WO2001022347A1

WO2001022347A1 - Business card systems

Info

Publication number: WO2001022347A1
Application number: PCT/IL2000/000574
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enrique David Sancho
Original assignee: Eliasov, John
Priority date: 1999-09-17
Filing date: 2000-09-17
Publication date: 2001-03-29
Also published as: CN1375092A; AU7442100A

Abstract

A system for providing Web-based personal contact management comprises business cards imprinted with a unique personal identification code and an Internet-based server remotely accessible by receivers using Internet browser equipped client devices. The unique personal identification code of the individual's business card is associated with a record of the personal details associated with each. A Receiver of a coded business card can search for, download and locally save said personal details of an individual by simply inputting said unique personal identification code into a search engine provided by the Internet-based server which is accessed by the World Wide Web.

Description

BUSINESS CARD SYSTEMS

Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates to a novel form of business card as well as novel systems for implementing, using and transmitting said business card More particularly, the present invention relates to a business card which has imprinted thereon a personal identification code, which, when input into a network by the receiver of the card of the present invention, returns the contact information of the card giver

Background Of The Invention

It has long been a common practice for people, particularly in the business community, to carry paper-stock cards on which was imprinted certain contact information Such cards have been referred to as business cards ro visit cards As the business world has moved into a state where personal contact is increasingly complemented by an electronic enhancement, there has been a noticeable shift of reliance on forms of personal contact information managers Most business people now maintain an arsenal of a combination of a plurality of devices including e-mail, paper business cards, personal data assistants (PDAs) for exchanging such contact information For example, one PDA may be used to beam an electronic business card directly into an adjacent PDA using infrared ports However old-fashioned they may seem, paper business cards are still extremely useful and cannotr quite be replaced due to their simplicity and ease of availability and transfer

However, many complex solutions have been sought for ways to automate the process of transferring the information on a paper business card into the electronic form for use in computers and PDAs These methods can be quite cumbersome, for example, one requiring small business card-sized scanners which are hard-wire linked to a computer, and which perform an OCR (optical character recognition) operation on the card and then might have complex software for transferring the information into the appropriate fields of a contact manager database, such as Microsoft Corp 's Outlook Contacts, Symantec s Act¹ and others Additionally, once the information has been transferred by the receiver into his contact manager the card giver has [a] no way of knowing to whom he gave his card (unless he wrote down the nname and contact information of each receiver, [b] he has no way of advising all of the card recipient s if there is a change in the information, and [c] nor can he tailor the content of each card to the type of recipient to, for example, provide certain information on the business card to certain receipients and more in-depth information to others

In the past, one electronic way to update card recipients of changes, was to keep an independent record in one's own e-mail program of who received what and then do a broadcast e-mail to everyone on the list of the change in the contact information Quite a cumbersome method and undoubtedly bothersome to those recipient's who don't want the information to begin with

Considering the limited amount of information typically contained in a business card, its utility is amazingly broad In fact, it is a common practice for professionals in a variety of disciplines to routinely enter the information in business cards into their address databases for subsequent reference, and/or for mailing of announcements, seasonal greeting cards etc

Thus, it is desirable to be able to model business card exchanges for electronic network entry It is further desirable to be able to capture the information in the exchanged "business cards" for subsequent retneval As will be disclosed in more detail below the method and apparatus of the present invention achieves these and other desirable results

For a better understanding of the state of the art prior to the invention hereof reference may be had to US Patent No 5,940,595 and the related patents, applications and references cited therein, none of which are believed to address the problems or solutions thereto herein proposed

Obiects And Summary Of The Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a business card system which comprises the best features of traditional printed hard copy business cards printed on paper stock with the ease, convenience and added utility of electronic or computer-based contact managers and network based e-mail capabilities

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a paper or plastic business card for subscribers (card givers), the details of which can be automatically downloaded into the card receiver s electronic database by simply accessing the busines card database via the Internet and entering a unique code imprinted on the card

It is still a further object of the present invention to allow tiered levels of information to be available to select receivers of the card, enabling selective information access, the selection being at the will of the subscriber (card giver)

It is a further object of the present invention to track and record the origination details of receivers i e those who received a business card and are requesting that the information be downloaded to their computers or personal digital assistants or other contact manager

It is yet a further object of the present invention to utilize the recorded origination information about the receivers to enable the subscriber to notify all those who have downloaded his information about changes to the information in the personal details file

These objects as well as others not specifically enumerated herein are achieved by the present invention in which a card giver, hereinafter a subscriber, registers to particpate with the Administrator of the Business Card Database either via electronic registration over a computer network or by fax, phone or mail registration

On an Internet-accessible server computer, Database Adminstrator creates a file Account for use exclusively by the subscriber The account is assigned or linked with a usemame and password, and is also assigned a unique code - either generated by a code generating algorithm, or it could be generated randomly or simply consist of a combination of Subscriber-specific parameters such as subscriber s country telphone code and local telephone number In conjunction with setting up the Internet-accessible database file, a quantity of cards made of paper stock or impπntable plastic such as those known to be used as calling cards or business cards are imprinted with the unique code, and/or alternatively with other selected details about the Subscriber

In parallel with printing and distribution of the imprinted cards, the subscriber uses a computer having access to the Internet in order to access the Database via the Web site of the Database Administrator using his username and password where instructed in order to access his Account file The subscriber is then prompted to input or edit his basic personal data, such as name, address phone numbers facsimile numbers The subscriber could also create put in more detailed information or information specially intended for access by special clients This can be accomplished by making sub-boxes or granting access to tiered levels of information either by giving received additional access code or in answer to special request of the client (see below)

Imprinted cards are distributed to potential customers, clients, etc (hereinafter 'Receivers") during the normal course of business or social life

Receiver then accesses Database via a remote computer which is networked to the Database computer

Receiver is offered option to either sign in (become a new Subscriber) or to input the unique code provided on the Subscriber s card in order to access, record and optionally download Subscriber s information

Options

Format of Downloaded Information - Receiver can be given options for different computer-readable formats for download to take place, i e in a format readable by various Personal Digital Assistants, Personal Computer format, database formats, contact manager software applications, etc

Additional Information - Receiver might wish to request additional information in which case Receiver activates "button" on computer screen which causes request for additional information to be generated and passed to Subscriber Subscriber then can decide to grant to receiver access to a higher tier where

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26 ] requested information is already contained in database or Subscriber can send the requested information directly to Receiver by any means including electronic via electronic mail, fax, telephone mail

Optionally, Receiver might wish additional information and have been provided by Subscriber with optional additional access code, in which case Receiver may input additional access code and download of additional information begins

Receivers Database - Program is designed to record where inquiries are originating from and thus cause to be compiled a listing or database of Receivers (locations from which info requests were made)

Alternatively, the program may simply include an authorization applet which is downloaded to a Receiver and when activated offers to include Receiver on a list of those desiring to be notified when the personal details of the Subscriber are changed If the Receiver accepts the offer, then the applet generates an e-mail type form for completion by the Receiver and transmission back to the server The e-mail type form would either ask receiver to indicate where such notice should be sent or could be programmed to automatically detect Receiver's e-mail program and get such information from Receiver's Internet Browser settings

This Receivers Database may be used to inform all Receivers when Subscriber has changed any personal data contained in his record

Notice may optionally simply indicate that change has occurred and invite Receiver to revisit the

Subscriber Database to download the amended file

Additionally, notice could advise receiver of the nature of the change in the file

As a further option, the notice could be an a small program which enquires whether Receiver wants to updated information downloaded to PC or PDA and if activated, enquires as to which format information should be retrieved in and then it retrieves and downloads the information to receiver s computer as requested

Brief Description Of The Drawings The detailed description which follows will be est understood with reference to the drawings in which

FIG 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a registration display for enrolling in an electronic business card program in accordance with the present invention

FIG 2 is an exemplary embodiment of an acknowledgement transmitted to the client computer of a user who has enrolled in the electronic business card program in accordance with the present invention,

FIG 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a search engine input/output screen for use with the electronic business card program in accordance with the present invention,

FIG 4 is an exemplary embodiment of an import utility screen for use with the electronic business card program in accordance with the present invention, and

FIG. 5 is an exemplary embodiment of a reporting screen for use with the electronic business card program in accordance with the present invention

Detailed Description Of Exemplary Embodiments

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described herembelow however it should be recognized that the scope of the invention is not limited by the description of the exemplary embodiment and is only limited by the scope of the claims which follow It is anticipated that one of skill in the art can make many variations and modifications to the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed invention

1 ) A subscnber, having a client device such as a PC, WAP phone or PDA, which has access to the Internet and is provided with a Web browser registers with a Database Administrator, either via electronic registration over a computer network or by fax, phone or mail registration a) On an Internet-accessible server computer, Database Adminstrator creates a file Account for use exclusively by Subscriber b) Account is assigned or linked with a username and password which Subscriber can use to enter and maintain the personal details of the record associated with the Account , and c) Account and the personal details therein are also associated with and assigned a unique personal identification code - either generated by a code generating algorithm, or it could be generated randomly or simply consist of a combination of Subscriber-specific parameters such as subscriber's country telphone code and local telephone number

2) A quantity of cards made of paper stock or impnntable plastic such as those known to be used as calling cards or business cards are imprinted with the unique personal identification code, and/or alternatively with other selected details about the Subscriber The cards may be of any size similar to that of known business cards, or variations thereon, as long as the cards can be conveniently carried by subscriber and distributed to receivers Typical dimensions of such cards are 2-1/2 inches in height by 3-1/2 inches in length

3) The Subscriber then uses a computer having access to the Internet in order to access the Database via the Web site of the Database Administrator a) Subscriber inputs username and password where instructed in order to access his Account file b) Subscriber is then prompted to input or edit basic personal data, such as name address phone numbers, facsimile numbers c) Subscriber could also put in more detailed information or information specially intended for access by special clients This can be accomplished by making sub-boxes or granting access to tiered levels of information either by giving Receiver additional access code or in answer to special request of the client (see below)

4) Imprinted Cards are distributed to potential customers, clients, etc (hereinafter "Receivers ) during the normal course of business or social life

5) Receiver then accesses Database via a remote computer which is networked to the Database computer

6) Receiver is offered option to either sign in (become a new Subscriber) or to input the unique code provided on the Subscriber's card in order to access, record and optionally download Subscriber s information

7) Options a) Format of Downloaded Information - Receiver can be given options for different computer-readable formats for download to take place, i e in a format readable by various

Personal Digital Assistants, Personal Computer format, database formats, contact manager software applications, etc b) Additional Information - Receiver might wish to request additional information in which case Receiver activates "button" on computer screen which causes request for additional information to be generated and passed to Subscriber Subscriber then can decide to grant to receiver access to a higher tier where requested information is already contained in database or Subscriber can send the requested information directly to Receiver by any means, including electronic via electronic mail, fax, telephone, mail i) Optionally, Receiver might wish additional information and have been provided by Subscriber with optional additional access code or variation on the unique personal identification code, in which case Receiver may input additional access code and download of additional information begins Receivers Database - Program is designed to record where inquiries are originating from and thus cause to be compiled a listing or database of Receivers (locations from which info requests were made) i) This Receivers Database may be used to inform all Receivers when Subscriber has changed any personal data contained in his record li) Notice may optionally simply indicate that change has occurred and invite Receiver to revisit the Subscriber Database to download the amended file ui) Additionally, notice could advise receiver of the nature of the change in the file iv) As a further option, the notice could be a small program which enquires whether Receiver wants to updated information downloaded to PC or PDA and if activated, enquires as to which format information should be retrieved in and then it retrieves and downloads the information to receiver's computer as requested

Claims

What is claimed is

1 ) A system for providing personal contact management comprising a) business cards imprinted with a unique personal identification code, said unique personal identification code being associated with personal details of an individual and b) An Internet-based server remotely accessibile by Receivers using Internet browser equipped client devices, said server having a database comprising records of said unique personal identification codes and the personal details associated therewith, whereby a Receiver can search for, download and locally save said personal details of an individual by inputting said unique personal identification code

2) The system of claim 1 , wherein said server further downloads to said client device a tracking program

3) The system of claim 2, whereby said Receiver can optionally activate said tracking program thereby sending an authorization to said server requesting automatic updating of future changes to said personal details associated with said unique personal identification code

4) The system of claim 1 , wherein said personal identification code may have subvaπations, whereby the inputting of different subvaπations results in granting to different Receivers different levels of access, thereby permitting custom tiering of the kind of personal details which will be available to the

Receiver entering the code

5) The system of claim 3, whereby the individual broadcasts changes in the personal details associated with said unique personal identification code by inputting said new data into said database on said Internet server through said browser of said client device, and activating programming to send change notifications to those Receivers who have authorized automatic updating