Abstract:
A calling card includes a gift code that can be used to redeem a gift online (e.g., songs, ring tones, coupons, physical merchandise) using an electronic communications device (e.g., a personal computer, mobile phone, electronic tablet). When a user attempts to redeem the gift online, the user can be provided with a web page, email, text message or other electronic document that provides the user with information about the card provider and allows the user to perform certain actions for the benefit of the card provider or a third party. The card provider can be electronically notified during or after an attempt by the user to redeem the gift online. The identity or other personal information of the user is not shared with the card provider unless the user volunteers to share such information.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to electronic marketing and content distribution. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A business card includes business information about a company or individual and is commonly shared during formal introductions. A business card typically includes the giver&#39;s name, company and contact information such as a street address, telephone number, fax number, e-mail address and website. 
     A gift card resembles a credit card and can be identified by a specific number or code, not usually with an individual name. Gift cards are often backed by an on-line electronic system for authorization. Some gift cards have a barcode or magnetic strip, which is read by an electronic credit card machine. Other gift cards can include a code that can be typed into an electronic device such as a computer or mobile phone for redemption of online content. 
     SUMMARY 
     A combined business card and gift card (hereinafter referred to as a “calling card”) is a physical object that can be shared with others at business and social functions. The calling card can include a gift code that can be used to redeem a gift online (e.g., songs, ringtones, coupons, physical merchandise) using an electronic communications device (e.g., a personal computer, mobile phone, electronic tablet). When a user attempts to redeem the gift online, the user can be provided with a web page, email, text message or other electronic document that provides the user with information about the card provider and allows the user to perform certain actions for the benefit of the card provider or a third party. In some implementations, the information can be presented in a window or other display area generated locally by an operating system or application running on the electronic communications device. 
     In some implementations, the user is provided with information about the card provider or other third party and a means for optionally contacting the card provider or uploading personal information to the card provider, such as uploading a resume or entering information in a text field of a web page. 
     In some implementations, the card provider is electronically alerted during or after an attempt by the user to redeem the gift online. The alert message can include presenting the card provider with a web page, email, text message or other electronic document on an electronic communications device. In some implementations, the alert message can be presented in a window or other display area generated locally by an operating system or application running on the electronic communications device. The notification can provide information about the gift redemption (e.g., time, date, gift code, calling card number, expiration date). To protect the privacy of the user, the user&#39;s identity or other personal information are not shared with the card provider or a third party. In some implementations, however, the user may voluntarily provide personal information when redeeming the gift (e.g., resume) after receiving a privacy disclosure warning and voluntarily choosing to provide their personal information. 
     In some implementations, the gift code is compared to a reference database of gift codes that are associated with other information. For example, a gift code can be associated with one of a consecutive series of numbered calling cards that were purchased by or allocated to the card provider. The series of calling cards can be related to a particular event or location (e.g., a job fair, tradeshow, business meeting). Thus when the gift code is redeemed, the gift code can be matched to a unique calling card number, identifying the calling card as part of a series of calling cards known to have been distributed by the card provider at a particular event and/or location and/or at a particular date and time. 
     One or more implementations of a combined business/gift card with redemption notification can provide one or more of the following advantages: 1) a user is provided with incentive to use the system, 2) the user&#39;s identity and personal information are not shared with the card provider or any third party with authorization by the user, 3) the user is provided with a description of the card provider and the event where the card was received, 4) the user is provided with a convenient input mechanism to communicate with the card provider, 5) the card provider is provided with an automated alert message system which can be used as a reminder to follow-up with the user or other action items associated with an event, 6) the card provider is provided with a second opportunity to connect with the user through the optional input mechanism provided to the user, and 7) the card provider is provided with online administrative support services for managing the acquisition of calling cards and information generated by the gift redemption process. 
     The details of one or more of the disclosed implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a block diagram of an exemplary system for notifying a card provider of a gift redemption associated with a calling card. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates the front and back sides of a calling card with a calling card gift code. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary user interface provided to a user who redeems a gift using a calling card gift code. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary user interface provided to card provider associated with the calling card for providing the card provider with gift redemption alert message message. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for alerting a card provider of a gift redemption associated with a calling card distributed by the card provider. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of exemplary hardware architecture for the devices described in reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary System 
       FIG. 1A  is a block diagram of an exemplary system for notifying a card provider of a gift redemption associated with a calling card. In some implementations, system  100  can include electronic communications devices  102 ,  104 , content provider  118  and card management service  116 . A first device  102  can be a mobile device that can couple to wide area network  110  (e.g., Internet) through transmitter  106  (e.g., a cell tower transmitter) and gateway  108 . A second device  104  can couple to network  110  through access point (AP)  106  (e.g., a wireless router, hub or modem). Devices  102 ,  104  can be any electronic communications device capable of receiving information through a wired or wireless communication link, including but not limited to: personal computers, smart phones, electronic tablets, email devices, Internet television systems, etc. 
     Card management service (CMS)  116  can couple to network  110  and can include one or more server computers coupled to database  112 . Database  112  can store various information associated with system  100 . Database can be one or more databases. In some implementations, CMS  116  can be an online service provider that provides calling card management services. In some implementations, CMS  116  can provide other services, such as an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Application Service Provider (ASP). CMS  116  can include a web server that provides administrative user interfaces for users to sign up for calling card management services or to manage their accounts. 
     Content provider  118  can be any online provider of digital media items, including but not limited to: a retail store where users can download music, videos, ringtones, podcasts, ebooks or any other digital content. Content provider  118  and card management service  116  can be operated by the same entity and co-located in the same facility. 
     Exemplary Use Scenario-University Recruiting 
     The operation of system  100  will now be described through an example use case related to university recruiting. Other use cases for system  100  are also possible, including use cases related to sales or marketing or any other scenario where business cards or gift cards are distributed. 
     Alice M. Smith is a college recruiter for Acme Inc. She is attending a job fair at MIT in Cambridge, Mass. on Sep. 1, 2010. Before going to the event, Alice contacts CMS  116  and requests calling cards for the event. In some implementations, the request can be made through a web page of an online website operated by or on behalf of CMS  116 . Alice receives a box of calling cards from CMS  116 , the box is labeled with a code that identifies the box and a consecutively numbered or otherwise ordered series of calling cards in a defined range. For example, the box could include 100 calling cards consecutively numbered from 300-400. 
     Alice attends the job fair and starts handing out the calling cards to prospective students. In some cases, she may receive resumes from the students. She also takes notes about the students she meets. In this example, she meets a student named Bob Jones. Bob does not have a resume but expresses interest in working for Acme. Alice hands Bob calling card  101 . The front side  101   a  of calling card  101  includes her business information, as shown in  FIG. 1B . The backside  101   b  of calling card  101  includes gift code  120 , expiration date and instructions for redeeming a free gift at a website of content provider  118 . In this example, content provider  118  is the fictitious “MusicStore.com” and the free gift is a song download. Other types of content can be provided and may not be offered for free depending on the use scenario. 
     Calling card  101  is one example format for a calling card. Other formats are also possible, such as cards having a magnetic strip or barcode as a carrier for the gift code. Calling cards can be made of any desirable material, such as paper or plastic. In some implementations, objects other than cards can be used to carry gift codes, such as small toys, novelty items, pens or any other marketing item that is typically provided at social or business events. 
     After the event, Bob enters gift code  120  into device  104 , which in this example is his notebook computer. Per the instructions on calling card  101 , Bob uses his browser to access the homepage of the MusicStore.com website. Bob follows the instructions on a home page, which can include entering gift code  120  into an input field. Before the free song is downloaded, Bob is presented with a user interface  200 , as described in reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     Exemplary User Interfaces 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary user interface  200  provided to a user (Bob in this example) who redeems a gift using gift code  120 . User interface  200  can be a web page served by content provider  118  or CMS  116  or any other electronic document that can present information on an electronic communications device. In some implementations, entering the gift code results in a redirection of the user&#39; browser to a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of a website operated by CMS  116 . Information  202  is presented to Bob on user interface  200  which is related to the MIT Job Fair on Sep. 1, 2010. The information can be populated with links to Acme and third party emails and websites. In the example shown, an email link (recruiter@acme.com) is provided on user interface  200  to allow Bob to send an email to Acme recruiting department. There is also a link to the Acme recruiting website (http://www.acme/recruitment), a link to the homepage of the MusicStore.com website and a link to Alice&#39;s private email account. 
     At the bottom of user interface  200 , a user interface element  204  (e.g., a button) invokes an input mechanism for uploading a resume to the Acme recruiting department. A user interface element  206  (e.g., a button) allows Bob to continue to a song download page, where Bob can download his free song. 
     An advantage of user interface  200  is that Bob remains anonymous during the redemption process. No personal information is transferred to Acme or a third party. Bob is reminded of where he received the calling card and invited to submit a resume. This provides Bob with control over the dissemination of his personal information. During the foregoing process, or after the process has completed, Alice is sent an alert message as described in reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     In this example, user interface  200  was a web page. Other modes of communication are also possible, including but not limited to email and text message communication. For example, if Bob provided Alice with contact information, then when Bob redeems his gift Bob could receive an email with information from recruiter@acme.com. Bob could then, at his option, attach his resume to a return email. The link http://www.acme/recruitment can also be included in the email or a text message. Bob could also receive a text message or telephone call with a recorded message if Bob shared his telephone number with Alice. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary user interface  300  provided to card provider (Alice) associated with calling card  101  for providing the card provider with a gift redemption alert message. Gift code  120  entered on device  104  can be transmitted to CMS  116  through AP  106  and network  110 . CMS  116  can compare the code to record  114  in database  112  to identify calling card number  101  and the card provider. Below is an exemplary database record  114  of database  112  that can be used to associate a gift code with other relevant information. 
     Exemplary Database Record 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Gift Code 
                 Card Number 
                 Owner 
                 Event 
                 Notes 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 WAKSTY4TEWP8 
                 004034023 
                 Alice M. Smith 
                 MIT Job Fair 
                 Good turn out; 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 2010 
                 distributed 30 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cards; look for 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Bob Jones 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 resume-top of 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 his class! 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The exemplary database record  114  includes 5 fields: Gift Code, Card Number, Owner, Event and Notes. The first field stores gift code  120  which was obtained from calling card  101 . The second field stores a number assigned to calling card  101 . In some implementations, the number can be a unique number in a set of calling cards. In some implementations, the set of calling cards can be an ordered sequence of calling cards based on calling card numbers. The card number shown in this example can be broken into three 3-digit sections: box number, series number, card number. Thus, the card number 004:034:023 defines box number: 4, series number: 34 and card number: 23. Other numbering schemes are also possible. This numbering scheme allows boxes of cards to be assigned to owners, and consecutive series of cards within the box can be assigned to individual employees. In this example, box 4 was assigned to Acme Inc., a consecutive series of cards 34 were assigned to Alice M. Smith, and card 23 in series 34 was redeemed by Bob. 
     The third field in record  114  can store the name of the card provider and any other desired information. The fourth field in record  114  stores a description of the event where the cards were distributed by Alice. The fifth field stores notes from Alice regarding the event. In some implementations, record  114  can be reviewed and edited by Alice online through an administrative page of a website operated by CMS  116 . After Alice distributes her cards at the MIT Job Fair, Alice can logon to the CMS website and fill in the third, fourth and fifth fields of record  114 . 
     In some implementations, the card number can be the same as the gift code. Having a gift code and card number allows a third party to provide the gift codes. For example, MusicStore.com can provide CMS  116  with a list of gift codes, which can then be applied to calling cards. For example, the codes can be printed on adhesive stickers and placed on business cards. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , user interface  300  provides information  302 . Information  302  can include a gift code, a card number, an expiration date, an event description, a date of the event and the event location. Information  302  can be retrieved from record  114 . Information  302  can also include user interface element  304  for excepting data from a user. In the example shown, a “Get Resume” button can be used by Alice to retrieve Bob&#39;s resume, if provided by Bob. If Bob previously provided Alice with personal information, then that information can also be displayed in user interface  300 . For example, if Alice new that Bob was the student who received the card identified in record  114 , then information  202  in user interface  200  could have been tailored to Bob rather than a generic “MIT Student.” 
     In some implementations, event location information can be provided by a location aware device at the event the location. For example, Alice&#39;s device  102  (e.g., a mobile phone with GPS), could send position coordinates to CMS  116 , which can convert the position coordinates to a map location. The map location can then be added to, for example, a sixth field in record  114 . 
     Exemplary Process 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an exemplary process  400  for alerting a card provider of a gift redemption associated with a calling card distributed by the card provider. Process  400  will be described with reference to system  100 , which implements process  400 . 
     In some implementations, process  400  can begin by receiving a gift code obtained from a physical calling card ( 402 ). The gift code can be printed on the calling card or encoded in a barcode or magnetic strip on the calling card. The gift code can be received from an electronic communications device operated by a user who is in possession of the calling card. The user can type or scan the gift code into the device and the device can send the gift code to CMS  116  over network  110 . In some implementations, if the device has a camera, the user can take a picture of the gift code, which can be transmitted to CMS  116 , where image processing software can extract the gift code from the image. Bar codes can be similarly processed if a conventional bar code scanner is not available. In some implementations, the calling card can include a wireless transceiver so that it can communicate directly with another device through a wireless communication link. 
     Process  400  can proceed with an optional step of identifying a calling card using the gift code ( 404 ). In some implementations, the gift code can be related to a calling card number using a relational database. When the gift code is received it can be matched to a calling card number stored in the database. 
     Process  400  can proceed by identifying a card provider using the gift code or the calling card ( 406 ). In some implementations, the gift code and/or the matching calling card number can be matched to a card provider description stored in the relational database. 
     Process  400  can proceed by providing the user of the gift code with a message from the card provider and an input mechanism for supplying personal information to the card provider ( 408 ). An exemplary user interface for providing the message and input mechanism was described in reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     Process  400  can proceed by sending an alert message to the card provider stating that the gift is redeemed ( 410 ). In some implementations, the identify or other personal information of the user is not provided in the alert message. The alert message can be sent by any mode of communication, including but not limited to: email, text messaging and web pages. The alert message can include information associated with an event where the card was distributed. An exemplary user interface for providing the alert message was described in reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     Process  400  can proceed by presenting the card provider with user information supplied through the input mechanism ( 412 ). In some implementations, the input mechanism can be a link for starting a dialog that instructs the user on how to upload their resume or other information to CMS  116 . 
     Exemplary Device Architecture 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of exemplary hardware architecture for mobile devices  102 ,  104  described in reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . Mobile devices  102 ,  104  can be, for example, mobile phones with web browsing, text messaging and email capabilities. The mobile devices  102 ,  104  can include memory interface  502 , one or more data processors, image processors and/or processors  504 , and peripherals interface  506 . Memory interface  502 , one or more processors  504  and/or peripherals interface  506  can be separate components or can be integrated in one or more integrated circuits. The various components in the device, for example, can be coupled by one or more communication buses or signal lines. 
     Sensors, devices, and subsystems can be coupled to peripherals interface  506  to facilitate multiple functionalities. For example, motion sensor  510 , light sensor  512 , and proximity sensor  514  can be coupled to peripherals interface  506  to facilitate orientation, lighting, and proximity functions of the mobile device. Location processor  515  (e.g., GPS receiver) can be connected to peripherals interface  506  to provide geopositioning. Electronic magnetometer  516  (e.g., an integrated circuit chip) can also be connected to peripherals interface  506  to provide data that can be used to determine the direction of magnetic North. Thus, electronic magnetometer  516  can be used as an electronic compass. Accelerometer  517  can also be connected to peripherals interface  506  to provide data that can be used to determine change of speed and direction of movement of the mobile device. 
     Camera subsystem  520  and an optical sensor  522 , e.g., a charged coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) optical sensor, can be utilized to facilitate camera functions, such as recording photographs and video clips. 
     Communication functions can be facilitated through one or more wireless communication subsystems  524 , which can include radio frequency receivers and transmitters and/or optical (e.g., infrared) receivers and transmitters. The specific design and implementation of the communication subsystem  524  can depend on the communication network(s) over which a mobile device is intended to operate. For example, a mobile device can include communication subsystems  524  designed to operate over a GSM network, a GPRS network, an EDGE network, a WiFi or WiMax network, and a Bluetooth network. In particular, the wireless communication subsystems  524  can include hosting protocols such that the mobile device can be configured as a base station for other wireless devices. 
     Audio subsystem  526  can be coupled to a speaker  528  and a microphone  530  to facilitate voice-enabled functions, such as voice recognition, voice replication, digital recording, and telephony functions. 
     I/O subsystem  540  can include touch screen controller  542  and/or other input controller(s)  544 . Touch-screen controller  542  can be coupled to a touch screen  546  or pad. Touch screen  546  and touch screen controller  542  can, for example, detect contact and movement or break thereof using any of a plurality of touch sensitivity technologies, including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensor arrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contact with touch screen  546 . 
     Other input controller(s)  544  can be coupled to other input/control devices  548 , such as one or more buttons, rocker switches, thumb-wheel, infrared port, USB port, and/or a pointer device such as a stylus. The one or more buttons (not shown) can include an up/down button for volume control of speaker  528  and/or microphone  530 . 
     In one implementation, a pressing of the button for a first duration may disengage a lock of the touch screen  546 ; and a pressing of the button for a second duration that is longer than the first duration may turn power to the device on or off. The user may be able to customize a functionality of one or more of the buttons. The touch screen  546  can, for example, also be used to implement virtual or soft buttons and/or a keyboard. 
     In some implementations, the device can present recorded audio and/or video files, such as MP3, AAC, and MPEG files. In some implementations, the device can include the functionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod™. The device may, therefore, include a pin connector that is compatible with the iPod. Other input/output and control devices can be used. 
     Memory interface  502  can be coupled to memory  550 . Memory  550  can include high-speed random access memory and/or non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical storage devices, and/or flash memory (e.g., NAND, NOR). Memory  550  can store operating system  552 , such as Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks. Operating system  552  may include instructions for handling basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks. In some implementations, operating system  552  can include a kernel (e.g., UNIX kernel). 
     Memory  550  may also store communication instructions  554  to facilitate communicating with one or more additional devices, one or more computers and/or one or more servers. Memory  550  may include graphical user interface instructions  556  to facilitate graphic user interface processing, such as the user interfaces illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; sensor processing instructions  558  to facilitate sensor-related processing and functions; phone instructions  560  to facilitate phone-related processes and functions; electronic messaging instructions  562  to facilitate electronic-messaging related processes and functions, such as SMS and MMS; web browsing instructions  564  to facilitate web browsing-related processes and functions; media processing instructions  566  to facilitate media processing-related processes and functions; GPS/Navigation instructions  568  to facilitate GPS and navigation-related processes and instructions; and camera instructions  570  to facilitate camera-related processes and functions. The memory  550  may also store other software instructions (not shown), such as security instructions, web video instructions to facilitate web video-related processes and functions, and/or web shopping instructions to facilitate web shopping-related processes and functions. 
     Memory  550  can include instructions for a client-side application that facilitates interaction with servers operated by CMS  116  and content provider  118 . Other instructions  574  can include instructions for other applications not expressly described herein. 
     Each of the above identified instructions and applications can correspond to a set of instructions for performing one or more functions described above. These instructions need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures, or modules. Memory  550  can include additional instructions or fewer instructions. Furthermore, various functions of the mobile device may be implemented in hardware and/or in software, including in one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits. 
     The described features can be implemented advantageously in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. A computer program is a set of instructions that can be used, directly or indirectly, in a computer to perform a certain activity or bring about a certain result. A computer program can be written in any form of programming language (e.g., Objective-C, Java), including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. 
     Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructions include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and the sole processor or one of multiple processors or cores, of any kind of computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memories for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to communicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing data files; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). 
     To provide for interaction with a user, the features can be implemented on a computer having a display device such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball by which the user can provide input to the computer. 
     The features can be implemented in a computer system that includes a back-end component, such as a data server, or a middleware component, such as an application server or an Internet server, or that includes a front-end component, such as a client computer having a graphical user interface or an Internet browser, or any combination of them. The components of the system can be connected by any form or medium of digital data communication such as a communication network. Examples of communication networks include, e.g., a LAN, a WAN, and the computers and networks forming the Internet. 
     The computer system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. 
     One or more features or steps of the disclosed embodiments can be implemented using an API. An API can define on or more parameters that are passed between a calling application and other software code (e.g., an operating system, library routine, function) that provides a service, that provides data, or that performs an operation or a computation. 
     The API can be implemented as one or more calls in program code that send or receive one or more parameters through a parameter list or other structure based on a call convention defined in an API specification document. A parameter can be a constant, a key, a data structure, an object, an object class, a variable, a data type, a pointer, an array, a list, or another call. API calls and parameters can be implemented in any programming language. The programming language can define the vocabulary and calling convention that a programmer will employ to access functions supporting the API. 
     In some implementations, an API call can report to an application the capabilities of a device running the application, such as input capability, output capability, processing capability, power capability, communications capability, etc. 
     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, elements of one or more implementations may be combined, deleted, modified, or supplemented to form further implementations. Yet another example, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In addition, other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.