicate for example, the identity of the issuer, user, transaction/membership account identifier or the like. Each of these condition annotations are further discussed herein.

The data set annotation may also be used for other types of status information as well as various other purposes. For example, the data set annotation may include security information establishing access levels. The access levels may, for example, be configured to permit only certain individuals, levels of employees, companies, or other entities to access data sets, 01 to permit access to specific data sets based on the transaction, card owner, lssuei, iisci or the like Furthermore, the security information may restrict/permit only ceitain actions such as accessing, modifying, and/or deleting data sets In one example, the data set annotation indicates that only the data set owner or the user are permitted to delete a data set, various identified useis may be permitted to access the data set for reading, and others are altogether excluded from accessing the data set However, other access restriction parameters may also be used allowing various entities to access a data set with various pei mission levels as appiopπate

One skilled in the art will also appreciate that, for security reasons, any databases, systems, devices, serveis oi other components of the system may consist of any combination thereof at a single location oi at multiple locations, wherein each database or system includes any of various suitable security features, such as firewalls, access codes, encryption, decryption, compression, decompression, and/or the like

The computing unit of the web client may be further equipped with an Internet browsei connected to the Internet or an intranet using standard dial-up, cable, DSL or any othei Internet protocol known in the art Transactions originating at a web client may pass thiough a firewall in order to prevent unauthorized access from users of other networks Fuither, additional firewalls may be deployed between the varying components of CMS to furfhei enhance security Fnewall may include any hardware and/or software suitably configured to protect

CMS components and/or enterpπse computing resouices from users of other networks Further, a fnewall may be configured to limit or restrict access to various systems and components behind the firewall for web clients connecting through a web server Firewall may reside m varying configurations including Stateful Inspection, Proxy based and Packet Filtering among otheis Fnewall may be integrated within a web server or any other CMS components or may further ieside as a separate entity

The computers discussed herein may provide a suitable website or other Internet- based graphical user mteiface which is accessible by useis In one embodiment, the Microsoft Internet Information Servei (IIS), Miciosoft Transaction Server (MTS), and Microsoft SQL Server, are used in conjunction with the Microsoft operating system, Miciosoft NT web server softwaie, a Microsoft SQL Server database system, and a Microsoft Commerce Server Additionally, components such as Access or Microsoft SQL Servei, Oracle, Sybase, Informix MySQL, Interbase, etc., may be used to provide an Active Data Object (ADO) compliant database management system

Any of the communications, inputs, storage, databases or displays discussed herein may be facilitated through a website having web pages. The term "web page" as it is used herein is not meant to limit the type of documents and applications that might be used to inteiact with the usei Foi example, a typical website might include, in addition to standard HTML documents, various forms, Java applets, JavaScript, active server pages (ASP), common gateway interface sciipts (CGI), extensible markup language (XML), dynamic HTML, cascading style sheets (CSS), helper applications, plug-ins, and the like. A server may include a web service that receives a request from a web server, the request including a URL (http://yahoo.com/stockquotes/ge) and an IP address (123.56 789 234) The web server retrieves the appropriate web pages and sends the data or applications for the web pages to the IP address. Web services are applications that are capable of interacting with other applications over a communications means, such as the internet Web services are typically based on standards or protocols such as XML, SOAP, WSDL and UDDI. Web services methods are well known in the art, and are covered in many standard texts. See, e g., ALEX NGHIEM, IT WEB SERVICES' A ROADMAP FOR THE ENTERPRISE (2003), hereby incorporated by reference.

Piactitioners will also appreciate that there are a number of methods for displaying data within a browser-based document Data may be represented as standard text or within a fixed list, scrollable list, drop-down list, editable text field, fixed text field, pop-up window, and the like. Likewise, there aie a number of methods available for modifying data in a web page such as, for example, free text entry using a keyboard, selection of menu items, check boxes, option boxes, and the like. The system and method may be described herein in terms of functional block components, screen shots, optional selections and various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and/or softwaie components configured to perfoπii the specified functions. For example, the system may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, the software elements of the system may be implemented with any programming Oi scripting language such as C, C++, Maciomedia Cold Fusion, Microsoft Active Server Pages, Java, COBOL, assembler, PERL, Visual Basic, SQL Stored Procedures, extensible markup language (XML), with the various algorithms being implemented with any combination of data structures, objects, piocesses, routines or other programming elements Furthei, it should be noted that the system may employ any number of conventional techniques foi data transmission, signaling, data processing, network control, and the like Still furthet, the system could be used to detect or prevent security issues with a client-side scripting language, such as JavaScript, VB Script or the like For a basic introduction of ciyptogiaphy and netwoik secuiity, see any of the following references (1) "Applied Cryptography Protocols, Algorithms, And Source Code In C," by Bruce Schneier, published by John Wiley & Sons (second edition, 1995), (2) "Java Cryptography" by Jonathan Knudson, published by O'Reilly & Associates (1998), (3) "Cryptography & Network Security Principles & Practice" by William Stalhngs, published by Prentice Hall, all of which are hereby incorporated by ieference As used herein, the term "user", "consumer", "customer", "cardowner", "business" oi "merchant" may be used interchangeably with each other, and each shall mean any person, entity, machine, hardware, software or business It is further noted that other participants may be involved in some phases of the transaction, such as an intermediary institution, but these participants are not shown Each participant is equipped with a computing device in order to interact with the system and facilitate online commerce transactions The customer or user has a computing unit in the form of a peisonal computer, although other types of computing units may be used including laptops, notebooks, hand held computers, set-top boxes, cellular telephones, PDAs, touch-tone telephones and the like The merchant has a computing unit implemented in the form of a computer-server, although other implementations aie contemplated by the system The bank has a computing center shown as a main frame computer However, the bank computing center may be implemented m other forms, such as a mini-computer, a PC server, a netwoik of computers located in the same or different geographic locations, or the like Moreover, the system contemplates the use, sale or distribution of any goods, services or information over any network having similai functionality described herein

The merchant computer and the bank computer may be interconnected via a second network, iefened to as a payment network The payment network which may be part of certain tiansactions iepiesents existing proprietary networks that presently accommodate transactions for credit cards, debit caids, and other types of financial banking cards. The payment network is a closed network that is assumed to be secure from eavesdroppers. Exemplary transaction networks may include bank debit cards as well as the American Express®, VisaNet© and the Veπphone® networks.

An "account" or "account number", as used herein, may include any device, code, number, letter, symbol, digital certificate, smart chip, digital signal, analog signal, biometric or other identifier/indicia suitably configured to allow the consumer to access, interact with oi communicate with the system (e g , one or more of an authorization/access code, personal identification number (PIN), Internet code, other identification code, and/or the like). The account number may optionally be located on or associated with a rewards card, charge card, ciedit card, debit card, piepaid card, telephone card, embossed card, smart card, magnetic stripe card, bar code card, transponder, radio frequency card or an associated account. The system may include or interface with any of the foregoing cards or devices, or a fob having a transponder and RPID reader in RF communication with the fob. Although the system may include a fob embodiment, the invention is not to be so limited. Indeed, system may include any device having a transponder which is configured to communicate with RFID reader via RF communication. Typical devices may include, for example, a key ring, tag, card, cell phone, wristwatch or any such form capable of being piesented for interrogation Moreover, the system, computing unit or device discussed herein may include a "pervasive computing device," which may include a traditionally non-computerized device that is embedded with a computing unit Examples can include watches, Internet enabled kitchen appliances, restaurant tables embedded with RF readers, wallets or purses with imbedded transponders, etc. The account number may be distributed and stored in any form of plastic, electronic, magnetic, radio frequency, wireless, audio and/or optical device capable of transmitting or downloading data from itself to a second device. A customer account number may be, for example, a sixteen-digit credit caid number, although each credit provider has its own numbering system. Each company's credit card numbers comply with that company's standaidized format such that the company using a sixteen-digit format will generally use foui spaced sets of numbers, as represented by the number "0000 0000 0000 0000". The first five to seven digits are reserved for processing purposes and identify the issuing bank, card type, etc In this example, the last (sixteenth) digit is used as a sum check for the sixteen- digit number. The intermediary eight-to-ten digits are used to uniquely identify the customer A merchant account number may be, for example, any number or alpha-numeric characters that identifies a particular merchant for purposes of card acceptance, account reconciliation, reporting, or the like.

As will be appieciated by one of oidinary skill in the art, the system may be embodied as a customization of an existing system, an add-on product, upgraded software, a stand alone system, a distributed system, a method, a data processing system, a device for data piocessing, and/or a computei piogiam product. Accordingly, the system may take the form of an entirely software embodiment, an entirely hardware embodiment, or an embodiment combining aspects of both software and hardware. Furthermore, the system may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code means embodied in the storage medium. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized, including hard disks, CD- ROM, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, and/or the like.

The system and method is described herein with reference to screen shots, block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatus (e g , systems), and computer program products according to various embodiments. It will be understood that each functional block of the block diagrams and the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by computer program instructions.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 4-15 the process flows, interactive electronic data cards, and screenshots depicted are merely embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as described herein. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented. It will be appreciated that the following description makes appropriate references not only to the steps and user interface elements depicted in Figures 2-15, but also to the various system components as described above with reference to Figure 1.

These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks These computer program instructions may also be stoied m a computer-ieadable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a paiticular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computei-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks The computer piogiam instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data piocessmg apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computei 01 other progiammable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks

Accoidmgly, functional blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations suppoit combinations of means foi performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions, and program instruction means for performing the specified functions It will also be understood that each functional block of the block diagiams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by either special purpose hardware based computer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, or suitable combinations of special puipose haidwaie and computer instructions Further, illustrations of the process flows and the descriptions theieof may make reference to user windows, webpages, websites, web forms, prompts, etc Practitioners will appreciate that the illustiated steps desciibed heiein may comprise in any number of configurations including the use of windows, webpages, web forms, popup windows, prompts and the like It should be furthei appreciated that the multiple steps as illustrated and described may be combined into single webpages and/or windows but have been expanded for the sake of simplicity In other cases, steps illustiated and described as single process steps may be separated into multiple webpages and/or windows but have been combined for simplicity

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims or the invention The scope of the invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing othei than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described exemplary embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S. C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for." As used herein, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, no element described herein is required for the practice of the invention unless expressly described as "essential" or "critical".

Turning now to the Figures, FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system 10 for providing an interactive electronic data card in accordance with the present invention. System 10 includes a host server 12 that is accessible over a network 14, such as, for example, the internet, an intranet, or any other type of network, and a user interface 16 for accessing host server 12 through network 14. User interface 16 may include any number of communication tools including, but not limited to, notebook or laptop computer 18, personal digital assistant 20, and cellular phone 22. System 10 also includes processor 24 for processing the data input by users via user interface 16 through network 14 and memory 26 for storing the processed data. A plurality of databases 28 may be associated with memory 26 to store the processed data and program application 30, containing instructions for processing the data, may also be stored in memory 26. System 10 may also include an input digitizer 32 coupled or connected to server 12 for digitizing the data input by the user.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of an interactive electronic data card 40 in accordance with the present invention. Interactive electronic data card 40 may include one Oi more infoimational sites 42 each relating to one or more of a user's individual name and/oi title, an entity name, a phone number, a fax number, a web address, photos, information about an individual or entity, directions to an individual or entity, video relating to an individual, entity, product, service, etc , and a mail icon enabling one who accesses the intei active electionic data card 40 to e-mail the individual or entity Those accessing a user's interactive electronic data caid 40 may move easily between the informational sites 42 by sci oiling, clicking on, or touching the various informational sites 42 which then produce additional information relating to that particular informational site for the individual oi entity FIG 3 shows depicts an exemplary interactive electronic data card 40 being sent fiom a user's laptop computer 44 to a receiver via e-mail 46

A flowchart 50 showing one exemplary embodiment of a method for creating and sharing an interactive electionic data caid is shown m Fig 4 First, in step 52, a user signs up for an interactive electronic data card on the interactive electronic data card website

Next, in step 54, the user chooses a type of interactive electronic data card (such as, for example, a professional card, a personal caid, a medical card, a real estate card, an Ambei alert card, a product caid, a service industry card, an employment card, etc ) and then chooses a format for the interactive electronic data card (such as, for example, a basic format, a plus format, oi a pro format which relate to basic and premiei levels) in step 56 The usei then creates a login name and password in association with the user's e-mail in step 58 and in step 60, the usei confirms his oi hei chosen interactive electronic data caid format and is then directed to the appiopnate templates for entering the user's information that is piovided and displayed for the various interactive electronic data card formats

If the user is duected to the basic mteiactive electronic data card format in step 62, the user is then asked to enter user information which is displayed in the interactive electionic data card basic format in step 64 The user's interactive electionic data card is then created in step 66 and can be sent via e-mail m step 68 to any number of devices including, but not limited to, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, and any other type of portable communications device In addition, in step 70, a user can send their interactive electronic data card via their cellular phone, personal digital assistant, oi any other portable communications device If the user selects a plus level interactive electronic data card m step 60, they are diiected to the interactive electronic data card plus format in step 72 and are then asked to entei infoimation ielating to the interactive electronic data card plus fotmat in step 74

In step 76, useis are asked to enter a payment method for the plus format of their interactive electronic data card In the exemplary method shown in Fig 4, users are not charged for the basic format of the interactive electronic data card If a user elects the pro format of the interactive electronic data card in step 60 they are directed to the pro interactive electionic data card m step 78 where they then get the ability to import a video in step 80 They then also enter the same information relating to the plus format of the interactive electronic data card in step 74 and are queried for payment m step 76 Users of all formats for the interactive electronic data card are then able to send their interactive electionic data caids via e-mail from the interactive electronic data card website or from the user's cellulai phone, peisonal digital assistant, or any other portable communications device A flowchart showing exemplary databases used m association with a method for creating and sharing an inteiactive electronic data card is shown in Fig 5 A number of diffeient databases may exist to store the various categoiies of information

Fig 6 is a flow diagram 100 showing an exemplary embodiment of the payment and processing functions of a method for creating an interactive electronic data card in accordance with the present invention In the payment phase, users first access the intci active electronic data card website in step 102 and then view the interactive electronic data card options in step 104 Users are then asked as to which option or format of the interactive electionic data card they would like in step 106 and are then asked to select and enter a type of payment in step 108 Once payment has been entered, the user is asked to input specific information based on the type or format of the interactive electronic data card they selected and the information is collected in step 110 and then stored in step 1 12

The data collection stoiage takes place in the processing phase which also includes a validation step 1 14 foi any information, images, and/or video entered by a user in steps 116, 1 18, and 120, respectively The processing phase also includes a manual processing of individual video in step 122 since user's downloaded videos will vary

The geneiation phase of the method for creating an interactive electronic data card includes geneiatmg a usei ID in step 124 This will be a unique number for each customer Fncryption takes place in step 126 and prevents users fiom reverse-engineering interactive electronic data caids and piovides a measuie of seiver side security Step 128 generates a link to the usei's mteiactive electionic data card and an e-mail is generated to the user in step 130 which includes a link to the user's interactive electronic data card and instructions for how to use the card and view the card When a receiver receives the user's interactive elections data card in step 132, the seivei piocesses the identification of the interactive electronic data card and pulls information fiom the stored data on the server to supply the interactive electionic data card to the receiver

Figs 7-14 show various exemplary embodiments of the interactive electronic data card of the piesent invention Fig 7 is dπected to an interactive electronic professional business caid Fig 8 is directed to an interactive electronic personal card Fig 9 is directed to an mteiactive electronic medical card Fig 10 is directed to an interactive electronic real estate card Fig 1 1 is directed to an interactive electronic Amber alert card Fig 12 is directed to an interactive electronic pioduct card Fig 13 is directed to an interactive electronic service card and Fig 14 is directed to an interactive electronic employment card Finally, Fig 15 shows an exemplaiy embodiment of a web page sign up for the interactive electionic data caid of the present invention Diffeient formats, or levels, of the interactive electronic data card are made available with the most basic format made available free of charge The mteiactive electionic data card of the present invention includes a number of othei featuies Foi example, a conversion/connection feature is available for placement on an interactive electronic data caid user's website to provide access to the user's interactive electronic data card to those accessing the user's website The conversion/connection feature may take the form of an icon, namely a graphic symbol or other type of symbol on a computer's display screen that suggests the type of object represented or the purpose of an available function In the instant invention, an icon lor the interactive electronic data card will be placed on a user's website so that those accessing the user's website can click on the icon and be immediately provided with the usei's key information or the user's key website information The individual clicking on the icon can easily view this information from a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, or any other portable communication device Access to a usei's mteiactive electronic data card via a receiver's cellular phone, personal digital assistant, or portable communications device provides a huge advantage over trying to access information fiom the internet using these same portable communication devices Typically, when accessing information over the internet from portable communication devices, the screen of the portable communications device is unable to provide the owner of the device with a usable form of information because internet websites have not been foi matted to accommodate portable communication devices

The present invention also contemplates creating a searchable directory of interactive electronic data cards with the search being performed by a number of categories including, but not limited to, names, numbers, cities, states, and categories The present invention also includes a method in which useis can provide the general population with access to the usei's mteiactive electionic data cards by placing references to their individual inteiactive electionic data catds on a number of mediums including, but not limited to, print advertisement, newspapeis, the internet, billboards, retail counters, store signs, stickers, packaging materials, animal tags, medical tags, promotional products, television advertisements, and television programs It will be understood that the foregoing description is of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention and that the invention is not limited to specific forms shown or desciibed herein Various modifications may be made m the design, arrangement, order, and types of steps disclosed herein for making and using the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims

Claims

1 A method foi cicatmg and shaiing an interactive electionic data card comprising the steps of entei mg information to access a system as a user, inputting data into the system to be communicated to others, converting data into a readable interactive electronic data card, and transmitting the inteiactive electronic data card to a communication tool

2 The method of claim 1 wheiein the step of transmitting an interactive electionic data caid to a communications tool comprises the step of transmitting the interactive electionic data card to at least one of a cell phone, a PDA, an internet, an intranet, and an electionic e mail address

3 The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting an interactive electionic data caid to a communications tool compiises the step of creating a link to the inteiactive electronic data caid and incorporating said link into the user's e-mail signature 4 The method of claim 1 wherein the step of inputting data includes the step of submitting a user's name and photo

5 The method of claim 4 wherein the step of inputting data further comprises the step of inputting data into multiple personal fields which include at least one of a company name, a title, a phone numbei, a fax number, a cell phone number, and a website address

6 The method of claim 1 wheiein the step of inputting data comprises the step of inputting a mission statement

7 The method of claim 5 wherein the step of including a website address includes the step of including a link to the website address 8 The method of claim 5 wherein the step of including personal fields includes the step of including voice over capabilities related to at least one of the personal fields

9 The method of claim 1 wherein the step of inputting data includes the step of inputting at least one personalized photo

10 The method of claim 1 wherein the step of inputting data includes the step of inputting directions which include at least one of an instruction for using a product, a desciiption of a service, and a direction to a place of business

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of inputting data includes the step of inputting at least one video clip.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing an icon on a user's website to access the user's interactive electronic data card. 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a searchable directory of readable interactive electronic data cards.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of placing a reference to at least one of an interactive electronic data card, an interactive electronic data card category and an interactive electronic data card directory on at least one of a print advertisement, a computer network, a newspaper, a billboard, a retail customer, a store sign, a sticker, a packaging material, an animal tag, a medical tag, a promotional product, a television advertisement, and a television program.

15. A method for sharing information and data comprising the steps of: creating an interactive electronic data card containing information to be shared wherein the interactive electronic data card is capable of functioning as a mini-website; and transmitting the interactive electronic data card to a communications device.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of transmitting an interactive electronic data card to a communications device comprises the step of transmitting the interactive electronic data card to at least one of a cell phone, a PDA, an internet, an intranet, and an electronic e-mail address.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of transmitting an interactive electronic data card to a communications device comprises the step of creating a link to the interactive electronic data card and incorporating said link into a user's e-mail signature that is received by the communications device. 18. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of creating an interactive electronic data card comprises the steps of: entering information to access a system as a user; and inputting data into the system to create the interactive electronic data card.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of inputting data comprises the step of inputting the at least one of a user's name and a user's photograph.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of inputting data further comprises the step of inputting data into multiple personal fields which include at least one of a company name, a title, a phone number, a fax number, a cell phone number, and a website addiess

21 The method of claim 19 wherein the step of inputting data comprises the step of inputting a mission statement 22 The method of claim 20 wherein the step of including a website address includes the step of including a link to the website address

23 The method of claim 20 wherein the step of inputting data into multiple peisonal fields includes the step of including voice over capabilities related to at least one of the peisonal fields 24 The method of claim 18 wherein the step of inputting data includes the step of inputting at least one personalized photo

25 The method of claim 18 wheiein the step of inputting data includes the step of inputting diiections which include at least one of an instruction for using a product, a description of a seivice, and a direction to a place of business 26 The method of claim 18 wherein the step of inputting data includes the step of inputting at least one video clip

27 The method of claim 15 furthei comprising the step of creating an icon on a website to access the interactive electronic data card

28 The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of creating multiple interactive electronic data cards and providing a searchable directory of the multiple interactive electronic data cards

29 The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of placing a reference to the interactive electionic data card on at least one of a print advertisement, a computer netwoik, a newspapei, a billboard, a retail customer, a store sign, a sticker, a packaging material, an animal tag, a medical tag, a promotional product, a television advertisement, and a television program

30 An interactive electronic data card capable of being transmitted to a communications device where, once transmitted, is capable of functioning as a mini website

31 The mteiactive electronic data card of claim 30 wherein the electronic data incorporates data relating to at least one of a business professional, a product, a service, a personal resume, a missing peison, a missing animal, an employer seeking employees, a pei son's medical data, an item lor sale, a community activity, and a personal advertisement 32 The mteiactive electronic data card of claim 30 wherein the interactive electiomc data card is associated with an icon which enables access to the interactive electronic data caid

33 The liiteiactive electiomc data card of claim 30 wherein a reference to the interactive electiomc data caid is placed on at least one of a print advertisement, a computer netwoik, a newspapei, a billboard, a ietail customer, a store sign, a sticker, a packaging matenal, an animal tag, a medical tag, a promotional product, a television advertisement, and a television program

34 A searchable directory of multiple interactive electronic data cards m accordance with claim 30

35 A system for creating and sharing an interactive electronic data card comprising a host server, a usei interface for accessing the host server and inputting data, a processoi for processing the inputted data, a memory foi storing the processed data, and display means foi displaying the processed data to a receiver in the form of a user's inteiactive electronic data caid that functions as a mini website

36 The system of claim 35 wherein the memory comprises at least one database for stoiing the processed data

37 The system of claim 36 wheiein the memory comprises multiple databases for storing different categories of processed data

38 The system of claim 37 wheiein the memory includes databases for at least one of personal contact information, company contact information, product information, service information, peisonal information, employment information, video imaging data, voice mail data, credit card information, image data, direction information, medical information, and missing person information

39 The system of claim 35 further comprising an input digitizer coupled to the server foi digitizing data input through the user interface 40 The system of claim 35 wherein the memory includes a program application for directing piocessing of the inputted data 41 The system of claim 40 wheiein the program application includes instructions for ciating and downloading an icon relating to the usci's interactive electronic data card theieby enabling one to click on the icon and access the user's interactive electronic data

42 The system of claim 40 wheiein the program application includes instructions for ciatmg a seaichable directory of multiple interactive electronic data cards