A greeting card having a housing of metal or a metal alloy that defines an interior void and an electronic ink display screen, a Bluetooth adapter or dongle comprising Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology within the interior void and operatively configured to communicate with the display screen, a non-transitory memory storage device, and another electronic component within the interior void. The Bluetooth adapter or dongle is configured to receive from an external electronic device a first communication of information describing an initial message to be displayed, and to receive, subsequent in time to receipt of the initial message, a second real time communication of information describing a second message. The non-transitory memory storage device has pre-loaded executable instructions to display the first communication on the display screen, to change or modify the initial message based on the second real-time communication, and to display the second message on the display screen.

A greeting card having an audio message recording and playback device permits recording of personalized audio messages to be played upon opening of the greeting card. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, which would be applicable when the card is displayed in a store, a potential purchaser may experience the functionality of the card by recording their own test message. The test message is played back initially for the potential purchaser but is not subsequently played back to be later heard by other potential purchasers. In the use mode, which the card may be switched to after purchase by the giver of the greeting card, a user recorded message may be played back repeatedly upon subsequent openings of the card. The user recorded message may be followed by a prerecorded recording, such as a song. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions for recording a message, may also be included for activation in the trial mode.

A thin film video device is mounted onto a card stock and incorporated into a card, such as a greeting card. The thin film video device comprises a thin film video display coupled to a computer chip and a speaker. The thin film video device is powered by a local power source such as a small battery. The thin film video device is activated when the user unfolds the card, at which time an audiovisual message is displayed on the thin film video display and through the speaker.

Embodiments described herein involve methods of forming an interactive card with indicators on a substrate. A plurality of indicators are formed on the substrate by way of a printed electronics process. A plurality of displaceable regions of piezoelectric material are formed on the substrate by way of a printed electronics process. Electrical interconnections are formed on the substrate by way of a printed electronics process, the electrical interconnections connecting an indicator and an associated displaceable region of piezoelectric material such that displacement of the associated displaceable region of piezoelectric material generates a voltage therein that is provided to the indicator in order to actuate the indicator and thereby indicate displacement of the associated displaceable region of piezoelectric material.

A greeting card assembly that contains a first flap and a second flap that are joined at a central fold seam. The first flap and the second flap can move between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A flat center support is provided that extends vertically over the central fold seam. The flat center support has a flat face surface and a flat back surface. A plush body is set in the center of the greeting card assembly. The plush body is attached to both the first flap and the second flap. The flat center support extends into an interior of said plush body through an open bottom. When the first flap and the second flap are moved into their closed configuration, the plush body is pressed against both the flat face surface and the flat back surface of the flat center support.

The present disclosure and related inventions describe a greeting card with audio capabilities and party blower. The greeting card can include a squeeze trigger which initiates audio playback and the unfurling of the party blower. Release of the squeeze trigger causes the retraction of the party blower.

Interactive greeting card and gift card holders with a hinged mechanism which provide fun user interaction and triggers audio playback. Each greeting card and gift card holder includes portion thereof which hinges or pivots about an axis. When the greeting card or gift card holder is hinged, or pivoted about the hinge, one or more special effects are triggered. Special effects may include audio, emergence or ejection of a gift card holder (w/gift card) or gift card, the appearance of a thought or word bubble, or any other special effect.

A device is provided including a first sleeve for receiving a graphic medium, the first sleeve having a first window allowing the graphic medium to be viewed, and a second sleeve allowing an electronic appliance with a built-in electronic display to be received, the second sleeve including a second window allowing all of part of the electronic display to be viewed, the first and second sleeves being connected to each other. The first window allows the graphic medium to be viewed, which allows the personalization of the device.

A method of assembling a capacitive touch device is disclosed. The method comprises providing a flexible sheet having first and second faces and first and second wings divided by a fold line. The flexible sheet supports capacitive touch switches, contact lands and conductive tracks interconnecting the capacitive touch switches and the contact lands on the first face of the flexible sheet. The method comprises providing adhesive on the first face of the flexible sheet so as to bond the first and second wings and to bond a circuit board to flexible sheet. The method comprises placing a circuit board on the flexible sheet, the circuit board having contact pads which are aligned with the contact lands and folding the flexible sheet along the fold line so as to bond the first and second wings with the circuit board interposed between the first and second wings.

A printed article is described. The printed article includes first and second sheets and a circuit board interposed between the first and second sheets. The circuit board supports a coin cell holder adjacent to the second sheet. The second sheet has a slit arranged to form a flap over the coin cell holder which is configured to allow a coin cell to be re-insertably removed from the coin cell holder.