The invention provides flash imaging devices that include an optical change component that undergoes a change in response to an applied stimulus, a substrate and a stimulus element. Also provided are articles that include the subject devices, as well as methods of making and using the same.

Embodiments comprise a greeting card with a self-retracting, pullout banner and an activation feature tied a movement of the self-retracting banner. The activation feature may include a visual or audio output and can be provided by an electronic component. The self-retracting banner may be affixed to an edge of the greeting card. A user may extend the banner by pulling the handle away from the greeting card. As such, the self-retracting banner is movable to and between a fully retracted and closed first position and a fully extended and open second position. The activation feature may be a sound activation feature that generates an audio output through a speaker when the self-retracting banner is moved out of the closed first position. Both the activation feature and the self-retracting banner can include content that may supplement a message or artwork included on panels of the greeting card.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods which allow a user, or multiple users, to remotely record personalized greeting messages and deliver them to a centralized server, for example over the Internet. The centralized server may process one or more audio files and load the message, or combined messages, onto a personalized, physical item for an intended recipient.

The invention concerns a 3D pop-up card having a foldable base card which has an inner side and an outer side, the base card being foldable along a fold and being reversibly transferable from a folded, closed state to an unfolded, open state, wherein a foldable figure is fixed to the inner side of the base card and the foldable figure unfolds autonomously into a three-dimensional structure when the base card is transferred into an open state, wherein the base card is double-layered, the layer which is on the inside in the closed state having at least one slit on each of the two sides of the fold the base card and the foldable figure being connected to one another via L-shaped connecting pieces, and the first leg of an L-shaped connecting piece engaging in a slit and the second leg of an L-shaped connecting piece being attached to the foldable figure.

A customizable greeting card system. The customizable greeting card system includes a greeting card. The greeting card has an outer face displayed oppositely of an inner face. The inner face is designed to include a parallel circuit therein. The parallel circuit includes a power source, as well as a number of electronic devices. Each electronic device has a power receiver that receives power from the power source. The electronic devices are programmed to perform at least one desired function.

Various themed gift card and gift card holder combinations are disclosed. Some embodiments are contained inside a box along with novelty gift items that are themed or otherwise related to the type of gift card contained therein. Other embodiments contain various three-dimensional pop-up structures and other paper engineered constructs that are shaped, decorated and otherwise themed to match an accompanying gift card. And in yet other embodiments, the gift card holders are directed to specific holidays or special occasions with appropriate gift cards included. Each embodiment may include electronic features, such as audio and light. The packaging of gift card and gift card holder combinations is also disclosed.

Some embodiments provide a greeting card or a postcard with a concealed feature, such as, for example, a practical joke feature. The concealed feature can include concealed hardware that repeatedly plays a sound for several hours, days, or weeks. The concealed feature can include a concealed keeper element or pouch that contains a payload, such as, for example, confetti, glitter, stickers, or toys. The card can include a mode of operation configured to allow a card-giver to inspect and/or write on the interior of the card without activating a concealed feature. The card can be configured to release the contents of the keeper element or pouch when a recipient attempts to open or destroy the card. The card can include one or more features that resist destruction of the card and/or internal components of the card that implement a concealed feature or a practical joke feature.

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 system including a plurality of items. Each item of the plurality of items bears a code unique to each item. The system also includes a computing facility adapted to, for each of the codes, receive a piece of content. The computing facility also is adapted to deliver up, upon receipt of indicia associated with a code to which content has been associated, the content.

A multimedia business card having a housing, a display, a speaker, a battery, and circuitry for operating the same is provided. In one embodiment, the housing includes a plurality of panels, scores, and joints, including a cover panel and a front panel that includes an aperture. The panels and joints can be folded and secured to form an enclosed (rectangular) housing. The display, speaker, battery, and circuity are secured inside, with the display being visible to a user via the aperture. The housing should open like a book (with a cover opening from right to left), exposing the display to the user, where the opening of the cover triggers the playing of video and/or sound (e.g., via a magnetic switch). For ease of manufacturing, the housing may be constructed from a single piece of material, preferably cardboard or a heavy paper-based product.