Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that include receiving a first image of a first portion of a greeting card wherein the first image includes identifying data useable to identify the first image, storing the identifying data in a datastore, associating the identifying data with a first user, determining characterization information from the first image that characterizes aspects of the first image, receiving from a computing device a second image of a second portion of the greeting card wherein the second image includes at least part of the first portion of the greeting card, utilizing the second image to identify the first user, correlating the characterization information of the first image to attributes of one or more product offerings, and communicating an indication of at least one of the product offerings to the computing device.

Abstract: A decorative item including a base, a motor mounted to the base, and a pop-up assembly coupled to the motor. The motor is operable to rotate the pop-up assembly with respect to the base. The pop-up assembly is movable between a collapsed position, in which the pop-up assembly is generally two-dimensional, and an expanded position, in which at least a portion of the pop-up assembly is generally three-dimensional, extends outward from the base, and occupies a volume of space adjacent the base. The decorative item may be a greeting card or any other suitable item intended to be gifted to a recipient.

Abstract: A jig for placement of an insert sheet on a greeting card is disclosed. The jig comprises a support surface configured to support the greeting card. The jig further comprises a guide configured for movement between an open position and a closed position, wherein the guide enables placement of the greeting card at a predetermined location on the support surface when the guide is in the open position, and wherein the guide provides a template for placement of the insert sheet at a designated location on the greeting card when the guide is in the closed position.

Abstract: A light-reactive gifting system includes, in one embodiment, an illumination device adapted to emit UV light, an ornamental attachment attached to or that forms at least a portion of the flat top of the illumination device, paper that includes a first light-reactive component that reacts to the UV light and is characterized by having a first visual appearance when not reflecting the UV light and a second visual appearance when reflecting the UV light, and an attachment mechanism that is useable to attach the illumination device to the paper thereby enabling the UV light to be cast in the direction of the paper and causing each of the first and second visual appearances based on activating or deactivating the UV LEDs.

Abstract: A card is provided that includes, for example, a fold that defines a first panel and a second panel, where each of those panels includes front and back surfaces. The second panel includes a void. The back surface of the first panel includes an actionable unique identifier such that when the greeting card is folded along the fold lines the actionable unique identifier is visible through the void. The actionable unique identifier is usable to retrieve a digital presentation among other things.

Abstract: A light-reactive gifting system includes, in one embodiment, an illumination device adapted to emit UV light, an ornamental attachment attached to or that forms at least a portion of the flat top of the illumination device, paper that includes a first light-reactive component that reacts to the UV light and is characterized by having a first visual appearance when not reflecting the UV light and a second visual appearance when reflecting the UV light, and an attachment mechanism that is useable to attach the illumination device to the paper thereby enabling the UV light to be cast in the direction of the paper and causing each of the first and second visual appearances based on activating or deactivating the UV LEDs.

Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein provide an activatable postage. The activatable postage is printed on a media, such as an envelope or sticker. Initially, the activatable postage has no postage value and may not have any value until activated. Each instance of activatable postage can include a unique identifier encoded in a machine-readable format. Postage value is added to the activatable postage through an activation process. To activate an individual instance of activatable postage, the unique identifier encoded in the activatable postage needs to be provided to the activation application. At the end of the activation process, a central database is updated to associate the unique identifier with a postal value calculated during activation. When the Postal Service receives an item with activatable postage it validates the activatable postage and then deactivates the activatable postage by updating the central database.

Abstract: An automated greeting card conveyance system is disclosed that includes a first conveyor configured to transport pre-decorated greeting cards along a first conveyance path and a second conveyor configured to transport envelopes along a second conveyance path. A control system controls customization of each greeting card and envelope by (a) determining a card identifier of the greeting card, (b) identifying customized content associated with an order for the greeting card having the card identifier, and (c) causing the customized content to be printed on the greeting card and envelope. A coupling system may also be used to automatically insert the greeting card into the envelope. In addition, a sealing system may be used to automatically seal envelope having a pointed envelope flap.

Abstract: An automated greeting card conveyance system is disclosed that includes a first conveyor configured to transport pre-decorated greeting cards along a first conveyance path and a second conveyor configured to transport envelopes along a second conveyance path. A control system controls customization of each greeting card and envelope by (a) determining a card identifier of the greeting card, (b) identifying customized content associated with an order for the greeting card having the card identifier, and (c) causing the customized content to be printed on the greeting card and envelope. A coupling system may also be used to automatically insert the greeting card into the envelope. In addition, a sealing system may be used to automatically seal envelope having a pointed envelope flap.

Abstract: The technology described herein can generate 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: A sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to glitter includes a plurality of foil flecks adhered to consumer paper products to provide shine and sparkle and emulate traditional glitter. A consumer paper product, such as a greeting card, and a transfer foil are run through a foil press having a patterned die with a pattern thereon. A plurality of foil flecks are transferred from the foil using the die press and are affixed to the consumer paper product to add sparkle and visual interest.

Abstract: The technology described herein allows a sender to initiate generation of a collaborative asset, which may be a video generated by merging videos provided by a group of users. The technology can facilitate the generation and collection of digital assets, such as video, images, and audio recordings from a group of users designed by the sender. The collaborative asset may be associated with a tangible object using a unique identifier located on the tangible object. The collaborative asset may be stored in computer memory on a user-experience server and associated with the unique identifier. When the unique identifier is provided to the user-experience server a second time, the collaborative asset can be retrieved and output to the computing device that provided the unique identifier. Thus, a user can initiate generation of a collaborative asset.

Abstract: A greeting card has a front cover, a back cover, and an internal protection panel positioned there between. A pop-up is positioned between the front cover and the protection panel. The protection panel may be coupled with the front cover to protect and keep the pop-up in a closed position. The back cover is configured so that in a partially open position it keeps the front cover and protection panel coupled and in a fully open position it keeps the front cover and protection panel in a flat position to allow the pop-up to be more properly displayed. The front cover, protection panel and back cover can be formed from a single piece of cardstock, and the card can be further configured to allow for automated personalized printing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that include receiving an instruction to associate a unique identifier with a digital presentation, where the unique identifier is associated with a tangible object, receiving a first digital asset from a first remote device, determining a first media component to prepend to the first digital asset, determining a second media component to append to the first digital asset (which influences the determination of the first media component or the second media component), incorporating the prepended content, digital asset, and appended content into the digital presentation, and associating the unique identifier with the digital presentation in a data store.

Abstract: A dump gate system having a pair of belts configured for rotation in opposite directions and spaced apart to define a gap between the belts. Fins extend outward from the belts. The fins may support an item in the gap when the belts are in a loading position. Each belt may have a tapered section extending from the top of the belt to a lower section of the belt. Each belt may taper toward the other belt in the tapered section to gradually reduce the width of a gap between the belts from the top of each belt to the lower section. The lower sections of the belts may be generally parallel to each other. A drive system may be configured to rotate the belts to move the fins from an initial loading position to a final loading position while items are fed into the gap for support by the fins.

Abstract: A greeting card is provided that includes, for example, two fold lines that define a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, where each of those panels include front and back surfaces. The second panel includes a void. The back surface of the first panel includes an actionable unique identifier such that when the greeting card is folded along the fold lines the actionable unique identifier is visible through the void. The actionable unique identifier is usable to retrieve a digital presentation.

Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein provide an activatable postage. As an initial step, the activatable postage is printed on a media, such as an envelope or sticker. Initially, the activatable postage has no postage value and will not have any value until activated. Each instance of activatable postage comprises a unique identifier encoded in a machine-readable format. Postage value is added to the activatable postage through an activation process. In order to activate an individual instance of activatable postage, the unique identifier encoded in the activatable postage needs to be provided to the activation application. At the end of the activation process, a central database is updated to associate the unique identifier with a postal value calculated during activation. When the Postal Service receives an item with activatable postage it validates the activatable postage and then deactivates the activatable postage by updating the central database.