Abstract: A foldable multi-purpose container filler includes a sheet of material that may be reversibly convertible between a compact form for storage or packaging and an expanded form to fill a container opening (e.g., bag, drinkware, vase, etc.). The container filler includes fold lines or creases that dictate the compact form and the expanded form and allow for reversible conversion between the forms. In addition, the container filler includes connectors for securing the container filler to a container, as well as a base to support the container filler upright on a surface absent a container.

Abstract: The technology described herein generates a unique identifier for a visual media that comprises pre-printed visual indications on the visual media and a user's handwritten signature. The location of the signature on the visual media can be determined by including preprinted fiducial marks on the visual media. The fiducial markers act as landmarks that allow the size and location of the signature to be determined in absolute terms. The unique identifier is then stored in computer memory on a user-experience server. The user-experience server can associate the unique identifier with a digital asset, such as an image or video, designated by the user. When the unique identifier is provided to the user-experience server a second time, the digital asset can be retrieved and output to the computing device that provided the unique identifier.

Abstract: An openable structure, such as a greeting card or book, with a body, a cam lift mechanism, and at least one decorative element fixed to tab portions of the cam lift mechanism extending through cam slots in the body. The cam lift mechanism is actuatable by pivoting subpanels of the body away from each other. Pivoting of one of the subpanels causes lateral movement of a cam lever, which then pulls an extended arm portion of a rotating portion of the cam lift mechanism, causing the rotating portion to rotate about a primary axle. The cam slots guide the decorative elements radially outward or radially inward toward the primary axle upon rotation of the cam lift mechanism, causing the decorative elements to pop up or extend outward from the body.

Abstract: A foldable article having a sliceform removably secured to one or more panels of the foldable article. A tab having a retaining portion may extend from at least one of the one or more panels of the foldable article. The tab may pass through an opening in the sliceform and the retaining portion may be wider than the width of the opening. The retaining member may be manipulated to pass through the opening to removably secure the sliceform to, and/or detach the sliceform from, the foldable article.

Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message recording and playback device permits recording of personalized audio messages to be played upon opening of the greeting card. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, which would be applicable when the card is displayed in a store, a potential purchaser may experience the functionality of the card by recording their own test message. The test message is played back initially for the potential purchaser but is not subsequently played back to be later heard by other potential purchasers. In the use mode, which the card may be switched to after purchase by the giver of the greeting card, a user recorded message may be played back repeatedly upon subsequent openings of the card. The user recorded message may be followed by a prerecorded recording, such as a song. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions for recording a message, may also be included for activation in the trial mode.

Abstract: A foldable article having a sliceform removably secured to one or more panels of the foldable article. A tab having a retaining portion may extend from at least one of the one or more panels of the foldable article. The tab may pass through an opening in the sliceform and the retaining portion may be wider than the width of the opening. The retaining member may be manipulated to pass through the opening to removably secure the sliceform to, and/or detach the sliceform from, the foldable article.

Abstract: An openable structure, such as a greeting card or book, with a body, a cam lift mechanism, and at least one decorative element fixed to tab portions of the cam lift mechanism extending through cam slots in the body. The cam lift mechanism is actuatable by pivoting subpanels of the body away from each other. Pivoting of one of the subpanels causes lateral movement of a cam lever, which then pulls an extended arm portion of a rotating portion of the cam lift mechanism, causing the rotating portion to rotate about a primary axle. The cam slots guide the decorative elements radially outward or radially inward toward the primary axle upon rotation of the cam lift mechanism, causing the decorative elements to pop up or extend outward from the body.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention generally relate to an apparatus that combines a light source, a speaker, and other electrical components in a single unit to produce lighting and sound effects. The apparatus may be sized and configured for use in a number of applications. Further, the apparatus may have a number of operating states that may include light and sound effects that correspond with one another.

Abstract: A foldable article may have a first panel separated from a second panel by a fold, a paper mechanic affixed to at least one of the first panel and the second panel, and a sliceform affixed to the sliceform, the foldable article is movable between a closed state and a fully open state, the paper mechanic is configured to move the sliceform from a substantially two-dimensional, collapsed state to a substantially three-dimensional, expanded state when the foldable article is moved from the closed state to the fully open state.

Abstract: A foldable article having a sliceform removably secured to one or more panels of the foldable article. A tab having a retaining portion may extend from at least one of the one or more panels of the foldable article. The tab may pass through an opening in the sliceform and the retaining portion may be wider than the width of the opening. The retaining member may be manipulated to pass through the opening to removably secure the sliceform to, and/or detach the sliceform from, the foldable article.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for altering an appearance of acquaintances when viewed through smart glasses, which may be altered using augmented reality technology. In particular, an embodiment of the invention is directed to allowing users to specify their appearances to others when viewed by others wearing smart glasses. The others viewing the user through smart glasses include friends, family, contacts, or other acquaintances, which may be specified in one or more social networks or contacts databases. The altered appearance that is displayed may be based on the particular relationship between the user and the viewer. For example, a user may appear as a particular superhero to his friends on a social network website, as having a cartoon feature (such as an enormous head) to his children, as normal to his mother and business contacts, and as wearing a Hawaiian shirt to his closest buddies.

Abstract: Embodiments comprise a greeting card with a self-retracting, pullout banner comprising banner content that may supplement a message or artwork included on panels of the greeting card. The self-retracting banner can be attached to different portions of the greeting card. The self-retracting banner may be affixed to an edge of the greeting card. A user may extend the banner by pulling a handle away from the greeting card. As such, the self-retracting banner is movable to and between a fully retracted and closed first position and a fully extended and open second position. The self-retracting banner can be at least partially concealed within a compartment attached to a portion of the greeting card, for example, the front panel.

Abstract: The technology described herein generates a unique identifier for a visual media that comprises pre-printed visual indications on the visual media and a user's handwritten signature. The location of the signature on the visual media can be determined by including preprinted fiducial marks on the visual media. The fiducial markers act as landmarks that allow the size and location of the signature to be determined in absolute terms. The unique identifier is then stored in computer memory on a user-experience server. The user-experience server can associate the unique identifier with a digital asset, such as an image or video, designated by the user. When the unique identifier is provided to the user-experience server a second time, the digital asset can be retrieved and output to the computing device that provided the unique identifier.

Abstract: Immersive, dynamic storytelling functionality is described. The stories may include elements (e.g., characters, settings, duration, etc.) based on information provided, including in real time, by the user or presentation environment, and may be presented by projecting visual or audio story elements into the space surrounding the user. For example, as a child tells a story about a jungle, the room is filled with images of foliage. Animals that live in the jungle may be suggested as characters. Stories may be contextually tailored based on information about the user, environment, storytelling conditions, or other context. For example, story duration and excitement level may be influenced by the time of day, such that a story presented ten minutes before bedtime is an appropriate duration and excitement level. In some cases, objects of the presentation environment are incorporated into the story, such as a character projected as though entering through an actual doorway.

Abstract: A foldable article having a sliceform removably secured to one or more panels of the foldable article. A tab having a retaining portion may extend from at least one of the one or more panels of the foldable article. The tab may pass through an opening in the sliceform and the retaining portion may be wider than the width of the opening. The retaining member may be manipulated to pass through the opening to removably secure the sliceform to, and/or detach the sliceform from, the foldable article.

Abstract: A gift bag having an envelope-shaped pocket therein for transporting and presenting an envelope, card, or other merchandise with the gift bag is provided. The pocket may be integrally formed with the gift bag, or at least partially formed from a separately attached piece, and may be positioned at various locations within the bag. The pocket may also be formed to look like an envelope.

Abstract: A greeting card and associated techniques for storing audio tracks corresponding to definable touch zones of the greeting card is provided. In one aspect, the greeting card includes a body for securing a photograph thereon. A sensor array can be disposed within the body of the greeting card to detect touch gestures through the secured photograph, among other things. The greeting card can include a microprocessor that enables touch zones to be defined via the sensor array, such that a touch zone can correspond to various objects depicted on the card or a photograph secured thereon. Among other things, the greeting card can include a microphone for recording an audio track corresponding to each generated touch zone, a speaker for playing back an audio track corresponding to a selected touch zone, and a memory for storing touch zones and/or associated audio tracks.

Abstract: A greeting card having mechanically actuated moving portions is provided. The greeting card may include a panel having one or more folds, one or more flexible drive shafts coupled to the panel and having a flipping or moving portion, and a decorative portion coupled to at least one of the panel and the flipping or moving portion. Each flexible drive shaft may be coupled to the panel such that a portion is positioned on a first side of the fold and a portion is positioned on a second side of the fold. When the greeting card is opened, a moment arm is created in the flexible drive shaft which causes the flipping or moving portion to move from a first position to a second position. The decorative portion may move in response to the flipping or moving portion moving from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A greeting card assembly with a card body panel, a cam lift mechanism, and at least one decorative element fixed to tab portions of the cam lift mechanism extending through cam slots in the card body panel. The cam lift mechanism is actuatable by pivoting subpanels of the card body panel away from each other. Pivoting of one of the subpanels causes lateral movement of a cam lever, which then pulls an extended arm portion of a rotating portion of the cam lift mechanism, causing the rotating portion to rotate about a primary axle. The cam slots guide the decorative elements radially outward or radially inward toward the primary axle upon rotation of the cam lift mechanism, causing the decorative elements to pop up or extend outward from the card body panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible virtual reality viewer. Aspects of the viewer include a body portion and a viewing portion, each having a plurality of panels abutting fold lines. The viewer may be folded along the fold lines to move from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration when it is not being used. In one aspect, the viewer includes a detachable panel that is removeably coupled to the viewer along a plurality of perforations. Promotional material may be printed on or attached to the detachable panel. In another embodiment, the body portion and the viewing portion are each formed of a unitary construction in which the panels of each portion are die cut from a single piece of material and folded along fold lines to form the body and viewing portions, which are then secured together at one or more locations.