Corporate Graphics Int’l. Granted a Patent on Interactive Print Technologies
NORTH MANKATO, MN—July 10, 2012—Corporate Graphics Int’l. (CGI) is pleased to announce it has received notification from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that it has been awarded U.S. Patent No. 8,166,011—titled “System and Method for Electronically Managing Individual and Business Information.” Utilizing the power of digital printing capabilities and its newly patented technology, CGI can make business cards and other printed products interactive.
CGI uses the technology described in the patent in conjunction with its online ordering site, Converge. The ordering site collects the end-user’s contact information and photos, then converts it to a printed key (QR code, NFC chip, URL, or any other type). That printed key is then stored and, at the same time, is transformed into a brand-specific personal landing page or mobile contact page.
“Since 2005, we have been researching and developing this technology, which streamlines the process of combining individual and company branded information into one interactive site, said Scott Curry, VP of Disruptive Technologies at CGI. “Each company creates their own unique interactive page, which can include biographies, business networking links, photos, videos, surveys, contests, coupons, loan calculators, virtual tours, even cloud-based document applications like Dropbox; the possibilities are literally endless.”
As shown on the accompanying image, multiple keys or codes are printed on the business card, leading to desktop and mobile versions of the contact information. After scanning the key or code, end-users can interact with the site, save the contact information to their contact repository and view company information, including videos, products produced and locations.
Curry adds, “This is another way in which to get your brand out into the marketplace.”