Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inclusion of customizable or personalized digital content in digital greeting cards and other digital media, activated at a point of sale or direct purchase over the Internet. Methods for customization of the content of a digital audio or video object or objects or material, delivered as a downloadable file(s) or in streaming form, where additional or incidental content has been included based on information provided or incidental content created by the individuals involved in customizing, sending or receiving the material. These methods can be applied to digital content associated with greeting or gift cards sold through retail using point-of-sale activation or for digital audio or video material or objects purchased directly over the Internet. PIN numbers may be used with point-of-sale activation to limit unlicensed access or unlicensed copying to protect intellectual property rights.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for registration and retrieval of medical information from a subscriber's database. A subscriber purchases database storage and enters medical information. In some embodiments, a card or a bracelet or a necklace or clothing or a tattoo, providing an access PIN and instructions, allows medical professionals to access the medical information. The subscriber's pharmaceutical purchases, prescriptions, and dosages can be automatically updated into the database. Various types of point-of-sale activation of the database are described. Other documents, such as wills, non-resuscitation instructions, etc., can be entered into the database. Access of the database is preferably by a fax-on-demand system, with access controlled by the access PIN.

Abstract: Methods and packaging for point-of-sale (“POS”) activation and subsequent registration of products. Prior to POS activation, the product is unactivated and cannot be used. Machine-readable activation at POS is disclosed such as a data-encoded activation strip, readable by a magnetic or optical scanner, or such as integrated circuit card (“ICC”) technology. Prior to POS activation, and preferably obscured from view, the package has a personalized identification number (“PIN”), such as alphanumeric characters with a scratch-off coating or peel-off label, or the PIN may be only readable by a magnetic or optical scanner, or may be encoded onto computer media, or may be data encoded within an ICC element. After activation, the product is registered with a registration database, whereby the PIN, and perhaps other information, is provided by the user over a communications channel, enabling the product to be utilized.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of activating a metered account that is associated with a personal identification number, where the personal identification number is affixed to a card and the metered account is activated at the time of sale of the card, and an apparatus comprising a package adapted for holding the card so that the method of the present invention can be practiced. The card includes an exposed data-encoded strip and the card preferably has a personal identification number thereon. The package includes a first panel and a retainer that secures the card to the first panel so that, when the card is secured to the panel, at least a portion of the data-encoded strip is exposed and laterally displaced remote from the panel. The data-encoded strip is encoded with a control number that is associated with the metered account. When the card is purchased, the control number is read from the data-encoded strip while the card is secured to the first panel, and the metered account is activated.