WO2018191759A1

WO2018191759A1 - Digital business cards maker

Info

Publication number: WO2018191759A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/027841
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan YUN
Original assignee: Yun Jonathan
Priority date: 2017-04-13
Filing date: 2018-04-17
Publication date: 2018-10-18
Also published as: WO2018191759A9

Abstract

A method of creating a business card is provided. The method includes receiving a request to create a business card; and receiving contact information for the business card. The method further includes providing a group of images in a display; and receiving a selection of an image from the group of images. The method also includes incorporating the selection into the business card. The method further includes receiving a request to transmit the business card. The method also includes transmitting the business card in electronic form.

Description

Digital Business Cards Maker

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application

No. 62/484,892 filed on April 14, 2017, entitled "Digital Business Cards Maker" the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of software for the creation of business cards.

2. Description of Related Art

[0003] Many people carry paper business cards, which can be bulky and can get lost, and must be stored in a wallet or separate business card case. The business cards eventually accumulate within the wallet and must be cleaned out. Often, the cards may be scanned into databases for storage, which it time consuming, or put into a large box with other business cards, which makes particular cards difficult to find.

[0004] An electronic business card format would permit ease of transmission of information and storage. However, the drawbacks of current electronic business storage solutions are that they generally require graphic artists, and while the graphic artists have the ability to reproduce content, the casual user does not. A library of shared design elements would improve the appearance of the cards and facilitate the design of cards, and reduce the cost for a new card design. However, there are no easy ways to design business cards, and to share them electronically.

[0005] Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a system that provides an easy way to design business cards, using libraries and uploaded materials, and share the components of the business cards, while making easier sharing possible through electronic means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.

[0007] FIG. 1 is an initial view screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a "Contact Information" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a "Contact Information" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a "Creating Cards" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 5 is an "Unassigned Inbox" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a "Location of Storage" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 7 is a "Current Design Library" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 8 is a "Send your Card" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 9 is a "Make Card" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 10 is a "Modify Design" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 11 is a "Design Library" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 12 is an "Upload a Card" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 13 is a "Background Selection" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0020] FIG. 14 is a "Font Selection" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 15 is a "Art Design" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 16 is a "Picture Gallery" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 17 is a "Crop Design" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 18 is an "Account Setup" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 19 is an "Upload to Design Library" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 20 is a "Unique Font Design" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 21 is an "Upload Art Design" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 22 is a "Upload Photo" screenshot of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIGS. 23(a) and 23(b) are flowchart views of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. l-23(b), wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0031] With reference to the figures, a software system is designed to permit the sharing of business cards over distance without face to face contact or contact through emails or phone numbers.

[0032] The software can be used by a person to store business information. The stored digital business card information can be transmitted to other users through email, over wireless networks or near-field communication. [0033] The benefits of the system are that the user may store the business cards in digital format so they do not require storage of business cards in wallets or boxes. Further, the information is easily accessible.

[0034] The business cards are always available and stored on a portable digital device such as a smartphone. The cost of use is also cheaper than the storage of cards.

[0035] In an embodiment, any users can upload their cards to the cloud (servers) and the designs (pictures, font, graphic, edge design etc.) and text are scanned into the system. The designs are also stored and in an embodiment are made available to a tool that enables the creation of business cards. In an embodiment, the user that uploads the card design or claims ownership to the card design receives royalties for other users' use of the design elements. The designs or design elements are linked to the user account, such that the system can track uses of the user's designs and design elements for copyright and remuneration purposes. The designs and design elements are also categorized by the type of element and the theme(s) to which they apply. The designs and design elements are stored in the cloud or on a company server.

[0036] The system includes a tool for the creation of business cards. It has access to the library of scanned/card graphics, which may be selected by users to use on their card design

[0037] The process of the system is shown using screenshots in Figs. 1 - 22. Figs.

23(a) and 23(b) provide an overview of the steps required or available, with reference to the screenshots. With reference to Fig. 1, in step 5 the initial screen is shown, wherein the user has the option to choose whether they want to design a card, or access their card storage. With reference to Fig. 2, in step 10 the user can use the contact information of one of the contacts.

[0038] If the user selects making a business card, in step 15 (shown in Fig. 4) the user may select viewing his or her cards, or making a card. For his or her cards, at step 20 (Fig. 6) the user can see the number of stored cards which may be retrieved and modified, and the screen also shows the save default card designs available to the user, wherein the user may order more business card through the screen (Fig. 7). In an embodiment, it will gives the user an option (such as tabs to select) to choose between "Cards Storage", "Default Cards" and "Sending Cards". Each tab provides different information. The "Cards Storage" for example, provides an interface to the user's card designs and will display the number of cards left in your mobile device. [0039] The screen for "My Cards" is shown along with its sub-category "Your

Default Cards". The tab shows the users' current stored design of cards, and several different designs may be stored on a mobile device. Using the "Reordering this Card" permits the ordering of cards. In an embodiment, the screen for "My Cards" is shown along with its subcategory "Your Default Cards". The tab shows the users' current stored design of cards, and several different designs may be stored on a mobile device. Using the "Reordering this Card" permits the ordering of cards.

[0040] . In Figure 8, at step 30 the user may send business cards electronically to selected recipients. The user may be sent through email or telephone communication.

[0041] In Fig. 9 the design process for the card commences, and the basic information for the design card is received. Once continue is pressed, at Fig. 10 the initial information is added to the screen. The appearance of the card may be manipulated at this point, including moving the elements, and adding stored or uploaded designs. If continue is further selected, the user can pick more designs in the design library (Fig. 11). In Fig. 12 the user can upload their own designs.

[0042] With reference to Fig. 11, the user may enter the card background library, which provides a series of background designs to be picked by the user in Fig. 13. The user may enter font selection in Fig. 14, the font may be selected from a library of fonts. The art design selection pane may be opened and art designs for the card may be chosen. In Fig. 16 a picture containing art design may be downloaded, and in Fig. 17 the design may be cropped to size. In Fig. 10, all design elements are united and integrated into a design to finalize the card design.

[0043] In Figure 12, the user may upload their design, and in Fig. 18 there is a first- time user setup to receive personal information for the user, including creating a userid and password for the account, and payment information. Once the user is logged, at Fig. 19 the user may upload a background design, and in Fig. 20 may upload a font design, and in Fig. 21 may upload an art design. Pictures may be uploaded in Fig. 22, and all of the uploaded content may be used for card design, and stored in the user libraries. In an embodiment, once uploaded to the system the content may be available in select other users' libraries as well.

[0044] In an embodiment, the screen for "making cards" and subcategory of "Design

Cards", wherein this screen is reached by "Making Cards" tab. This screen lets you put all your necessary information to fulfill the function of the business card. After you put all the necessary information, the user can press "Continue" to get to the next screen. A person who is designing a business card may access the design library of each category and choose whatever design is desired. In an embodiment, a website will be available that the user can go into the website on the desktop to view in a larger monitor. In an example, if a person chooses three designs from the library, such as one from frame design, one from edge design, and one from picture design, the system determines an appropriate royalty for the user to be charged. In an example, if the cost of making 500 business cards is $5.00, a certain percentage of the money will go to the designer. If the designer percentage is 60% of the payment, and 60% of $5.00 is $3.00, the $3.00 will subsequently be distributed to the design owner. In this case, if the buyer used 3 designs from 3 designers, each designer owner will receive $1.00 each.

[0045] In an embodiment, after "Continue" button is pressed, the program applies the information to a preliminary form of business card. The information can be moved to a desirable position by a finger touch and drag motion. The "Continue" button may be pressed to enter the design library to select more designs.

[0046] In an embodiment, the screen "Making Cards" is shown along with a subcategory "Design Library". In this category, the user may shop for backgrounds, fonts, pictures and artwork. Each button will lead to the category of design, and the user may apply the designs to a card design by pushing the "Apply Selected Design" button. This leads back to card design where the user can combine the design by finger pointing, dragging, magnifying and shrinking.

[0047] The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS [TO BE COMPLETED AFTER APPROVAL OF DESCRIPTION] I claim:

1. A method of creating a business card, comprising:

receiving a request to create a business card;

receiving contact information for the business card;

providing a group of images in a display;

receiving a selection of an image from the group of images;

incorporating the selection into the business card;

receiving a request to transmit the business card;

and

transmitting the business card in electronic form.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to print the business card;

and

processing an order to print the business card.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining an author of the selection of an image;

and

transmitting payment to the author of the selection of the image responsive to transmitting the business card or processing an order to print the business card.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving a second selection of an image from the group of images;

and

incorporating the second selection into the business card.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

determining an author of the second selection of an image;

and transmitting payment to the author of the second selection of the image responsive to transmitting the business card or processing an order to print the business card.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving a third selection of an image from the group of images;

and

incorporating the third selection into the business card.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining an author of the third selection of an image;

and

transmitting payment to the author of the third selection of the image responsive to transmitting the business card or processing an order to print the business card.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an author of the selection of an image;

and

transmitting payment to the author of the selection of the image responsive to transmitting the business card.

9. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving a second selection of an image from the group of images;

and

incorporating the second selection into the business card.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining an author of the second selection of an image;

and

transmitting payment to the author of the second selection of the image responsive to transmitting the business card.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving images from an author; incorporating images from the author into a library of images; and

drawing images from the library of images for the group of images.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving payment from a user making the request to make a business card.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to upload an image for the business card;

receiving the image as an uploaded image;

and

incorporating the uploaded image into the business card.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to take a photo;

receiving a photo from a digital image input of a personal device;

and

incorporating the photo into the business card.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a group of fontsl

receiving a choice of font;

and

incorporating the choice of font into the business card.