Abstract: A use-activated cup dispenser capable of sensing the manual removal of individual cups therefrom is provided. Manual removal is understood to include physical contact between a hand and a cup and extraction of the cup from the cup dispenser by the user. The invention includes a decorative cover including a housing disposed between first and second covers, at least one switch mechanism, a control circuit, and at least one active element including light elements, motor elements, scent dispensers, and/or audio elements. The decorative cover further includes an opening along one end. One or more switch mechanisms are provided along the first cover adjacent to the opening. The functionality of switch mechanisms includes direct contact, indirect contact, and non-contact between the cup and an optical or mechanical switch. The control circuit could be disposed on a circuit board and controls the functionality of the active elements.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating delivery of a fully-integrated physical item providing access to non-physical content is presented. The method includes enabling access to an electronic greeting card, exclusive content, promotion, and/or store credit from a remote system after a gift key is linked to a local system. The system includes a local system and a gift key facilitating access to an electronic greeting card, exclusive content, promotion, and/or store credit after linkage between the local system and the gift key. The gift key includes a decorative cover, an integrated circuit, and an antenna or physical connector. The local system is a personal computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a Smart TV. A gift key could be disposed along a box, a bag, a ribbon, an envelope, or a gift wrapping or configured as a sticker with an adhesive backing.

Abstract: A system and method for a physically-based gift key enabling a purchaser to deliver a single, fully integrated gift item to a recipient and including an electronic greeting card and store credits redeemable online is presented. The method includes the steps of activating a gift key, customizing an electronic greeting card associated with the gift key at a host site via physical or wireless linkage of a gift key to a first local computer, accessing the greeting card at the host site via linkage of the gift key to a second local computer, and redeeming store credit associated with the gift key at a retail website accessible from the host site. The system includes gift key and host computer system directly or indirectly controlling a host site. A local computer automatically launches a website at host or retailer levels when the gift key is linked to the local computer.

Abstract: A system and method for a physically-based gift key enabling a purchaser to deliver a single, fully-integrated gift item to a recipient and including an electronic greeting card and store credits redeemable online is presented. The method includes the steps of activating a gift key, customizing an electronic greeting card associated with the gift key at a host site via physical or wireless linkage of a gift key to a first local computer, accessing the greeting card at the host site via linkage of the gift key to a second local computer, and redeeming a store credit associated with the gift key at a retail website accessible from the host site. The system includes a gift key and a host computer system directly or indirectly controlling a host site. The gift key has a housing, an integrated circuit within the housing, and a connector or wireless interface extending from the housing so as to allow linkage of the gift key with a computer remotely located with respect to the host and retailer sites.

Abstract: A use-activated cup dispenser capable of sensing the manual removal of individual cups therefrom is provided. Manual removal is understood to include physical contact between a hand and a cup and extraction of the cup from the cup dispenser by the user. The invention includes a decorative cover including a housing disposed between first and second covers, at least one switch mechanism, a control circuit, and at least one active element including light elements, motor elements, scent dispensers, and/or audio elements. The decorative cover further includes an opening along one end. One or more switch mechanisms are provided along the first cover adjacent to the opening. The functionality of switch mechanisms includes direct contact, indirect contact, and non-contact between the cup and an optical or mechanical switch. The control circuit could be disposed on a circuit board and controls the functionality of the active elements.

Abstract: A system and method for a physically-based gift key enabling a purchaser to deliver a single, fully-integrated gift item to a recipient and including an electronic greeting card and store credits redeemable online is presented. The method includes the steps of activating a gift key, customizing an electronic greeting card associated with the gift key at a host site via physical or wireless linkage of a gift key to a first local computer, accessing the greeting card at the host site via linkage of the gift key to a second local computer, and redeeming a store credit associated with the gift key at a retail website accessible from the host site. The system includes a gift key and a host computer system directly or indirectly controlling a host site. The gift key has a housing, an integrated circuit within the housing, and a connector or wireless interface extending from the housing so as to allow linkage of the gift key with a computer remotely located with respect to the host and retailer sites.

Abstract: A point of sale advertising device that includes a display mechanism with a first screen and a second screen and the screens are facing in substantially different directions. The device also includes a display controller in communication with the screens, the display controller adapted to receive a price message and a timing instruction, to store the price message and timing instruction, and to transfer the price message to the first screen and second screen for display on the first screen and the second screen for a time period indicated by the stored timing instruction. The device also includes a price control switch in communication with the display controller, the price control switch being adapted to be actuated manually, and when actuated, prevents the price message from being displayed on the first screen and the second screen.

Abstract: A system and method for a physically-based gift key enabling a purchaser to deliver a single, fully-integrated gift item to a recipient and including an electronic greeting card and store credits redeemable online is presented. The method includes the steps of activating a gift key, customizing an electronic greeting card associated with the gift key at a host site via physical or wireless linkage of a gift key to a first local computer, accessing the greeting card at the host site via linkage of the gift key to a second local computer, and redeeming a store credit associated with the gift key at a retail website accessible from the host site. The system includes a gift key and a host computer system directly or indirectly controlling a host site. The gift key has a housing, an integrated circuit within the housing, and a connector or wireless interface extending from the housing so as to allow linkage of the gift key with a computer remotely located with respect to the host and retailer sites.

Abstract: A personal savings bank, for use by children, which is attachable to a computer as a peripheral device and simulates interactions with a teller as paper money and coins are deposited into and withdrawn from the device is described. The invention includes a money storage peripheral, a communications system, and software executed by a computer adjacent to and separate from the money storage device. The money storage peripheral is attached to the computer via a wire or wireless link. The software program controls a teller displayed on the computer which interacts with a child in response to cues from the money storage peripheral. The teller could include a real person or an animated character who speaks, commands, and responds to a child during use of the money storage peripheral.