Abstract: A playback device includes a speaker, a processor, one or more memories, a set of scene presentations stored in the memories (where each scene presentation is related to each other by a common situational context), an near-field reader configured to identify a plurality of character objects (where each character object is identifiable by a near-field tag); and embodied computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more scene presentations to be presented based on which character objects are within a proximity of the playback device.

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 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: An improved gifting system is provided, one embodiment of which includes a container to receive a gift, a thematic character depicted on at least a portion of the container, and a unique identifier coupled to or associated with the container. The unique identifier uniquely identifies the container and is useable to reference a digital record stored in a computing system, which includes a registration database, one or more processors coupled to the registration database for updating state information, and a presentation server coupled to the registration database and the one or more processors. The presentation server is adapted to receive user input from a remote device and upon request, present a custom presentation on the remote device that includes the user input presented in a context that includes predefined attributes associated with the thematic character.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that incident to a triggering event within a virtual environment, includes receiving recipient-profile information of an initial recipient who is associated with the virtual environment and configuration information of a first physical product that is useable to facilitate conveying the first physical product in the real world to the initial recipient and utilizing the descriptive information to facilitate conveying the first physical product to the initial recipient.