David A Costa

US Patent:

20060117630, Jun 8, 2006

Filed:

Nov 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/289780

Inventors:

Richard Raia - Lexington MA, US
Lee Porter - Keene NH, US
David Costa - Rowley MA, US

International Classification:

G09F 7/22
G09F 3/20

US Classification:

040658000, 040617000

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to an improved card holder comprising a pair of parallel arms connected to one another in a spaced apart relationship. A resilient gripping material is included, preferably as finger-like appendages, on at least a portion of the inside surfaces of the spaced apart arms, such that when an ID card or the like is inserted into the space between the arms, the resilient gripping material compresses sufficiently to allow insertion, but also provides a secure gripping for retention of the ID card or the like, thereby preventing slippage of the card from the holder. To remove the inserted ID card or the like, force adequate to overcome the gripping is applied to the card, thereby permitting removal of the card from the holder. The amount of force needed will vary with the nature and thickness of the card, the gripping material, and the like. The holding power will likewise vary.

US Patent:

20090313067, Dec 17, 2009

Filed:

May 8, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/437849

Inventors:

David Costa - San Francisco CA, US
Mark Heisten - Woodside CA, US
Jennifer Steinmann - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Visa U.S.A. Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

G06Q 10/00

US Classification:

705 7

Abstract:

A system for marketing and sales in a business-to-business environment is disclosed. The system includes a close integration of sales and marketing personnel of an organization maximize awareness of the organization in the minds of prospective customers and to be considered as a possible supplier when needs arise. This integration further is utilized to enhance the organization's response to RFP's issued by prospective customers. The system is used to identify unmet customer needs and solutions, to utilize cross-functional teams to more effectively respond to RFPs, and to collaborate with the customer at all levels to achieve and maintain a positive customer experience. The system also provides a variety of consolidated information tools to sales and marketing groups to optimize all oral and written interactions with prospective customers as well as current customers. Examples of such tools include an RFP Response Wizard, a Win Improvement Toolkit, a Learning from Losses newsletter, and a Customer Experience Kit, among others. Success metrics are also used to track the effectiveness of marketing/sales efforts.