WO2019008411A1

WO2019008411A1 - Greeting card that displays a holographic image and system thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2019008411A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/053994
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ngai Lung HON
Original assignee: Hon Ngai Lung
Priority date: 2017-07-01
Filing date: 2017-07-01
Publication date: 2019-01-10

Abstract

A greeting card (1) incorporated with a holographic displaying device (10) capable of displaying holographical imagery from images being displayed on a screen of a mobile device. Specifically, the greeting card (1) that displays a holographic imagery using a screen of a mobile device which includes a card body (2) and a projector device (20) operable between a deployed state and a collapsed state. Individual images displayed on the screen are projected through on the respective transparent film (23) to generate a holographic imagery visible on the projector device (20). The greeting card (1) includes a system for sending and receiving a greeting card (1) that displays a holographic imagery.

Description

GREETING CARD THAT DISPLAYS A HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGE

AND SYSTEM THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a greeting card capable of displaying a holographic imagery, more particularly, a greeting card having a built-in holographic projector device and a system for sending and receiving holographic imageries using the greeting card thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Greeting cards have been invented more than a hundred years. There have not been much of a change to the designs of greeting cards which are limited to ordinary 2D graphics and text messages printed thereon. The message being sent to a recipient by a sender is also limited by the physical nature of traditionally greeting cards.

On the other hand, holographic imageries are becoming more and more popular as one of the visual media to convey a greeting message to a recipient. However, the instruments required to play holographic imagery are often complicated and expensive. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a type of greeting card that is capable of delivering a message in form of a holographic imagery to a recipient yet being inexpensive and convenient to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a built-in holographic projector device is provided with a greeting card for displaying a holographic imagery by projection of video images being displayed on a screen of a mobile device. By way of the present invention, a recipient of the greeting card may enjoy stunning holographic imagery viewable using the greeting card jointly with a mobile device, such as a mobile phone. According to a system of the present invention, a sender may be able to express oneself via sending greeting messages in form of a customized holographic imagery rather than simple text or graphics appear on traditional greeting cards. The greeting card according to the present invention greatly enhances user experience for both the sender and the recipient.

According to the present invention, there is provided a greeting card incorporated with a holographic displaying device capable of displaying holographical imagery from images being displayed on the screen of a mobile device. Specifically, the present invention relates to a greeting card that displays a holographic imagery using a screen of a mobile device, the greeting card includes

a card body, and

a projector device operable between a deployed state and a collapsed state, including an upper panel,

a lower panel having an opening and positioned below and parallel to the upper panel, and

a plurality of transparent film situated between the upper panel and the lower panel, and are arranged parallel to each other in an inclined manner with respect to the upper panel and lower panel during the deployed state,

wherein individual images being displayed on the screen are projected through the opening and reflected on the respective transparent film to generate a multi-layer holographic imagery visible through a viewing end of the projector device.

Preferably, the plurality of transparent film is restricted to three or less transparent films.

Preferably, the inclination of the transparent films is at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the lower panel.

Preferably, each of the plurality of transparent film is approximately 29mm to 35mm apart from each other.

For example, the upper panel and lower panel is formed by flexible plate-like materials such as polyurethane, polycarbonate or the like. Optionally, the projector device further includes a rear opaque panel provided at an end opposite to the viewing end of the projector device.

Preferably, the projector device may further includes side opaque panels.

Optionally, the greeting card further includes a compartment for accommodating the mobile device such that the screen of the mobile device aligns with the projector device.

Preferably, at least one indicator is provided for aligning the screen of the mobile device to the projector device.

Accordingly to another embodiment of the present invention, a greeting card that displays a holographic imagery using a screen of a mobile device, including

a projector device in form of a transparent inverted pyramid having four sides, comprises a first and a second transparent films each consisting of a pair of opposing sides of the inverted pyramid connected by a connecting portion, each of the four sides is folded upward with respect to the connecting portion, and

a card body, including:

a first exterior plate having two spaced apart engagement slots for coupling with the first transparent film according to a first orientation;

a center plate situated on the exterior plate, having two spaced apart engagement slots for coupling with the second transparent film according to a second orientation, an opening is provided on the first exterior plate for the second transparent film to pass through; and

a second exterior plate situated on the center plate,

wherein the connecting portion of the second transparent film being superimposed on the connecting portion of the first transparent film such that during the deployed state the transparent films jointly form the projector device, and

wherein individual images displayed on the screen are projected on the respective side of the transparent films to generate a holographic imagery visible to a viewer. Preferably, each of the center plate and the second exterior plate is provided with a hole for a user to apply a downward force on the first and second transparent films for erecting the projector device.

Preferably, each of the first and second transparent films is provided with stoppers preventing the transparent film from decoupling from the respective plate.

Preferably, the four sides of the projector device having an inclination of 45 degrees.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a greeting card that displays a holographic imagery using a screen of a mobile device, including

a card body; and

a projector device attached to the card body, the projector device being operable between a deployed state and a collapsed state, the projector device, including:

an upper panel,

a lower panel situated below the upper panel,

a rear panel situated between and pivotally connected to the upper panel and the lower panel,

a front transparent film situated between and pivotally connected to the upper panel and the lower panel,

a left transparent film and a right transparent film, each being pivotally connected to the upper panel and detachably fixed to the lower panel, each being operable between a deployed position and a stowed position;

wherein during the deployed state, the front transparent film, the left transparent film and the right transparent films in their deployed position jointly form an inverted transparent pyramid situated between the upper panel and the lower panel, and

wherein individual images displayed on the screen are projected through at least one opening on the lower panel and reflected on the respective transparent film to generate a holographic imagery visible to a viewer. Preferably, the front, left and right transparent films having an inclination of 45 degrees with respect to the lower panel.

Alternatively, the lower panel is a transparent plate without opening.

Preferably, the lower panel is made out of a rigid plate material such as plastic or the like.

Optionally, the greeting card further comprises a compartment for accommodating the mobile device such that the screen of the mobile device aligns with projector device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a system for sending and receiving a greeting card that displays a holographic imagery, the system includes

a greeting card according to any one of the above mentioned;

a server connected to a cloud storage;

a client terminal connected to the server;

a mobile device connected to the cloud storage;

wherein a sender creates via the client terminal a digital content stored in the cloud storage, the e-message associates with a key provided with the greeting card, and

wherein a recipient receives the greeting card from the sender and accesses the cloud storage via the mobile device using the key and retrieves the digital content to generate a holographic imagery capable of being viewed on the greeting card.

For example, the key is a string in form of an alphanumeric serial number printed inside the greeting card.

Alternatively, the key is a string obtainable by the mobile device via reading from a computer readable code, such as a bar code or a QR code, provided on the greeting card.

Alternatively, the key is a string obtainable by the mobile device via interacting with a NFC tag provided on the greeting card.

Optionally, the NFC tag is provided in the compartment of the greeting card according to claim 8 or 18. Preferably, the system further includes an app with a collection of preloaded contents installed on the mobile device,

wherein the digital content contains reference values representing the sender's selections of specific preloaded contents, the app generates the holographic imagery by forming a compilation of the specific preloaded contents according to the reference values.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a greeting card with a projector device in collapsed state according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows the greeting card of Fig. 1 with the projector device in deployed state;

Fig. 3a is a perspective view illustrating the projector device in deployed state;

Fig. 3b is a close-up view illustrating the attachment between the transparent film and the lower panel;

Fig. 4a, 4b, 4c are perspective views illustrating the projector device in deployed state, being partially deployed or in collapsed state respectively;

Fig. 5 shows the projector device being aligned with a screen of a mobile device and a holographic imagery being displayed;

Fig. 6 shows images being displayed in different potions of the screen of the mobile device;

Fig. 7 shows the projector device being fitted with a rear opaque panel;

Fig. 8 shows the projector device being fitted with side opaque panels;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a greeting card with a projector device in deployed state according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 10 shows the structure of a transparent film which forms the projector device in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a transparent film in Fig. 10 being folded upwards; Fig. 12 is an exploded view illustrating a structure of the greeting card according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 13 shows the projector device of Fig. 9 being aligned with the screen of the mobile device and a holographic imagery being displayed;

Fig. 14a is a perspective view illustrating a greeting card with a projector device in deployed state according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 14b is a perspective view illustrating the greeting card of Fig. 14a with the projector device in collapsed state;

Fig. 15 shows the structure of the projector device of Fig. 14a in deployed state;

Fig. 16a, 16b, 16c are perspective views illustrating the projector device is in state of deployed, partially deployed or collapsed respectively;

Fig. 17 shows the projector device of Fig. 15 being aligned with the screen of the mobile device and a holographic imagery being displayed; and

Fig. 18 is a schematic illustrating a structure of a system for sending and receiving an e- message in form of a holographic imagery using the greeting card according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To make the objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely intended to be used for describing the essence and spirit of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Fig. 1 to 8 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a greeting card 1 according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, a holographic projector device 10 may be integrally formed with a greeting card 1 or as a separate attachment to the greeting card 1 such that the greeting card 1 may be used to display a greeting message in form of a holographic imagery to the recipient with the use of his/her mobile device, for instance, a mobile phone.

Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a perspective view of a greeting card 1 according to the present embodiment is shown. The greeting card 1 generally comprises a card body 2 formed by a rectangular substrate of paper material folded in half. Typically, the card body 2 may include any sorts of graphics 3 and greeting message 4 like those usually found on ordinary greeting cards.

For instance, the projector device 10 may be formed on or attached to a side of the card body 2 and is configured to operate between a deployed state and a collapsed state, as shown in Fig. 1 and 2 respectively. Initially, the projector device 10 is in collapsed state when the greet card is stowed or enclosed in an envelope. In the collapsed state, the projector device 10 is substantially flattened and flush with the surface 5 of the card body 2. The collapsing of the projector device 10 would help in maintaining a subtle appearance of the greeting card 1.

Turning to Fig. 3a, the perspective view of the projector device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The projection device 10 essentially includes an upper panel 11 and a lower panel 12. The upper panel 11 generally defines the shape and size of the projector device 10. In the present embodiment, the upper panel 11 is rectangular shape and is formed by opaque sheet material such as polyurethane, polycarbonate or the like. On the other hand, the shape and size of the lower panel 12 may correspond to the upper panel 11 and may be provided with a rectangular opening 13 of size that corresponds to a screen of a typical mobile device, i.e., in the range of from 4.7" to 6" (measured diagonally). However, the size of the projector device 10 may vary according to the different types of mobile devices to be used with.

As being shown in Fig. 3a, the projector device 10 includes a plurality of transparent film 14. According to the present embodiment, three transparent films 14 are used in the projector device 10 for generating a multi-layer holographic effect. For instance, the transparent films 14 take the form of rectangular sheets and are of equal sizes. Further, the three transparent films 14 are disposed parallel to each other and mounted inside the projector device 10 between the upper panel 11 and the lower panel 12. The transparent films 14 may be offset from each other by a distance D, preferably 29mm to 35mm, when the projector device 10 is in deployed state as shown.

According to the present embodiment of the projector device 10, an upper edge 14a of each of the transparent films 14 pivotally connects to a bottom surface of the upper panel 6 while the lower edge 14b connects to a top surface of the lower panel 12. As shown in Fig. 3b, folded tabs 15 may be provided on the respective edge of the transparent films 14 for engagement with receiving slits 16 disposed on the surfaces of the upper panel 11 and the lower panel 12. However, other suitable hinging means may be adopted to provide pivotal connections between the transparent films 14 and the upper panel 11 or the lower panel 12. As a result, the upper panel 11, lower panel 12 and the transparent films 14 collectively form the projector device 10 being collapsible. Specifically, the projector device 10 is capable of being fully deployed, partially deployed or collapsed, as shown in Fig. 4a, 4b and 4c respectively. Preferably, in the deployed state the inclination of the transparent films 14 forms an angle A of 45 degrees with respect to the lower panel 12 according to Fig. 4a.

As shown in Fig. 4a to Fig. 4c, the projector device 10 is provided with a front end defined by the inclination of the transparent films 14. For instance, the front end is the end that the transparent films incline towards, as shown by F. The front end F is essentially a viewing end allowing a user to view the holographic imagery generated in the projector device 10. When the projector device 10 being collapsed, the transparent films 10 are tipped forward towards the viewing end F and are laid substantially flat with respect to the upper panel 11 and the lower panel 12 as shown in Fig. 4c.

Referring to Fig. 5 which shows the projector device 10 being in the deployed state, a mobile device 6, such as a smart mobile phone, may be placed beneath the lower panel 12 with its screen 7 substantially aligned with the opening 13 of the lower panel 12. For instance, a compartment 8 may be provided on the card body 2 for accommodating the mobile device 6 while maintaining the alignment between the screen 7 and the opening 13. Further, the compartment 8 may also be collapsible so as to maintain the greeting card 1 to a minimal thickness.

As illustrated in the Fig. 5, an image 9 being displayed on the screen 7 projects through the opening 13 of the lower panel 12 and reflects off a respective inclined transparent film 14 at an angle of about 90 degrees. As a result, a reflection 9a of the image 9 may be viewable as holographic imagery through the viewing end F by a viewer.

Each transparent film 14 is adapted to reflect an image 7 displayed on a respective portion of the screen 21, as depicted by Fig. 6. For instance, the screen 7 of the mobile device 6 may be divided into multiple display portions 7a 7b 7c based on the number of transparent films 14 configured in the projector device 5. Each transparent film 14 may be aligned with a corresponding display portion 7a 7b 7c. According to the sequential arrangement of the transparent films 14, the reflections 9a of the individual images 9 on the respective transparent films 14 are superimposed and jointly form a multi-layer holographic imagery visible through the viewing end F of the projector device 10.

To enhance the quality of the holographic image, an opaque rear panel 17 may be provided on an opposite end to the viewing end F of the projector device 10 for preventing light from entering the projector device 10 from the opposite end as illustrated in Fig. 7. Alternatively, the rear panel may be integrated with the card body 2 or the projector device 10 so that the upper panel 11, rear panel 17 and the lower panel 12 jointly formed a single continuous piece. Preferably, the opaque rear panel 17 may include a low-reflective surface disposed behind the transparent film 14 away from the viewing end F. The opaque rear panel 17 may serve the purposes of a backdrop for the holographic imagery being displayed and a cover to minimize back lighting.

Furthermore, each of lateral sides of the projector device 10 may also be provided with an opaque side panel 18 as shown in Fig. 8 to further prevent exterior light to enter the projector device 10 affecting the quality of holographic imagery being displayed. The opaque rear panel 17 and the opaque side panels 18 may be configured to be collapsible in a similar manner to that of the projector device 10. By including the opaque panels, the interior space of the projector device 10 may be maintained at a darker level than the ambient space thus significantly enhances the quality of the holographic imagery being displayed to the viewer. According to another embodiment of the present invention, an alternate configuration of projector device 20 may take the form of a transparent inverted pyramid being integrated to the card body 2 as shown in Fig. 9. The inverted pyramid includes four trapezoidal sides 21. As such, at a lowermost portion of the inverted pyramid 20 there forms a flat portion 22 instead of a pointed tip. The flat portion 22 of the inverted pyramid 20 may be placed on a screen 7 of a mobile device 6 to form a holographic imagery visible to the viewer.

Likewise, the projector device 20 according to the present embodiment may be collapsed such that the projector 20 device may be laid substantially flat on the card body 2 for maintaining a subtle and clean appearance. The projector device 20 may be deployed by a user applying a downward force P on the flat portion 22 from inside the inverted pyramid 20, as shown in Fig. 9.

Referring to Fig. 10, the projector device 20 generally includes two identical pieces of transparent films 23. Each transparent film 23 forms a pair of opposing sides 21 of the inverted pyramid 20 as shown. For instance, the pair of opposing sides 21 are connected by a connecting portion 24. Each of the transparent films 23 may be provided with four retaining tabs 23a at its respective corners extending in a width direction of the transparent film 23. Fold lines 23b may be provided on the transparent films 23 to indicate the boundaries between the connecting portion 24 and each of the sides 21. Each of the transparent films 23 may be pre-folded at the fold lines 23b in a manner being shown in Fig. 11.

Accordingly, a first transparent co film 23 may be coupled to an exterior plate 25 so that the first transparent film 23 is capable of being deployed or collapsed. For instance, each edge 23c of the first transparent film 23 may be inserted into a respective slot 25a provided on the exterior plate 25 in the manner as shown in Fig 12. Once inserted, the four retaining tabs 23a may act as stoppers to prevent the sides 21 from falling through the respective slots 25a. The length of the slot 25a would preferably be shorter than the total width of the side 21. According to the above arrangement, the first transparent film 23 may be deployed by pushing the flat portion 22 downward.

Likewise, a second transparent film 23 may be coupled to a center plate 26 in a similar manner as discussed. However, as noted in Fig. 12 the orientation of the second transparent film 23 and the respective slots 26a are rotated by 90 degrees such that the second transparent film 23 forms the other two opposing sides 21 of the inverted pyramid 20. Further, an opening 26b may be provided on the exterior plate 26 that is sufficiently large for the second transparent film 23 to pass through during the projected device being deployed. A through hole 26c may be provided on the center plate in alignment with the center of the second transparent film 23 allowing the user to deploy the projector device 20.

As further illustrated in Fig. 12, the center plate 26 may be adhered onto a top of the exterior plate 25 to form the card body 2 of the greeting card 1. As such, the connecting potions 24 of the first transparent film 23 and the second transparent film 23 are overlapped and form the flat portion 22 of the inverted pyramid 20. For instance, the viewer may insert his finger into the through hole 26c and apply a downward force on the flat portion 22 that forces both the transparent films 23 downwards, thereby forming an inverted pyramid 20 as shown in Fig. 13. As would be appreciated, a further exterior plate 27 may be applied on top of the center plate 26 to provide the greeting card 1 with a more rigid construction.

Preferably, each of the four sides 21 of the inverted pyramid 20 may have an inclination angle of 45 degrees with respect to the screen 7 of the mobile device 6. The viewer may align the projector device 20 to a designated position on the screen 7 in order to generate the intended holographic imagery. Accordingly, as illustrated in Fig. 13, each image 9 being displayed on the respective portion of the screen 7 being reflected off its corresponding side 21 of the inverted pyramid 20 and form a holographic imagery 9a visible to the viewer.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an alternate configuration of a collapsible projector device 30 is illustrated in Fig. 14a and Fig. 14b. As can be seen, the projector device 30 may be attached to the card body 2 of the greeting card 1 in a similar manner as discussed previously in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

Turning to Fig. 15, the projector device 30 includes an upper panel 31 and a lower panel

32 which are pivotally connected by a rear panel 33 in the manner as shown. The upper panel 31 and the rear panel 33 are opaque and may be formed by a single continuous piece of sheet material such as card paper or the like. Alternatively, the lower panel 32 may be formed by a relatively more rigid material such as plastic or the like. Situated between the upper panel 31 and the lower panel 32 there disposed three trapezoidal shaped transparent films 34a 34b 34c configured to form a 3-sided inverted pyramid 34 as shown in Fig. 15. Of the three transparent films 34a 34b 34c, a front transparent film 34a may be pivotally connected to a bottom surface of the upper panel 31 and a top surface of the lower panel 32 by hinging means. Such configuration allows the upper panel 31 to be capable of being collapsed or deployed. During a deployed state, the front transparent film 34a is inclined with respect to the lower panel at an angle of preferably 45 degrees. The front transparent film 34a forms a front side of the inverted pyramid 34.

Further, a left transparent film 34b and a right transparent film 34c may be pivotally connected to only the upper panel by hinging means, such that each of the left and right transparent films 34b 34c may be operable in their deployed positions and respectively forms a left side and a right side of the 3-sided inverted pyramid 34. It should be noted that a rear side of the inverted pyramid 34 is absent of any transparent film.

To maintain the left and the right transparent films 34b 34c in their deployed position, a detachable fixation means 35 may be provided. For instance, a protrusion 35a may be provided on the lower panel 32 for engaging with a hole 35b on an folded extension tab 36 that extends from a bottommost edge of each of the left and right transparent films 34b 34c. It should be understood that any other detachable fixation means may be applicable to achieve same result. Accordingly, the left and right transparent films 34b 34c may be detached from the lower panel 32 and stowed up by flipping inwards so that the films 34b 34c are laid flat with the upper panel 31 as illustrated in Fig. 16a, Fig. 16b and Fig. 16c. As such, the projector device 30 may then be collapsed.

As illustrated in Fig. 17, the lower panel 32 may include a cut-out portion 32a or a plurality of cut-outs. Alternatively, the lower panel 32 may simply be a transparent plate for providing a more rigid construction of the projector device 30. The cut-out portion 32a allows images 9 being displayed on the screen 7 to project to the respective transparent film.

The viewer may align the projector device 30 to a designated position on the screen 7 of the mobile device 6 in order to view the holographic imagery. Accordingly, the images 9 being displayed on the respective portions of the screen 7 are reflected off the three sides 34a 34b 34c of the inverted pyramid 34 and form a holographic imagery 9a visible to the viewer.

For instance, the transparent films as mentioned in the above exemplary embodiments may be formed as thin and flexible sheets by a transparent material such as resin or the like. Common forms of resin suitable to be used in the present invention may be polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylic or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The above materials are desirable for forming the transparent films because they offer the characteristics of highly transparent and reflective, light weight, flexible and relatively low production costs. As for the thickness of the transparent films, a range of 0.3mm to 0.8mm may be considered optimum, from the stand point of reduction in weight while being able to maintain the subtleness of the projector device while in the collapsed state.

Further, the transparent films may be laminated with a color coating to suit a theme of the greeting card or simply according to one's preference. Depending on the desired effect of the holographic image to be displayed, the use of the color coating may decrease the transparency of the films and as a result increases the reflectance. The enhanced reflectance of the films may result in a brighter and clearer holographic imagery visible to the viewer.

In Fig. 18, a schematic of a system 100 according to the present invention is shown. The system generally includes a server 101, a cloud based storage 102, at least a client terminal 103 of a sender, at least a mobile device 104 of a recipient in which all of the above being connected to the Internet.

The server 101 is configured to communicate with the client terminal 103 and the mobile device 104, such as a mobile phone 104 being capable of connecting to the Internet via a wireless network such as a 3G/4G or Wi-Fi network. At the client terminal 103, a web-client application allows the sender to register and activate a greeting card 1 with the system 100. The registration or activation may be performed on the client terminal 103 which may be any internet enabled computer or mobile device. For instance, the client terminal 103 may be a mobile phone having a specific mobile app installed. The registration process of the greeting card 1 may include but not limited to collecting the sender's identity, creating an electronic message (e-message) and associating the sender's identity and the prepared e-message with the greeting card 1 being registered. For example, the sender may create a customized electronic message based on selecting a background video according to his/her preferences. Further, the sender may create a text message to be displayed along with the background video, as well as any additional music or graphical effects to enhance the visual/audio impression of the e-message. Selections of video, music and other effects may be provided within the app. The e-message may be displayed in form a holographic imagery viewable by the recipient using the greeting card 1 together with his/her mobile device 104 as discussed in the foregoing embodiments.

Each greeting card 1 according to the present invention may be assigned a unique key, for instance, an alphanumeric string, hidden inside the greeting card 1 so as to avoid misuse by someone other than the sender and the intended recipient. As part of the registration process, the sender may be prompted to input the key provided in the greeting card 1 for creating an association between the created e-message and the greeting card 1.

Alternatively, visual computer readable codes 105 as shown in Fig. 1 and 2, such as bar code or QR code, may be used in substitute of the printed alphanumeric string for an enhanced user experience. The sender may simply use a mobile phone as the client terminal 103 to obtain a key from the computer readable code 105 provided on the greeting card 1. Optionally, the sender may be instantly directed to a webpage for registering the greeting card 1 with the server 101 via an embedded URL link in the code 105.

Once the registration of the greeting card 1 is completed by the sender, the system 100 stores the created e-message in association with the key in the cloud storage 102. The digital content in the e-message may then be retrieved based on the key by the recipient upon receiving the greeting card 1 from the sender.

For instance, written instructions may be provided on the greeting card 1 or the associated packaging for providing guidance to the recipient on retrieval of content stored in the cloud storage 102. To retrieve the digital content prepared by the sender, the recipient may be required to download a specific app on his/her mobile phone 104. As an example, the app may prompt the recipient to enter a key in order to retrieve the digital content prepared by the sender. Alternatively, the app may also allow the recipient to activate a camera of the mobile phone 104 to scan for a computer readable code 105 provided on the greeting card 1 for acquiring the key associated with the greeting card 1.

Referring to Fig. 10, a further alternate arrangement on the acquisition of the key of the greeting card 1 is illustrated. Specifically, a NFC tag 106 containing the key may be provided in the compartment 8 integrated on the card body 2. Under such arrangement, the key of the greeting card 1 may be acquired by a NFC enabled mobile phone 104 at the instance that the mobile phone 104 is inserted into the compartment 8. The NFC tag 106 may further include a command that triggers the mobile phone 104 to activate the app without further input from the recipient.

Subsequently, the app may be configured to search within the cloud storage 102 for the associated digital content based on the key entered. Once the digital content associated with the key is identified by the app, the mobile phone 104 may download or stream the digital contents and display the same on the screen 7.

Instead of downloading of streaming the digital contents, the recipient's mobile device may alternatively obtain a series of reference values. The reference values represents the sender's choices of digital contents such as images, video, audio, effects, etc., adopted in his/her creation of the e-message during the registration process. The app may also preload a library of digital contents (i.e., local digital contents) on the recipient's mobile device 104. Based on the received reference values, the app reconstructs the e-message created by the sender by forming on the mobile device 104 a compilation of local digital contents that correspond to the reference values.

Accordingly, the constructed e-message may be displayed on the recipient's mobile phone 104 and viewable as a holographic imagery on the greeting card 1.

Although the foregoing has been described in detail by way of illustration and exemplary embodiments for the purpose of clarity and understanding, it would be recognized that the above described invention may be embodied in numerous other specific variations and embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. While changes and modifications may be practiced, it is understood that the present invention is not to be limited by the foregoing details, but rather is to be defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A greeting card that displays a holographic imagery using a screen of a mobile device, comprising:

a card body; and

a projector device operable between a deployed state and a collapsed state, comprises: an upper panel,

wherein individual images displayed on the screen are projected through the opening and reflected on the respective transparent film to generate a multi-layer holographic imagery visible through a viewing end of the projector device.

2. The greeting card according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of transparent film is restricted to three or less transparent films.

3. The greeting card according claim 1 or 2, wherein the inclination of the transparent films is at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the lower panel.

4. The greeting card according to any one of claim 1 to 3, wherein each of the plurality of transparent film is approximately 29mm to 35mm apart from each other.

5. The greeting card according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein the upper panel and lower panel is formed by flexible plate-like materials such as polyurethane, polycarbonate or the like.

6. The greeting card according to any one of claim 1 to 5, wherein in the projector device further comprises a rear opaque panel provided at an end opposite to the viewing end of the projector device.

7. The greeting card according to claim 6, wherein in the projector device further comprises side opaque panels.

8. The greeting card according to any one of claim 1 to 7, wherein the greeting card further comprises a compartment for accommodating the mobile device such that the screen of the mobile device aligns with the projector device.

9. The greeting card according to any one of claim 1 to 8, wherein at least one indicator is provided for aligning the screen of the mobile device to the projector device.

10. A greeting card that displays a holographic imagery using a screen of a mobile device, comprising:

a projector device in form of a transparent inverted pyramid having four sides, comprises a first and a second transparent films each consisting of a pair of opposing sides of the inverted pyramid connected by a connecting portion, each of the four sides is folded upward with respect to the connecting portion,

a card body, comprises:

a second exterior plate situated on the center plate,

wherein the connecting portion of the second transparent film being superimposed on the connecting portion of the first transparent film such that during a deployed state the transparent films jointly form the projector device, and

wherein individual images displayed on the screen are projected on the respective side of the transparent films to generate a holographic imagery visible to a viewer.

11. The greeting card according to claim 10, wherein each of the center plate and the second exterior plate is provided with a hole for a user to apply a downward force on the first and second transparent films for erecting the projector device.

12. The greeting card according to claim 10 or 11, wherein each of the first and second transparent films is provided with stoppers preventing the transparent film from decoupling from the respective plate.

13. The greeting card according to any one of claim 10 to 12, wherein the four sides of the projector device having an inclination of 45 degrees.

14. A greeting card that displays a holographic imagery using a screen of a mobile device, comprising:

a card body; and

a projector device attached to the card body, the projector device being operable between a deployed state and a collapsed state, comprises:

an upper panel,

a lower panel situated below the upper panel,

wherein individual images displayed on the screen are projected through at least one opening on the lower panel and reflected on the respective transparent film to generate a holographic imagery visible to a viewer.

15. The greeting card according to claim 14, wherein the front, left and right transparent films having an inclination of 45 degrees with respect to the lower panel.

16. The greeting card according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the lower panel is a transparent plate without opening.

17. The greeting card according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the lower panel is made out of a rigid plate material such as plastic or the like.

18. The greeting card according to any one of claim 14 to 17, wherein the greeting card further comprises a compartment for accommodating the mobile device such that the screen of the mobile device aligns with projector device.

19. A system for sending and receiving a greeting card that displays a holographic imagery, comprising:

a greeting card according to any one of the preceding claims;

a server connected to a cloud storage;

a client terminal connected to the server;

a mobile device connected to the cloud storage;

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the key is a string in form of an alphanumeric serial number printed inside the greeting card.

21. The system according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the key is a string obtainable by the mobile device via reading from a computer readable code, such as a bar code or a QR code, provided on the greeting card.

22. The system according to any one of claim 19 to 21, wherein the key is a string obtainable by the mobile device via interacting with a NFC tag provided on the greeting card.

23. The system according to any one of claim 19 to 22, wherein the NFC tag is provided in the compartment of the greeting card according to claim 8 or 18.

24. The system according to any one of claim 19 to 23, wherein the system further comprising an app with a collection of preloaded contents installed on the mobile device, wherein the digital content contains reference values representing the sender's selections of specific preloaded contents, the app generates the holographic imagery by forming a compilation of the specific preloaded contents according to the reference values.