U.S. patent application number 12/761992 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-25 for electronic cards systems and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lions & Bears LLC. Invention is credited to John R. Aslanian, JR..
Application Number | 20100299192 12/761992 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33135078 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100299192 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aslanian, JR.; John R. |
November 25, 2010 |
Electronic Cards Systems and Methods
Abstract
A system for sending cards and/or gifts to one or more entity
using a computer network is provided. The system can include a
computer network with at least one client computer and at least one
server connected to the network. The at least one client computer
can have a user interface with which a user can input an
entity-centric event date. The server can receive a signal from
said client computer based on the user input of the event date. The
server includes a time-from-event module that determines a
non-yearly event date after said event date. The client computer
displays the non-yearly event date and provides means for a user to
purchase cards or gifts for an entity. In most preferred
embodiments, the non-yearly event date is a month-from-birth date
of the individual. In some preferred embodiments, the electronic
cards include combined advertisements contained within the display
regions of the electronic cards.
Inventors: |
Aslanian, JR.; John R.;
(Scarsdale, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C.
1425 K STREET, N.W., SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Lions & Bears LLC
Port Chester
NY
|
Family ID: |
33135078 |
Appl. No.: |
12/761992 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10811390 |
Mar 29, 2004 |
7702542 |
|
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12761992 |
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60457997 |
Mar 28, 2003 |
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60492964 |
Aug 7, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.5 ;
705/26.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/107 20130101;
G06Q 30/0603 20130101; G06Q 30/0252 20130101; G06Q 30/0601
20130101; G06Q 30/0277 20130101; G06Q 30/0621 20130101; G06Q 30/02
20130101; G06Q 40/04 20130101; G06Q 30/0641 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.5 ;
705/26.1 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. A system for sending cards and/or gifts to one or more
celebrated entity using a computer network, comprising: a) computer
network including at least one server that is capable of
communicating with at least one client computer; b) said server
being configured to cause said at least one client computer to
present a user interface with which a user can input at least one
entity-centric event date; and c) said server being configured to
receive a signal from said client computer based on the user input
of the event date, said server including a time-from-event module
that determines a non-yearly event date based on said event date,
and said server transmitting a non-yearly event date signal for at
least one of the at least one client computer.
2. The system of claim 1, further including a client computer that
receives said non-yearly even date signal and that displays said
non-yearly event date and provides means for a user to transmit
signals for the purchase of cards or gifts for an individual or
group of individuals.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said non-yearly event date is a
month-from-birth date of an individual.
4. The system of claim 4, wherein said month-from-event date is a
month number that is a multiple of five.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein said month-from-event date is a
month number that is a multiple of ten.
6. The system of claim 1, further including a client computer that
displays said non-yearly event date in a family tree of a group of
entities.
7. A system for sending cards and/or gifts to one or more
celebrated entity using a computer network, comprising: a) a
computer network including at least one server that is capable of
communicating with at least one client computer; b) said server
being configured to cause the at least one client computer to
present a user interface with which a user can input data; and c)
said server computer configured to cause an electronic card to be
displayed on a display screen of at least one of the least one
client computer, said electronic card being in a electronic card
region of said display screen and including an advertisement region
in the electronic card region of said electronic card.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein said advertisement region is
fixed with respect to said electronic card region.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein said advertisement region moves
with respect to said electronic card region.
10. The system of claim 7, wherein said advertisement relates to a
product or service not affiliated with an owner of the server.
11. A method for making a combined e-ad and e-card product that is
presented to a recipient using a computer network, comprising: a)
creating electronic card data; b) creating electronic ad data; c)
combining the electronic card data with the electronic ad data; d)
displaying with the combined data a combined e-ad and e-card
product with the e-ad integrated within the e-card.
12. A method for the electronic distribution of advertisements,
comprising: a) providing an on-line interface with which a user can
select one or more advertisement from a set of advertisements; b)
incorporating the one or more selected advertisement into an
electronic communication to a recipient known to said user; and c)
awarding said user valuable consideration for delivery of the
electronic communication to the recipient.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said set of advertisements is a
plurality of advertisements.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said set of advertisements is
more than 10 advertisements.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein said set of advertisements is
more than 100 advertisements.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein said set of advertisements is
more than 1000 advertisements.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein said electronic communications
include e-cards.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein said electronic communications
include e-invitations.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein said electronic communications
include e-mail.
20. The method of claim 12, wherein said valuable consideration
includes allowing said user to send said electronic communication
with a reduced cost or no cost.
21. The method of claim 12, wherein said valuable consideration
includes accounting for having a payment rendered to said user.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein said accounting is based at
least in part on a purchase of an item of an advertiser of the
selected advertisement by the recipient.
23. The system of claim 7, wherein said advertisement relates to a
product or service that is secondary to a purpose of the
e-card.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein said purpose of the e-card
relates to a birthday celebration.
25. The system of claim 23, wherein said purpose of the e-card
relates to a time-based celebratory event or holiday.
26. An electronic network system including at least one electronic
device capable of transmitting and receiving data, comprising: a)
at least one electronic device including a processor, memory, a
display; b) said at least one electronic device including means for
inputting an event date via a user interface and for transmitting
an event date signal related thereto over said electronic network
to a server computer; c) said at least one electronic device
including means for receiving a non-yearly event age signal from
the server computer in response to said transmitting said event
date signal; and d) said at least one electronic device including
means for displaying non-yearly event age information based on said
non-yearly event age signal.
27. The electronic network system of claim 26, wherein said at
least one electronic device includes means for user selection of an
electronic card.
28. The electronic network system of claim 27, wherein said at
least one electronic device includes means for user purchase of a
gift.
29. The electronic network system of claim 26, wherein said
non-yearly event age information includes months-from-birth
date.
30. The electronic network system of claim 29, wherein said
non-yearly even age information includes weeks-from-birth date.
31. The electronic network system of claim 26, wherein said at
least one electronic device includes means to display said
non-yearly event age information in a family tree of a group of
entities.
32. A computer system, comprising: a) at least one first client
device configured to communicate over a network with at least one
server; b) said at least one client device having a processor,
memory, and a display; c) said at least one client device including
means for user selection of an electronic card from a plurality of
electronic cards for delivery to at least one recipient, said
electronic card having an electronic card region and an
advertisement in the electronic card region, said means including a
graphical user interface created using browser software executing
on said at least one client computer in communication with the at
least one server; d) at least one second client device configured
to receive image and text data over the network for display to said
at least one recipient of the selected electronic card with said
electronic card region and said advertisement in said electronic
card region.
33. The computer system of claim 32, wherein said advertisement
region is fixed with respect to said electronic card region.
34. The computer system of claim 32, wherein said advertisement
region moves with respect to said electric card region.
35. The computer system of claim 32, wherein said advertisement
relates to a product or service secondary to a purpose of said
electronic card.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit
of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/811,390, filed on Mar.
29, 2004, which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Application
Ser. No. 60/492,964, filed on Aug. 7, 2003, and U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/457,997, filed on Mar. 28, 2003, the
contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to
electronic cards systems and methods.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] Historically, people have honored one another through annual
celebrations commonly known as "birthday celebrations." Birthdays
have become a fundamental part of modern life. Birthday
celebrations are widely practiced by people of all ages, from
three-year-old children to centenarians. With these birthday
celebrations comes the need or desire to purchase goods and/or
services (e.g., presents, cards, etc.) for or on behalf of the
celebrated individual or groups of individuals. As a result, annual
birthdays are significant business generators.
[0004] However, generating revenues via birthday celebrations
requires physical effort on behalf of those wishing to celebrate or
honor others for their birthdays. Typically, the physical effort
required involves: 1) finding, selecting, purchasing and/or
delivering presents; and/or 2) obtaining, preparing and/or
delivering cards (the terminology "card" herein is not limited to
any medium, but includes any medium with which an individual can
communicate a message to a celebrated person--e.g., whether the
message is visually (e.g., in text, video, or other visual form),
audibly and/or otherwise communicated.
[0005] In that regard, throughout most of the 20.sup.th century,
consumers usually needed to physically enter an establishment to
purchase goods and/or services. Similarly, in order to communicate
in writing with another person, one usually needed to physically
draft a card and deliver the same to the other person. Now, in the
21.sup.st century, computer networks, such as the Internet, provide
a new medium through which consumers can purchase goods and/or
services and through which people can communicate in writing with
one another, without significant physical activity.
[0006] In recent years, a number of Internet-based Web Sites have
emerged that enable individuals to celebrate annual-birthdays,
certain holidays and/or certain other occasions via electronically
delivered greeting cards, such as, e.g., BLUEMOUNTAIN.COM (the Web
Site "home page" of which is depicted in FIG. 1) and ECARDS.COM
(the Web Site "home page" of which is depicted in FIG. 2). While
existing electronic card (ecard) Web Sites may simplify efforts
needed to send electronic cards to people, using the Internet, they
do not expand the existing "celebration" schema and do not realize
the substantial revenue generation that can be achieved through the
use of the Internet or other computer networks in relation to
individual-centric celebrations (the terminology individual-centric
used herein means related to an individual or group of individuals,
such as, e.g., years from an individual's birth--some
individual-centric events may relate to a plurality of individuals,
such as, by way of example, a marriage). Some illustrative systems
and/or methods are shown in the following U.S. Patents, the entire
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties: U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,300 entitled Personalized Greeting
Card With Electronic Storage Media And Method Of Personalizing
Same, of CD Coupon, LLC; U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,117 entitled Apparatus
And Method For Electronically Dispensing Personalized Greeting
Cards And Gifts, of Blue Mountain, Inc.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,640
entitled System For Calculating Occasion Dates And Converting
Between Different Calendar Systems, And Intelligent Agent For Using
Same; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,729 entitled Interactive Kiosk For
Selecting And Sending Mail Pieces.
[0007] To date, existing methods of celebration have been
significantly hindered by human limitation. We celebrate annular
birthdays because they are easy to celebrate. The dates are easy to
remember; one only needs to recall a particular date, such as,
e.g., Jan. 1, 2000. When that date arrives, it is understood to be
time to celebrate.
[0008] The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a
computer system and/or method that breaks free from existing
hindrances--not only improving society through additional forms of
celebration, but providing a platform upon which to generate
substantial new revenue and business.
SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
developed in view of the above mentioned and/or other conventional
problems.
[0010] In some preferred embodiments, rather than merely
celebrating "annual" birthdays, a system and method is provided
that enables individuals to celebrate various other time-based
entity-centric events. In this disclosure, the terminology entity
can include any type of entity including, e.g., a human, an
organization, a company, an animal or pet, a real entity, an
imaginary entity and/or any other entity. In the most preferred
embodiments, the system and method facilitates the celebration of
"months" from the date of one's birth. In some other preferred
embodiments, the system and method facilitates the celebration of
one or more of the following time-based individual-centric events,
months from an event (e.g., from birth), bi-weeks from an event,
weeks from an event, minutes from an event, and/or seconds from an
event. In some other preferred embodiments, the system and method
facilitates the celebration of any other atypical time-based
individual-centric events, such as, e.g., the number of, by way of
example, third Tuesdays from an event, the number of full moons
from an event, etc., the number of solar eclipses from an event,
and so on.
[0011] In some preferred embodiments, the system and method
provides for at least one additional time-based individual-centric
event beyond the typical birthday celebration. In preferred
embodiments, the system and method provide for additional revenue
generation in relation to the at least one additional time-based
individual-centric event.
[0012] In some preferred embodiments, a system for sending cards
and/or gifts to one or more celebrated entity using a computer
network is provided that includes: a computer network including at
least one server that is capable of communicating with at least one
client computer; the server being configured to cause the at least
one client computer to present a user interface with which a user
can input at least one entity-centric event date; and the server
being configured to receive a signal from the client computer based
on the user input of the event date, the server including a
time-from-event module that determines a non-yearly event date
based on the event date, and the server transmitting a non-yearly
event date signal for at least one of the at least one client
computer. In some embodiments, the non-yearly event date is a
month-from-birth date of an individual.
[0013] In some preferred embodiments, a system for sending cards
and/or gifts to one or more celebrated entity using a computer
network is provided that includes: a computer network including at
least one server that is capable of communicating with at least one
client computer; the server being configured to cause the at least
one client computer to present a user interface with which a user
can input data; and the server computer configured to cause an
electronic card to be displayed on a display screen of at least one
of the least one client computer, the electronic card being in a
electronic card region of the display screen and including an
advertisement region in the electronic card region of the
electronic card. In some embodiments, the advertisement region is
fixed with respect to the electronic card region and in some
embodiments the advertisement region moves with respect to the
electronic card region.
[0014] In some preferred embodiments, a method for making a
combined e-ad and e-card product that is presented to a recipient
using a computer network includes: creating electronic card data;
creating electronic ad data; combining the electronic card data
with the electronic ad data; displaying with the combined data a
combined e-ad and e-card product with the e-ad integrated within
the e-card.
[0015] In some preferred embodiments, a method for the electronic
distribution of advertisements includes: providing an on-line
interface with which a user can select one or more advertisement
from a set of advertisements; incorporating the one or more
selected advertisement into an electronic communication to a
recipient known to the user; and awarding the user valuable
consideration for delivery of the electronic communication to the
recipient. In some embodiments, the set of advertisements is a
plurality of advertisements, or, in some embodiments, more than 10
advertisements, or, in some embodiments, more than 100
advertisements, or, in some embodiments, more than 1000
advertisements. In some embodiments, the electronic communications
include e-cards, e-invitations and/or e-mails. Preferably, the
valuable consideration includes allowing the user to send the
electronic communication with a reduced cost or no cost or
accounting for having a payment rendered to the user. Preferably,
the advertisement relates to a product or service that is secondary
to a purpose of the e-card.
[0016] In some preferred embodiments, an electronic network system
including at least one electronic device capable of transmitting
and receiving data is provided that includes: at least one
electronic device including a processor, memory, a display; the at
least one electronic device including means for inputting an event
date via a user interface and for transmitting an event date signal
related thereto over the electronic network to a server computer;
the at least one electronic device including means for receiving a
non-yearly event age signal from the server computer in response to
the transmitting the event date signal; and the at least one
electronic device including means for displaying non-yearly event
age information based on the non-yearly event age signal.
[0017] In some preferred embodiments, a computer system is provided
that includes: at least one first client device configured to
communicate over a network with at least one server; the at least
one client device having a processor, memory, and a display; the at
least one client device including means for user selection of an
electronic card from a plurality of electronic cards for delivery
to at least one recipient, the electronic card having an electronic
card region and an advertisement in the electronic card region, the
means including a graphical user interface created using browser
software executing on the at least one client computer in
communication with the at least one server; at least one second
client device configured to receive image and text data over the
network for display to the at least one recipient of the selected
electronic card with the electronic card region and the
advertisement in the electronic card region. In some embodiments,
the advertisement relates to a product or service secondary to a
purpose of the electronic card.
[0018] The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages
of various embodiments will be further appreciated in view of the
following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
Various embodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects,
features and/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various
embodiments can combine one or more aspect or feature of other
embodiments where applicable. The descriptions of aspects, features
and/or advantages of particular embodiments should not be construed
as limiting other embodiments or the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying figures are provided by way of example,
without limiting the broad scope of the invention or various other
embodiments, wherein:
[0020] FIGS. 1-19 are screen shots of computer displays of
illustrative web pages that can be employed in some illustrative
embodiments of the present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 20-21 are schematic diagrams depicting some
illustrative systems with which embodiments of the present
invention can be implemented;
[0022] FIGS. 22-23 are screen shots of computer displays for web
site home pages of some background systems;
[0023] FIGS. 24(A) and 24(B) are screen shots showing some combined
e-advertisement/e-card embodiments including advertisements
contained within e-card regions;
[0024] FIG. 25 is a flow diagram showing the creation of combined
e-advertisements/e-cards in some illustrative embodiments;
[0025] FIG. 26 is an illustrative e-mail that can be sent to a
recipient in some illustrative embodiments providing them to a URL
or link to an on-line network location to view their personalized
greeting card;
[0026] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram depicting exportation or the
like of family tree data according to some illustrative
embodiments;
[0027] FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram depicting determination and
display of historical information according to some illustrative
embodiments;
[0028] FIG. 29 is an illustrative screen shot depicting an
advertisement embedded within an electronic card display image;
[0029] FIG. 30 is another illustrative screen shot depicting
another advertisement embedded within an electronic card display
image; and
[0030] FIGS. 31(A)-31(D) show other illustrative screen shots of an
illustrative interactive, user defined electronic card according to
other embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred Systems
[0031] The preferred embodiments of the invention can be
implemented on one or more computer(s) and/or one or more network
of computer(s), such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area
network (WAN), the Internet and/or another network. In various
embodiments, one or more server(s), client computer(s), application
computer(s) and/or other computer(s) can be utilized to implement
one or more aspect of the invention. Illustrative computers can
include, e.g.: a central processing unit; memory (e.g., RAM, etc.);
digital data storage (e.g., hard drives, etc.); input/output ports
(e.g., parallel and/or serial ports, etc.); data entry devices
(e.g., key boards, etc.); etc. Client computers may contain, in
some embodiments, browser software for interacting with the
server(s), such as, for example, using hypertext transfer protocol
(HTTP) to make requests of the server(s) via the Internet or the
like.
[0032] In some preferred embodiments, the system utilizes
relational databases, such as, e.g., employing a relational
database management system (RDBMS) program to create, update and/or
administer a relational database. The RDBMS may take Structured
Query Language (SQL) statements entered by a user or contained in
an application program and create, updates and/or provides access
to database(s). Some illustrative RDBMS's include ORACLE's database
product line and IBM's DB2 product line. In some illustrative
embodiments, one or more client computer can be provided, which can
include separate client systems, LAN-based systems, and/or various
other client systems. The client computer(s) can include an
appropriate operating system, such as, for example, WINDOWS NT or
another system. In preferred embodiments, the system is adapted to
provide an object based graphical user interface (GUI).
[0033] In some preferred embodiments, the system provides a
multi-user client server system, such as, e.g., in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 20. In some preferred embodiments, users are provided
with a graphical user interface that is presented to the users via
client computers. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface
enables the importing and/or exporting of data or information.
[0034] FIG. 21 shows an illustrative computer 320 that can be used
to implement computerized process steps in some embodiments of the
invention. In some embodiments, the computer 320 includes a central
processing unit (CPU) 322, which can communicate with a set of
input/output (I/O) device(s) 324 over a bus 326. The I/O devices
324 can include, for example, a keyboard, mouse, video monitor,
printer, and/or other devices.
[0035] The CPU 322 can communicate with a computer readable medium
(e.g., conventional volatile or non-volatile data storage devices)
328 (hereafter "memory 328") over the bus 326. The interaction
between a CPU 322, I/O devices 324, a bus 326, and a memory 328 can
be like that known in the art. Memory 328 can include, in some
examples, calendar data, event data and/or other data 330. The
memory 328 can also store software 338. The software 338 can
include a number of modules 340 for implementing the steps of
processes. Conventional programming techniques may be used to
implement these modules. Memory 328 can also store the above and/or
other data file(s).
[0036] In some embodiments, the various methods described herein
may be implemented via a computer program product for use with a
computer system. This implementation may, for example, include a
series of computer instructions fixed on a computer readable medium
(e.g., a diskette, a CD-ROM, ROM or the like) or transmittable to a
computer system via and interface device, such as a modem or the
like. The medium may be substantially tangible (e.g., communication
lines) and/or substantially intangible (e.g., wireless media using
microwave, light, infrared, etc.). The computer instructions can be
written in various programming languages and/or can be stored in
memory device(s), such as semiconductor devices (e.g., chips or
circuits), magnetic devices, optical devices and/or other memory
devices. In the various embodiments, the transmission may use any
appropriate communications technology.
Preferred Embodiments
[0037] FIGS. 1-20 illustrate various aspects that may be employed
in some preferred embodiments of the invention. In the most
preferred embodiments, an Internet Web Site is provided that can be
accessed by remote client computers, such as by various user
computers, including those operated by individual consumers,
whether at a home location or at a business location. FIGS. 1-20
show some illustrative web pages or screen shots that can be
presented to users. The web pages present information and graphical
user interfaces through which users can access new pages (e.g., via
hyperlinks), select from a list of options (e.g., via drop down
menus), make selections (e.g., via check-boxes), input data or text
(e.g., via text boxes) and/or perform other common GUI functions as
would be understood to those in the art based on this
disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative "home page" that can be
displayed to a user upon accessing a main URL of a Web Site, such
as, e.g., http://www.month2month.com. As shown, the home page is
preferably presented in a manner to allow the user to select a
plurality of web pages, such as, a home page, an e-cards page, an
e-minder page, a family tree page and a join page.
[0039] As shown, the home page preferably provides one or more,
preferably all, of the following features. [0040] A SEARCH feature,
with which a user can insert text into a text box and/or use a drop
down menu to locate portions of the Web Site content. [0041] A
LOG-IN feature, with which a user can be presented with a member
sign-in login page (such as, e.g., shown in FIG. 6). [0042] An
E-CARDS locator feature, with which a user can locate e-cards, such
as, e.g., by category as shown (e.g., using a drop down menu or the
like), by suggested cards of the month (e.g., using a drop down
menu or the like), by clicking on a particular link to card
categories, such as, by way of example, "JUST BECAUSE," "FOR HIM,"
etc., as shown. [0043] A FEATURED ITEMS feature, with which users
can identify special items that may be purchased, such as, e.g.,
special discount items or the like. In some instances, special
items can be identified by the web site provider automatically for
particular individuals based on demographic information, such as,
e.g., gender, age, occupation, interests, location and/or other
information. [0044] A GIFTS feature (such as, e.g., a MONTH2MONTH
GIFTS feature as shown), with which specific items can be
identified by the Web Site provider for particular occasions, such
as, e.g., for particular monthly designations in some preferred
embodiments. For example, the Web Site can identify a number of
suggested gifts for various months-from-birth dates, such as, e.g.,
as depicted, 100.sup.th, 200.sup.th, and so on, months-from-birth
dates. Additionally, as shown, the user can be provided with a link
to enable the user to purchase the goods or services via their
client computer (e.g., on-line) using any known on-line payment
methods, such as, e.g., by way of example, via credit card, virtual
wallets, e-certificates, systems such as PAYPAL.COM and/or any
other payment methods. [0045] A CALCULATOR feature (such as, e.g.,
a MONTHLY CALCULATOR feature shown), with which a user can input an
initial event date and can receive an output based on a calculation
performed in an engine or module (preferably, e.g., at the server),
which output can present, for example, one or more date or time
upon which certain celebratable events should take place, such as,
e.g., a 200 month-from-birth date or the like. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, a user can enter an individual's name at WHO, to
identify an individual-centric event, and the user can select what
the particular event is at WHAT, to identify what the date of
original event is, such as, e.g., a date of birth. Then, the system
runs a calculation and presents one or more celebratable events.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an illustrative output could be to
present an individual's present age and one or more date of
interest (e.g., the individual being the particular user in the
displayed embodiment and the present age being 227 months). In some
embodiments, a user can identify what forms of celebratable events
are desired to be displayed, such as, e.g., by way of example:
forthcoming (i.e., the next or relatively near) month-from-birth
dates; weeks-from-birth dates; days-from-birth dates; and/or the
like. In some embodiments, the user can request that the system
identify specific forthcoming dates, such as the individual's 100,
200, 300, 400 and/or the like month-from-birth dates. Moreover,
upon determinations thereof by the engine or module, the user can
preferably cause the system to save or store one or more particular
celebratable events. In this manner, the user can either return to
the Web Site to view such events at a later date and/or the system
can be programmed to perform a particular action upon the
occurrence of such a celebratable event. For example, the system
can be programmed to a) send an ecard to a particular email address
of an individual proximate in time to that occurrence, b) to have a
particular gift delivered proximate in time to that occurrence,
and/or the like. In some preferred embodiments, a user can store
data and information pertaining to a plurality of individuals and
can select particular items to be delivered and/or sent to
individuals upon the occurrence of particular events. For example,
in some illustrative embodiments, an employer could input a list of
its employees and a list of presents and/or cards to be delivered
to the employees at selected occasions, such as, by way of example
only, at one-month from employment, at 6 months, at one year, at 20
months, etc. In some embodiments, the system can be used to
identify specific dates of events based on a combination of time
designations, such as, e.g., based on a combination of years,
months, weeks, days and/or seconds information. For example, an
individual might identify and, hence, celebrate the date of their
500.sup.th month, 500.sup.th minute and 500.sup.th second. [0046] A
TRIVIA QUESTION feature, with which a user can be presented with a
trivia question pertaining to a time designation of a type that can
be calculated by the CALCULATOR feature. For example, in the most
preferred embodiments, the system would present a trivia question
regarding a particular event in time that occurred a particular
amount of "months" in the past. Among other things, this can be
used to help users appreciate, conceptualize and/or enjoy
"month-from-date" designations or other time-from-date designations
(e.g., other than yearly). FIG. 11 shows an illustrative screen
that can be displayed upon a user's entry of an answer to a trivia
question, including the user's answers compared to answers by other
users. [0047] A GIFT FOR THE TIME PERIOD feature (such as, e.g., A
GIFT FOR
[0048] THE MONTH feature as shown in the illustrative embodiment),
by which a consumer can have cards and/or presents delivered to an
individual on multiple instances within a particular time period.
For example, in preferred examples wherein individuals celebrate
months-from-birth dates, the system can be used to send multiple
gifts during a celebrated month time period. In contrast to typical
birthday celebrations, which occur once a year and last for only
one day, in preferred embodiments of the invention, the system can
be used to celebrate "longer" duration periods (e.g., an entire
month, or week or the like) and hence can accommodate the delivery
of multiple cards and/or gifts over the time period. Moreover, the
system does not require that a user wait for a year before a
celebrated event can occur. In an illustrative embodiment, if, for
example, a celebrated event is on Feb. 18, 2004, then the system
can be used to effect the delivery of cards and/or presents on that
date, as well as about one week before and/or about one week after
that date (such as, on February 10, 18 and 26 in the illustrated
example shown in FIG. 1). For example, in some illustrative
embodiments, upon clicking a GIFTS FOR THE MONTH region, a user can
be directed to a web page such as shown in FIG. 3, presenting a
plurality of gift package options that can be purchased (e.g.,
adding to one's virtual shopping cart). As shown in FIG. 5, upon
clicking on an appropriate link (such as, e.g., one or more of the
links FEATURED ITEMS, MONTH2MONTH GIFTS, GIFTS 4 THE MONTH and/or
UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS shown in FIG. 1, a user can be presented with a
page presenting information regarding potential gifts, which can be
easily selected, such as using GUI check boxes. [0049] A
CELEBRATING feature (such as, e.g., a CELEBRATING TODAY feature as
shown). This feature could be used to post information related to
celebratable events pertaining to popular and/or newsworthy items,
such as, e.g., celebratory events of famous individuals (such as,
e.g., actors, musicians, politicians, etc). In preferred
embodiments, the celebratory events include months-from-birth
events. [0050] A GIFT IDEAS feature and/or ADVERTISEMENT feature,
with which users can receive suggestions for gifts and/or observe
advertisements for gifts, such as, e.g., goods and/or services
(e.g., products, vacations, etc.). In some embodiments, the Web
Site can display banner advertisements or links to other Web Sites.
In some embodiments, when a user clicks on such a banner
advertisement or link or is otherwise directed to another Web Site
at which the user makes a purchase, the site of origin (i.e., the
site implementing an embodiment of the present invention) can be
identified (e.g., in any manner known in the art) to enable a small
percentage, commission or other form of payment to be made to this
site of origin. FIG. 12 is an illustrative vacation page that can
be displayed to a user upon clicking, for example, VACATIONS OF THE
MONTH, displayed on, e.g., the home page in FIG. 1. One advantage
of the use of non-yearly designations of time, is the increased
ability to have advertisers interested in providing discounts,
deals and/or bargains for the time period. That is, companies often
have day-long, week-long, and even month-long sales events. This
form of advertisement would, thus, fit within acceptable business
practices. Accordingly, there would be an increased chance to
obtain strong deals and discounts for the appropriate time
periods.
[0051] In contrast to year-from-birth celebrations commonly
referred to as "birthdays," in some embodiments, by celebrating
other times-from-event dates, the intervals of celebration can be
a) closer together (e.g., more frequent or less than one year)
and/or b) celebrated for a longer duration (e.g., for a longer time
period, such as, e.g., an entire week or month). Thus, in some
embodiments, an individual can celebrate their entry into their
200.sup.th month (for example), their completion of their
200.sup.th month (for example) and/or their entire 200.sup.th
month. In contrast, celebrations over the course of an entire year
would be highly impractical and undesirable.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, in some preferred embodiments, upon
selecting a card and/or gift item, a user can preferably select a
particular delivery schedule for one or more items. Preferably, the
individual can identify a particular day using a graphical user
interface (such as, e.g., up and down arrows in the illustrative
embodiment). In some embodiments, the system can start by
displaying a proposed delivery date (such as, e.g., on the first
day that begins a celebrated month or the like) and the user can
modify the date(s) as desired.
[0053] In some preferred embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, a user
must first sign-up to become a member. In some embodiments, the
sign-up could include a subscription fee (e.g., a monthly fee, an
annual fee and/or the like). In other embodiments, the sign-up
could be free, but could be used to facilitate having the
particular user create an account by which user specific
information can be stored by the server and retrieved at a later
date.
[0054] In some preferred embodiments, upon log-in, a user can be
presented with personalized information. For example, FIGS. 8, 9
and 15 show some illustrative features that can, in preferred
embodiments, be provided to users upon sign-in to their account. In
particular, FIG. 8 shows a reminder main page, including a reminder
feature referred to as an e-minder. As shown, the e-minder system
preferably provides a graphical user interface having one or more,
preferably all of the following features. [0055] A NAME LIST
feature, with which a user can select a particular name in relation
to which a reminder is to be send (i.e., an individual in relation
to which an individual-centric event reminder can be sent). As
shown, the system preferably includes means to select one of a
number of names from a displayed listed (e.g., using arrow keys in
illustrative embodiments). [0056] AN ADD NAME feature, with which a
user can add another individual to their list. For example, as
shown, a user may add a First Name, a Last Name and/or a Nick Name
in some embodiments. [0057] AN OCCASION feature, with which a user
can select an occasion from a list and/or add the user's own
occasion to the list. [0058] A HOLIDAY feature, with which a user
can select a holiday from a list. [0059] AN OCCASION DATE selection
feature, with which a user can input and/or modify a particular
date of an event. [0060] A REMIND ME feature, with which a user can
select and/or input a time period in advance of the input event for
which to receive a reminder. In preferred embodiments, the reminder
would be a reminder sent via e-mail to the e-mail address input
during sign-in (see, e.g., FIG. 7). [0061] A CALENDAR feature, with
which celebrated event dates can be stored and/or with which
reminder dates can be stored. In this manner, a user can input
information related to numerous individuals and can receive
appropriate reminders (e.g., preferably, via email, but such
reminders could be sent via other means, such as telephone, regular
mail, etc.). In preferred embodiments, the calendar can have
multiple selectable views (similar to, e.g., a calendar function in
MICROSOFT OUTLOOK, LOTUS NOTES and other calendar programming,
wherein a user can select various views (e.g., by year, by month,
and/or by day)). For instance, in a month view, the particular
dates can be, e.g., highlighted. Then, upon clicking the particular
dates, a day view can be, e.g., presented showing details of an
event.
[0062] FIG. 9 shows an illustrative web page that can be presented
to a particular user, identified as Kandis in this example. In the
illustrative example, one of the individuals on Kandis's list is
identified as SS. FIG. 9 demonstrates an illustrative screen that
can be shown in order to facilitate Kandis's creation of an event
pertaining to SS.
[0063] FIG. 15 shows another web page that can be presented to a
user. In this regard, in an illustrative embodiment, when a user
signs in to the user's account and clicks on the tab FAMILY TREE,
the user can preferably be directed to a tree "creator" with which
a user can input information related to individuals within a
particular group, such as, e.g., family, friends, co-workers,
and/or other groups, and can create a "tree" depicting individuals
in that group. While the preferred embodiment shows individuals
listed on an image of a tree, other embodiments do not require an
image of a tree to be depicted. Other embodiments can show a
hierarchy, such as, e.g., based on time designations (e.g.,
months), and/or can enable a user to manipulate the relationship
by, for example, moving items with respect to one another on the
display screen and/or manipulating flow diagram connecting lines
between individuals as desired.
[0064] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, a user can click on at
least one of FAMILY, FRIEND and/or CO-WORKER, whereby the user's
entry can be added to the respective family tree(s). Then, the user
can select and/or input a title for the individual (such as, e.g.,
rank or relationship, such as FATHER as shown). Then, the user can
input the name of the individual. Then, the user can input a
particular date of an event related to that individual; in the
illustrated embodiment, the event inputted is the individual's
birthday. Upon clicking "add," the individual is then added to the
tree. While the terminology "family" refers, in some preferred
embodiments, to a user's biological relatives, the terminology
"family tree" is used herein to identify any form of family tree,
such as a biological family tree, a friends tree, a co-workers
tree, etc. In preferred embodiments, the individuals are displayed
on the tree by an identifier (e.g., names) and by a non-year-based
time identifier, such as, e.g., by a number of months-from-birth.
In preferred embodiments, the system retains the information so
that upon reopening the family tree, the time identifier is
automatically updated. For example, in embodiments where the time
is shown in days, the numbers could preferably change daily. In
some embodiments, the tree can even be dynamically updated such
that the time can change dynamically during observation of the
tree, such as, e.g. to update the tree display based on minutes
and/or seconds.
[0065] With respect to the purchasing of goods or services, FIG. 19
is an illustrative web page that can be display to a user when the
user clicks on one or more links to inquire about potential
purchases to be made. For example, upon clicking FEATURED ITEMS in
FIG. 1, a user could be presented with this page in some
embodiments. FIG. 13 is an illustrative view of a shopping bag web
page that can be displayed to identify to the particular user, all
of the items in their shopping bag. In some embodiments, different
shopping bags can be used to collect items related to one
particular individual, and, collectively, a plurality of shopping
bags could be contained within a virtual shopping cart. In some
embodiments, all of the items can be collected in a single shopping
bag and/or a single shopping cart. FIG. 14 shows an illustrative
product details sheet, along with a display of a price, a quantity
input text box and a delivery date selection interface. In some
embodiments, rather than and/or in addition to selecting a
particular delivery date, a user can select to have the item
delivered on a particular occasion, for one or more particular
individuals; for example, the user can be presented with an
interface having a name list to select from and also an event list
to select from. Preferably, the event list will include events
within a short window of time (such as, e.g., within a month) on
default, but can preferably be expanded as desired to enable the
user to request delivery for an event more than one month away
(e.g., even a year or more, if it is technically feasible under the
business circumstances).
[0066] With respect to the purchasing and/or delivery of ecards,
FIG. 16 shows an ecards main page at which a user is presented with
a plurality of ecards to select from. Preferably, the ecards are
selectable by category, such as, e.g., BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY,
HOLIDAYS, JUST BECAUSE, etc., as shown. FIG. 17 shows a number of
ecards that can be displayed upon clicking on the tab "BIRTHDAY"
shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 18 shows a screen that can be presented to a
user in an illustrative embodiment once a particular ecard has been
selected. As shown, the user is presented with one or more means to
personalize the card, such as, e.g., by inputting text, by
selecting colors, by selecting accompanying audio portions,
etc.
[0067] Lastly, FIG. 10 shows an illustrative "ABOUT" page that can
be presented to a user upon clicking on a link provided (e.g., on
the home page) to direct a user to information regarding the Web
Site.
Integrated Advertisement Embodiments
[0068] In some embodiments, e-cards can be combined with
advertisements. In this regard, in contrast to existing
advertisements on e-card web sites, in some preferred embodiments,
e-card regions are modified to include advertisements within the
e-card region itself. By way of example, FIGS. 24(A) and 24(B) show
screen shots of some combined e-ad/e-card embodiments with
advertisements contained within or integrated with e-card
regions.
[0069] FIG. 24(A) shows an illustrative screen shot that can be
displayed on a user's computer. In the illustrative embodiment, an
E-Card Region is shown at the left side of the screen. In preferred
embodiments, the e-card displayed in an E-Card Region can be
personalized by a user (i.e., an individual that sends the card to
a desired recipient), such as, e.g., by typing in a text message
(such as, e.g., depicted in the on-line form displayed beneath the
E-Card Region shown in FIG. 24(A)). Upon entering text, the text
can then be displayed automatically within the E-Card Region in
place of the text shown reciting "Type in your personalized
greeting here!"
[0070] In some embodiments, as depicted in both FIGS. 24(A) and
24(B), an advertisement region is spatially located within the
E-Card Region. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 24(A), the
advertisement region moves with respect to time so as to
effectively be part of an animation of the e-card. For example, in
the illustrative embodiment, a box of product (e.g., laundry
detergent), includes one or more regions thereon for display of an
advertisement (such as, e.g., a product name, information regarding
a product or services, etc.). In some illustrative embodiments, an
advertisement region is, thus, as shown by way of example in FIG.
24(A), located in the E-Card Region and adapted to move along with
animation of the e-card.
[0071] In order to create the e-card with the advertisement region,
in some preferred embodiments, an initial shell e-card can be
created without a desired advertisement in the E-Card Region. Then,
the e-card can be modified to include the desired advertisement. In
some illustrative methodologies, a potential advertiser is shown
the e-card without the advertiser's ad. Then, upon receipt of
payment of the advertiser and/or upon establishing the content of
the advertiser's ad, the advertisement region can be created and/or
incorporated into the e-card. In some embodiments, software can be
used to insert a single image advertisement within the e-card such
that the single image advertisement is caused to be movably
displayed along with the moving region ad. This can be done, e.g.,
by creating a plurality of images repositioned in accordance with
the movement of the advertisement region and then combining the
images with sequential images of the e-card.
[0072] Preferably, e-cards are created that have advertisements
integrated into the card in such a manner to limit the
obtrusiveness of the advertisements. For example, when
advertisements are located in an outside region, such as, e.g., the
Outside Region Ad for 1-800-flowers.com shown in FIG. 24(A), this
advertisement can detract from the card and can limit the available
space for the card on the user's display screen. While in the
illustrative example, the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM advertisement could (by
way of illustration) be an advertisement for an affiliate of the
Web Site (e.g., a company's whose products are sold via the Web
Site), use of outside region advertisements for companies that are
not affiliated with the Web Site and/or that do not have analogous
or related products or services could be particularly offensive to
users or recipients. For example, this form of advertisement could
limit the region of the card without any direct benefit to the
recipient and/or sender relating to the e-card itself. Because
cards are by their nature often supposed to have a personal and/or
thoughtful quality, combining advertisements on cards in a manner
that reduces the size of the card, detracts from the card and/or
that is too intrusive and/or forceful can greatly reduce the
benefits sought from the card itself (e.g., harming relationships
between senders and recipients rather than helping such
relationships).
[0073] FIG. 24(B) shows an embodiment in which a fixed region
within the e-card is used for advertisement space. Here, a fixed
region can include, e.g., a region fixed spatially with respect to
the E-Card Region (such as, e.g., by way of orientation, size and
position). In some embodiments, the fixed region could potentially
move, such as, e.g., when a window or frame position on a computer
monitor is repositioned, resized or otherwise moved, but such
would, preferably, move in fixed relationship to the E-Card
Region.
[0074] In some embodiments, the advertisement region could also
include subject matter shown therein that is provided from another
URL or another location on a network (e.g., supplied by another
server). Most preferably, the ad region would include a region
having some relationship to the illustrated content of the e-card,
such as, e.g., a front of a computer screen in one illustrative
example shown in FIG. 24(B). In the merely illustrative and
non-limiting example shown in FIG. 24(B), the e-card includes a
character that discusses computer screens while a computer screen
(shown to the left of the character upon a table) displays an
advertisement. While the Inside Fixed Region Ad within the
illustrated computer screen shown in FIG. 24(B) is generally
rectangular, it can have any desired shape. In some examples, it
could even be a pictorial representation of a particular product,
such as, a manufacturer's automobile (e.g., of ACURA or some other
company), a manufacturer's cellular phone (e.g., of SANYO or some
other company), etc.
[0075] In some preferred embodiments, the advertisement region can
include embedded hyperlinks to another Web Site or URL related to
the advertised product and/or to information that the advertiser
wishes to direct users to. In some preferred embodiments, the
advertisement region can be adapted such that upon clicking the
advertisement region a pop-up advertisement is shown on the user's
computer screen.
[0076] While FIGS. 24(A) and 24(B) depict visual advertisements
incorporated into the e-card itself, other embodiments can include
audio advertisements and/or audio portions of advertisements. For
example, in embodiments where the e-card is displayed for a period
of time, such as, e.g., where a video is shown, the advertisement
can include an audio portion integrated with the e-card. For
example, the e-card could potentially include background music that
is a theme song for a product or the like.
[0077] In some preferred embodiments, the advertisement (whether
audio and/or video) relates to products having a logical
relationship to the e-card (such as, e.g., relating to a type of
product shown in the e-card or the like).
[0078] In some embodiments, the e-card shown in the E-Card Region
can include a fixed image (such as, e.g., a single picture or
image). However, in preferred embodiments, the e-card shown in the
E-Card Region includes a short video (such as, e.g., lasting over
about 15 seconds and less than about 2 minutes, or more preferably,
lasting over about 30 seconds and less than about 11/2 minutes, or
in some embodiments, lasting near or over about 1 minute). By way
of example, the video could be created using MACROMEDIA FLASH, GIF
animators (e.g., sequencing images), JPEG animators and/or the
like. Any appropriate software for creating video representations
on a computer can be employed in some embodiments, especially
software usable with browser software executing on a client
computer that is connected to a network such as the Internet. In
some embodiments, images within e-cards can include illustration(s)
(e.g., cartoons, animation, etc.) and/or photograph(s)(e.g.,
photographic images of real-life objects) and/or combinations
thereof.
[0079] FIG. 25 is a flow diagram showing the creation of a combined
e-ad/e-card in some illustrative embodiments. As shown, in some
preferred embodiments, the electronic card and the electronic
advertisement (or substantial portions thereof) are preferably
created prior to the creation of the combined electronic
advertisement and electronic card. In this manner, for example, a
similar e-card can be readily adapted--as needed--to accommodate
various advertisements (e.g., changing particular advertisements
and/or particular advertisers and/or enabling different advertisers
to use a similar card). Moreover, in this manner, a like
advertisement can be readily adapted--as needed--to be incorporated
into a variety of e-cards.
Other Modifications and Embodiments
1. Export/Import Family Tree Information Embodiments
[0080] In some illustrative embodiments, as described above, a user
can create one or more family tree. Then, the information entered
into the system (stored, e.g., in a relational database or the
like) can be exported, imported, uploaded, accessed and/or the like
to help create another displayed family tree. In some embodiments,
this other family tree can be another family tree of that same
user. In some embodiments, this other family tree can be another
family tree of one or more other user(s).
[0081] By way of example, FIG. 27 demonstrates the use of a module
for uploading, exporting and/or importing family tree data from
family tree data storage of User A to a family tree data storage
area of a User B. While FIG. 27 shows an illustrative example in
which data for the family tree of Users A and B may be in separate
data locations, it is contemplated that any form of data storage
can be used in various embodiments. By way of example, data for a
plurality of users, such as, e.g., including Users A and B, can be
stored in a common database, such as, e.g., a relational
database.
[0082] In some embodiments, in order to enable exportation,
uploading, importation or access of data, a first user whose data
may be desired by another user must enable or set permissioning to
enable such exportation and/or the like of data. For example, in
some embodiments, a family tree Web Page, such as, e.g., shown in
FIG. 15 may include an icon, menu, hyperlink or the like upon which
the user can click in order to allow or enable such exportation. In
some embodiments, the user can enable all of the individuals within
their family tree to export or the like such data collectively,
individually, in sub-sets of individuals and/or the like. In some
embodiments, passwords, User IDs, exchange keys and/or the like can
be used to enable certain permissioned users to export or the like
such data. For instance, in some embodiments, the user can be given
a code that can be forwarded to other members in his family tree to
enable them to export information. Notably, in some more preferred
embodiments, permissioning is not limited to other users listed in
a user's family tree, but may extend to any other permissioned
user.
[0083] In some embodiments, users can also enable their information
to be made publicly available to some limited extent. For example,
in some embodiments, a user may enable information in his or her
family tree to be exported or the like to other users that enter a
sufficient amount of information to identify one or more individual
(such as, e.g., by name, address and/or other identifying
information).
2. Engine for Display of Historical Data
[0084] In some embodiments, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 11, historical
data can be displayed using a novel engine or module for display of
historical data. In this regard, if, for example, trivia
information is desired to be presented to a user, such an engine or
module can be employed. By way of example, FIG. 28 shows an
illustrative flow diagram that can be employed with the use of such
an engine. In this regard, at a first step, a time and/or date can
be input into the system. In some embodiments, this time and/or
date could be user selected (such as, e.g., having a user enter a
particular time and/or date, such as, e.g., a date of birth, a
wedding date and/or the like). In some embodiments, this time
and/or date could be computer generated. For instance, in some
embodiments, this time and/or date could be the present time and/or
date which may be determined via an electronic clock or timer. In a
second step, as shown, the engine uses a time module that
calculates comparative time values based on the input time and/or
date. For example, these comparative time values may be used to
identify information in data storage or the like. For example, a
database may contain celebrity birthday information for about 2000
celebrities. The engine can be used to identify celebrities having
birthdays with comparative time values to the input time and/or
date. For example, the engine could be used to identify celebrities
sharing a monthly birthday with an individual, to identify
celebrities having particular monthly birthdays (e.g., 100 month
birthdays, such as, e.g., 100, 200, 300 . . . 900 month birthdays)
and/or the like at a given time.
[0085] In a third step, as shown, the engine can include a priority
module that isolates information using a pre-determined priority
scheme, such as, e.g., to limit the displayed results to a
displayable number of celebrities (such as, e.g., about 5 in some
examples), to limit the displayed results to information not
recently displayed, to prioritize the displayed results to show
information in a certain order, such as, e.g., 500 month birthdays
and/or the like.
[0086] In some preferred embodiments, a user can select the input
value for the time and/or date, such as, e.g., by inputting an
individual's date of birth. In some embodiments, a user can even
select a particular set of comparative time values to evaluate in
the time module, such as, e.g., by designating monthly birthdates
(or, daily, weekly and/or the like birthdays for example) and/or
other information regarding the results desired to be calculated.
In some embodiments, the system enables a user to save the
calculated information and to provide and/or forward the same to
another individual (such as, e.g., in some embodiments, the
recipient of an e-card or the like).
3. Assorted Methods of Delivery
[0087] In various embodiments of the invention, the manner in which
e-cards or the like are delivered or provided to a recipient can
vary as long as the e-card or the like can be created at a user
location or computer and viewed or observed at a separated
recipient location or computer. By way of example, the e-card can
be delivered by sending a file, such as, e.g., an .exe file or the
like via e-mail and/or other means to a recipient's computer (e.g.,
a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a PDA and/or any other
appropriate electronic device capable of processing information and
sending and receiving communication signals), or by forwarding a
hyperlink, a URL and/or the like to a recipient so that the
recipient can use the same to access the e-card, such as, e.g.,
using browser software. Thus, any means to enable a personalized
e-card region to be displayed upon a recipient's computer can be
employed to deliver or provide e-cards to recipients.
4. Other Advertisement Embodiments
[0088] As described above with reference to, e.g., FIGS. 24(A),
24(B) and 25, in some preferred embodiments, advertisements can be
added to e-cards and/or other e-communications in a unique manner,
providing substantial advantages over prior methods of presenting
advertisements to potential consumers.
[0089] A. Hyperlinks and Banner Ads
[0090] In some other embodiments, the advertisements within the
e-card regions can include a hyperlinks, embedded URLs and/or the
like upon which a user can point, click and/or the like to be
directed to and/or access further information (such as, e.g.,
related to the advertised product, merchandise, services and/or the
like). Additionally, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 24(A), in
some embodiments, a banner ad can be included. In some examples,
such as shown, the banner ad could be located outside and adjacent
the e-card region. In other examples, the banner ad could be
located fully or partly within the e-card region. Preferably, the
banner ad can similarly include, e.g., hyperlinks, embedded URLs
and/or the like upon which a user can point, click and/or the like
to be directed to and/or access further information (such as, e.g.,
related to the advertised product, merchandise, services and/or the
like). While providing banner ads in a region outside of the e-card
region can have some negative impact on consumer satisfaction,
etc., in some embodiments, such banner ads can be advantageous. For
example, by combining internal (i.e., inside the e-card region)
advertisements along with external (i.e., outside the e-card
region) advertisements, the marketing impact can be greatly
enhanced.
[0091] Additionally, by incorporating an advertisement within an
internal region that is intended to be purposefully and directly
viewed by the user (i.e., inside the subject matter viewed), the
user is likely to both a) see the advertisement and b) not be
annoyed or distracted by the advertisement since it is within the
subject matter being focused upon. In contrast, advertisements that
are external to the subject matter viewed tend to clutter one's
computer display and/or to annoy or distract the user from their
intended focus (e.g., their visual field of view is disrupted
and/or the like). Notably, many existing advertisements in Web
Pages or the like include moving elements, such as, e.g., causing a
banner ad to shake, causing the coloring and/or images to change
over time, etc., in fields outside of the user's intended field of
focus. This eye-catching movement can be very distracting and
annoying to a user. On the other hand, in some preferred
embodiments herein, advertisements can be substantially seamlessly
incorporated into e-cards or the like in such a manner as to a)
catch a users focus and attention without distraction by being
integrated into the content being viewed or the like, b) catch a
users focus and attention by movement of the advertisement without
distraction due to such integration.
[0092] Additionally, in some instances, an e-card may change over
time (such as, e.g., if it has a generally video like format) or
have a limited duration. Accordingly, merely embedding an
advertisement within the displayed e-card may be less desirable
since it may cause frustration to a user that may wish to actually
view the advertisement in the event that the advertisement is
removed from view. Accordingly, having a banner ad or other ad
concurrently located adjacent the e-card can be advantageous. Among
other things, such a banner ad or the like can enable a user to
click on the advertisement at any desired time (either during
display of the e-card, after display of the e-card, during display
of a portion of the e-card with an integrated advertisement and/or
the like).
[0093] B. Preferred Subject Matter of Advertisement
[0094] i) Advertisement Independent from E-Card Service
Provider
[0095] In some most preferred embodiments, the advertisement
relates to one or more of a product, a service, an entity and/or
other subject matter, which is independent from the e-card service
provider. By way of example, in some preferred embodiments, such
advertisements could, in fact, be sold by the e-card service
provider to other entities as a means of receiving finances by the
e-card service provider. Illustrative other entities can include,
for example, retailers, airline or travel companies, restaurants,
service providers, professional services, etc.
[0096] ii) Advertisement Secondary to Purpose of E-Card
[0097] In some most preferred embodiments, the advertisement
relates to subject-matter that is secondary to the purpose of the
e-card. For example, in some embodiments, the purpose of the e-card
may involve, e.g., the celebration or acknowledgment of a
time-based event, such as, e.g., an individual-centric event, such
as, e.g., a birthday, an anniversary, a holiday (such as, e.g.,
mother's day, father's day, valentine's day, etc.), and/or the
like. In some embodiments, for example, the sender of the e-card
may identify the purpose of the e-card by locating the e-card in a
particular category of e-cards, such as, e.g., in a listing of
available birthday cards, anniversary cards, and/or the like.
[0098] iii) Advertisement Includes Image of Product Contained
within E-Card
[0099] In some embodiments, the advertisement can involve an image
of a product shown in the e-card and incorporated as subject matter
within the content of the e-card (i.e., not independent from the
subject matter of the e-card). In some embodiments, the image of
the product can be an artistic representation of the product. In
some embodiments, the image of the product can include a real
photograph (or real video) of the product. In some embodiments, the
image of the product includes a real photograph or video while the
remainder of the e-card is substantially artistically created
(e.g., drawn, painted, created using computer graphics and/or the
like) or vise versa. In that manner, the advertisement may stand
out more notably from the e-card.
[0100] FIGS. 29 and 30 show some illustrative screen shots of
e-cards including images of products which are integrated into the
e-cards (in these examples, integrated into a video e-card). Here,
FIG. 29 would be useful to essentially provide a subtle
advertisement for a company called NETFLIX by showing a NETFLIX
logo on a product handled by the cartoon-drawn person illustrated
in the figure. Similar, FIG. 30 would essentially provide a subtle
advertisement for, as one example, BUDLITE beer handled by the
cartoon-drawn person illustrated in the figure. It should be noted
that any number of advertisements can be included into a single
e-card. Preferably, however, the subject matter of the
advertisement(s) should each have some logical relation to the
purpose of the card, such as, e.g., wherein a product image is used
essentially as an active prop (i.e., actively used in the e-card)
and/or as a passive prop (i.e., passively present in the
e-card).
[0101] C. Preferred Payment Methods
[0102] i) User Payment Methods
[0103] In some embodiments, users of the e-card service may be
charged fees for usage. For example, a user could be charged a)
periodically (e.g., for a particular time period of use) and/or b)
on a usage basis, such as, e.g., on a per-card basis (e.g., to
purchase a particular card to send). Preferably, payments are made
by the user by providing an on-line means to render payments via
their client computer (e.g., on-line) using any known on-line
payment methods, such as, e.g., by way of example, via a credit
card, a virtual wallets, via an e-certificate, via one or more
system such as PAYPAL.COM and/or any other payment methods.
[0104] In some embodiments, users could potentially be required to
render a payment to deliver e-cards or the like without the
inclusion of advertisements, but could receive a discount or have
no payment requirement upon the inclusion of an advertisement in
their e-cards or the like (discussed further below).
[0105] ii) Advertiser Payment Methods
[0106] In some embodiments, the users of the e-card services are
charged a nominal fee for usage and/or no fee for usage.
Preferably, the e-card service provider receives revenues through
advertisement sales. For example, advertisers are preferably
charged advertisement fees. In some embodiments, payments are made
by the advertiser by providing an on-line means to render payments
via their own computer (e.g., on-line) using any known on-line
payment methods, such as, e.g., by way of example, via credit card,
virtual wallets, e-certificates, systems such as PAYPAL.COM and/or
any other payment methods.
[0107] Similar to charges to users in the above user payment method
examples, an advertiser could similarly be charged a) periodically
(e.g., for a particular time period of use) and/or b) on a usage
basis, such as, e.g., a per-card basis (e.g., to purchase a
particular card to send).
[0108] In some embodiments, advertisers can be charged on a
per-card basis by, e.g., charging a fee after a card with their
advertisement is a) sent to a recipient, b) selected for sending to
a recipient, c) acknowledged as received or confirmed received by a
recipient (such as, e.g., by an automatic reply e-mail, by a
recipient's accessing of the e-card service provider site via a
link provided during display of the e-card with the advertisement
and/or the like), d) and/or the like.
[0109] iii) User Information Data
[0110] In some preferred embodiments, a database or the like can be
created containing compiled information related to users. By way of
example, in preferred embodiments, information related to users
that specifically identify or select the e-card to be delivered can
readily be stored into a database, data storage or the like. For
example, upon the sending of an e-card to a recipient, the user's
information can be stored in a database, a data storage file or the
like. In this regard, users can be required to, e.g., register for
site usage by inputting information, such as, e.g., the user's
name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, other personal
information (such as, e.g., their age, marital status, employment,
income, credit card information, etc.), which information could be
used to provide advertisers with a highly concentrated list of
users that specifically show some interest in their products,
services or the like by way of their selection of the advertiser's
e-card or the like out of a multitude of other possible selections.
In some embodiments, information regarding the recipient of such
e-cards can similarly be stored. In this latter case, recipient
information may be entered by the users (including, e.g., name and
e-mail information to facilitate "delivery" of e-cards in some
cases), by the recipient's themselves (e.g., in some instances
after receipt, the recipient may access the e-card provider site
and either a) render a purchase, b) sign up as another user, c)
enter personal information based on a consumer questionnaire
request form and/or the like.
[0111] In some embodiments, fees to users (e.g., senders of
e-cards) can be waived or reduced upon the user's completion of a
user registration submitting desired user information. In some
embodiments, fees to advertisers can be charged based upon the user
information provided to the advertiser (such as, e.g., based on a
volume of user information provided).
[0112] In some embodiments, advertiser fees can be calculated based
on volume of user information provided and/or based on, e.g., fees
determined as discussed in the preceding section, and such
calculated fees can be incorporated into periodic (e.g., monthly)
billing statements to advertisers. In this manner, advertisers
would preferably not be charged for incremental costs, but charges
would be aggregated into a single or periodic bill or
statement.
[0113] In some embodiments, advertisers could additionally and/or
alternatively be charged based on a) the number of advertisements
available to users out of the total number of e-cards available
(e.g., the number of e-cards available with their advertisement),
b) the location of their advertisements offered or the location of
their e-cards offered, c) and/or the like. For example, advertisers
could be charged, in some cases, a periodic (e.g., monthly) rate
for a certain number of advertisements or e-cards with their
advertisements, for placement positions of their advertisements or
e-cards with advertisements (such as, e.g., by having their
advertisements or e-cards with advertisements on one of a select
group of "favorite or preferred cards" identified by the e-card
service provider to users or the like, having their advertisements
or e-cards directly accessed or linked from an e-card service
provider Web Site home page and/or the like).
[0114] iv) Payments to Users
[0115] In some preferred embodiments, users may also receive
payments for their use of the Web Site or the like user interface.
By way of example, a user might receive a payment on a usage basis
(such as, e.g., upon the delivery of an e-card with a particular
advertisement of an advertiser, upon the confirmation of receipt of
such an advertisement by a recipient or the recipient's computer
system, upon the purchase of a product or service of the advertiser
by the recipient and/or the like). In some embodiments, payments to
users can be made via the e-card service provider and/or via the
advertisers themselves based on information acquired by the e-card
service provider. In some embodiments, payments can be a nominal
amount for the mere sending of an advertisement to a recipient
(such as, e.g., a fraction of a cent or a few cents for each e-card
with an e-ad delivered) and/or can be a significant amount in the
event that a recipient and/or the user makes a purchase of the
advertiser's products or services (e.g., within a particular time
period or the like). In this manner, users can receive a
substantial incentive to distribute e-cards or the like with
e-advertisements.
[0116] v) Anti-Spam Features and Benefits
[0117] With the implementation of various embodiments in which
users select and send advertisements to recipients directly,
advertisers may receive various anti-spam advantages. By way of
example, advertisers may potentially avoid some anti-spam legal
issues by virtue of the user's selection and sending of e-cards to
recipients. First, the user selection may help shield advertisers
since advertisers would not control such actions. Second, the user
selection would likely result in diminished spam concern since
users would essentially be sending e-cards or the like to their
friends, acquaintances and/or the like. Third, in some embodiments,
the users would preferably not merely be contacting the recipient
for the purpose of an unsolicited advertisement, but for other
purposes (such as, e.g., a main purpose of an e-card, such as,
e.g., to celebrate the recipient with a birthday greeting or the
like).
[0118] vi) Application to Various E-Communications (i.e., E-Cards
and Beyond)
[0119] The methodologies described in various embodiments herein do
not have to be limited to implementations within e-card
environments, but can be, as should be understood based on this
disclosure, incorporated into any other form of e-communications.
As some examples, an advertisement scheme could be established
whereby advertisers do not directly send advertisements to
recipients, but whereby advertisers send advertisements to
recipients via other individuals. In such cases, the other
individuals do not necessarily need to be senders of e-cards. By
way of example, the other individuals could merely be sending
advertisements alone in some embodiments, or could be sending
another form of e-communication (such as, e.g., an e-mail which
includes a user selected advertisement, an e-invitation or e-vite
to a party or event, and/or the like). In such cases, users can
potentially receive payments for usage and/or the like similar to
that detailed above (such as, e.g., payments for merely sending
advertisements, payments upon purchase of products, etc., as
discussed above). Moreover, in this manner, advertisers can more
readily address anti-spam problems (such as, e.g., anti-spam laws,
laws placing individuals on anti-spam lists, recipient protocols
limiting e-mails or the like to that coming from approved lists,
etc.).
[0120] Additionally, by appending user selected advertisements to
user communications, the advantages of highly pertinent advertising
with substantially reduced consumer annoyance can be readily
achieved. In fact, because the advertisements selected by users
would be user-selected, the incorporation of user-selected
advertisements into e-communications, such as, e.g., e-cards,
e-vites (the definition of which, as would be understood by those
in the art, overlaps with e-cards), e-mails and/or the like can
also provide new advantages not previously possible. That is, the
inclusion of advertisements can actually provide new advantages to
users and to recipients. This should make the user and/or recipient
more than happy to receive such advertisements. For example, by
appending advertisements to a communication, the user can select
advertisements that may be relevant to a particular need and/or to
the subject matter of the communication delivered. For example, a
wife could send an e-mail to her husband along with an
advertisement for diapers and/or baby wipes, either a) based on a
knowledge that her husband needs to purchase such items or b) based
on relevance of the particular items to the subject matter of the
communication (such as, e.g., in an e-mail stating "Honey, don't
forget to purchase diapers on your way home."). In this
illustrative case, the husband may be more than happy to view the
advertisement. Moreover, despite receiving a clear benefit by such
an incorporated advertisement, the husband and/or wife could
further receive a benefit by way of receiving a financial reward
for the use of this advertising methodology in some embodiments
(e.g., see above section entitled Payments to Users). As another
example, an e-vite could be delivered to one or more recipient
along with one or more advertisement that may facilitate efforts by
the invitee(s): for example, if a user sends an e-vite to a
plurality of invitees to a dinner gathering, the user can include
advertisements related to food products, such as, e.g., beer, wine,
cheese, crackers and/or the like that invitees may bring to the
party; as another example, if a user sends an e-vite to a plurality
of invitees (such as, e.g., to invitees to a wedding, birthday or
the like), then the e-vite may include advertisements related to
relevant products, such as, e.g., TOYS R' US or the like for a
child's birthday party, MACYS, CRATE & BARREL or the like for a
wedding or the like, etc. Moreover, e-vites could also include
advertisements related to a particular advertiser at which an
individual or group of individuals (e.g., bride and groom) are
registered for specific gifts, may include advertisements for
specifically registered gifts and/or might include links to
registry information.
[0121] Thus, some embodiments of the present invention can help to
avoid spam related problems while providing a win-win situation for
advertisers and consumers. After all, consumers have a need for
advertiser products, just not for each and every advertiser
product, such that user selection of advertisements can have
substantial advantages. In some embodiments, a Web Site or the like
could be provided from which a variety of advertisements could be
selected. Preferably, advertisements would be searchable by
category, key words, classification and/or the like in order to
help users identify a desired advertisement. In some embodiments, a
user could cut and paste an advertisement into their own e-mails
created in another system (such as, e.g., MICROSOFT OUTLOOK or the
like, which may, e.g., be located external to the advertisement
creation Web Site or can be co-located on their computer or on
their network or LAN or the like). In some embodiments, the Web
Site or the like could include its own e-mail or e-communication
mechanisms (such as, e.g., similar to some e-card Web Sites, to
some e-mail offering Web Sites, such as, e.g., YAHOO.COM,
HOTMAIL.COM and/or the like).
[0122] 5. User Defined, Modified and/or Personalized E-Cards and/or
the Like
[0123] In some embodiments, an e-card service provider can provide
features to enable users to create user defined, modified and/or
personalized e-cards, e-vites, e-mail advertisements and/or the
like.
[0124] In some preferred embodiments, one or more of the following
features can be made available to users to help them to define,
modify and/or personalize an e-card, e-vite and/or the like:
[0125] A. An Image or File Upload feature can be provided whereby
users can upload images (such as, e.g., photographs, etc.), audio
files (such as, e.g., personalized verbal communications,
statements or the like) and/or the like can be uploaded and
incorporated into an e-card, e-vite and/or the like.
[0126] B. An Advertisement Modification feature can be provided
whereby users can modify or adjust advertisements. Preferably, such
modification would be within predetermined parameters established
by the advertiser, such as, e.g., by enabling users to select from
one or more colors, to enable users to select from one or more
images, to enable users to select from one or more logos, slogans
and/or the like of the advertiser, to enable users to insert their
own messages within a portion of the advertisement, to enable users
to modify the size of the advertisement, etc., based on user
selection. In some embodiments, the fees charged to a user (i.e.,
if they receive bills for use of a system) or the payments made to
a user (i.e., if they receive payments for inclusion of
advertisements) can be varied based upon values selected for such
advertisements. For example, a user that wishes to have a small and
less-intrusive advertisement may select features with less size,
less brightness, etc. In such cases, the financial reward to the
user may be set at a lower rate.
[0127] C. A Text Modification feature wherein, in some embodiments,
users can also modify other features of the e-card, e-vite or the
like, such as, e.g., text desired and/or the like.
[0128] In addition, in some embodiments, an e-card, e-vite, e-ad or
the like can be modified based on a user's "interactive" selection
of material. For example, FIGS. 31(A)-(D) demonstrate one
illustrative embodiment in which content of an e-card can be
selected based on an interactive user selection. In this particular
example, the e-card includes a video in which two sports teams are
to compete in a future event. The user is instructed to select the
desired team to win on one or more cards as shown in FIG. 31(A).
Upon rendering such a selection, such as, e.g., shown in FIGS.
31(B) and 31(C)(in this example, the PANTHERS team is selected by a
user clicking thereon as illustrated by highlighted lettering), the
system can alter the e-card, such that the presented video will
have a desired conclusion such as, e.g., in this example shown at
FIG. 31(D) with the PANTHERS having won.
[0129] In addition to demonstrating an interactive feature, FIGS.
31(A)-31(D) also demonstrate another novel feature that can be
employed in some preferred embodiments in which an e-card is
delivered that is related to a future event. Here, in this example,
the e-card is specially designed so as to send a user-selected
hypothesis or guess regarding the potential or desired outcome of
such a future event. In this manner, an exciting new way of
communicating about up and coming events can be created, enhancing
a user's enjoyment and experiences related to such an event. As
with other embodiments, a user could also incorporate
advertisements within such an e-card and/or advertisers could
potentially provide e-cards related to their own future events,
such as, e.g., sporting events, theatrical events, lottery events,
sales events at stores and/or the like.
[0130] 6. Other Calculator Features
[0131] In addition to calculations as described above which can be
performed in some preferred embodiments, other embodiments could
include one or more of a variety of calculations.
[0132] In some embodiments, calculations could be provided so as to
demonstrate correlations between specific dates and/or times and
other information or trivia. For example, in some embodiments, a
calculator module can be used to display celebrities sharing a
user's birthday and/or the like based on a user input of a
particular birthday or the like. In this regard, shared birthdays
could be based on months, weeks, days, years and/or the like. In
some embodiments, in addition to input of a specific date, such as,
e.g., a date of birth, a user can select and/or alter the
comparison being rendered. In this manner, the user can essentially
play with the system to learn interesting facts about themselves
and/or other individuals. For instance, the system may be used to
output that "on X date you will share a 100th birthday with
President Bush." The specific 100 value may vary in some cases,
such as, e.g., where a celebrity is celebrating 800 months, and an
inputted user is celebrating 500 months or the like. In other
embodiments, the system could be used to correlate a date and/or
time at which two inputted individuals will share a birthday (such
as, e.g., a monthly, weekly, and/or other birthday), such as, e.g.,
by inputting two or more corresponding birthdays (such as, e.g., of
two family members) and having the system calculate a shared
birthday and to display the same. In some embodiments, rather than
inputting both or all values, the user can merely input the name of
an individual (such as, e.g., if that individual's information is
contained in a user's personal data [such as, e.g., their family
tree] and/or if the system has information related to that
individual, such as, e.g., wherein such an individual is famous
and/or a well known celebrity or the like and their information is
contained in a database).
[0133] In addition, in some embodiments, a calculator module can be
used to output a variety of time-based designations (such as, e.g.,
seconds from event, minutes from event, days from event, weeks from
event, months form event, and/or the like) based upon one or more
date and/or time entered. In this manner, a user can enjoy the
system by being able to learn, e.g., a person's age or a time from
a certain event in various forms at a present time and/or at a
particular other time.
[0134] In yet some other embodiments, calculations can include,
e.g., a timer count down from or to an inputted event time and/or
date. For example, people could send humorous e-cards saying, e.g.,
"You are now 180 minutes late and counting!" In some embodiments, a
timer on a display screen of the displayed e-card could accurately
reflect such tardiness to the recipient. As another illustrative
example, people that may soon get together could send precursor
cards saying, e.g., "I can't wait! We will get together in 1000
minutes!"
[0135] Among other things, by enabling users to calculate various
values and/or to find out various pieces of information, greater
interest may be developed in such a Web Site or the like.
Similarly, enabling users to calculate various values may help
users to find other reasons to "celebrate" and/or to communicate
(such as, e.g., to send an e-card or other e-communication) using
the system, thus potentially increasing sales and revenues.
[0136] 7. Advertiser Account Features
[0137] In some preferred embodiments, advertisers, such as, e.g.,
various corporate entities can have user permissioned (e.g., using
User ID, passwords, and/or the like) access to personalized account
Web Pages or similar user interfaces of the e-card or the like
service provider. Preferably, such personalized interfaces can
include one or more of the following features: [0138] An e-card
selection and/or creation feature in which an advertiser can select
and/or create e-cards with their personalized ads inserted therein
which can be selected by users: In this regard, such functionality
as described above related to the creation of e-cards and/or
e-advertisements can be employed. [0139] An e-card review and
approval feature in which an advertiser can view sample e-cards
created: In some embodiments, samples could be those generally
available to a plurality of advertisers. In some embodiments,
samples could be specially made for the advertiser, such as, e.g.,
by the e-card service provider, by another entity employed by the
advertiser and/or by another entity for review by the advertiser.
[0140] A coupon selection feature in which an advertiser can select
and/or create coupons, discounts, value items, rebates, rewards,
points, gift certificates and/or the like to be presented to
certain users: For example, an advertiser may elect to give users
that distribute over a certain threshold of advertisements to other
recipients and/or that meets certain goals. In some embodiments,
the advertiser may publish these rewards and the like and may
create a clear reward structure for users to follow. In other
embodiments, an advertiser can keep this information confidential.
In some embodiments, rewards, etc., may be handled independently of
the personalized interface available to the advertisers (i.e., they
may handle this internally in some embodiments based on information
received from the e-card service provider or the like). [0141] A
payment plan feature at which an advertiser may potentially select
new payment plans and/or the like, such as, e.g., monthly accounts,
a pay per usage plan and/or the like. [0142] A payment feature
whereby an advertiser can make on-line payments. [0143] A
demographic consumer data review feature, whereby an advertiser can
review and analyze consumer information acquired, or whereby an
advertiser can send further advertisements to consumers and/or the
like.
Broad Scope of the Invention
[0144] While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been
described herein, the present invention is not limited to the
various preferred embodiments described herein, but includes any
and all embodiments having modifications, omissions, combinations
(e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or
alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on
the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be
interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims
and not limited to examples described in the present specification
or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to
be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present
disclosure, the term "preferably" is non-exclusive and means
"preferably, but not limited to." Means-plus-function or
step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a
specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are
present in that limitation: a) "means for" or "step for" is
expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly
recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that
structure are not recited.
* * * * *
References