Custom content gift cards

• US 20100078474A1
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lin, Gloria, Rosenblatt, Michael, Hodge, Andrew, Nakajima, Taido Lantz, Mayo, Sean Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,959,065 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

There is provided a customized gift card and methods for customizing the gift card with buyer-selected downloadable content. A buyer may associate pre-purchased downloadable content with a gift card such that the card is “preloaded” for a recipient. The recipient may then redeem the customized gift card and download or access the pre-purchased content. The customized gift card may also include a buyer-selected image and/or personalized message on the face of the card. Alternatively, the customized gift card may have a generic design. Various methods are provided for producing the cards and selecting the downloadable content, including purchasing the card online and having it delivered; buying a generic card and associating content with it online; and purchasing and preloading the card at a dispenser, or kiosk.

Claims

1. A customized gift card, comprising:

a buyer-selected image; and

a unique identifier associated with buyer-selected downloadable content.

2. The gift card of claim 1, wherein the unique identifier comprises an identification code printed on the customized gift card and/or packaging distributed with the customized gift card.

3. The gift card of claim 1, wherein the unique identifier comprises an identification code stored in circuitry, magnetic media, or optical media provided in or on the customized gift card.

4. The gift card of claim 1, comprising a buyer-specified personal message printed on the gift card.

5. The gift card of claim 1, wherein the buyer-selected image comprises artwork associated with the buyer-selected downloadable content.

6. The gift card of claim 1, wherein the buyer-selected image comprises an image uploaded by the buyer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the buyer-selected downloadable content comprises music, movies, television shows, applications, video games, website subscriptions, podcasts, ringtones, links, or a combination thereof.

8. A method comprising:

selecting downloadable content to associate with a gift card; and

associating the downloadable content with the gift card such that a recipient may download the selected content upon redemption of the gift card online.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising selecting an image to be printed on the gift card.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the image comprises artwork associated with the downloadable content, an uploaded image, or a combination thereof.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the downloadable content comprises music, movies, television shows, applications, video games, website subscriptions, podcasts, ringtones, links, or a combination thereof.

12. A method comprising:

receiving data identifying buyer-selected downloadable content; and

associating the data with a gift card.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising providing the buyer-selected downloadable content for download upon redemption of the gift card with the associated data.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein redemption of the gift card comprises receiving an identification code associated with the gift card.

15. The method of claim 12, comprising:

receiving one or more buyer-selected images; and

producing the gift card containing the one or more images.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein producing the gift card comprises printing the gift card with the one or more images at a production facility.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein producing the gift card comprises printing the gift card with the one or more images at a kiosk.

18. The method of claim 15, comprising packaging the gift card with a personal media player.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the buyer-selected downloadable content comprises music, movies, television shows, applications, video games, website subscriptions, podcasts, ringtones, links, or a combination thereof.

20. A method, comprising:

receiving data identifying a customized gift card associated with downloadable content; and

providing the associated downloadable content for download.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein receiving data comprises receiving via a user input prompt an identification code printed on the customized gift card.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein receiving data comprises receiving via a suitable media reader an identification code embedded in the customized gift card.

23. The method of claim 20, comprising enabling a recipient of the customized gift card to exchange the associated downloadable content for alternative downloadable content, a credit, or a combination thereof.

24. A gift card dispenser, comprising:

a user interface configured to enable a buyer to select content for association with a customized gift card;

a payment processor configured to receive payment for the customized gift card; and

a printer configured to print the customized gift card.

25. The gift card dispenser of claim 24, comprising a communication stack configured to enable the gift card dispenser to access the internet for content selection, payment processing, or a combination thereof.