Method and apparatus for distribution of greeting cards with electronic commerce transaction

Abstract

A system for enabling on-line creation of greeting cards and distribution of the cards with gifts also purchased on-line includes a server system and one or more client systems. The server system is accessible online and enables network users to select and customize electronic versions of greeting cards. The customizations to the cards, as well as data identifying the card, the network user, the card recipient, and a vendor, are transmitted to a client system located at the vendor's distribution facilities. The transmitted information is utilized to print the card in hard copy form for shipment by the vendor to the designated recipient. In the disclosed system, a network user may view the card including any customizations in WYSIWYG format.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to an electronic commerce, in general, and, more specifically, a system for selecting, customizing and coordinating delivery of greeting cards with gifts purchased over computer networks. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The World Wide Web and Internet, in general, have created a completely new venue in which to obtain information, purchase goods and services, and interact with other network users. Accordingly, many sources of products and services have established web sites containing information about products, services and available information. A number of commercially available software applications, e.g. web browsers, executable on a conventional computer architecture enable users to connect to the Internet and provide a graphic user interface and appropriate functionality for locating and exploring “websites”. Examples of such commercially available browsers include Netscape Navigator, commercially available from America ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The inventive system enables the network user to view customizations to the selected card in WYSIWYG format and further allows network users to connect directly to the master system for creation and purchase of cards separate and apart from any vendor transaction.

Problems solved by technology

For example, gift-buying via eCommerce has failed to emulate normal retail commerce as a result of its inherent lack of personalization.

However, no known service or facility-exists which enables an eCommerce shopper to purchase a gift over the Internet and concurrently select and personalize a greeting card to be packaged or shipped along with the gift.

Such services do not enable the user to add handwritten notes, graphics, photographs, or other customizations to the card.

These services do not allow the user to decide where the text should go, what font, color, size, etc. should be used for the text.

If the recipient of the card is in another country, cost and lead time to send the card may increase substantially.

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