Abstract:
An Internet business model comprises a website that allows an Organizer to log-in and initiate a collective gift from many Contributors that are then presented to the Recipient in the form of a Gift Card. Each contributor provides credit card information and an authorization only is obtained. The actual charge is put through only after the gift is fully subscribed and the collection period has ended. Then the gift card is funded and issued. Fees for the collective gift service may be paid in full by the Organizer, a Sponsor, partitioned amongst the Contributors, or covered as an advertizing or merchandizing expense by the gift card issuer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/932,502, filed May 30, 2007, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119. The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/932,502 is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to gift giving services, and in particular to Internet business model implementations, websites, and methods that allow an Organizer to initiate a collective gift from many Contributors that are then presented to the Recipient in the form of a Gift Card. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Individuals often organize groups they belong to get together and buy a gift for a teacher, coach, club leaders, and others having birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, weddings, etc. A common office experience in America is where everyone “joins together” to collectively buy a relatively expensive gift for someone in the office, e.g., for a service anniversary, retiring, relocating, etc. Usually one particular person starts the ball rolling by announcing the effort, coordinating the collection of the money, and actually going out and purchasing the gift. 
         [0004]    Modern offices, co-workers, and friends are now far-flung and not all located within one small area. But, more and more people all now share email and the Internet. Credit-card style gift cards are also a new modern convenience that many people like to receive because such payment cards offer a lot of flexibility in where they can be used. 
         [0005]    Gift cards are attractive for the recipients because they have some flexibility in what they can buy, so what ultimately gets purchased is something the gift givers might not have anticipated. Issuers of gift cards have found that gift card issuance can be very profitable for them, and an excellent way to merchandize their products. They can afford to offer discounts and loyalty programs because the cards sell for 100% of face value, but on average, far less than 100% of the value is ultimately consumed. Misplaced cards, and cards going expired further add to the bottom-line profits. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0006]    Briefly, an Internet business model embodiment of the present invention comprises a website that allows an Organizer to log-in and initiate a collective gift from many Contributors that are then presented to the Recipient in the form of a Gift Card. Each contributor provides credit card information and an authorization only is obtained. The actual charge is put through only after the gift is fully subscribed and the collection period has ended. In some cases, for example, when the gift total reaches a minimum of $50.00, the actual charges are put through before the collection period has ended. Then the gift card is funded and issued. Fees for the collective gift service may be paid in full by the Organizer, a Sponsor, partitioned amongst the Contributors, or covered as an advertizing or merchandizing expense by the gift card issuer. 
         [0007]    An advantage of the present invention is a web-organized way is provided to make a collective gift from several people. 
         [0008]    Another advantage of the present invention is a business model is provided for generating income from collective gift giving. 
         [0009]    A further advantage of the present invention is a service is provided for organizers and collective gift contributors to get together and combine to make a relatively expensive and useful gift. 
         [0010]    A still further advantage of the present invention is a method is provided that allows users to contribute from their homes and offices, they never have to meet face-to-face in order to participate. This means such users can be in different locations and time zones, and could even be anonymous. 
         [0011]    An advantage of the present invention is a web-organized way is provided to make a collective gift from people included by their emails, and email use is now universal, so no one will be left out. 
         [0012]    A further advantage of the present invention is a service is provided in which seeing the names of other potential contributors helps stimulate a contribution to a collective gift. 
         [0013]    The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each disclosed embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. Other aspects and example embodiments are provided in the figures and the detailed description that follow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The present invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the present invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart diagram of collective gift giving business model embodiment of the present invention showing the steps and interrelationships taken between an Organizer, a Website, various Contributors, and a targeted Recipient; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart diagram representing how a bank authorization is obtained for each contributor&#39;s credit card at the time of their contribution, and how these all remaining pending until they are submitted for payment by the gift deadline date; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart diagram showing alternative ways the Website operation fees can be supported by the Organizer, Contributors, and/or Sponsors. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    While the present invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the present invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  represents a collective gift giving business model embodiment of the present invention, and is referred to herein by the general reference numeral  100 . The collective gift giving business model  100  involves an organizer  102 , a website  104 , a number of contributors  106 , and a gift recipient  108 . The organizer  102  and the contributors  106  communicate with the website  104  over the Internet using web browsers like Internet Explorer, web pages as provided by APACHE HTTP, Microsoft IIS servers, etc., and email. The recipient  108  need not necessarily have online access to the Internet or email because the gift can be delivered to their door. 
         [0020]    The operational objective of business model  100  is to generate business income for website  104 , provide an affordable gift-giving service to organizer  102  and contributors  106 , and to deliver a useful and valuable gift to recipient  108 . 
         [0021]    The collective gift giving business model  100  comprises many interrelated and sequential steps amongst all the parties involved. A step  110  begins the process with a log-in from a typical web browser on a web server&#39;s webpage. Website  104  runs a new-user registration and existing user log-in authentication step  112 . The organizer  102  then announces a new gift request in a step  114 . The website  104  opens a new gift account in a step  116  and invites the organizer to provide all the required details. The organizer  102  supplies details about who they are, who the recipient is, the proposed gift, a list of possible contributors. A service fee can be paid in a step  118  by the organizer, a sponsor, the contributors, or even an advertiser. The gift details are organized in a step  120 , and in one embodiment of the present invention, payment is accepted and processed. 
         [0022]    The website  104  then issues invitations by email, in a step  122 , to all the contributors that were suggested. These emails are received by the contributors  106  in a step  124  which include links that can be clicked-on to access the gift-giving details. If an individual contributor  106  decides to investigate further or to participate, they can log-in to website  104  with an email link in a step  126 . A step  128  presents a typical new-user registration and existing user log-in authentication web page. 
         [0023]    Alternatively, and perhaps more attractive for some users, contributors are not required to log-in. When a contributor  106  receives their email, a link is provided in the email that allows them to click on it and go directly to a link with the gift-giving details. Each contributor decides to participate by making their payment in a step  130 . The details of all the gift contributions are collected and summarized in a step  132 , and also in future versions of step  124 . The individual names of the contributors and the amounts they respectively contributed can be suppressed so others will not see. The organizer  102  must make a contribution in a step  134 . The current status can be viewed in a step  136 . 
         [0024]    A step  138  represents when a gift account target date has been reached, or time has expired. The website  104  can impose a minimum gift amount, e.g., $50. Once it has been determined that all the gift contributions are in, or time is up, then a step  140  generates and sends a gift card  142  to either the recipient  108 , the organizer  102  or a different shipping address. The recipient receives and uses the gift card in a step  144 . A gift card delivery confirmation  146  is returned to the organizer  102 , whether or not the gift card itself is ever used. A step  148  issues a gift delivered and thank you message to all participants. A step  150  ends the organizer&#39;s role, and a step  152  similarly concludes the contributors&#39; communications. 
         [0025]    Website  104  presents a format and organization that will be familiar to Internet users. Web surfers who find the Home Page on the Internet are offered standard ABOUT US, and CONTACT US links. They are also provided links to ORGANIZER-NEW USER INFORMATION and GIFT REQUEST pages. Here, potential organizers can register and set up their gift giving. Table-I summarizes the identity information collected about the organizer in step  112 . Table-II summarizes the information about the gift and the recipient in step  120 . Table-III summarizes the email sent to the contributors in step  122 . Table-IV lists a typical contribution page as seen in step  132 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE I 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 identity information collected about the organizer 
               
               
                 Organizer - New User Information 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 First Name, Last Name 
               
               
                   
                 Address 
               
               
                   
                 City, State, Zip 
               
               
                   
                 Outside US 
               
               
                   
                 Email address 
               
               
                   
                 Confirm Email address (which becomes Login ID) 
               
               
                   
                 Password (5 digits) • Retype Password 
               
               
                   
                 Remember me 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE II 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 information about the gift and the recipient 
               
               
                 Gift Request 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Recipient name 
               
               
                 Recipient email if available 
               
               
                 Ship to address 
               
               
                  -recipient (last name, first name, address, city, state, zip) 
               
               
                  -organizer 
               
               
                  -other address 
               
               
                 Delivery via UsPS 5-7 days 
               
               
                 Deadline for contributions 
               
               
                 Calendar (pop-up that shows the 10 day window when any date is 
               
               
                 highlighted) 
               
               
                 Occasion (scroll) 
               
               
                  Class gift 
               
               
                  Birthday 
               
               
                  Wedding 
               
               
                  Anniversary, Baby Shower Christmas 
               
               
                  Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Executive gift 
               
               
                 Vendor Categories (scroll) 
               
               
                  Books and Music (with pop-up vendors) 
               
               
                  Charity 
               
               
                  Clothing 
               
               
                  Electronics 
               
               
                  Entertainment 
               
               
                  Food 
               
               
                  Health and Beauty 
               
               
                  Home 
               
               
                  Kids and Toys 
               
               
                  Office Sports 
               
               
                 Vendor Choice 
               
               
                  List of Vendors (to be supplied) 
               
               
                 Organizer must make first contribution 
               
               
                  Link to contribution page 
               
               
                 Credit Card information (name on card, type of card, card#, 
               
               
                 expiration, CCV) 
               
               
                  Billing address if different from above 
               
               
                  Verify Organizer credit card 
               
               
                 Contributor names and emails (create address book) 
               
               
                 Contribution reminder email dates (2 weeks, 1 week, 3 days generated by 
               
               
                 chosen deadline date) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE III 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 the email sent to the contributors 
               
               
                 Contributor Email 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 From Organizer announcing {grave over ( )}Organizer name has invited you to 
               
               
                   
                 share in a group gift 
               
               
                   
                 FromEveryone for “name”. Click the link below to find out how: 
               
               
                   
                 Link to contribution page 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE IV 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 a typical contribution page 
               
               
                 Contribution Page 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Blurb - about Organizer, Recipient, event, Vendor chosen (written by 
               
               
                   
                 Organizer to Contributors) 
               
               
                   
                 Contributor&#39;s First Name, Last Name 
               
               
                   
                 Address 
               
               
                   
                 City, State, Zip 
               
               
                   
                 Outside US 
               
               
                   
                 Credit card type 
               
               
                   
                 Credit card number 
               
               
                   
                 Expiration date, CCV 
               
               
                   
                 Billing address if different from above 
               
               
                   
                 Contribution amount 
               
               
                   
                 Credit card authorization 
               
               
                   
                 Credit card confirmation via email to Contributor (receipt) 
               
               
                   
                 Contribution update to Organizer summary page 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0026]    Table-V outlines one way to implement the organizer gift page details provided by step  120 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE V 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Group Gift Summary Page 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Login in (email) 
               
               
                 Password 
               
               
                 Summary page includes all contributors (including Organizer), recipient, 
               
               
                 vendor, deadline, contribution yes/no, running total of contributions 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0027]    Backend processing at the website server provides a system administrator with access to group details, contributions, emails, addresses, etc. Credit cards are typically processed at time of use. When the Deadline arrives that was set by the organizer, the gift card is purchased. The gift card serial number is recorded/scanned, and the gift card is shipped. A tracking process for shipping records, USPS tracking, and delivery confirmation are included. A thank you message and survey follow up email are sent to the organizer and contributors. Summary page for FromEveryone includes all contributors (including organizer), recipient, individual contribution, contribution total per recipient, vendor, deadline, contribution yes/no, credit card authorization (payment valid), gift card serial number, shipped, delivery date, USPS tracking number. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  represents how a bank authorization is obtained for each contributor&#39;s credit card at the time of their contribution, and how these all remain pending until they are submitted for payment by the gift deadline date. A method embodiment of the present invention is referred to herein by the general reference numeral  200 . The method  200  begins with a first contributor-A disclosing their credit card information and amount contributed in a step  202 . A first card processor  204  is accessed and an authorization is obtained and held in a step  206 . The transaction will be an authorization only during a waiting period  208 . Later, a second contributor-B discloses their credit card information and amount contributed in a step  212 . A second card processor  214  is accessed and an authorization is obtained and held in a step  216 . The transaction will be an authorization only during a waiting period  218 . A last contributor-C also discloses their respective credit card information and the amount they want to be contributed in a step  222 . A third card processor  224  is accessed and an authorization is obtained and held in a step  226 . The transaction will be an authorization only during a waiting period  228 . 
         [0029]    A step  230  represent the point in time when the gift collection period has ended, for whatever reason, and all charges are submitted  231 - 233  to corresponding card processors  204 ,  214 , and  224 . Transaction authorizations  234 - 236  make funds available and only then actually put through the charges to the respective credit card accounts. In another embodiment of the present invention, the transaction authorization  234 - 236  may occur at a set deadline, when a minimum dollar value of collections is met, or within 30 days of the initial authorization. Finally, the collected funds are combined in a step  238  and the gift card is issued. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a method  300  in which alternative ways the Website operation fees can be supported by the Organizer, Contributors, and/or Sponsors. In a first scenario, an organizer sets up the parameters of the collective gift initiative and pays the service fees in a step  302 . The contributors make their individual contributions independently in a step  304 . When a goal is reached, e.g., a deadline, the gift card is issued in a step  306 . In a second scenario, the organizer does not pay the service fees. In a step  308  the organizer simply sets up the collective gift initiative and launches it. In a step  310 , the contributors each share in paying the service fees. In a third scenario, neither the organizer nor the contributors have to support the service fees, as in steps  308  and  312 . A sponsor pays the fees in a step  314 . For example, The Home Depot may sponsor the service fees if the gift card being issued is a HOME DEPOT gift card. 
         [0031]    While the present invention has been described with reference to several particular example embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.