Abstract: A concealment device, system, and method for concealing printed matter are described. The concealment device features a translucent colored material having a color that corresponds to a first color of printed matter that is configured inside or behind the concealment device so as to be positioned adjacent to and beneath the colored material. The printed matter is concealed when viewed through the colored material from outside the concealment device. The concealment device can be an envelope, a magazine, or a booklet. The concealment system includes the concealment device and a printed item that is coverable by the concealment device. The printed item includes printed matter having a first color that corresponds to a color of the colored material. The printed matter is not visible when viewed through the colored material from outside the concealment device.

Abstract: An envelope that includes an envelope portion and a detachable component that is separable from the envelope at a line of perforation is described. The detachable component can include printed matter, for example, an offer for goods or services, a discount code, or a coupon.

Abstract: An advertising piece for inducing a customer to view an advertisement is described. The advertising piece includes an advertising article, a detachable card that is removably attached to a surface of the advertising article, and a transparent label that covers a front face of the detachable card and connects to the advertising article. The detachable card is attached to the surface of the advertising article within a pocket formed between a rear side of the transparent label and the surface of the advertising article. Adhesive may also be used to secure the detachable card to the advertising article.

Abstract: A card for distributing advertising and information is described. The card, which can be laminated, includes a card body and an expandable component that is detachable from the card body. The expandable component includes two connected plies of material that are connected to form a closed end that is opposite to a detachment end at which the expandable component is detachable from the card body. The expandable component optionally may include one or more sheets of material that are arranged in a folded configuration between the two plies while the expandable component is still attached to the card body. Once the expandable component is detached from the card body, the expandable component is openable to reveal concealed printed matter printed on an interior surface.

Abstract: A concealment device, system, and method for concealing printed matter are described. The concealment device features a translucent colored material having a color that corresponds to a first color of printed matter that is configured inside or behind the concealment device so as to be positioned adjacent to and beneath the colored material. The printed matter is concealed when viewed through the colored material from outside the concealment device. The concealment device can be an envelope, a magazine, or a booklet. The concealment system includes the concealment device and a printed item that is coverable by the concealment device. The printed item includes printed matter having a first color that corresponds to a color of the colored material. The printed matter is not visible when viewed through the colored material from outside the concealment device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing and activating gift cards and advertising so as to provide a gift card mall in the home of a gift giver are described. The system can include a unitary single-sheet form, a package envelope, an activation system, a delivery system, and a redemption system. The system can also include a publication. A plurality of the forms can be inserted into the package envelope for delivery to the gift giver. The gift giver can select one or more of the gift cards for activation and delivery to a gift recipient. The gift recipient can then redeem the activated gift received from the gift giver for a redemption item sold or provided by a retailer, service provider, or manufacturer. The redemption item can be a good, service, or money. The redemption item can be purchased at an online shopping mall, by telephone, or in a retail store.

Abstract: A dynamically applicable system to calibrate a number of printers having a controller including a processor and memory to control printing a document relative to characteristics of the document using the printer. Calibration settings for the printer may be manipulable. Calibration may be performed by comparing a calibration pattern to a marking on a calibration document. Additionally, calibration may be performed by comparing a calibration pattern with a crease. The controller may calculate calibration settings from calibration information received using an interface. Calibration settings are storable on memory or a database. The system may communicate with other devices over a network.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for gifting using interactive multimedia and a gifting system. The gifting system can include a gift card, a website for redeeming the gift card, a plurality of gift representations corresponding to actual gift items, and means for advertising additional retail products or services to consumers. The gift card can also include a greeting card and a unique card identifier associated with the user. The gift card may be viewable through a window on the greeting card. The methods and systems can be used to advertise products to consumers, which can be purchased for personal use or for gifting. The system can be used to direct consumers to a card issuer's website. The gift card may be physical and/or virtual, and may be translated between physical and virtual forms.

Abstract: A system for securing a card or paper with a printing component to print an image and an embossing component to emboss a pattern to emboss an impression at a configurable place on the paper. An embossing die may include a pattern to make the impression. The impression is correlative with the image to indicate a likelihood of authenticity. Multiple cards are includable on paper to be securable by the system. The image may include a code corresponding with a value usable with a merchant. A method to secure a card or paper is disclosed.

Abstract: A paper and document securing system that includes an indicator is used to for validating the paper. The indicator may be printed on a surface of the paper by a printer with clear ink, which may provide a texture. The clear ink may include a substantially clear varnish. Data is includable in the indicator, which may be coded. Validating the paper may include detecting and examining the validity an indicator to accept or reject the paper. The indicator may be partially undetectable without alteration. Graphics are additionally printable on the paper using pigmented ink. The paper may include one or more plies, and the indicator may be printed between plies. Cards may be included on the paper.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for gifting using interactive multimedia and a gifting system. The gifting system can include a gift card, a website for redeeming the gift card, a plurality of gift representations corresponding to actual gift items, and means for advertising additional retail products or services to consumers. The gift card can also include a greeting card and a unique card identifier associated with the user. The gift card may be viewable through a window on the greeting card. The methods and systems can be used to advertise products to consumers, which can be purchased for personal use or for gifting. The system can be used to direct consumers to a card issuer's website. The gift card may be physical and/or virtual, and may be translated between physical and virtual forms.

Abstract: A printer control system to facilitate configuration of the settings for a printing device. The printer control system may configure a printing device with an at least partially automated process. The printer control software may include a client component installed on the computer to establish a bi-directional communication to receive and transmit printer control settings. A virtual printer may be installed and configured respective to settings for a form specifiable by a user. A method is provided for facilitating the configuration and operating of a printing device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a commercial game that poses questions to a user related to advertisements that the user views or listens to using a multimedia device such as a computer connected to the Internet. Points may be awarded to the user based on the number of questions answered correctly, the number of advertisements viewed, the length of time advertisements are viewed, the number of attempts at answering each question before providing the correct answer, or other advertiser-selected criteria. Points earned by the user are immediately redeemable for services such as subscription services, movies downloads, Pay-Per-View credits, or for any other tangible or intangible good, service, or reward representing a monetary value. If the user provides an incorrect answer to a question, the user is permitted to watch the advertisement multiple times until a correct answer is provided and points are awarded.

Abstract: A printable multi-purpose form is described that features detachable pieces, which may be separated and attached to a substrate to create an artwork. The detachable pieces can be connected together using separator pieces and adhesive to form stacked images for the creation of three-dimensional artworks.

Abstract: A printable and imprintable multi-component form is described that features detachable components including a correspondence piece, an envelope, and a variable element. The multi-component form is formed from two plies of material such as paper, plastic, foil, or paperboard. The correspondence piece can be a greeting card or a post card. The variable element can be a scrip, a customizable component, e.g., a wallet-sized photograph, or a product stamp. The scrip can be any non-monetary certificate exchangeable for currency, goods, or services including, for example, a gift card or a gift certificate. The assembled envelope can be used to mail the correspondence piece and variable element to a recipient. The detachable components can be separated from one another and from the sheet of material of the form at a plurality of lines of separation such as perforations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of distributing and activating gift cards. The method is performed by attaching a non-activated gift card to an article and selling the article to a consumer. The article may be sold at a retail store, or ordered over a telephone line or online and delivered to a home of a consumer. After the consumer receives the gift card, the consumer may activate the gift card from the consumer's home or any other remote location. During activation, the consumer allocates a dollar valve to the gift card and then sends the gift card to a specific person as a gift. The gift card may also come with a greeting card and an envelope.

Abstract: A method and system for gifting using interactive multimedia and a gifting system. The gifting system can include a gift card, a website for redeeming the gift card, a plurality of gift representations corresponding to actual gift items, and means for advertising additional retail products or services to consumers. The gift card can also include a greeting card and a unique card identifier associated with the user. The methods and systems can be used to advertise products to consumers, which can be purchased for personal use or for gifting. The system can be used to direct consumers to a card issuer's website. The system can include a customizable avatar to read aloud text converted to an audio speech file that relates to the gift item. The system can also include a game in which points redeemable for gift items are awarded to the website's users for answering advertisement-related questions correctly.

Abstract: An expandable card form is described that includes a plurality of foldable leafs that are foldable onto one another at fold lines which separate each adjacent pair of foldable leafs. A slot can be cut through the fold line separating one of the adjacent pairs of foldable leafs. The plurality of foldable leafs can be connected to one another linearly and can include adhesive sections so that, when assembled, the foldable leafs form an expandable card. One end leaf can include a projecting panel attached thereto. The projecting panel can be extended through the slot when the card is expanded and can be retracted so as not to be visible when the card is oriented into its closed configuration. The expandable card can include information printed thereon to create a business card, a place setting card, a medical information card, or a gift card.