Abstract: A system for indexing and retrieving graphic and sound data ("entity data") employs a thesaurus of descriptors and equivalent words (e.g., synonyms, metonyms, foreign language equivalents, and misspellings). The system can be used, for example, to index and retrieve images, sounds, and related data for social expression cards, video segments, multimedia presentations, photographs, audio data, and the like. The thesaurus is built by allowing the user to specify a number of descriptors and equivalent words ("meaning referent sets") for each entity data, incorporating these descriptors and meaning referent sets into the thesaurus, and linking the entity data to the meaning referent sets in the thesaurus by using entity identifiers. Entity data can then be retrieved by prompting the user to specify a list of descriptors, locating the descriptors and any associated meaning referent sets in the thesaurus, and retrieving entity data linked to these meaning referent sets.

Abstract: A system for printing social expression cards includes both a database preparation system and a plurality of remote card printing systems. The database preparation system uses a scanner to input images from a plurality of cards, or a computer software program to create a plurality of images for use in card designs. A high resolution print image and a lower resolution display image are created from each of these images. A card description database defines the layout of each card in terms of its component images and their locations on the card. The database preparation system can also build a menu database defining a structure of menu screens to query the user to select a desired category of cards. A list of card names is linked to each category in the menu database. These databases and image files are then copied onto removable data storage media for distribution to each of the card printing systems.

Abstract: A system for viewing, ordering, and printing social expression cards includes a database preparation system, a number of card display/order systems, and a number of card printing systems. The database preparation system uses a scanner to input images from a plurality of cards, or a computer software program to create images for use in card designs. A card description database defines the layout of each card in terms of its component images and text, and their locations on the card. The database preparation system can also build a card parameter database to enable a user to select a desired category of cards. Each card display/order system accesses these databases and image files by computer network, modem, cable television, or by transfer of removable data storage media. The card display/order system allows the user to input parameters to pick the category of cards to be displayed.

Abstract: A system for printing social expression cards includes both a database preparation system and a plurality of remote card printing systems. The database preparation system uses a scanner to input images from a plurality of cards, or a computer software program to create a plurality of images for use in card designs. A high resolution print image and a lower resolution display image are created from each of these images. A card description database defines the layout of each card in terms of its component images and their locations on the card. The database preparation system can also build a menu database defining a structure of menu screens to query the user to select a desired category of cards. A list of card names is linked to each category in the menu database. These databases and image files are then copied onto removable data storage media for distribution to each of the card printing systems. A typical card printing system has a display, a color printer, input means (e.g.

Abstract: A system for viewing, ordering, and printing social expression cards includes a database preparation system, a number of card display/order systems, and a number of card printing systems. The database preparation system uses a scanner to input images from a plurality of cards, or a computer software program to create images for use in card designs. A card description database defines the layout of each card in terms of its component images and text, and their locations on the card. The database preparation system can also build a card parameter database to enable a user to select a desired category of cards. Each card display/order system accesses these databases and image files by computer network, modem, cable television, or by transfer of removable data storage media. The card display/order system allows the user to input parameters to pick the category of cards to be displayed. The user can order a selected card to be printed and input information to personalize the card.