Method and apparatus for using greeting cards distributed with electronic commerce transactions as pick tickets

• US 8,612,513 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2009
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arroweye Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arroweye Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Friedman, Doron, Singhvi, Ajay, Huse, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): JEAN, FRANTZ B
• Application Number:
  US12/581,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20100265535A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,520 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/206, 709/217, 709/219, 709/246, 700/233, 715/200, 715/234, 715/765
• US Class Current: 709/203
• 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. 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 personalized document 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.

2. The method of claim 1 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.

3. The method of claim 1 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.

4. The method of claim 1 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.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of document templates comprise any of greeting cards, promotional advertisements, and catalogs.

6. 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 personalized document 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.

7. The method of claim 6 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.

8. The method of claim 6 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.

9. The method of claim 6 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.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the document template comprise any of greeting cards, promotional advertisements, and catalogs.