GB2513092A

GB2513092A - Electronic business card

Info

Publication number: GB2513092A
Application number: GB201302071A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Mariasov
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-01
Filing date: 2013-02-06
Publication date: 2014-10-22
Also published as: GB201302071D0

Abstract

An electronic business card 10 includes a processor with a memory 14; means for connecting to a website 18 that is browse-able via the Internet and operably connected to the processor; and a background noise-independent biometric sensor 12 operably connected to the processor. Means for connecting to the internet could be provided wirelessly perhaps using a cellular interface or SIM card. Alternatively internet connectivity could be provided by a USB connection. The biometric sensor could be a fingerprint, retina, iris or DNA sensor. The card could further comprise a display screen. Independent claims are also provided for a system, including the card, where a database stores cardholder information.

Description

tM:;: INTELLECTUAL !. .*. PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. 0B1302071.4 RTM Date:4 July 2013 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: \,yfl7j (Wi-Fi) Intellectual Properly Office is an operaling name of Ihe Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk

ELECTRONIC BUSINESS CARD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to information technology, in particular electronic business cards, a system therefor and a method of transferring information therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Hard copy business cards, such as those made of stiff or laminated paper have many drawbacks; e.g. environmental, storage, etc. In response to those drawbacks, electronic business cards have been developed.

[003] It is believed that the state of the technology in the field of the present invention is well represented by the following publications: US 7962157 (Coffing); US 7458825 (Atsmon et al.); US 7377448 (Dan et al.); US 7334725 (Dan); US 6783060 (Marappan); US 6254001 (Chan); US 2012/095771 (Wang Han-Che et al.); US 2010/230484 (Tsai Yuan-Chih et al); US 2009/088215 (Caspi et al); US 2002/087529 (Dutcher et al); AU 2012/101084 (Holden); Wa 2012/151966 (Chen Yangping); WO 2011/005217 (Lee Lee Sye); CN 102123356 (Tao Sun); CN 1744108 (Wang Tieli Chen); CN 2860848 (Wang WeD; CN 201072563 (Yihua Li et al.); CN 201673506 (Yuan Zeng); CN 202041952 (Zhizhong Xiao); CN 202196578 (Lu Xu et al); and KR 2003/070377 (Choi Yong Su).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[004] The present invention relates to a business card adapted for carrying digital information whose information can be loaded thereon via the computer, the Internet or the like, and wirelessly transferable to other such business cards. The present invention also relates to a method of transferring information using an electronic business card.

[005] In accordance with embodiments of one aspect of the present invention there is provided an electronic business card including: a power source for powering the card; a processor with a memory; means for connecting to a web site that is browsable via the Internet and operably connected to the processor; and a background noise-independent biometric sensor operably connected to the processor.

[006] In some embodiments, the means for connecting to the Internet and/or a predetermined web site includes a wireless interface.

[007] In some embodiments, the wireless interface includes a WIFI interface; in other embodiments a cellular interface: in other embodiments a SIM card.

[008] In some embodiments, the means for connecting to the Internet and/or a predetermined web site includes a USB.

[009] In some embodiments, the background noise-independent biometric sensor includes a fingerprint scanner; in other embodiments, a retina or iris scanner; in other embodiments, a DNA sensor.

[010] In some embodiments, the processor is connected to, or includes, a flash storage; in some of those other embodiments the flash storage is a security digital card.

[011] In some embodiments, the card further includes a display screen adapted for displaying cardholder information; and in some the card further includes a scrolling or data-exchange choice feature associated with the display screen and adapted to allow the cardholder to choose between a plurality of sets of information and/or interact with a web site that includes cardholder information.

[012] In accordance with embodiments of another aspect of the present invention there is provided an electronic business card system including: an Internet web site adapted for the input of cardholder information/data; a database for storing the cardholder information; an electronic business card including: a power source for powering the card; a processor with a memory; means for connecting to a web site that is browsable via the Internet and operably connected to the processor; and a background noise-independent biometric sensor operably connected to the processor.

[013] In accordance with embodiments of yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of transferring information including: providing an electronic business card system including: an Internet web site adapted for the input of cardholder information/data; a database for storing the cardholder information; an electronic business card.

The electronic business card includes: a power source for powering the card; a processor with a memory; means for connecting to the web site that is browsable via the Internet and operably connected to the processor; and a biometric sensor operably connected to the processor. Additional steps include inputting cardholder data; and entering biometric data via biometric sensor.

[014] It is a particular feature of some embodiments of the present electronic business card, system and information transfer method that they include a background noise-independent biometric sensor (fingerprint scanner; eye scanner; DNA sensor) to verify the identity of the individual transferring the information. The term "background noise-independent" is used herein the description and claims to denote a biometric sensor not affected by background noise such as people speaking nearby or other such environmental noise. It is particularly advantageous that the aforementioned sensor not be affected by background noise (such as in a voice-recognition sensor) as the transfer of information commonly takes place in a public setting, which would negatively affect the operation of the electronic business card.

[015] It is another particular feature of some embodiments of the present electronic business card, system and information transfer method that the user/cardholder need not be in possession of the card in order to initiate information transfer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[016] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which: [017] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an electronic business card of the present invention; [018] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the present electronic business card; [019] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of the present electronic business card; [020] Fig. 4 is a schematic view of an information transfer system of the present invention! incorporating the present electronic business card; and [021] Fig. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of transferring information side using the present electronic business card.

[022] The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[023] Illustrative embodiments of the invention aie described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features/components of an actual implementation are necessarily described.

[024] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an electronic business card 10 of the present invention. Electronic business card 10 includes a background noise-independent biometric sensor 12, typically a fingerprint scanner; however, additionally or alternatively, a retina or iris scanner, DNA sensor or other appropriate biometric sensor not affected by environmental noise, and adapted to suitably identity an individual. Background noise-independent sensor 12 is operably connected to a processor 14 with a memory, which in some embodiments is connected to, or includes, a flash storage 16, for example a security digital (SD) card or the like. In some embodiments, card 10 is adapted to be activated by a person touching background noise-independent sensor 12, as may happen at the beginning of a scan, whereas in other embodiments, the card further includes an on/off switch (not shown).

[025] Processor 14 is also operably connected to a means for connecting to the Internet and/or a predetermined web site 28 (Fig. 4) that is browsable via the Internet, wherein the means is a wireless interface 18.

Wireless interface 18 can include or be constituted by! for example, a WIFI interface, cellular interface or SIM card. Card 10 also includes a power source 20, typically a rechargeable battery.

[026] Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of electronic business card 10 wherein the means for connecting to the Internet and web site 28 (Fig. 4) that is browsable via the Internet, includes a USB 22. USB 22 is operably connectable (e.g. directly or via a cable or the like) to an Internet access means for accessing the Internet such as a desktop computer; a laptop computer; a tablet computer; a PDA; a smart phone; or other suitably adapted device -for simplicity, referred to hereinatter in the specification and claims as "computer', "computer means" or a derivative of the term(s).

[027] Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of electronic business card 10 wherein the card further includes a display screen 34 for displaying cardholder information, such as information shown on a typical business card. In this way, not only can the cardholder carry a card that is generally similar to a typical business card, the cardholder has the opportunity to be reminded of the information he/she is transferring. In some embodiments, the card has a scrolling feature 36 (which in some scenarios can be considered a data-exchange choice feature) associated with display screen 34 whereby the cardholder has the option to choose between a plurality of sets of information; for example whereby the cardholder can choose to give one set of information to one group of people and another set of information to another group of people.

To clarify, the cardholder may be at a job fair one day and wish to share a resume or curriculum vitae; however, the cardholder might meet a colleague at the job fair, to whom the cardholder wishes to pass "business card" type information and not a resume. Likewise, the cardholder may meet a friend and want to share "social" type information such as photos of the family and the like.

[028] In some embodiments, display screen 34, typically in conjunction with scrolling feature 36, or other such control feature, is adapted whereby it can be used to remotely access web site 28, via a wireless interface 18, to perform actions such as confirm information, edit information or view information from other cardholders.

[029] Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of an information transfer system incorporating electronic business card 10. The system further includes a computer 24, representing the Internet access means mentioned above and to which the card is operably connectable; the Internet 26, accessable via the computel; a web site 28 accessable via the Internet; and a database 30, for receiving and storing data that is input by the cardholder via the web site, and from where the data are retrievable.

[030] Fig. 5 depicts an embodiment of a method for transferring data in accordance with the present invention, using the business card system. In a step 40, the cardholder accesses web site 28. If this is the first access to web site 28, in a step 42, the cardholder inputs biometric data via background noise-independent biometric sensor 12 (e.g. by a fingerprint scanning on sensor 12 of card 10)! which will be operably connected with (i.e. will correspond to) any data/information input by the cardholder. The biometric data input is accomplished, i.e. connected to database 30, via website 28 requesting a connection from card 10 (via wireless interface 18 or via USB 22).

[031] In effect, the biometric data (e.g. fingerprint) will be the cardholder's password; although in some embodiments, the method can further include a password, a user code or other such user-website identification means, and which may provide an additional level of identification verification.

[032] In a step 44, which could be performed prior to step 42, the cardholder inputs data into the website's database 30, via computer 24 or via screen 34 of card 10 itself. It should be understood that in step 44, inputting of information to database 30 could be an editing of information. It is envisioned that such information may include the type of information transferred when one transfers a paper/standard business card, i.e., name, company name (place of employment), academic degree(s) and/or related professional membership(s), telephone number(s), email address, and the like. However, in accordance with some embodiments, additional information such as hobbies, photos, resume/curriculum vitae, and other information can be input and shared.

[033] In a step 46, the cardholder provides (or receives) information to (or from) another cardholder by inputting biometric data to the card 10 of another cardholder (or receiving biometric data from another cardholder). The act of the aforementioned biometric input activates the information transfer, which information is (or can be) immediately received (transferred) in the case of a wireless connection; or received/transferred upon entry to website 28.

[034] In other words, embodiments of the present method involves: (1) the cardholder entering web site 28; (2) the cardholder signing up: (a) filling out personal information and when requested for a password, the cardholder connects card 10 to the computer (the cardholder is requested to connect the card; wirelessly or physically) and performs a biometric identity action (e.g., scans the finger intended for use as the web site entry code; and, optionally, individual finger(s), to use in order to initiate information transfer to other cardholders; (b) when the sign up is successfully completed, web site 28 will give the cardholder the opportunity to produce at least one profile page, where in each page the cardholder may enter various information, such as: academic degrees; contact details; workplace details; work experience; work contacts; photo(s) and so on (which may include downloading tiles/documents such as a resume), wherein typically each profile page is given an identifying name (heading, title). In some embodiments, each profile page is associated with a different fingerprint scan (pointer, middle finger, ring finger, pinky, thumb) by the cardholder and web site 28 requests a scan of each different finger. The different pages in effect allow the cardholder to categorize data/information and only provide certain information to certain other cardholder(s). Categories may include: contact information; business information; resume; project information; family information; family photos; and so on.

[035] Information can now be transferred. The transfer can be performed by the scanning ot a finger. As noted, in some embodiments, different fingers can be designated as corresponding to different sets of information and so the cardholder can thus control which information is transferred to whom. The transfer can also be performed via the card's display screen 34. For example, after a finger scan, the cardholder can use display screen 34 to choose which information, if any, is to be transferred. Alternatively, the cardholder can choose to use web site 28 to control which information is transferred, after a finger scan of another cardholder's card.

[036] Thusly. information is transferred and saved. It should be understood that if a cardholder updates information, such as a new telephone number, etc., that information can and typically will, be automatically updated with the cardholders who have received an information transfer.

[037] Depending on the type of communication between card 10 and web site 28 (wireless or USB), transferred information may be immediately transferred via a wireless connection, or transferred when the cardholder next physically connects to a computer, or the like, and accesses web site 28. Card saves in the memory of processor 14 the finger(s) scan(s) of the cardholder and those who scan their finger(s) to transfer information to him/her.

[038] In some embodiments, if the cardholder decides (via an option provided by web site 28), the cardholder can withhold passing info until going into his/her profile page where there can be listed all the outstanding finger scans he has performed, and for each person he scanned, he can choose what info to pass.

[039] At this point, the cardholder's data is "connected" to the cardholder's biometric input (e.g. fingerprint). In order to transfer data/information to another cardholder, a first cardholder merely needs to scan his/her finger on the background noise-independent biometric sensor 12 of the card 10 of a second cardholder. The second cardholder then can receive and view the information upon accessing web site 28; and, that information can be downloaded, automatically or not, to the memory of processor 14 so that the information can viewed via computer 24. It is noted that, inter alia, computer 24 can be constituted by the cardholder's cell phone, whereby the cardholder can typically retrieve an entire database of information from various cardholders, while being mobile, i.e., for example, without the need to be in an office with a desktop computer or a rolodex of business cards.

[040] In some embodiments, the present invention is adapted so that once a cardholder updates his information (profile"), web site 28 automatically identifies and updates that information for the other cardholders with whom the updating cardholder shared information.

[041] In some embodiments, the present invention is adapted so that the cardholder's biometric data is verified/verifiable with an outside database such as a police, FBI, CIA, automobile registration, other group membership database or the like. As such, fraud can be prevented or at least mitigated.

[042] It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary and that there are various embodiments of the present invention that may be devised, mutatis mutandis, and that the features described in the above-described embodiments, and those not described herein, may be used separately or in any suitable combination; and the invention can be devised in accordance with embodiments not necessarily described above.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An electronic business card comprising: a power source for powering the card; a processor with a memory; means for connecting to a web site that is browsable via the Internet and operably connected to the processor; and a background noise-independent biometric sensor operably connected to the processor.
2. The card of claim 1, wherein the means for connecting to the Internet and/or a predetermined web site comprises a wireless interface.
3. The card of claim 2, wherein the wireless interface comprises a WIFI interface.
4. The card of claim 2, wherein the wireless interface comprises a cellular interface.
5. The card of claim 2, wherein the wireless interface comprises a SIM card.
6. The card of claim 1, wherein the means for connecting to the Internet and/or a predetermined web site comprises a USB.
7. The card of claim 1. wherein the background noise-independent biometric sensor comprises a fingerprint scanner.
8. The card of claim 1! wherein the background noise-independent biometric sensor comprises a retina or iris scanner.
9. The card of claim 1. wherein the background noise-independent biometric sensor comprises a DNA sensor.o
10. The card of claim 1, wherein the processor is connected to, or includes, a flash storage.
11. The card of claim 10, wherein the flash storage is a security digital card.
12. The card of claim 1, further comprising a display screen adapted for displaying cardholder information.
13. The card of claim 12, further comprising a scrolling or data-exchange choice feature associated with the display screen and adapted to allow the cardholder to choose between a plurality of sets of information and/or interact with a web site that includes cardholder information.
14. An electronic business card system comprising: an Internet web site adapted for the input of cardholder information/data; a database for storing the cardholder information; an electronic business card comprising: a power source for powering the card; a processor with a memory; means for connecting to a web site that is browsable via the Internet and operably connected to the processor; and a background noise-independent biometric sensor operably connected to the processor.
15. A method of transferring data comprising: providing an electronic business card system comprising: an Internet web site adapted for the input of cardholder information/data; a database for storing the cardholder information; an electronic business card comprising: a power source for powering the card; a processor with a memory; means for connecting to the web site that is browsable via the Internet and operably connected to the processor; and a biometric sensor operably connected to the processor; inputting cardholder data; and entering biometric data via biometric sensor.