WO2001008047A1

WO2001008047A1 - Revenue generating and marketing method and system utilizing electronic cards and an electronic card manager

Info

Publication number: WO2001008047A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/016337
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeff M. Feldhahn; George Grindley; Roy Bradley; Brent Brynes; David Mahorney; Kris Mcneil; Todd Morris
Original assignee: World2One, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-07-23
Filing date: 2000-07-21
Publication date: 2001-02-01
Also published as: AU6198800A

Abstract

A method of combining the functionality of an electronic business card and a web page system (10) capability with revenue generation opportunities for companies comprises an electronic information manager (1) or other program/website (10) and a locker content manager (3), each made available to individuals and/or companies/employees (9) for information management and marketing. The electronic information manager system (1) allows individuals or companies to create and categorize electronic business cards (9) and associated web pages (10), and receive pre-set advertising cards from companies based on preferences. The electronic business cards (9) and the associated web pages (10) can be e-mailed to others for marketing purposes, thereby giving others the opportunity to register their own electronic information manager system as an anonymous tool.

Description

REVENUE GENERATING AND MARKETING METHOD

AND SYSTEM UTILIZING ELECTRONIC CARDS AND

AN ELECTRONIC CARD MANAGER

Field of the Invention

The present invention provides a method and system utilizing electronic cards and an electronic card manager, and in particular, a method and system that permits individuals or businesses to promote and advertise themselves, allows for revenue generation for the company providing the cards and card manager, and permits users to interface with advertisers anonymously.

Background Art

The fundamental and essential nature of business forever remains the same. Business has been and will continue to be about relationships. One model used in conducting business and establishing relationships is the business card.

In light of the far-reaching consequences of the Internet and the manner in which business is being transacted remotely and online, traditional business cards suffer from many problems. More and more businesses and individuals are endeavoring to establish a corporate image through an electronic exchange of information and correspondence. Traditional business cards tend to get lost or misplaced. The entry of the information found on a business card into a database can be quite tedious and time consuming.

In light of these deficiencies, the prior art has developed systems and methods using electronic contact-information. These systems and methods can be generally categorized into two groups (i) companies using the v-Card standard (a text-only transfer of contact information) , and (ii) companies operating on-line address books and electronic contact-information cards, which most notably are e- code.com, MyEBC.com, and Novell's Digitalme.com.

In 1996, a consortium of Internet service providers, software companies, and electronics companies established a standard for an online 'virtual' business card (v-Card) to facilitate the idea of transferring contact information electronically between individuals using different e-mail or contact information programs. Attempts have been made to utilize the v-Card concept, creating a basic, text-only electronic card that can be imported/exported into different contact-management software programs (such as Microsoft Outlook) . Contact management databases of some kind have also been proposed. However, the v-Card products are all very difficult for even a technologically-sawy person to use. After a substantial amount of time has lapsed since the introduction of the v-Card standard, none of the v-Card products have come into widespread use. Indeed, most people don't even know they exist. Simply put, products that only utilize the v-Card do not present an effective solution to the problems associated with traditional business cards.

Other web-based address books and identity management products have been developed that provide a slightly higher value than the v- Card. However, these products fail to provide any apparent revenue generating opportunities (other than banner advertising) .

The e-code product, launched in August 1998, revolves around the use of a single-person 'code' (similar to a personal URL address, or a personal web site) . When someone is given their contact person's code, they enter it on the e-code web site, and are brought to a personal business card for the code-holder that is resident on the e-code web site. These "Web Cards" are placed in an address book format, and are updated automatically whenever the code-holder updates his/her personal information. The primary access to the code-holder's information (through the address book) appears to be online, rather than on a downloaded software package (although a very difficult-to-use Java-based application is available for download) . Web cards also can be either attached to or embedded in outgoing emails, depending on the email system. Another product developed by Novell is Digitalme.com, which is described as an identity management product for the web. The product is primarily focused on enabling users to control their identities on the web and enjoy conveniences such as single-click buying, consolidated password management, automatic sign-on, and automatic form-fill. Users store personal 'digital wallet' information, such as passwords, user names, account numbers, credit card numbers, names, addresses, etc. on the Digitalme.com web site. In addition, users may manage personal and business contacts through a web-based address book and "MeCards" that contain personal identification information, shareable through the web site or email. MeCards contain graphical backgrounds, but do not have the ability to mirror a user's paper business cards or include a personalized logo or graphics. This product focuses primarily on e-commerce and proprietary security management systems, and is using the MeCard and address book products primarily as ' throw-aways ' to help generate these business opportunities. Another electronic business card system is found on the website MyEBC.com. This website offers electronic business cards, and various e-mail capabilities.

In summary, while the prior art products noted above, e.g., v- Card, e-code, MyEBC, and Digitalme, appear to offer some advantages over traditional business card use, these product still lack comprehensive marketing and functionality strategies that would benefit users, either individuals or businesses, or the businesses providing the products/services to such users.

Consequently, a need exists to provide an intelligent, interactive electronic card that overcomes the disadvantages existing in prior art methods and systems. In satisfaction of this need, the present invention offers a marketing and communications method and system for personal/business information management that uses both an electronic card and an electronic information management system to allow card holders to market themselves or their businesses, present viral marketing opportunities through e- mail and website interaction, and enhance revenue generation through partnering between businesses.

Summary of the Invention A first object of the invention is a method and system that allows individuals and/or businesses to establish a presence on the

Internet through the creation of an electronic card that effectively promotes a desired image and/or product (s).

Another object of the invention is a method and system that allows individuals to create unique electronic cards for exchange of information, these cards reflecting the individual's personal style. A further object of the invention is to allow users to develop their own special image equivalent to a mini-web site via the electronic card.

One other object of the invention is a method and system that combines an information-containing electronic card and an electronic information management system with opportunities for revenue generation.

Still another object of the invention is a method and system that replaces the traditional exchange or presentation of a paper business card and goes beyond prior art electronic card systems in terms of marketing potential .

Yet another object of the invention is a method and system whereby an electronic card holder can specify interests and receive information related to the interests without having to do so using Internet search engines, and to do so anonymously.

A further object of the invention is to use the electronic card and card manager as a vehicle to identify preferences of additional users and potential customers, and using such identification, to derive revenue from the ability to link content provided by content providers to the user's preferences in the context of the card manager.

Another object of the invention is to combine a card manager or electronic information management system that allows for the creation of electronic business cards and associated web pages that can be distributed to others to expand the database of users of the electronic information management system, and at the same time, and another content manager to generate revenue by aggregating content from content providers and distributing such content to the ever- increasing number of system users on a preference basis. With this model, content providers are exposed to an ever-increasing number of system users, thereby enhancing the content provider's business while the company aggregating the content generates revenue by attracting content providers based on the growing user base. The user base grows due to more companies and individuals obtaining the electronic information manager system via a continued series of e- mails, and e-mail recipient responses. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as a description thereof proceeds .

In a first aspect, the invention is an improvement in the creation and storage of electronic cards in business card format through the addition of additional pages associated with the electronic card to enhance the card holder ' s marketing and advertising. This aspect includes a method for managing information that comprises electronically creating at least one personal electronic card that contains a first page of information relating to a card holder in a business card format and at least one second page of additional information relating to the card holder, the second page being in a web-compatible format, and electronically providing an electronic information management system to the card holder, the electronic information management system containing the at least one personal card and being capable of categorizing a plurality of electronic cards.

The method can comprise electronically creating the at least one personal card with a plurality of second pages and electronically transmitting the one personal electronic card and a hyperlink to a recipient, the hyperlink permitting the recipient to electronically create an electronic card for the recipient and electronically receive the electronic information management system.

The creation of the electronic card and obtaining the electronic information management can be performed by accessing a company website by one of a direct connection via the Internet, via an e-mail hyperlink, or via a hyperlink on another website.

A second aspect of the invention involves providing a locker as part of the electronic information management system, the locker allowing a company to push information to a user ' s locker or have information pulled into a user's locker, the information stored on a company database and being provided by a content provider. The information is based on user preferences so that the user only gets information of interest. This second aspect entails a method of managing information comprising aggregating a database of information provided by content providers, the information including at least one content page, at least a portion of the content page being in a web-compatible format . A locker content manager is electronically provided as a distribution vehicle for the aggregated content to at least one user. At least one preference of the user is identified, and information from the database is electronically installed into the locker content manager based on the at least one preference and without revealing the identity of the at least one user, the information including the portion being in web-compatible format .

The user can access the at least one content page in the locker content manager and the at least one content page can be linked to a website to allow the user to access the website.

The user can electronically access the database for additional information, the additional information being installed in the locker content manager for viewing by the user, or the user can electronically search the database for additional information, the additional information being installed in the locker content manager for viewing by the user. By saving this request for additional information, the user has effectively identified another preference based on obtaining the additional information, and can receive content via the locker related to the new additional information or preference.

The locker content manager can be electronically installed with a program or website related to the at least one preference, or with the electronic information management system.

A third aspect of the invention involves private labeling the electronic information management system to a sponsor company so that users obtaining the system through a channel controlled by the sponsor company are preferentially provided with advertising and marketing content of the sponsor company, in addition to user preferences. This method of managing information comprises electronically linking a user with a sponsor company website, and electronically providing an electronic information management system from the sponsor website to the user, the electronic information management system capable of containing at least one personal electronic card and being capable of categorizing a plurality of electronic cards. A plurality of additional electronic cards can be provided with the electronic information management system to be accessed by the card holder or user and categorized by the electronic information management system, the plurality of additional electronic cards including at least one electronic card containing information about the sponsor company.

The plurality of additional electronic cards can contain information about businesses other than the sponsor company, and the sponsor company can be linked to the user via a direct connection on the Internet, a hyperlink on one of the websites other than the sponsor company or an e-mail . The electronic cards of the other business can be categorized in the electronic information management system as sub-cards of the at least one electronic card of the sponsor company. The electronic information manager system can have a default setting which displays the at least one electronic card of the sponsor company, including a hyperlink to a website of the sponsor company. A fourth aspect of the invention involves using the electronic information management system to create electronic cards for prospective card holders and electronically transmitting the prospective card to the prospective card holder so that the recipient card can obtain the electronic information management system, and its functionalities. This method comprises electronically providing an electronic information management system to a user, the electronic information management system capable of containing at least one personal electronic card and being capable of categorizing a plurality of electronic cards; electronically creating a prospective electronic card for a prospective electronic card holder using the electronic information management system; and electronically transmitting the prospect prospective electronic card and a hyperlink to the prospective card holder, the hyperlink permitting the prospective card holder to electronically receive the electronic information management system.

Electronic creation of the prospective electronic card can employ information derived from one of a caller ID, information obtained from the prospective card holder, and electronic- identifying information from the Internet, or a combination thereof. In addition, a plurality of additional advertising electronic cards can be provided as part of the electronic information management system in this embodiment. A fifth aspect of the invention entails combining the various aspects into one or more combinations . The locker can be combined with the electronic information management system or another system, e.g., a program or website, that would bring content of interest to a user via the locker. One or more of the methods of: (1) personal card creation; (2) creating cards for others; (3) electronically transmitting personal cards and cards for others to expand the user base of the electronic information management system; (4) private labeling of the electronic information management system for sponsor company advertising and marketing and expansion of systems preferentially displaying information to users about the sponsor company; and (5) multi-generational expansion of the private-labeled electronic information management system through successive electronic transmission of electronic cards in business card format to recipients, each recipient becoming a possible user of the electronic information management system that is tailored to the sponsor company.

The electronic card of the user can be electronically created for inclusion in the electronic information management system, or the user could opt to just receive the electronic information management system and use it to receive content or cards from others .

As part of card creation and receiving the electronic information management system in general, a card holder can electronically create the prospective electronic card for a prospective card holder, and electronically transmit the prospect prospective electronic card and a hyperlink to the prospective card holder, the hyperlink permitting the prospective card holder to electronically receive the electronic information management system. Besides the methods of doing business recited above, the invention includes the necessary service systems, networks, computer processors, databases, user and company computer terminals, printers, software routines, electrical communications, and the like to carry out the methodology described herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Reference is now made to the drawings of the invention wherein: Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the sequence of events for the invention for a first time user;

Figure 2 is a flowchart detailing options provided for the user by the electronic information management system or i -Dex; Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the functionality of the locker of the i -Dex;

Figures 4a and 4b are flowcharts showing the viral marketing aspect of the invention; and

Figure 5 shows an arrangement of an exemplary electronic card of the i -Dex; and

Figure 6 shows an exemplary locker arrangement as part of the electronic card arrangement of Figure 5.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention provides improvements in the way business is conducted on the Internet or world wide web. In one embodiment, the invention includes the following: (i) embedding intelligent graphical business or image cards (e-cards) in email messages, (ii) an electronic Internet business or image card management (electronic information) system provided by a Company, (iii) the placement of pre-set advertising cards within the electronic Internet business or image card management system, (iv) a selective updating system for electronic Internet business or image card management system, (v) online searching system for updating the electronic Internet business or image card management system, (vi) system for collecting incoming email messages in the electronic Internet business or image card management system, (vii) the use of computer software (referred to as dexIT or dumpIT) that will enable a user of the Company's electronic Internet business or image card management system to create electronic business or personal cards for individuals that have contacted the user by telephone, and (viii) a business method whereby the Company would private-label/license its electronic Internet business or image card management system to numerous web sites on the Internet which would allow such web sites to offer the electronic Internet business or image card management system to their subscribers and also allow the web sites to sell pre-set advertising cards in their licensed electronic Internet business or image card management system as more fully explained below. 1. Embedding intelligent graphical business or image cards (e-cards) in email messages. This is a new email process that allows business people and individuals to embed intelligent graphical business cards in email messages. When opened by the receiver the email message displays the mail content and a graphical representation of the sender's business card or the individual's personal card (an e-card) .

The e-card is an intelligent attachment, to the email message, that provides the receiver with information about the sender. This information includes only information that the sender wants to reveal to the receiver. This information may include the sender's name, address, telephone numbers, email addresses, URL's for links to pictures, personal home page, business web site and/or a business e-commerce site, video and audio clips. The e-card can be saved by the recipient in an i -Dex, which is a electronic mail Internet business or image card management system that is a type of Rolodex®, i.e., a business or other card filing system. The i -Dex is a client-based application that can hold an unlimited number of e-cards and can keep all the cards categorized by card types and a specified sort order.

The e-card, when received may be opened by the receiver by clicking with his mouse on the e-card. Once opened, if the user does not have an i -Dex installed, it will prompt the user to see if he wants to have it installed on his desktop computer. If the user specifies that he/she does not have an i -Dex, the intelligence in the e-card will start a background download process moving the i -Dex setup application down to the user. If the user specifies that he/she does not want the i -Dex the process continues.

If the user has an i -Dex or has just installed the i -Dex, he/she will be prompted to install the card in the i -Dex (if it does not already exist) . If the user wants the e-card installed, it will automatically be installed in the proper place in the i -Dex.

If the user specifies that he/she does not want the e-card installed or the e-card already exists, the process continues. The user is then presented with the "back of the card" (one or more second pages) of the e-card, i.e., a web page having a portable or personal nature. The back contains all the information (a web- compatible format) that the sender has inserted into his e-card. In addition to static information, such as name, address telephone numbers, the user will be presented with URL's to any web sites, pictures, audio or video clips etc. Since most email systems are Internet active, the user should be able to click with their mouse and immediately view the URL contents .

The individual owner of the e-card manages the e-card information. The information is standard format, name, address, telephone numbers, etc. and free format, user chosen, fields such as links to web pages, pictures, video and audio clips, etc, personal information (i.e. golf handicap, chess rating, etc.)

The card will be embedded into the e-mail by use of HTML or other process available in the e-mail client (i.e. Collaboration Data Object, exchange scripting, vb-scripting, java applets etc.) 2 . An electronic Internet business or image card management system (the i -Dex) . The client application is a relationship management tool that consists of a tool to facilitate personal identity management, a digital business card collection via email, tight integration of current personal identity management software (PIM) , such as Microsoft Outlook, and a next generation web portal. The tools contained in the i -Dex include the i -DexManager, the i- DexBook, the i -DexDesigner, and the i -DexLocker. This system allows the user to project their identity in the form of a graphical business or image card, designed and managed using the i -Designer application and embedded in email. The i -DexManager provides a viewer and manager for the graphical business or image cards. The integration with the users' PIM is seamless, allowing a user to easily insert his e-cards into outgoing email, and to seamlessly access synchronized contact information from either his i -DexManager or PIM.

The i -Dex is also available online at the Company's web site so that a user may search and retrieve his contact information from any computer that has Internet access, not just the computer that the i -Dex was downloaded to. The i -DexManager is the main place where cards are managed and viewed. It provides rich search capabilities both locally on the client and globally on the i -Dex online database. The collection of cards is stored in the i -DexBook.

Features included in the i -DexManager application:

• Display cards in various views • Single card view

• Multi card view

• As a list with icons

• Add, delete cards, and manage the i -DexBook. This results in the ability to establish, facilitate, terminate, and manage relationships. The relationships are one of two types: person-person, or person-company.

Categorize the cards in my i -DexBook Search all local cards on all fields • Continuously updating search list

Global search to online database upon request Login option for multiple users on the same system Interface with email client address book; display all addresses as default cards • Automatic bi-directional background synchronization

(between both server and Personal Address Book) Ability to annotate cards with personal notes Launch email from i -Dex. Add cards to Word, Excel, etc. This can be done through the clipboard

Provide a toolbar button in Word, Excel, etc. This button will add my card to documents . Online help system (local and web based) vCard support . • Print cards

Use dockable panels to encapsulate the locker and future functionality.

The i -DexBook consists of a collection of cards that are displayed in the i -Dex. The cards may be one of either default cards from the users' PIM or cards that are in i -Dex format.

The i -DexBook is the source of all address book data. The software code in the coordinates and synchronizes between the personal address book (PAB) in the users' PIM and the online __- DexBook. The i -DexManager is simply a view into the i -DexBook.

Some of the requirements on the i -DexBook are as follows:

Implement the local database of cards

Coordinate and synchronize the user provided information (categories, annotations, etc.)

Provide an interface to search cards

Provide an interface to access card information Provide an interface to initiate synchronization

Synchronize the local card database, the PIM PAB, and the online i -DexBook.

Always provide the latest information to the applications requesting data

Optimize the data access for speed

Synchronize the cards in the background

Synchronize the cards on demand (exception: new cards are synchronized immediately)

Conversion to/from XML

The i -Designer is a card designer will allow the user to define specific card configurations based on information provided at the Company's web site. The data structure that the card draws from allows flexibility in the design of the cards without burdening them with profile maintenance. It will also allow the user to define which back-of-card pages to associate with the card configuration.

In principal, the card designer works like a report editor in a database. It defines the format and layout of the data, along with static labels and graphics, then uses the data to generate a specific card. The card template along with the data provides all of the information required to generate the card.

Features included in the card designer application:

Name/icon to identify the card • Pre-designed cards and backgrounds available for download

Card configurations will use personal profile data

Create cards from templates

Create cards using an existing card as a template • Back of the card information can be either name/value pairs or locker content

Edit existing, add new, or delete any card

Register the card with our database upon creation.

Cards must be registered before they can be used • Data structure of the profile is hidden from the user

The card format will be published as an open standard

The i -Dex card viewer will receive cards in the standard format

Cards will be packaged for attachment to email

(HTML and/or RTF)

The user will be capable of defining URLs and mailto links. • Rudimentary graphical creation capability o Free form text o Insert images o Primitive shapes

Insert standard fields (similar to database report generator)

Standard fields include o First/Last Name o Street address, city, state, postal code o URLs, and email addresses o Phone numbers o Company name

Flexible form factor

User defined keywords

Skins on UI

Online help system (local and web based)

Integration to template/content libraries (online/local)

Live update to latest application revision Translate the configuration information defined in the i -Designer to the standardized card format Select back-of-card pages to associate with the card configuration

The card designer technology will permit the creation of simple pages for the back of the card each card. Any number of back-of-card pages can be attached to a card. Every card will get at least one back-of-card that contains the front of the card information formatted as Locker content. The default back-of-card can be edited to add additional information or to reformat the look. The user can make any number of back-of-card pages . Each one of the pages can be attached to any particular card created by the user.

The i -DexLocker provides a system to gather information from the web in the form of the next generation portal called the i- DexLocker. The i -DexLocker is a total opt-in, totally private way to define areas of interest and receive web content. The i- DexLocker also provides a way to establish relationships with the companies that are content providers by easily adding their card to the i -DexManager, and provides a way to access additional content associated with any card in your i -DexManager.

As with the i -Dex, the i -DexLocker will reside at the Company's web site or on the user's desktop. The locker is a new process that protects an individual ' s privacy from companies who desire to send advertisements, coupons or informational content to such individual . The i -DexLocker fills two purposes in this application; to provide a place for collections of information that the user is interested in, and to provide a place to view rich information associated with a person's card. The two purposes will be implemented on a uniform architecture that indexes the content based on a card selection.

The combination of the locker user interface and the user selection of collections define a new web portal that is based on the user's interest. This new portal is completely customizable, total opt-in, and provides total privacy. The paradigm is similar to that of a television in that the provider of content does not know who is viewing, and they must deliver content that is interesting and valuable to retain the viewer's attention.

Features of the Locker include:

Button to add the card of the owner of the current page to your i -Dex. The button is disabled if the card is already in the i -Dex

Combo box that lets you view the collections that you have previously chosen

List to show all items associated with the current collection

Items in the list that have not been viewed are highlighted

Button to go to your configuration page on the i-

Dex

Website to configure the items that you are interested in viewing

Locker content is not automatically downloaded when the card is added; it is loaded by request only.

Once content has been loaded, it is cached for future use.

The user makes selections of i -DexLocker content based on their interests. The selections are made on a web site that allows them to choose from pre-defined choices or user defined areas of interest. When the user makes a selection of i -DexLocker content, they are actually adding a collection card to their i -Dex. The collection card has as its' back of the card pages all of the pages in the collection. The i-DexLocker content can be used in two different contexts; as collections sponsored by partner companies, or as the back of a card information that a user associates with their card. The collections are groupings of i -DexLocker pages that can potentially come from multiple companies.

Given the interaction between the cards, the locker content pages and the collections, there are requirements on the locker content to keep track of the description, the sponsor, and the source of the page. The table below shows the required data fields for locker content.

Another feature of the locker is that it will enable a user to instantaneously receive content on any interest. For example, a user will be able to indicate that he wishes to receive electronic coupons for pizza in his zip code. In the database of advertisers' content contained at the Company's web site, the Company can deliver to the user's locker all coupons from pizza sellers in that user's zip code. This will enable users to have access instantaneously to any coupons for any item sold in this nation.

3. Pre-set advertising cards contained in the electronic Internet business or image card management system. The electronic Internet business or image card management system will provide for the placement of pre-set advertising cards within every i -Dex that is downloaded. These pre-set advertising cards will be sold to companies that would desire to have their business cards, which could contain coupons or other information to be included in every i -Dex that is downloaded by a user.

4. Selective updating system for the i -Dex. The information for an e-card resides locally with the individual owner and at a central database accessible from the owner's Internet connection. If the owner makes a change to his individual or business information this information is also changed in the central database. The next time a user accesses an e-card that he has for that individual, the information will be automatically updated from the central database back to that user's i -Dex so that the user will see only the new information.

5. Online searching system for updating the i -Dex . An i -Dex user will be able to create e-cards for individual ' s for whom the user has not received an e-card by connecting to a white pages database through the Company's web site and either typing in a phone number or a name. The program will then create an e-card that contains all of the information about that person contained in the white pages directory, such as name, address and phone number. The new e-card will then be stored in the user's i -Dex.

7. dexIT or dumpIT . This technology will operate in concert with a national white pages directory of individuals and existing caller ID technology. An i -Dex user will be able to review incoming telephone numbers recorded through caller ID technology and then select any or all of the recorded numbers to create cards for such numbers. This will be accomplished through the following sequence: (i) the user reviews a list of telephone numbers from incoming telephone calls through caller ID (this can be done for any period of time), (ii) with each number, the user is asked the question "dexIT or dumpIT, " (iii) if the user chooses "dumpIT" the telephone number is discarded from the list, (iv) if the user chooses "dexIT" the user's i -Dex creates an e-card for the individual owning the telephone number selected through an interface with a national white pages database. The newly created card will contain all of the information available from the white pages database on the owner of the telephone number, such as name, address, and phone number. The new e-card will then be stored in the user's i -Dex.

8. Private-labeling the i -Dex. This business method consists of several components, each of which revolves around the creation of pre-set advertising cards included in the Company's i -Dex. The Company will private-label /license the i -Dex to numerous web sites on the Internet. These web sites will offer the i-Dex as a premium for their subscribers/members, and each web site's logos will be placed on the i-Dex, which will be a hyper-link to the web site. Further, these web sites will be entitled to sell pre-set advertising cards, which will include hyper-links to contributing advertisers for inclusion in the i -Dex. Th s, participating web sites will be able to generate advertising revenues through a new tool, as opposed to the current practice of placing banner advertisements on web sites. Every electronic card that is created by an advertiser for inclusion in a web site's private label i -Dex will include material provided by the advertiser as well as the web site's logo in a designated spot on the electronic card. In addition, the collection of advertisers/content providers who will be included in a particular web site's i -Dex will be aggregated in a "collection" that will also be amassed at the Company's web site. These "collections" will then be available for visitors to the Company's web site to download to their i -Dexes . Thus, a user of the i-Dex who obtained his i -Dex from one web site may add to the number of advertisers /content providers contained in his i -Dex by downloading various "collections" from the Company's web site.

Figures l-4b illustrate by flowcharts select modes or embodiments of the invention described above. Figure 1 shows a flowchart 10 with a first step 1 involving a user being linked to an i -Dex registration site via an e-card or advertiser or sponsor company, or finding the company website. Once the user registers at 3, the i-Dex is created at 5 and the user can create a custom e-card at 7. Once created, the e-card is inserted in the Company database at 9 and the user can then download the i-Dex, and have the i-Dex available on the user machine at 12. The i -Dex is synchronized with content from the e-card and the company's server. The user can also opt not to download the i-Dex at 14 and can use the company-based i- Dex as an alternative.

Figure 2 details the options available to a user when either downloading the i -Dex 11 or accessing it via the company website or other address. At 13, e-cards can be sent to e-mail clients or e- cards can be received to the user's i -Dex 11. If the user has not created an e-card, one can be created at 15, or an existing e-card can be edited. New cards would then be registered in the company database at 17.

The user can access the company database at 19 and pull content therefrom on an ad-hoc basis. The company information store 21 can include national advertiser content, look-up content such as yellow pages, local advertiser content based on a local variable such as a zip code, informational content, and other information or databases . Any of this information can be pulled by the user using the search capabilities outlined above or below.

The user can also identify preferences, and automated content pushes (information automatically sent to the user as opposed to pulled information which is at the user's request) based on such preferences will occur at 23. For example, if a user identifies golf as an interest, content in 21 related to golf will be pushed to the user.

At 23, the user can save searches performed and keep them as preferences for receiving content related to the saved searches. For example, if a user would search for vacations in the Bahamas and saved such a search, content in 21 related to the new saved search would be pushed to the user. It should be understood that the content providers do not know the identity of the user when information is pushed or pulled from the store 21. This preserves the anonymity of the user while the user still gets the desired information. This contrasts with conventional web searching where the user is in direct contact with a content provider's website. The company aggregates the information and pushes it to the user, so the content provider only deals with the company. Further, the company is merely a conduit for content provider information, and the company does not take instructions from the content providers to create content .

Figure 3 illustrates the i -Dex locker functionality. the user 25 can access the locker 27 and receive information from the company information or data store 21 based on identified preferences. Alternatively, the user can conduct an ad-hoc search 29 by defining, by keywords and /or zip code information or the like, what they would like to receive. Ad-hoc searches are usually one-time searches for content. The request goes to the company database 31 and the requested information is provided to the locker 27 via the store 21.

The database 31 can also be modified by the user 25 defining or updating preferences at 33 whereby users would automatically receive content from the store 21 (pushing) . This may involve new preferences/interests, modifications of existing preferences/interests, or saved searches defining other preferences/interests . Figures 4a and 4b illustrate the viral nature of the invention. In Figure 4a, the user 25 registers and obtains the i- Dex in steps 34a, 34b, and 34c, see Figure 1, and sends an e-mail with an embedded e-card to an e-mail client who receives the e-card at 35. The user 25 can do this via the on-line i -Dex or local i -Dex at the user's PC.

The e-card recipient 37 then can become a first time i -Dex user as per Figure 1. The recipient then goes through steps 34a, 34b, and 34c to be able to send an e-card to another recipient. The recipient 37 can also then download the web pages associated with the received e-card via the company database. In this way, the user's e-card and associated web pages get passed to recipient 37, and the user's e-card also gets distributed to additional recipients as additional e-mails are transmitted and i-Dexes are received or used by others . Figure 4b illustrates the special advantages when the user is an entity such as a corporate sales force 39. A corporate e-card is created for every salesperson at 41 and made part of a corporate i- Dex 43. Then, using the i -Dex e-mail integration interface, e-mails are sent from the sales force 39 to e-mail corporate and client recipients 45 with an corporate e-card embedded in the e-mail at 44. These recipients 45 become users of the corporate i -Dex, and can then get and use the i -Dex, including sending e-mails to other corporate clients or recipients. These other recipients would receive the e-cards of the sales force 39 as part of their i -Dex. Thus, the e-cards of the sales force 39 are continually distributed with each e-mail and successful i -Dex use. In addition, the recipients 45 can opt to get the web pages associated with the corporate e-card by accessing the company database 31.

In conjunction with the description of the method and system and flowcharts, Figure 5 shows an exemplary layout 100 of the first and second page of the electronic card, with Figure 6 showing a layout 120 for the electronic card and the locker content manager.

Referring to Figure 5, reference numeral 101 shows the pane 101 that displays the front page of an electronic card. Arrows 103 permit scrolling between cards, and the window 105 displays the folder path where the card is located, e.g., My Cards\Buddies . Buttons 107 permit switching between the front and back pages of the card. Button 108 minimizes the manager with button 109 closing it.

Reference numeral 111 shows where a logo, e.g., the company logo, can be placed for the electronic information management system. At the lower part of the card, icon 113 allows a user to launch a viewer pane (not shown) for the second page(s) of the electronic card. Icon 115 allows a user to print the card displayed at 101. The trash can icon 117 allows deletion of a card. When private labeling the i -Dex, the sponsor company's logo can be placed at 119.

The card has buttons 118 on the right side. The Directory button allows a user to view a tree-structured index of cards in a pane (not shown) . The PWP (a web page of a portable or personal nature) button allows a user to view a list of PWP pages associated with a card depicted in 101. The Locker button allows a user to access the locker content manager. The Search button allows a user to conduct a search of cards in the i -Dex by keyword, zip code category, and the like. The display shown when the Search button is activated also allows other functions as saving cards, displaying a list of cards, filtered searches, delete saved searches, and the like.

The Notes button allows a user to make annotations regarding first and/or second pages of a selected card.

Figure 6 shows an arrangement 120 when the Locker button of buttons 118 is activated. A first pane 121 shows a tree-view of the user's locker content. The delete folder button 123 permits a user to delete a folder from the user's existing collection. The modify interests button 125 connects a user to the company website to modify the selected preferences or interests so as to include, change or delete interests. The pane 127 below the tree-view pane 121 displays a list of cards from a selected folder that would be shown in 121. The Locate window 129 permits a user to type in a value by which the application filters the card list by the attribute typed in the "in column" window 131. Clicking on a card displayed in pane 127 would display the card in pane 128. Clicking button 130 can print that which is displayed. When private labeling the i -Dex, pane 128 could preferentially display a default web page for the sponsor company so that this is the first card the user sees when opening the locker.

The Dex-It button 133 permits the user to save the selected card in the user's personal i -Dex. The skin or look of the arrangement in Figures 5 and 6 can be changed to suit a user's preferences by accessing the Menu bar 135, see Figure 5 and selecting the proper heading and subheading for skin changing. The Menu bar buttons also allow a user to add dummy cards to the i -Dex, save current cards, view various panes such as the search or locker panes, get help and the like.

The PWP view shown in Figure 6, when associated with the display 100 of Figure 5, can display the first of a number of second pages, and the user can use the arrows at the bottom of the PWP view to scroll through the second pages associated with the displayed first page. Alternatively, when in the locker layout 120, the pane 128 would display the page corresponding to the locker card highlighted in pane 127, or the default page as set up by the sponsor company.

While the locker is shown as part of the i -Dex in Figure 6, it should be understood that it could be combined with another vehicle such as a program, a website, another manager system, or the like. Any vehicle that the locker content manager could be coupled with that would establish a preference for the user, whereby the locker content manager could be utilized to push/pull content to the user based on such preference is within the metes and bounds of the invention. The content aggregated by the company is provided by the content provider using the necessary tools so that the content is in a format compatible with the electronic information management system. Alternatively, the company could build the content for the content provider on a contract or the like basis. The locker content manager is akin to a pipeline that takes the content provided by the content providers and distributes it to the users based on the users' preferences. The content can be virtually any information that a content provider would deem useful for a user, e . g . , advertisements, sale dates, general information on a business, coupons, and the like.

The inventive method and system has high potential for generation of revenue through the coupling of the locker content manager with the i -Dex or some other vehicle such as a program or a website. The company managing the i -Dex website can sell slots to content providers for placement of cards/associated web pages in the company's database for pushing to a user or being pulled by a user. Then, the company can charge a fee once a user views the card on the user's locker, such viewing being anonymous to the content provider. If the user clicks through to the content provider's website or contacts the content provider in some other way, the company would receive an additional fee. Similarly, the private labeling concept generates revenue for the company by licensing the i -Dex to the sponsor company. In addition, revenue is generated for the sponsor company by increased exposure through e-mails and i -Dex installation, and the ability of the sponsor company to sell slots for cards/associated web pages to their business partners for inclusion on the sponsor company i -Dex.

The number of views and click throughs is magnified by the ability of the i -Dex to identify and encompass a number of users. Each distribution of an i -Dex can create a user and identification of user preferences. Then, the content of the providers is pushed to the users based on their preferences. Thus, users only see content that they are interested in, and the content provider has a better chance of enticing the user to use their products or services. By coupling the attraction of the electronic card in a business card format, the identification of potential locker users is driven primarily, not only by the content providers, but also by the attraction and the ability to pass out a business card electronically and get the i -Dex. Companies whose sponsor their own i -Dex have the opportunity for user's to see their i -Dex initially (opening of the i -Dex would default to the sponsor company's locker content view, with the preferred advertisement showing in the pane 128, see Figure 6, and offer sponsor companies and their subordinates or partners opportunity for increased revenue. With sponsor companies' i -Dexes available, repeated e-mailing from the sponsor companies' employees generates additional users having the sponsor company's i -Dex and default locker view.

The inventive method and system offers other significant advantages over prior art systems, methods and products. Some of the significant differences in product and marketing strategies are: • The inventive card manager is resident on the user's desktop as well as web-based, whereas the equivalent prior art product is for all intents and purposes solely web-based. The prior art strategy appears to be targeting only that small portion of the online population that needs to access their contact information remotely from the Internet only. With the invention, users do not have to wait for a log-on process to access their contact information online. • Unlike the prior art, others, the inventive card manager goes far beyond contact-information storage, becoming an entirely new type of desktop application that includes powerful relationship management functions, brings e-commerce to the user like never before, and appeals to each user's personal interests. • In contrast to the prior art, the inventive electronic card product is designed to be personalized, interactive and smart, providing a wealth of information about the user or their company (everything from hyperlinks to resumes) . The electronic card will be able to mirror a user's paper business card to facilitate online corporate and personal image creation and management . • Unlike the prior art products, the invention allows for relationship-management and image- creation/promotion strategies that include individuals and youth as well as business and e- commerce, creating a much larger market. • The inventive system and method allow for cross- promotional relationships with business partners from the very beginning, creating a powerful new paradigm in online advertising and e-commerce, such not contemplated by prior art electronic contact- information products/companies . • The invention offers significant revenue-generating potential into its initial business model, and these revenue prospects will only grow as the product advances . • It should be understood that a user of the electronic information management system could obtain it without creation of a personal card, receipt of pre-set advertising cards, or identification of preferences. Under these circumstances, the user would get a system initially void of electronic cards. Personal card creation, obtaining information in the locker through preference, creating cards for others, receiving pre-set advertising cards, and the like can be done at a later time.

As such, an invention has been disclosed in terms of preferred embodiments thereof which fulfills each and every one of the objects of the present invention as set forth above and provides a new and improved system and method utilizing electronic cards and an electronic card manager for a number of business and personal advantages, including enhanced business relationships and contacts, improved marketing and promotion, revenue generation, viral marketing opportunities, and the like.

Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations from the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that the present invention only be limited by the terms of the appended claims .

Claims

What Is Claimed Is: 1. A method for managing information comprising: a) electronically creating at least one personal electronic card that contains a first page of information relating to a card holder in a business card format and at least one second page of additional information relating to the card holder, the second page being in a web-compatible format; and b) electronically providing an electronic information management system to the card holder, the electronic information management system containing the at least one personal card and being capable of categorizing a plurality of electronic cards.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising electronically creating the at least one personal card with a plurality of second pages.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising electronically transmitting the one personal electronic card and a hyperlink to a recipient, the hyperlink permitting the recipient to electronically create an electronic card for the recipient and electronically receive the electronic information management system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein steps (a) and (b) are performed by accessing a company website by one of a direct connection via the Internet, via an e-mail hyperlink, or via a hyperlink on another website.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: i) aggregating a database of information provided by content providers, the information including at least one content page, at least a portion of the content page being in a web- compatible format; ii) electronically providing a locker content manager as a distribution vehicle for the aggregated content to at least one user, the locker content manager being part of the electronic information management system; iii) identifying at least one preference of the user; and iv) electronically installing information from the database into the locker content manager based on the at least one preference and without revealing the identity of the at least one user, the information including the portion being in web-compatible format.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the user accesses the at least one content page in the locker content manager.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one content page is linked to a provider website to allow the user to access the provider website.

8. The method of claim 5, comprising the user electronically searching the database for additional information, the additional information being installed in the locker content manager for viewing by the user.

9. The method of claim 5, comprising the user electronically searching the database for additional information, the additional information being installed in the locker content manager for viewing by the user, and the user identifying another preference based on obtaining the additional information.

10. The method of claim 5, comprising electronically creating at least one personal electronic card that contains a first page of information relating to the user in a business card format and at least one second page of additional information relating to the user, the second page being in a web-compatible format.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising transmitting the at least one personal electronic card and a hyperlink to a recipient, the hyperlink permitting the recipient to electronically create an electronic card for the recipient and electronically receive the electronic information management system.

12. A method for managing information comprising: a) aggregating a database of information provided by content providers, the information including at least one content page, at least a portion of the content page being in a web- compatible format; b) electronically providing a locker content manager as a distribution vehicle for the aggregated content to at least one user; c) identifying at least one preference of the user; and d) electronically installing information from the database into the locker content manager based on the at least one preference and without revealing the identity of the at least one user, the information including the portion being in web-compatible format.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the user accesses the at least one content page in the locker content manager.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one content page is linked to a website to allow the user to access the website.

15. The method of claim 12, comprising the user electronically accessing the database for additional information, the additional information being installed in the locker content manager for viewing by the user.

16. The method of claim 12, comprising the user electronically searching the database for additional information, the additional information being installed in the locker content manager for viewing by the user, and the user identifying another preference based on obtaining the additional information.

17. The method of claim 12, comprising electronically installing the locker content manager with a program or website related to the at least one preference.

18. A method for managing information comprising: a) electronically linking a user with a sponsor company website; b) electronically providing an electronic information management system from the sponsor website to the user, the electronic information management system capable of containing at least one personal electronic card and being capable of categorizing a plurality of electronic cards; c) providing a plurality of additional electronic cards with the electronic information management system to be accessed by the card holder and categorized by the electronic information management system, the plurality of additional electronic cards including at least one electronic card containing information about the sponsor company.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising creating an electronic card of the user for inclusion in the electronic information management system.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the plurality of additional electronic cards contain information about businesses other than the sponsor company.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the sponsor company is linked to the user via a direct connection on the Internet, a hyperlink on one of website other than the sponsor company or an e- mail .

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the electronic cards of the other business are categorized in the electronic information management system as sub-cards of the at least one electronic card of the sponsor company.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the electronic information manager system has a default setting which displays the at least one electronic card of the sponsor company.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the default setting includes a hyperlink to a website of the sponsor company.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the card holder electronically creates a prospective electronic card for a prospective card holder, and electronically transmits the prospect prospective electronic card and a hyperlink to the prospective card holder, the hyperlink permitting the prospective card holder to electronically receive the electronic information management system.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the electronic creation of the prospective electronic card uses information derived from one of a caller ID, information obtained from the prospective card holder, and electronic identifying information from the Internet, or a combination thereof.

27. The method of claim 1, further comprising including a plurality of additional advertising electronic cards as part of the electronic information management system.

28. The method of claim 27, comprising electronically transmitting the one personal electronic card and a hyperlink to a recipient, the hyperlink permitting the recipient to electronically create an electronic card for the recipient and electronically receive the electronic information management system.

29. A method for managing information comprising: a) electronically providing an electronic information management system to a user, the electronic information management system capable of containing at least one personal electronic card and being capable of categorizing a plurality of electronic cards; and b) electronically creating a prospective electronic card for a prospective electronic card holder using the electronic information management system; and c) electronically transmitting the prospect prospective electronic card and a hyperlink to the prospective card holder, the hyperlink permitting the prospective card holder to electronically receive the electronic information management system.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the prospective electronic card is created based on information derived from one of caller ID, information obtained from the prospective card holder, and electronic identifying information from the Internet, or a combination thereof.