WO2001098923A2

WO2001098923A2 - Method and apparatus for interactive greeting cards

Info

Publication number: WO2001098923A2
Application number: PCT/IB2001/001270
Authority: WO
Inventors: James L. Fahey; Masaki Mikami
Original assignee: Hakuhodo, Incorporated
Priority date: 2000-06-19
Filing date: 2001-06-12
Publication date: 2001-12-27
Also published as: AU7093001A; WO2001098923A8

Abstract

A method and apparatus that allows a person (called a "sender") to send an electronic greeting card to one or more recipients. The sender may send the electronic greeting card in a message to the recipients e-mail address, web-enabled cell phone, web-enabled pager or by any other device that may receive an electronic greeting card. The process of choosing and designing the electronic greeting card to send also includes a process in which the sender chooses a potential prize that he believes the recipient would like from among a plurality of potential prizes. The recipient may also choose a prize that differs from the prize selected by the recipient. Upon sending the electronic greeting card, the sender and/or recipient may automatically win an instant prize. When an electronic greeting card is sent a record in a relationship database is automatically created. The sender and recipient may also enter a sweepstakes when sending a message utilizing other communication methods such as chat or instant messaging.

Description

Method and Apparatus For Interactive Greeting Cards

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to software applications and, specifically, to a method and apparatus for interactively sending and receiving electronic greeting cards that are then tied to a sweepstakes entry. The growing popularity of the internet has motivated companies to look for ways to profit from the Internet's popularity. For several years, web sites have existed that allow people to send electronic "greeting cards" to others. Often, these greeting cards have a picture and an appropriate message or greeting. One problem experienced by companies that make such greeting cards available on the internet is that there is no real difference in motivation between someone sending a greeting card via the company's web site and simply sending regular e-mail. There is no strong motivation for a sender to send an electronic card, since he can express the same sentiments and attach graphics in a regular email message. The lack of a strong incentive for sending electronic greeting cards often results in lost sales, since a certain number of potential customers will simply send email instead of an electronic greeting card.

Conventional electronic greeting cards also suffer from the fact that they can be somewhat impersonal. It is not always apparent to the recipient that a great deal of thought went into picking the message and/or graphics on the card, even when this is the case. In addition, once a conventional electronic greeting card has been received by the recipient, it is quickly read and forgotten. There is not always a strong incentive for the recipient to reread the card or to think of the card after it has been received. Advertisers tend to advertise on Web pages that cause people to return to them more than once, and since advertisers provide financial support for many "free" electronic greeting card sites, it is desirable to create Web sites and Web pages that users will visit more than once.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide and system and method for motivating users to send electronic greeting cards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A described embodiment of the present invention allows a person (called a "sender") to send an electronic greeting card to one or more recipients. The sender may send the electronic greeting card in a message to the recipients e-mail address, web-enabled cell phone, web- enabled pager or by any other device that may receive an electronic greeting card. The process of choosing and designing the electronic greeting card to send also includes a process in which the sender chooses a potential prize that he believes the recipient would like from among a plurality of potential prizes.

Once the electronic greeting card is created and sent, a sweepstakes entry is created for the card. The sender and recipient may also be considered for an instant win prize. The entry of the card is linked to both the sender and the recipient, both of whom are entered in a sweepstakes for the chosen prize. Upon receiving either notification of the card or the actual card, a recipient may choose a prize that differs from the prize initially chosen by the sender. The card sent by the sender to the recipient has a sweepstakes entry and is linked to the sender and to the recipient. If the recipient chooses a different prize, one sweepstakes entry is linked to the sender and another sweepstakes entry is linked to the recipient. If an entry for the card wins a sweepstakes, the party(s) linked to the sweepstakes, either the sender, recipient or both, win(s) the prize. Both the sender and the receiver can later check online to see whether they have won the chosen prize.

Thus, the sender has an incentive to send an electronic greeting card instead of sending a regular email, a regular page or a message to a cell phone because the sender may win a prize if he sends an electronic greeting card. The more electronic cards he sends to different people, the more chances he has to win. In addition, because the sender picks each prize specifically for the intended recipient, the recipient knows that the sender has given some thought to the likes and dislikes of the recipient. For example, a businessman may register one of his colleagues for an expensive golf club if he knows that the colleague likes golf. However, if the recipient prefers a different prize, the recipient has the opportunity to select an alternative prize.

Both the sender and the recipient are motivated to remember the electronic greeting card and to check and recheck the web page to see if they have won the selected prize. This provides an incentive for advertisers to advertise on the Web page reporting on the results of the prize sweepstakes.

The present invention allows a new type of advertising called "solicited ads" or "acceptance ads," to which people are willing to pay attention. The process of choosing and looking at prizes performed by the sender exposes the sender to ads in which the sender has an interest and has chosen to view, thus increasing the likelihood that the viewer is interested in the ad. Furthermore, since the recipient may select a prize pursuant to the recipient's interests, it is also likely that the recipient is interested in the add.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a recipient receives a notification that a sender has sent the recipient an electronic greeting card. The recipient must then retrieve the electronic greeting card from a messaging system. In an alternative embodiment, the recipient automatically receives the electronic greeting card so that the retrieval of the card is not required. It will be appreciated that the electronic greeting card may be received by a message system provided on an e-mail client, a paging system or a web-enable mobile phone. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the described devices for receiving the electronic greeting card are examples, and that alternative devices may also be appropriate for receiving electronic greeting cards.

In an embodiment of the present invention, automatic entry into a sweepstakes may occur as a result of sending other forms of electronic communications. For example, initiating communications such as a "chat" or "instant messaging" may enter the sender and recipient into a sweepstakes. Also, instead of a greeting card, the sender may send the recipient an event card that describes a scheduled event such as a party, a special dinner, anniversary, concert, sporting event, etc. It will be appreciated that the scope of this invention is not limited by these examples, since the present invention may be applied to all forms of electronic communication.

It will also be appreciated that the electronic greetings card and sweepstakes entry may be integrated with any type of object (i.e., audio such as mp3, digital image such as mpeg or jpeg, text, etc.) One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the objects are not limited by the described examples, and that alternative objects may be included in the present invention.

In accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention relates to a method for motivating users to send greeting cards performed by a data processing system comprising: receiving input from a sender that includes an electronic greeting card; sending the electronic greeting card to a recipient specified by the sender; and creating an entry in a sweepstakes for a prize, the entry being associated with the greeting card.

In further accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention relates to a method for motivating users to send greeting cards performed by a data processing system comprising: receiving input from a sender that includes an electronic greeting card; sending the electronic greeting card to a recipient specified by the sender; and automatically determining if the sender instantly wins a prize.

Advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims and equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Fig. 1 is an example of a data processing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an example of server software stored in the memory of the server of the data processing system of FIG. 1.

Fig. 3(a) shows an overview of a method of sending an electronic greeting card from a sender to a recipient, where the recipient first receives a notification. Fig. 3(b) shows an overview of a method of selecting a sweepstakes prize that can be won by the sender and the recipient of the electronic greeting card.

Fig. 3(c) shows an overview of a method of sending an electronic greeting card directly from a sender to a recipient without a separate notification.

FIG. 4(a) is a flow chart of the sender creating and sending an electronic greeting card, selecting a prize for a sweepstakes, and receiving notification of whether the sender and/or recipient instantly won a prize. FIG. 4(b) is a flowchart of the recipient receiving an electronic greeting card, receiving notification of whether the recipient instantly won a prize, receiving notification of the sweepstakes and being provided the option of choosing a different prize.

FIG 4(c) is a flowchart of the server receiving a request from the sender or recipient to change the selected prize.

FIG. 4(d) is a flowchart of the process to select features.

FIG. 4(e) is a flowchart of the process to personalize an electronic greeting card.

FIG. 4(f) is a flow chart of the process to allow the sender or the recipient to check whether they have won the selected prize.

FIG. 5 is an example of a electronic greeting card sent directly to an e-mail client of the recipient.

FIG. 6 is an example of an electronic greeting card in the form of an ICON sent to the desktop of a recipient. FIG. 7 is an example of an electronic greeting card sent to the pager of a recipient.

FIG. 8 is an example of a sender and a recipient being automatically entered into a sweepstakes based on the communication of an instant message.

FIG. 9(a) shows an exemplary format of an entry in a sweepstakes database.

FIG. 9(b) and 9(c) show an exemplary format of records of a relationship database. FIG. 10 shows an example starting Web page allowing potential users to view an overview of the service.

FIG. 11 shows an example Web page allowing a user to sign on to the service.

FIG. 12 shows an example Web page allowing the signed-on user of Fig. 11 to begin the process of creating an electronic greeting card and choosing a prize.

FIG. 13 shows an example Web page allowing the singed-on sender to select an electronic greeting card from a plurality of options.

FIG. 14 shows an example Web page allowing the sender to personalize the electronic greeting card.

FIG. 15 shows an example preview of a greeting card.

FIG. 16 shows an example Web page confirming that an electronic greeting card has been sent. FIG. 17 shows an example e-mail message sent to the recipient of

an electronic greeting card.

FIG. 18 shows an example e-mail message sent to the sender of an electronic greeting card. FIG. 19 shows an example Web page summarizing the electronic greeting cards sent and received.

FIG. 20 shows an example Web page allowing a sender to instead purchase a gift to be sent with the electronic greeting card.

FIG. 21 shows an example Web page allowing a participant to check on the status of the sweepstakes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles, features and teachings disclosed herein. I. General Discussion

Before discussing details of the present invention, an example of a data processing system implementing an embodiment of the present invention is discussed in the following section. Fig. 1 is an example of a data processing system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 includes a sender's system 102, a server system 104, and a recipient's system 160. These systems can also be combined into one or two data processing systems, instead of three. Server 104, sender's system 102, and recipient's system 160 can be any appropriate data processing system. Each includes a processor 110, 122, 162 and a memory 112, 124, 164. Memory 112 of sender system 102 includes browser software 114, which can be any appropriate Web browser, and messaging software 115, such as e-mail system software. Memory 112 also includes at least one web page (e.g., html) 118 downloaded to be displayed by browser 114 and electronic messages 119 sent and/or received by the sender. Memory 112 also includes data used by the software. The steps of the described embodiment of the present invention are performed when instructions of a computer program are performed by a respective one of processors 110, 122, 162. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that sender system 102 and recipient system 160 may be web enabled paging and mobile phone systems.

Memory 124 of server 104 includes server software 125 that enables the server to perform the functions described herein and messaging software 129, such as e-mail software. Memory 124 also includes one or more web pages 126 (e.g., html) that allows a sender to design an electronic greeting card and to select a prize that can be won by the sender and recipient. Memory 124 also includes one or more web pages 128 (e.g., html) that allows the recipient to view the greeting card. Memory 124 also includes additional personalized web pages (e.g., html, not shown) that allow senders and recipients to check whether they have won a sweepstakes prize and to view the cards they have sent and received. Memory 124 also includes data 127 used by the software, and a relationship database 123. Data 127 can include sender/recipient pairs along with information for the pair, such as the prize selected by the sender and/or by the recipient of the pair.

Relationship database 123 includes records for each sender and recipient of each user's relationship to other individuals. The relationship information is based on the electronic greeting cards sent to the other individuals. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand the importance of the marketing information that is generated as a result of recording each user's relationships to other individuals, including at least both relatives and friends.

Memory 164 of recipient system 160 includes browser software 172, which can be any appropriate web browser, and messaging software 166, which can be any appropriate messaging software such as e-mail software. Alternatively, the messaging software may be any appropriate paging system or mobile phone messaging software. Memory 164 also includes at least one web page (e.g., html) 168 downloaded to be displayed by browser 172 and electronic messages sent and/or received by the sender (not shown). Memory 164 also includes data used by the software.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the systems 102, 104 and 160 may also include additional elements such as network connections, additional memory, additional processors, and input/output lines for transferring information across a hardware channel, the Internet, or an intranet. One skilled in the art will also recognize that the program code and data may be received and stored in the computer systems 102, 104 and 160 in alternative ways. For example, a computer-readable storage medium 156 such as a magnetic disk drive, hard disk drive, magneto- optical reader, CPU, etc., may be coupled to the systems 102, 104 and 160 via in input device 154 for reading the computer readable medium 156. The systems 102, 104 and 160 further include an input device150 such as a keyboard or mouse, and a display device 152 such as a cathode ray tube display.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating details of the server software 125. The server software 125 includes a sweepstakes engine 200, a communications engine 202, an instant win engine 204 and a relationship engine 206. The sweepstakes engine 200 includes program code for receiving data on sweepstakes and prizes, and retrievably storing that data in memory 124. The communications engine 202 includes program code for establishing a communications channel with the sender's system 102 and the recipient's system 160. For example, the communications engine 202 may include program code to establish links to computer systems, paging systems, mobile phone system, and clients and servers included within or connected to the Internet and/or an intranet. The communications engine 202 may include identification and password functions which identify and authenticate authorized users. The communications engine 202 may also use secure connection techniques such as SSL, encryption, private and public key cryptography, etc. The instant win engine 204 includes program code for receiving electronic greeting card data from a sender to automatically determine if a sender and/or a recipient instantly wins a prize. The instant win engine 204 immediately sends the results generated by the instant win engine via the communications engine 202 to sender system 102 and/or to recipient system 160. The relationship engine 206 includes program code for creating relationship records that document a user's circle of friends and family.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular implementation or programming technique and that the invention may be implemented using any appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality described herein. The invention may be implemented in any appropriate operating system using any appropriate programming language or programming techniques.

Each sender's system 102, server 104 and recipient's system 160 preferably also includes an operating system (not shown). A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the memories also contain additional information, such as application programs, operating systems, data, etc., which are not shown in the figure for the sake of clarity. It also will be understood that data processing system 100 (or any other data processing system described herein) can include numerous elements not shown, such as additional data, software, and/or information in memory, disk drives, keyboards, display devices, network connections, additional memory, additional CPUs, LANs, input/output lines, etc.

Some or all of the instructions and data structures in storage areas 112, 124, 164 may be read into memory from computer-readable media 156 (or similar computer readable media not shown). Execution of sequences of instructions contained in the storage areas 112, 124, 164 causes processors 110, 122, 162 to perform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the invention. Thus, preferred embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Nonvolatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as a storage device. Volatile media includes dynamic memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a bus within a computer. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications, or electrical signals transmitted over a computer network. Common forms of computer- readable media include, for example a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punchcards, papertapes, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The instructions stored in storage areas 112, 124, 164 can also be transmitted as a carrier wave over a medium such as the internet, a LAN, a WAN, an intranet, a cellular network, etc. and then stored in storage areas 112, 124, or 164.

II. Creating an Electronic Greeting Card

Fig. 3(a) shows an overview of one embodiment of a method for sending an electronic greeting card from a sender to a recipient. The overview shows three parts: creating an electronic greeting card 302, sending an email notification to the recipient 304, and allowing the recipient to look at the electronic greeting card (for example, via a Web page). (Note that a confirmation email is preferably also sent to the sender). It will be appreciated that alternatively, notification is provided by a message that is sent to the recipient's web enabled pager or mobile phone, via instant messaging, or provided as an icon by utilizing push technology.

It will be understood that some of the steps of Fig. 3(a) are performed by software in sender system 102, such as browser software 114 (which is used to allow the sender to create the electronic card). In addition, some of the steps of Fig. 3(a) are performed by server system 104 (which sends Web pages 126 to sender system 102, creates the Web page of the electronic greeting card, sends a message, such as email, to the recipient, and sends the web pages 128 to the recipient browser). In addition, some of the steps of Fig. 3(a) are performed by messaging software of recipient system 160 (which receives the message, such as an email message, notifying the recipient of the electronic greeting card) and by browser 172 of recipient system 160 (which allows the recipient to view the electronic greeting card). Fig. 3(a) shows a general overview of the process of sending an electronic greeting card, but does not show details involving the sweepstakes, which are described below.

Fig 3(b) shows an overview of a method of selecting a sweepstakes prize that can be won by the sender and the recipient of the electronic greeting card. In the example of Fig. 3(b), a sender, Mr. A is in the process of sending an electronic greeting card to a recipient Ms. B. In addition to creating an electronic greeting card, the sender selects a prize from among a plurality of prizes 240 that the sender believes the recipient would like. It will be appreciated that a default prize may be pre-selected for the sender. The prize selection process provides an instance of "acceptance advertising" of the items listed as possible prizes, since the sender wants to review information regarding each prize. The electronic greeting card is then sent to the recipient as described above. In addition, the recipient receives a description of the prize and an explanation of how to determine if the recipient/sender pair have won the prize. (As shown in Fig. 3(b), the recipient can also decide to send an electronic greeting card to the sender in return to another third party, for example, Ms. C.) It will be appreciated that the recipient has the opportunity to be entered into a different sweepstakes than that selected by the sender, and may therefore win a different prize than the sender. As shown in Fig. 3(b), when the sender sends the electronic greeting card 356, an entry is automatically made in the sweepstakes database 127, recording the identity of the sender/receiver pair and the chosen prize(s). As further shown, when either one of the sender or the recipient sends a query 352 (via a Web page, described below) as to whether they have won, server 104 queries the database 127 and tells the sender and/or receiver whether they have won 354. For example, Fig. 9 shows an exemplary format 900 of an entry in sweepstakes database 127. The entry includes an identification number 902 associated with the entry, the e-mail address (or other identification such as paging number) 904 of the sender, the e-mail address (or other identification such as paging number) 906 of the recipient, identification 908 of the chosen or default prize for the sender, and identification 910 of the chosen or default prize for the recipient. It will be understood that the format shown is provided by way of example only and that other appropriate database organizations can be used.

Fig. 3(c) shows an overview of one embodiment of a method for directly sending an electronic greeting card from a sender to a recipient. The overview shows two parts: creating an electronic greeting card 360, and receiving the electronic greeting card in the recipients message system 362 (for example, e-mail client). (Note that a confirmation email is preferably also sent to the sender). It will be appreciated that alternatively the electronic greeting card or notification of the card is sent to the recipient's web enabled pager or mobile phone, via instant messaging, or provided as an icon by utilizing push technology. Fig. 3(c) shows a general overview of the process of a sender directly sending an electronic greeting card to a recipient, but does not show details involving the sweepstakes, which are described below.

FIG. 4(a) is a flow chart of the sender creating and sending an electronic greeting card, selecting a prize for a sweepstakes, and of receiving notification of whether the send and or recipient instantly won a prize. FIG. 4(b) is a flowchart of the recipient receiving an electronic greeting card, receiving notification of whether the recipient instantly won a prize, receiving notification of the sweepstakes and being provided the option of choosing a different prize. FIG 4(c) is a flowchart of the server receiving a request from the sender or recipient to change the selected prize. FIG. 4(d) is a flowchart of the process to select prize features. FIG. 4(e) is a flowchart of the process to personalize an electronic greeting card. FIG. 4(f) is a flow chart of the process to allow the sender or the recipient to check whether they have won the selected prize. These processes are performed, for example, by browser software 114 in communication with server system 104. The steps are discussed below in connection with the exemplary Web pages of Figs. 10-21. Fig. 10 shows one embodiment of a beginning Web page which a potential user of the service would view on the Internet. In the example, Web page 1000 preferably includes text, graphics and pictures describing the service and encourages potential users to utilize the service. Web page 1000 preferably includes an icon 1002 allowing a potential user to sign on to the service.

Fig. 11 shows one embodiment of a Web page which a user of the system would use to sign on to the system. In the example, Web page 1100 includes a text prompt 1102 urging the prospective user to sign up and become a member of the service. For existing members, the Web page 1100 preferably includes a prompt to enter the user's name 1104 and password 1106. The user then enters the information into the system by clicking on a "sign in" icon in a conventional manner.

Fig. 12 shows one embodiment of a Web page displayed after the user has signed on which allows the user to create an electronic greeting card, enter a sweepstakes in which the user may be awarded a prize selected by the user, and send the electronic greeting card to a recipient chosen by the user. In the example, Web page 1200 preferably includes a plurality of electronic greeting card categories 1202 such as holidays, birthdays, weddings, etc. Web page 1200 also preferably includes information and/or drawings of prizes which will be awarded to at least some of the senders and recipients of the service. In the example, prizes include an automobile 1204 and a camcorder 1206. The Web page 1200 preferably includes prompts and/or icons 1208 which urge potential users to pick a card, pick a prize associated with the card, and pick a friend to whom the card is to be sent. Web page 1200 also preferably includes a calendar 1210 showing date and holiday information, and other occasions such as birthdays. Web page 1200 also preferably includes various function icons, for example, for prizes 1212, custom cards 1214, buy a prize 1216 and view mailbox 1218. Web page 1200 also preferably includes utility icons 1220 such as home, help, etc.

Fig. 13 shows one embodiment of a Web page which includes information and selection icons for selecting electronic greeting cards and associated prizes. In the example, the "birthdays" category has been selected from card categories 1202 of Fig. 12. Web page 1300 preferably includes a sub-category 1302 of "birthdays" such as family, friend, humorous, romantic, etc., and further includes a plurality of card selections 1304 and prize selections 1306. When the sender has made his electronic greeting card and prize selections, an icon 1308 is clicked to access the

next Web page.

Fig. 14 shows one embodiment of a Web page which allows the sender to personalize the greeting card before sending it to a recipient. In the example, Web page 1400 includes information for the sender to enter, such as sender e-mail address 1402, recipient e-mail address 1404, e-mail subject heading 1406, and date to send the card 1408. A reminder of the selected prize 1410 which the sender and recipient may win may also be included. E-mail addresses may be accessed via an address book 1412, and a message may be entered into a screen 1414 which may be reset by clicking icon 1416 or previewed by clicking icon 1418.

Fig. 15 shows one embodiment of a Web page after the sender in the Web page of Fig. 14 has entered information and clicked the preview icon 1418. In the example, Web page 1500 includes a picture or drawing 1502, and preferably includes animation or sound which may be controlled by wish icon 1504, play icon 1506 and stop icon 1508. In the example, the electronic greeting card can be edited by clicking on the edit icon 1510, or can be sent to the recipient by clicking on the send icon 1512.

Fig. 16 shows one embodiment of a Web page which informs the sender that an electronic greeting card has been sent. In the example, Web page 1600 includes recipient information 1602 and may include an optional advertisement 1604, for example, promoting the prizes that the sender may win in the sweepstakes. Fig. 17 shows one embodiment of an electronic message which informs the recipient that an electronic greeting has been sent to the recipient. In the example, e-mail page 1700 preferably includes information 1702 identifying the subject, date, sender and recipient of the e-mail message. E-mail page 1700 also preferably includes text information 1704 informing the recipient of the electronic greeting card sender, the sweepstakes prize associated with the electronic greeting card, and the date the sweepstakes winner will be announced, as well as a Web site address 1706 where the electronic greeting card and other information may be viewed. Similarly, Fig. 18 shows one embodiment of an electronic message which confirms for the sender that the recipient has received the electronic greeting card sent by the sender: In the example, e-mail page 1800 preferably includes information 1802 informing the sender of the electronic greeting card recipient, the sweepstakes prize associated with the electronic greeting card, and the date the sweepstakes winner will be announced, as well as a Web site address from where additional electronic greeting cards may be created and sent. It will be appreciated that, alternatively, the electronic greeting card may be directly sent to the recipient as an attachment to the electronic message. It will be further appreciated that the recipient has the opportunity to change the recipient's selected prize.

Fig. 19 shows one embodiment of a Web page which allows a sender or receiver (hereafter, participant) in the electronic greeting card service to view an updated list of electronic greeting cards which have been sent and received. In the example, Web page 1900 includes a view 1902 of the participant's e-mail in box showing electronic greeting cards received, and a view 1904 of the participant's e-mail out box showing electronic greeting cards sent. Web page 1900 further preferably includes the current month's calendar 1906 and a view of the participant's e-mail address book 1908.

Fig. 20 shows one embodiment of a Web page which allows a sender to select and include a prize with the electronic greeting card sent to a recipient. In the example, Web page 2000 includes text information 2002 informing the sender of the option of purchasing a prize to include with the electronic greeting card. Web page 2000 also preferably includes a plurality of icons 2004 representing prizes from which the sender can choose. The sender can preferably click on one of the plurality of icons to view a description and/or picture of the particular prize. Fig. 21 shows one embodiment of a Web page which includes information on a participant's pending and completed sweepstakes. In the example, Web page 2100 includes information on pending sweepstakes 2102, such as prizes, dates of drawings, and odds of winning. In the example, Web page 2100 further includes similar information on drawn sweepstakes 2104, including the names of winners.

Other Web pages and Web page features may be included in other embodiments of this invention. In one embodiment, the sender can select one recipient or more than one where each recipient entered will receive the same prize. It will be appreciated that the recipients may have the opportunity to select a different prize. Another embodiment allows the sender to enter large numbers of recipients, such as, for example, recipients on a mailing list, or by entering a large collection of names and email addresses. The names and email addresses entered by the sender can be used for a variety of purposes, such as for direct marketing or gathering statistics about Web use, or it can be kept strictly private, depending on the implementation of the invention. In another embodiment, the Web page may allows the sender to choose an illustration for the electronic greeting card from a plurality of illustrations. The Web page may also allow the sender to indicate a message for the greeting card where, for example, the sender first chooses one of several predetermined messages and then enters his own personalized message. Other embodiments may allow the sender to enter more or fewer numbers of messages. Turning now to Figs. 4(a) through 4(f), the flow charts describes a method for sending electronic greeting cards and for automatically entering senders and recipients in sweepstakes. In step 402 of Fig. 4(a), a participant employs a conventional Internet service to access the Web page of the electronic greeting card service provider, such as Web page 1000 of Fig. 10. In the example of Fig. 10, the sender initially clicks on icon 1002 to bring up a Web page 1100 of Fig. 11 for membership and/or sign in. Fig. 11 shows one embodiment of a Web page 1100, which includes a text prompt 1102 urging the prospective user to sign up and become a member of the service. For existing members, the Web page 1100 preferably includes a prompt to enter the member's user name 1104 and password 1106. The user then enters the information into the system by clicking on a "sign in" icon.

Step 404 allows the sender to create an electronic greeting card for the recipient. In one described embodiment, a profile of the participant based on the participant's previous activities is created and maintained by the electronic greeting card service provider. The electronic greeting card service provider may use the profile to initially determine which greeting cards, sweepstakes, prizes and incentives to offer the participants. In addition, the advertisements targeted for the participants may be based on the profile information. In another described embodiment, the sender is required to fill in a questionnaire (not shown) before the sender can send the first greeting card to a recipient. Requiring the sender to fill out a questionnaire allows the system to target advertisements to the sender. It is important to note that a participant may select, or be offered, greeting cards, sweepstakes, prizes and incentives outside of the profile or questionnaire associated with the participant.

In the example Web page 1200 of Fig. 12, the sender initially clicks on icon 1208 to bring up a Web page for selecting an electronic greeting card. Fig. 13 shows one embodiment of a Web page which includes information and selection icons for selecting electronic greeting cards. In the example, the "birthdays" category has been selected from card categories 1202. Web page 1300 may include a sub-category 1302 of "birthdays" such as family, friend, humorous, romantic, etc., and further includes a plurality of card selections 1304 and prize selections 1306. The card that the sender sends is entered into the sweepstakes for the prize.

Step 405 allows the sender to select a prize associated with a sweepstakes. Fig. 13 shows one embodiment of a Web page which includes information and selection icons for selecting a prize which will be awarded when the sweepstakes is drawn. In one embodiment, the prize will be won or lost by the sender/recipient as a team. In another embodiment, the recipient will choose a prize that differs from the prize selected by the sender. Accordingly, the sender and recipient may be entered into different sweepstakes. Note that step 404 (creating a greeting card) and step 405 (selecting a prize) can be performed in any appropriate order. When the sender has created his electronic greeting card and prize selections, an icon 1308 is clicked to access the next Web page. Step 406 allows the sender to personalize the electronic greeting card before sending it to a recipient. Fig. 14 shows one embodiment of a Web page 1400 where a personalized message may be entered into a screen 1400 which may be reset by clicking icon 1416 or previewed by clicking icon 1418. A reminder of the selected prize 1410 which the sender and recipient may win may also be included. It will be appreciated that the recipient may have the opportunity to select a different prize corresponding to a different sweepstakes. Fig. 15 shows one embodiment of a Web page after the sender has entered into the Web page of Fig. 14 the personalized information and clicked the preview icon 1418. In the example, Web page 1500 includes a picture or drawing 1502, and preferably includes animation or sound which may be controlled by wish icon 1504, play icon 1506 and stop icon 1508. In the example, the electronic greeting card can be edited by clicking on the edit icon 1510. It will be appreciated that in step 406, as more specifically shown in

Fig. 4(e), a sender will have the option of selecting a standard greeting or of entering a personalized greeting. In step 442, sweepstakes engine 200 queries the sender as to whether the sender will create a personalized greeting. If the sender responds affirmatively, in step 446 the sender enters a personalized greetings as shown in Fig. 14. If the sender will not enter a personalized greeting, in step 444 the sender selects a greeting from a plurality of standard greetings. It will be appreciated that the sender may have the option to modify the standard greeting. After completing the standard or personalized greeting, in step 448 sweepstakes engine 200 queries the sender as to whether the sender will include an object such as a digital image, audio or animation with the electronic greeting card. If the sender responds affirmatively, in step 450 the sender selects at least one object to integrate with the electronic greeting card. If the sender does not choose to include an object, then the process of personalizing electronic greeting card ends. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that objects encoded in all available formats may be integrated with the electronic greeting card of the present invention. After integrating the object, the electronic greeting card is appropriately prepared for the sender to send to the recipient. Step 407 allows the sender to choose available features (options) that may be included with the selected prize. Fig. 4(d) shows a flow chart of one embodiment for selecting prize features. In step 430 the sweepstakes engine 200 queries the sender as to whether the sender wishes to customize the prize. If the sender replies in the affirmative, sweepstakes engine 200 determines in step 432 if there is an options budget. If there is an options budget, in step 436 the sender selects options listed on a Web page (not shown) that are within a specified budget. If there is not a budget, sweepstakes engine 200 queries the sender of whether the sender will select specific options. If the sender responds in the affirmative, in step 440 the sender selects specific options listed on a Web page (not shown). If the sender does not select specific options, in step 438 the sender selects a predefined group of options from a list of option groupings. It will be appreciated that the selection of prize features may occur between the transmission of the electronic greeting card by the sender and the drawing of the sweepstakes. It will also be appreciated that the sender may define the prize features for both the sender and recipient, or the recipient may separately define prize features. Now returning to Fig. 4(a), in step 408 the sender selects a transmission method for sending either notification of the electronic greeting card, and/or by sending the electronic greeting card directly to the recipient. Sweepstakes engine 200 provides the sender a list of the available options for sending the electronic greeting card. If the sender chooses not to select a transmission method, communication engine 202 may send by default the electronic greeting card and/or notification of the electronic greeting card directly to the e-mail client of the recipient. For example, Fig. 5 shows an electronic greeting card sent directly to an e- mail client 500 of the recipient. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 6, the sender may choose to have communication engine 202 send a notification and/or the electronic greeting card to the recipient in the form of a desktop icon drop dropped on the recipient's desktop 600 using push technology. Fig. 6 shows an electronic Christmas greeting card dropped on the recipient's desktop. It will be appreciated that the icon may include either the notification for retrieval of the electronic greeting card or may include the electronic greeting card.

The sender, as shown in Fig. 7, may alternatively choose to have communication engine 202 send a notification and/or the electronic greeting card to the pager or mobile phone of the recipient. Fig. 7 shows sender system 102 sending a greetings notification and/or electronic greeting card via server 104 to paging system 702. Paging system 702 routes the notification and/or electronic greeting card to pager 704 of the recipient. It will be appreciated that the pager and mobile phone may be Web enabled to receive the graphics and integrated objects provided with the electronic greeting card. One or ordinary skill in the art will understand that the disclosed transmission methods are simply examples and that alternative methods for transmitting greeting notifications and/or electronic greeting cards may be employed in the present invention. Now returning to Fig. 4(a), step 410 allows the sender to send the finished greeting card to the recipient. In the example Web page 1500 of Fig. 15, when the sender is satisfied with the electronic greeting card design, the sender clicks on the send icon 1512 and the electronic greeting card is sent to the server 104 for storage. Fig. 16 shows one embodiment of a Web page which informs the sender that an electronic greeting card has been sent. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the electronic greeting card may be sent directly to the recipient as an attachment to an electronic message. In step 411 the relationship engine 206 automatically creates an entry in a record of the relationship database, where the record is associated with the sender. Figs. 9(b) and 9(c) show an example format of records in relationship database 123. The exemplary format includes a relationship category 912, an address 914 and a birthday date 916. Relationship category 912 is determined according to the category of the electronic greeting card chosen by the sender and sent to the recipient. It will be appreciated that the address 914 may be an e-mail address, pager number, mobile phone number, or any other address that received the greeting notification and/or electronic greeting card. It will be appreciated that a record in relationship database 123 may be directly or indirectly created. For example, if a nephew sends an electronic birthday greeting card to his uncle, a record 920 in a nephew segment 918 of the relationship database 123 is created. If after record 920 is created the uncle sends an electronic birthday greeting card to his daughter, relationship engine 206 automatically creates a daughter record 924 in an uncle segment 922 and a first cousin record 930 in the nephew segment 918 of relationship database 123. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that each entry in relationship database 123 may grow exponentially as additional relations of a user of the electronic greeting card service of the present invention continue to send greeting cards.

Now returning to Fig. 4(a), in step 412 the instant win engine 204 automatically sends notice to the sender and/or recipient via the communications engine 202 of whether the sender and/or recipient instantly won a prize. The instant win process occurs immediately upon successfully sending the electronic greeting card. Notification of the instant win may be included in the electronic mailbox containing the sender's sent cards. Notification may also be included in the acknowledgment confirming that the card has been sent. The instant win prize may differ from the sweepstakes prize originally selected by the sender.

In step 414 the sweepstakes engine 200 automatically creates an entry for the card and enters both the sender and the recipient in a sweepstakes for the chosen prize. This entry is preferably done by sending information about the sender/recipient to server system 104 where it is stored in a database such as database 127. Fig. 9(a) shows an exemplary format of records in an entry in sweepstakes database 127. In step 416 of Fig. 4(b), the recipient receives the electronic greeting card from the sender and automatically receives notification of whether the recipient instantly won a gift. Notification of the instant win is preferably included in the electronic mailbox containing the recipient's received cards. It will be appreciated that the instant win prize for the recipient may differ from the sweepstakes prized previously selected by the sender, and may differ from the instant win prize selected for the sender. It will also be appreciated that the instant win may offered to the sender, recipient or both. In step 418, the recipient receives notification of the sweepstakes and the prize selected by the sender that the recipient and the sender may win. Alternatively, the recipient may instead receive an electronic message informing the recipient of the electronic greeting card and how to view it. Fig. 17 shows one embodiment of an electronic message which informs the recipient that an electronic greeting has been sent to the recipient. In the example, e-mail page 1700 preferably includes information 1704 informing the recipient of the electronic greeting card sender, the sweepstakes prize associated with the electronic greeting card, and the date the sweepstakes winner will be announced, as well as a Web site address 1706 where the electronic greeting card and other information may be viewed. Similarly, Fig. 16 shows one embodiment of an electronic message which confirms for the sender that the recipient has received the electronic greeting card sent by the sender. In step 420, the recipient is provided with the option of selecting a different prize and/or sweepstakes from that chosen by the sender. More specifically, in step 422 of Fig. 4(c) sweepstakes engine 200 queries the recipient as to whether the recipient prefers to choose a different prize and/or sweepstakes. If the recipient responds in the affirmative, then in step 426 sweepstakes engine 200 accesses memory 127 in server 104 to determine if the allowed period to change the selected prize has ended. If the allowed period to change the selected prize and/or sweepstakes has ended, then the recipient is informed (via the communications engine 202) that the change period has ended and that the prize and/or sweepstakes chosen by the sender cannot be changed. If the allowed period to change the selected prize and/or sweepstakes has not ended, then in step 428 the recipient is allowed to select a different prize and/or sweepstakes as described in step 420. If the recipient selects a different prize and/or sweepstakes, the new choice is recorded in the database 127 record assigned to the requesting party.

The preceding paragraphs explain how a sender can send an electronic greeting card to a recipient, select a sweepstakes prize that will be won or lost by the sender and recipient as a team or individually, and instantly win a prize. The following paragraphs describe how either the sender or the recipient can look at the cards sent or received, look at the prizes the sender or recipient may win and check the status of the sweepstakes. The preceding paragraphs explain how a sender can send an electronic greeting card to a recipient and select a sweepstakes prize that will be won or lost by the sender and recipient as a team. The following paragraphs describe how either the sender or the recipient can look at the cards he has sent or received, look at the prizes he may win, and check the status of the sweepstakes.

III. Participants Can Check Whether They Have Won Fig. 4(f) is a flow chart 400 showing steps performed to allow the sender or the recipient (herein participants) to check whether they have won the selected prize. These steps are performed, for example, by browser software 114 (of the sender) or browser software 172 (of the recipient) in communication with server system 104. One of ordinary skill I the art will understand that browser software 114 and browser software 172 support conventional browsers. Once the server 104 knows the e- mail address, password, (or other appropriate electronic identification) of the participant requesting the Web page, it can search database 127 to determine to whom the participant has sent electronic greeting card and from whom the participant has received electronic greeting cards. Server 104 then creates a personalized Web page for display by the participant's browser.

In step 452 the participants may access a Web page to check which electronic greeting cards they have sent, to check which prizes they might win, and to check whether they have won a prize, as of a specified date. In step 456, the sender may access a Web page (not shown) established by the electronic greeting card service provider. From the Web page, the sender can preferably click the appropriate button to determine if the sweepstakes have been awarded as of the current date. The sender can also preferably click on a button to create another card and select a prize in a manner similar to that described above. The sender is thus encouraged to send additional greeting cards. Fig. 21 shows one embodiment of a Web page which includes information on pending and completed sweepstakes. In the example, Web page 2100 includes information on pending sweepstakes 2102, such as prizes, dates of drawings, and odds of winning. In the example, Web page 2100 further includes similar information on drawn sweepstakes 2104, including the names of winners. Of course, the win/lose indicators are not displayed until after the sweepstakes drawing occurs and the gift is awarded to one or more persons. In one embodiment, all gifts are awarded on a specified date, such as New Years day. In another embodiment, the gifts can be awarded periodically, such as daily, or monthly, or in connection with any other appropriate event. It is contemplated that the award of gifts will be determined electronically by random chance, although the gifts may also be awarded by a person drawing names out of a hat or by any other appropriate selection method. The opportunities for reviewing cards sent and received, earning incentives, winning a prize, motivate the participants to return to the personalized page over and over, thereby making the page more attractive to advertisers who wish their ads to be viewed by the participants.

In step 454, the recipient may access a Web page (not shown) established by the electronic greeting card service provider. From the Web page, the recipient can preferably click on appropriate button to display a list of the names and email addresses of senders who have sent cards to the recipient, and can also preferably click the appropriate button to determine if the sweepstakes have been awarded as of the current date, as described above. The recipient can also preferably click on a button to create a card and select a prize in a manner similar to that described above. The recipient is thus encouraged to send greeting cards. A participant can, at all times, view the Web page which reminds the participant who has sent him cards and to whom the participant has sent cards. A participant can also, at all times, see what prizes the participant may win from cards he has sent and from cards that he has received. If, however, the participant attempts to view an electronic greeting card before the specified date for a card that he has received, he will receive a notification that that electronic greeting card cannot be viewed until the specified day. Participants can, at all times review the content on cards that they have sent to other people.

If the sweepstakes have been awarded as of the current date, in step 458 either participant may preferably click an appropriate button to determine whether or not they have been awarded a gift. In step 464, a "Win" indicator (not shown) is displayed if the participants have been awarded a gift, and details are provided informing the participant how to obtain the gift. In step 460, a "Lose" indicator (not shown) is displayed if the participants have not been awarded a gift.

If a participant did not win the prize, in step 462, the electronic greeting card service offers the losing participant an offer to purchase the prize at a discounted price. Alternatively, the participant(s) may receive a consolation prize.

It will be appreciated that alternative embodiments of the present invention may enter participants in a sweepstakes when senders utilize other forms of communications. For example, a sender that sends a message via chat or instant messaging may result in automatic entry in a sweepstakes of the sender and/or the recipient that received the message.

Fig. 8 shows an example 800 of an instant message transmitted via a browser that registered both the sender and the recipient in a sweepstakes message. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that alternative forms of communication could be employed to automatically register participants in sweepstakes.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims and equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for motivating users to send greeting cards performed by a data processing system comprising: receiving input from a sender that includes an electronic greeting card; sending the electronic greeting card to a recipient specified by the sender; and creating an entry in a sweepstakes for a prize, the entry being associated with the greeting card.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: sending a notification of the electronic greeting card to the recipient specified by the sender.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the notification is received by the recipient within an e-mail message.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the notification is received by a recipient within a pager message.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the notification is received by a recipient within a mobile phone message.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the notification is received by a recipient within a desktop icon.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the creating step includes: entering both the sender and the recipient of the greeting card in the sweepstakes for the prize, where the sender and the recipient will both win or both lose.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: providing the sender an option to select the prize from a plurality of prizes for which the sweepstakes entry is created.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: receiving input from the sender of the prize selection of the sender.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: providing the recipient an option to select a prize that differs from the prize chosen by the sender.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving input from the recipient of the prize selection of the recipient.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising: determining a winner of the sweepstakes; and awarding the prize to the winning sender and recipient.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising: determining of winner of the sweepstakes; awarding the prize selection of the sender to the sender, wherein if the sender wins; and awarding the prize selection of the recipient to the recipient, wherein if the recipient wins.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: providing the recipient an option to send a greeting card to an additional recipient and creating another sweepstakes entry for the recipient and the second recipient

15. The method of claim 14, where the another sweepstakes entry is a sweepstakes for a different prize.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: creating a relationship record for the sender and a relationship record for the recipient , if the recipient sends a greeting card to the additional recipient.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein creating a relationship record comprises: determining a relationship category between the sender and the recipient, the recipient and the additional recipient, and the sender and the additional recipient.

18. The method of claim 17, the relationship record including at least one of an address of the recipient, and a relationship category of the recipient in relation to the sender.

19. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: providing the sender an option to check a personalized Web page to determine if the sender has won the selected prize.

20. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: providing the recipient an option to check a personalized Web page to determine if the recipient has won the selected prize.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input received from the sender that includes an electronic greeting card further includes the electronic greeting card selected by the sender from a plurality of electronic greeting cards.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the plurality of electronic greeting cards provided to the sender are specific to a profile of the sender.

23. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: providing the sender an option to choose the prize from a plurality of prizes, wherein the prizes are specific to a profile of the sender.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein a Web site used to create the greeting card includes a plurality of advertisements that are specific to ones of the plurality of prizes.

25. The method of claim 24 , wherein a Web site used to create the greeting card includes a plurality of advertisements that are specific to ones of the plurality of prizes.

26. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: providing the recipient an option to choose the prize from a plurality of prizes, wherein the prizes are specific to a profile of the recipient.

27. The method of claim 1 further comprising: providing the sender an option to select from one of, entering a personalized greeting in the electronic greeting card or including a standard greeting selected by the sender from a plurality of standard messages.

28. The method of claim 1 further comprising: providing the sender an option to affix an object from at least one of a digital image object and an audio object to the electronic greeting card.

29. The method of claim 1 further comprising: providing the sender the option of customizing the prize.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein providing the sender the option of customizing the prize, the sender selects one option or one predefined group of options from a list of options.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein providing the sender the option of customizing the prize, the sender selects a specified number of options from a list of options.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein providing the sender the option of customizing the prize, the sender selects an options package according to a specified monetary budget.

33. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: providing the sender and the recipient a discount to purchase the prize if the sweepstakes entry loses.

34. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: providing the sender and the recipient a consolation prize if the sweepstakes entry loses.

35. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: creating a relationship record based upon information disclosed by the transmission of the electronic greeting card.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein creating a relationship record comprises: determining a relationship category between the sender and the recipient.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the relationship record includes at least one of an address of the recipient, and a relationship category of the recipient in relation to the sender.

38. A method for motivating users to send greeting cards performed by a data processing system comprising: receiving input from a sender that includes an electronic greeting card; sending the electronic greeting card to a recipient specified by the sender; and automatically determining if the sender instantly wins a prize.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising: automatically determining if the recipient instantly wins a prize.

40. The method of claim 38 further comprising: creating an entry in a sweepstakes for a prize, the entry being associated with the greeting card.

41. An apparatus, comprising: a communication engine for receiving input from a sender that includes an electronic greeting card and for sending the electronic greeting card to a recipient specified by the sender; and a sweepstakes engine for creating an entry in a sweepstakes for a prize, the entry being associated with the greeting card.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the communication engine is configured to send a notification of the electronic greeting card to the recipient specified by the sender.

43. An apparatus for motivating users to send greeting cards comprising: a communications engine for receiving input from a sender that includes an electronic greeting card and for sending the electronic greeting card to a recipient specified by the sender; and an instant win engine for automatically determining if the sender instantly wins a prize.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the instant win engine is configured to automatically determine if the recipient instantly wins a prize.

45. The apparatus of claim 43 further comprising: a sweepstakes engine for creating an entry in a sweepstakes for a prize, the entry being associated with the greeting card.

46. A computer program product, comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing activities relating to a greeting card with sweepstakes, the computer program product including: computer readable program code devices configured to receive input from a sender, that allows a sender to create an electronic greeting card; computer readable program code devices configured to send the electronic greeting card to a recipient specified by the sender; and computer readable program code devices configured to create an entry in a sweepstakes for a prize , the entry being associated with the greeting card.

47. A computer program product, comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing activities relating to a greeting card with sweepstakes, the computer program product including: computer readable program code devices configured to receive input from a sender, that allows a sender to create an electronic greeting card; computer readable program code devices configured to send the electronic greeting card to a recipient specified by the sender; and computer readable program code devices configured to automatically determine if the sender instantly wins a prize.

48. An apparatus, comprising: means for receiving input from a sender, that allows a sender to create an electronic greeting card; means for sending the electronic greeting card to a recipient specified by the sender; and means for creating an entry in a sweepstakes for a prize , the entry being associated with the greeting card.

49. An apparatus, comprising: means for receiving input from a sender, that allows a sender to create an electronic greeting card; means for sending a notification of the electronic greeting card to a recipient specified by the sender; and means for automatically determining if the sender instantly wins a prize.

50. A computer data signal representing sequences of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform activities relating to a greeting card with sweepstakes, by performing the steps of: receiving input from a sender, that allows a sender to create an electronic greeting card; sending the electronic greeting card to a recipient specified by the sender; and creating an entry in a sweepstakes for a prize , the entry being associated with the greeting card.

51. A computer data signal representing sequences of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform activities relating to a greeting card with sweepstakes by performing the steps of: receiving input from a sender, that allows a sender to create an electronic greeting card; sending the electronic greeting card to a recipient specified by the sender; and automatically determining if the sender instantly wins a prize.

52. A method for motivating users to utilize a communication service performed by a data processing system comprising: receiving input including a message via a communication service from a sender; sending the message via the communication service to a recipient specified by the sender; and creating an entry in a sweepstakes for a prize, the entry being associated with use by the sender of the communication service.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the communication service is a Web enabled chat service.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein the communication service is a Web enabled instant messaging service.