The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 07, 2009
Filed:
Apr. 11, 2006
Melora Zaner, Seattle, WA (US);
Cesare John Saretto, Seattle, WA (US);
Eugene Zarahovsky, Seattle, WA (US);
Eugene Mesgar, Seattle, WA (US);
Neel Ishwar Murarka, Seattle, WA (US);
Eun-kyung Chung, Redmond, WA (US);
Kathleen Mulcahy, Seattle, WA (US);
Rama Ranganath, Seattle, WA (US);
Erica Sanders, Seattle, WA (US);
Tammy Savage, Seattle, WA (US);
Linda Stone, Seattle, WA (US);
John Vert, Seattle, WA (US);
Melora Zaner, Seattle, WA (US);
Cesare John Saretto, Seattle, WA (US);
Eugene Zarahovsky, Seattle, WA (US);
Eugene Mesgar, Seattle, WA (US);
Neel Ishwar Murarka, Seattle, WA (US);
Eun-Kyung Chung, Redmond, WA (US);
Kathleen Mulcahy, Seattle, WA (US);
Rama Ranganath, Seattle, WA (US);
Erica Sanders, Seattle, WA (US);
Tammy Savage, Seattle, WA (US);
Linda Stone, Seattle, WA (US);
John Vert, Seattle, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A novel virtual calling card system and method aid in the formation of online relationships, serving as an introduction tool and as a contact mechanism. The calling card is an exchangeable entity that is automatically updated, ensuring that the recipient or viewer sees the most current version of the card. The card may display an aspect ratio that is the same as that of a traditional business card, and has front side and a reverse side. Furthermore, the card provides a number of avenues for the card owner to express themselves, including an array of affiliation symbols, a most recent mood symbol, and a text field. The reverse side of the card can display a representation of the owner's social network, so that recipients of the card may identify common friends and associates. Thus, the server-based card exchange appears to users as an exchange in the physical world.