METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING GREETING CARDS DISTRIBUTED WITH ELECTRONIC COMMERCE TRANSACTIONS AS PICK TICKETS

• US 20100265535A1
• Filed: 10/19/2009
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arroweye Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arroweye Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Friedman, Doron, Huse, Brian J., Singhvi, Ajay
• Granted Patent: US 8,612,513 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0264 based upon schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus enables on-line selection and personalization of greeting cards over a computer network. The printed personalized greeting card can be shipped alone, or in conjunction other items as a single entity, and serves as any of: 1) a direct source of information for generating a shipping label or an intermediate document used for matching/picking multiple items, 2) as a reference to a file containing data defining the shipping label or packing list used for matching/picking multiple items, 3) as the source of information for generating any of a gift card, gift certificate or addressed envelope that is matched/packaged with the card, 4) as a reference to a data file containing information for enabling generation of a gift card or gift certificate that is matched/packaged with the card, and/or 5) as the actual medium on which the recipient/shipping address is printed.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. In a computer system connectable to a computer network, a method comprising:

(a) maintaining in a memory data identifying one of a plurality of document templates and any personalization modifications thereto;

(b) printing a personalized document comprising the document template in conjunction with any personalization modifications thereto at a location where at least one product that has been ordered on line physically resides and with which the card is associated;

(c) printing a data reference on the personalized document;

(d) maintaining, in a memory, reference data representing one of data identifying a product selected independent of the personalized document and with which the personalized document will be matched, and a destination shipping address; and

(e) shipping the product combined with the personalized document to a designated recipient.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the reference data comprises a bar code identifying any of a destination address, SKU and lot number of another product to be shipped with the personalized document.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

(d) generating from the reference data printed on the document any of a shipping label, envelop or an intermediate label useable to help match the document with another product.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the reference data comprises any of a destination address, SKU and packing list of at least one product to be shipped with the document.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein the plurality of document templates comprise any of greeting cards, promotional advertisements, and catalogs.

18. (canceled)

23. In a computer system connectable to a computer network, a method comprising:

(a) maintaining in a memory data identifying a document template and any personalization modifications thereto;

(b) printing a personalized document comprising the document template in conjunction with any personalization modifications thereto-at a location where at least one product that has been ordered on line physically resides and with which the card is associated;

(c) printing a data reference on the personalized document; and

(d) maintaining, in a memory, reference data representing one of data identifying a product selected independent of the personalized document and with which the personalized document will be matched, and a destination shipping address; and

(e) shipping the product combined with the personalized document to a designated recipient.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the reference data comprises a bar code identifying any of a destination address, SKU and lot number of another product to be shipped with the personalized document.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

(d) generating from the reference data printed on the document any of a shipping label, envelop or an intermediate label useable to help match the document with another product.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the reference data comprises any of a destination address, SKU and packing list of at least one product to be shipped with the document.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein the document template comprise any of greeting cards, promotional advertisements, and catalogs.