GREETING CARD HAVING CONNECTIVITY CAPABILITIES

• US 20100011632A1
• Filed: 07/17/2008
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
• Inventors: Martinez, Omar A., Shields, Christopher Jason
• Application Number:
  US12/175,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20100011632A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/124.10
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/02 Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets B42D25/00 takes precedence; envelopes B65D27/00
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/04 Foldable or multi-part cards or sheets

Abstract

The present invention relates to a greeting card with the capability of connecting to and interacting with a device. More particularly, this invention relates to a card having a connector that permits a memory device coupled with the card to interact with a device, such as a multimedia player or computing device. The memory device may include a file, such as a video or image, that has been stored by the card purchaser and that can then be executed on the device for the enjoyment of the card recipient. The memory device may store a file for the greeting card recipient to access or view on a device, such as a multimedia player, when the card is connected to the device. Additionally, the memory device may include executable software that causes the device to perform an action, such as opening up a webpage, once the card is connected to the device. In such an embodiment, the card may be a gift card, such as a standard gift card issued by retailers. When the card is connected to a device, such as a computing device, the card recipient will be able make purchases using a monetary value that has been placed on the gift card by the card purchaser.

Claims

1. A card comprising:

a card body;

a memory device coupled with the card body, wherein the memory device stores a file; and

a connector coupled with the card body and with the memory device, the connector having the capability to connect the card to a multimedia player, wherein the memory device interacts with the multimedia player to execute the file.

2. The card of claim 1, wherein the connector is a universal serial bus (USB) plug.

3. The card of claim 1, wherein the multimedia player is selected from the group consisting of a cell phone, a PDA, a handheld gaming device, a gaming device, a video player, an audio player, a GPS, a Blackberry and a computer.

4. The card of claim 1, wherein the card is coupled with a greeting card, the greeting card having a design associated therewith.

5. The card of claim 4, wherein the card has a design associated therewith that corresponds to the design of the greeting card.

6. The card of claim 1, wherein the file is selected from the group consisting of a video file, an audio file, an image file and a multimedia file.

7. The card of claim 1, wherein the file is an executable file.

8. The card of claim 7, wherein the executable file opens a browser when the multimedia player to which the card is connected is a computer and wherein the executable file directs the browser to a website address associated with the card.

9. The card of claim 1, wherein the card is a greeting card.

10. The card of claim 1, wherein the card is a gift card.

11. A greeting card comprising:

a card body;

a memory device coupled with the card body, wherein the memory device comprises executable software; and

a connector coupled with the card body and with the memory device, the connector having the capability to connect the greeting card to a computing device, wherein the executable software causes the computing device to present a customized interface.

12. The greeting card of claim 11, wherein the connector is a universal serial bus (USB) plug.

13. The greeting card of claim 11, wherein the interface has been customized by a person from whom the greeting card has been given.

14. The greeting card of claim 11, wherein the customized interface includes images.

15. The greeting card of claim 11, wherein the customized interface includes video.

16. The greeting card of claim 11, wherein the executable software further causes the computing device to present a webpage.

17. A gift card comprising:

a gift card body;

a memory device coupled with the gift card body; and

a connector coupled with the gift card body and the memory device, wherein the connector is capable of connecting to a computing device, and once connected, the computing device directs the recipient of the gift card to a webpage associated with the gift card.

18. The gift card of claim 17, wherein the gift card further includes a monetary value.

19. The gift card of claim 18, wherein the recipient may purchase an item from the webpage using the monetary value on the gift card.

20. The gift card of claim 17, wherein the gift card is coupled with a greeting card.