Patent Publication Number: US-11027571-B2

Title: Recordable greeting card with user-definable touch zones

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/541,840, titled “Recordable Photo Frame With User-Definable Touch Zones,” and filed on Nov. 14, 2014, which is assigned or under obligation of assignment to the same entity as this application, the entire contents of the aforementioned application being herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Greeting cards traditionally serve as a medium for relaying personal notes, messages, or other pleasantries in the form of written memorandums. Greeting cards are oftentimes gifted to friends and family to serve as a means for communicating personalized messages to a recipient. The recipient typically reads the written messages to acknowledge who the card or an associated gift is from, or to reminisce about events that are oftentimes relayed through the written messages. Written messages, however personalized, only encompass limited dimensions of communication. Other means of communication, such as voice, can deliver additional dimensions of communication and can relay additional context from one individual to another. For instance, sarcasm can sometimes be relayed through voice better than in written form. Congratulatory messages expressed through voice communications can also express an additional dimension of excitement that is oftentimes difficult to relay through written communication. Accordingly, there is a need for a greeting card that allows one or more signatories or contributors to capture their own audible messages for audible relay to the recipient. Additionally, as greeting cards can be designed differently, there is also a need for a greeting card that associates the audible messages with user-definable portions of the greeting card. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are defined by the claims below, not this summary. A high-level overview of various aspects of the present disclosure are provided here for that reason, to provide an overview of the disclosure, and to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In brief and at a high level, this disclosure describes, among other things, a greeting card and methods for storing audio tracks and associating them with programmable touch zones on a body of a greeting card. The greeting card includes an audible greeting assembly that is at least partially disposed within a body of the card. The audible greeting assembly includes a sensor array having a plurality of sensors that face towards and interface with a front portion of the card body, such that touch gestures can be detected by the sensor array through at least the front portion of the card body. The sensor array is coupled to a microprocessor that enables, while in a recording mode, the generation of user-defined touch zones based on encircling touch gestures received via the sensor array through at least the front portion of the card body. The greeting card also includes a microphone for receiving audio associated with each generated touch for storage in a memory. In some further embodiments, the microprocessor can determine, while in a playback mode, a selected touch zone based on a determination that a received touch gesture (e.g., a touch or push) corresponds to a generated touch zone. Based on the selected touch zone, the microprocessor can play back the stored audio associated with the generated touch zone through a speaker of the audible greeting assembly. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form. These concepts are further described below in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. Various other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a greeting card assembly for storing and associating audio tracks to generated touch zones, oriented in a substantially closed state in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of the greeting card assembly of  FIG. 1 , particularly illustrating the greeting card in an open state and presenting slots for securing pictures thereto, in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the greeting card assembly of  FIG. 1 , particularly illustrating an alternative picture attachment arrangement therein; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the greeting card assembly of  FIG. 2A  with a picture attached therein in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the greeting card assembly of  FIG. 3 , particularly illustrating a sensor array and the positioning of its sensors with respect to an exemplary picture, in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the greeting card assembly of  FIG. 3  having a tri-fold configuration and illustrated in a fully-extended state, in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded front perspective view of the greeting card assembly of  FIG. 5  illustrating components located under the sensor array, in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is elevation front perspective view of the greeting card assembly of  FIG. 6  with the sensor array removed to view the components located thereunder, in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the greeting card assembly of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the greeting card assembly of  FIG. 3 , depicting a user encircling a portion of the picture, defining a generated touch zone and thereby activating recording of audio associated therewith. 
     
    
    
     The drawing figures do not limit embodiments of the present disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the preferred embodiments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of select embodiments of the present disclosure is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But, the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different components, steps, or combinations thereof similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. 
     Methods and devices are described herein for recording, storing and associating audio tracks with generated touch zones corresponding to user-defined areas of a greeting card. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a greeting card (hereinafter also referenced as “card”) having an audible greeting assembly disposed between a front and a rear portion of a card body and/or a content portion of the card. In various embodiments described herein, a card body corresponds to a non-folded portion of the card, whereby a front portion of the card includes a visible surface that can receive custom inscriptions (e.g., with a pen, pencil, writing tool), present a printed graphics design, and/or include a photograph securement means to removably secure a photograph (e.g., a tangible photograph printed or developed on a photographic medium) to the visible surface. In various embodiments, the card can include a stock card (e.g., a non-folding card), a bi-fold card (e.g., card having a single fold having a cover portion and a card body), or a multi-fold card (e.g., card having multiple folds having at least a cover portion and a card body). 
     The audible greeting assembly can include a sensor array presenting a plurality of sensors (e.g., capacitive, pressure-sensitive) that are operable to detect touch gestures (e.g., touches, pushes, swipes) having at least a threshold level of capacitance (also referenced herein as “presence”), pressure, or the like, necessary for detection by the sensors. In other words, touch gestures having at least the threshold level of pressure or presence can be detected by the sensors through at least the front portion of the card body. In some further embodiments, the touch gestures having at least the threshold level of pressure or presence can also be detected through additional pages of the card, a photographic securement means, and/or a photograph secured to the card body via the photographic securement means, if applicable. In various embodiments, the audible greeting assembly further includes components, such as a memory, a microprocessor, and a microphone. The microprocessor is coupled to the sensor array and the memory, and is configured to generate one or more touch zones by detecting, via the sensor array, an encircling touch gesture that corresponds to a subset of the sensors. The memory is operable for storing the one or more generated touch zones for association with an audio file generated based on audio received via a microphone. The microphone is coupled to the microprocessor and is operable to receive audio in response to the generation of a touch zone, such that the microprocessor can generate and store into the memory an audio file associated with the generated touch zone based on the received audio. 
     In some further embodiments, the card is a folding card (e.g., bi-fold, multi-fold), such that the audible greeting assembly further includes a sliding switch (hereinafter referred to as a “switch”) having a first slider end secured to a cover portion (e.g., a page of the card immediately preceding the card body and pivotally attached thereto) of the card and a second slider end secured to the card body and/or the audible greeting assembly. The second slider end of the switch can be displaced from a first position when the card is in a closed state, to a second position when the card is in an opened state. To displace the folding card from the closed state to the open state, the cover portion can be pivoted in a direction away from the card body. In some further embodiments, the switch can be employed to decouple and couple a power supply (e.g., a battery) selectively coupled to the audible greeting assembly when in the first and second positions, respectively. In this regard, the switch in the first position (i.e., card in the closed state) can be non-conductive, so as to selectively prevent power to flow from the power source to the audible greeting assembly. To this end, accidental playback of audio files can be prevented when touch gestures are detected on corresponding touch zones when the card is in the closed state. Alternatively, the switch in the second position (i.e., card in the opened state) can be conductive, so as to selectively enable power to flow from the power source to the audible greeting assembly. In this regard, audio files can only be played back when touch gestures are detected on corresponding touch zones when the card is in the opened state. 
     In some other embodiments, the switch can be employed by the microprocessor to determine whether a first memory bank or a second memory bank of the memory should be employed for generating touch zones, receiving audio, or playing back audio files, among other things. In other words, the switch can be employed to instruct the microprocessor to switch between utilization of first and second memory banks when in the first and second positions, respectively. When the switch is in the first position (i.e., card in the closed state), the microprocessor can generate touch zones and receive audio for storage in the first memory bank, and play back audio files based on detected touch gestures corresponding to generated touch zones stored in the first memory bank. When the switch is in the second position (i.e., card in the opened state), the microprocessor can generate touch zones and receive audio for storage in the second memory bank, and play back audio files based on detected touch gestures corresponding to generated touch zones stored in the second memory bank. In various embodiments, a memory bank is not necessarily limited to different portions of a memory, but can reference an implementation where the microprocessor stores and retrieves data (e.g., touch zones, audio files) into and from the memory, respectively, with a flag indicator corresponding to one of the first and second positions, based on a position of the switch determined by the microprocessor. 
     With specific reference now to the figures, methods and devices are described in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Various embodiments are described with respect to the figures in which like elements are depicted with like reference numerals. Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-3 , according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a greeting card  50  (“card”) is provided having a card body  110  presenting a front portion  112  and a rear portion  114 . For example, the front portion  112  can be a first layer and the rear portion can be a second layer of the card body  110  configured to house electronics there between, as later described herein. In some embodiments, the card  50  is a bi-fold card having a single fold  70  that defines a separation between the card body  110  and a cover portion  120  defined by the fold  70 . The fold  70  can serve as an axis about which the cover portion  120  can rotate or pivot toward and away from the card body  110  between a closed state and an open state. The card body  110  and/or the cover portion  120  can be comprised of a writeable material (e.g., paper, cloth, plastic) suitable for receiving names, signatures, handwritten messages and/or remarks and/or can be configured to receive pictures, graphics, text, or any indicia thereon via printing, painting, embossing, adhesive, or any method known in the art. 
     Though the card is generally described as a bi-fold card herein, in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure, the card  50  can generally include any type of card (e.g., stock or single page, multi-fold) having at least the card body  110 . In other words, in accordance with various embodiments described herein, a card  50  can have the card body  110  with no folds or one or more folds, such as fold  70 . Similarly, the card  50  can also have no cover portion or at least one cover portion, such as the cover portion  120  presenting a front surface  122  and a rear surface  124 . Each cover portion, in various embodiments, is defined by a fold, and is positioned on a side adjacent to the front portion  112  when the card  50  is in a closed state, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . In various embodiments described herein, the front and rear portions  112 ,  114  of the card  50 , in addition to one or more cover portions, such as cover portion  120 , can comprise any paper-based material or any other material typically utilized for manufacturing greeting cards, as one of ordinary skill may appreciate. 
     The illustrations of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict the card  50  in an opened state. In some embodiments, the card body  110  can include a photograph securement means adapted to removably secure a photograph onto the front portion  112  of the card body  110 . In some embodiments, in reference to  FIG. 2A , a photograph securement means can include a plurality of corner slots  130 A (e.g., openings) that are each positioned at distances that can relatively correspond to corners of a photograph printed in accordance with standard photograph print specifications (e.g., 4″×4″, 4″×5.3″, 4″×6″, 5″×5″, 5″×7″). In various embodiments, the plurality of corner slots  130 A can be positioned at relative distances slightly greater (e.g., up to 0.25″, up to 0.5″) than standard photograph print specifications to facilitate a securement and removal process, among other things.  FIG. 3  provides an exemplary depiction of the card  50  having a photograph  310  secured to the card body  110  by way of the plurality of corner slots  130 A. 
     In another embodiment, with reference to  FIG. 2B , the photograph securement means can include a transparent polymer sleeve  130 B that is affixed to the front portion  112  of the card body  110 . The polymer sleeve  130 B can be affixed (e.g., with an adhesive) to the front portion  112  of the card body  110  to form a pocket presenting an opening that receives a photograph  310  for removable securement to the card body  110 . The dimensions of the polymer sleeve  130 B can include a relative height and width that is slightly greater (e.g., up to 0.25″, up to 0.5″) than a photograph  310  printed according to standard photograph print specifications (e.g., 4″×4″, 4″×5.3″, 4″×6″, 5″×5″, 5″×7″) to facilitate a smoother securement and removal process, among other things. It is contemplated that the sleeve  130 B does not need to be limited to a polymer material, but can comprise any other transparent material that can be affixed to the front portion  112  of the card body  110  and can present an opening or pocket to receive and secure the photograph. 
     The card  50  can include a sensor array  410  disposed within the card body  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . The sensor array  410  can include a plurality of sensors  420  operable to detect touch gestures. A variety of types of sensors, such as capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, pressure-sensitive sensors, infrared sensors, optical imaging sensors, acoustic pulse recognition sensors, and the like, may be used, as long as the sensors are capable of detecting touch gestures. In some aspects, the sensors can be capable of detecting touch gestures through other materials, such as the front portion  112  of the card body  110 , a photograph  310 , or a photograph securement means, such as photograph securement means  130 B of  FIG. 2B . In this regard, the sensors may require a threshold level of pressure to be applied thereon, or a threshold distance or capacitance to be detected, in order for a touch gesture to be detected thereby. The sensor array  410  can be configured for placement behind the image depicted in the exemplary photograph  310 , such that the photograph  310  is positioned thereon and touch gestures are detected through the photograph  310  by the sensor array  410 . In some embodiments, a rear segment  510  is provided for secured placement behind the sensor array  410 , such that the sensor array  410  is interposed between the photograph  310  and rear segment  510 . The rear segment  510  of the card body  110  can be substantially identical to the rear portion  114  (e.g., a back cover of the card) described above. While the illustrated embodiments depict the sensor array  410  and rear segment  510  as having substantially similar dimensions to the photograph sizing configuration, it should be understood that sizing may vary while staying within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, it should be understood that the rear segment  510  can be eliminated or interchanged with other materials without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the card  50  can be configured as a tri-fold card in an unassembled state, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , whereby the card in the assembled state can be presented as a bi-fold card, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 . The card  50  can include the rear segment  510  attached to or integrally formed with the card body  110 . For example, the rear segment  510  can be pivotally attached to the cover portion  120  and a front portion  112  can be pivotally attached to the rear segment  510  at an edge opposite of the attachment point of the cover portion  120 . The front segment  520  can be substantially identical to the front portion  112  of the card body  110  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , including the corner slots  130 A adapted to secure the photograph  310 . More specifically, the front segment  520  can include a first outer face and a first inner face, the rear segment  510  can include a second outer face and a second inner face, and the front segment  520  can be at least partially affixed to the rear segment  510  to place the card into the assembled state. Furthermore, the card  50  can be presented or selectively moved in an unassembled state by pivoting the cover portion  120  in a counter-clockwise direction, and pivoting the front segment  520  in a clockwise direction away from the rear segment  510 , though the unassembled state is preferably only presentable prior to affixing the rear segment  510  to the front segment  520 . 
     A space (not shown) between the front segment  520  affixed to the rear segment  510  can house an audible greeting assembly  610  of the card  50 , which can include electrical components including the sensor array  410 . The audible greeting assembly  610  can include the sensor array  410 , coupled to a logic board that can directly or indirectly, electrically and/or communicably, couple components including sensor array  410 , a speaker  650 , a microphone  640 , a battery  670  or other such power supply, a memory  630 , and one or more microprocessors, such as processors  620 . Although not shown, in some embodiments, the logic board of audible greeting assembly  610  can also include a communications bus (such as a USB, Firewire, serial port, etc.) operable for transferring data (i.e., media files) between an external computer-readable media and the memory  630 . The logic board of audible greeting assembly  610  is just one method of connecting the electronic components herein. Other electronic and communication connections may be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a rear surface  114  of the rear segment  510  of the card body  110  can present a selectively accessible compartment door, such as a flap  830 , or other such cover to enable selective access to an opening. In the depicted example, opening or pivoting the flap  830  can expose a selectively-accessible chamber  820  disposed between the rear segment  510  and the front segment  520 , into which a power source, such as a battery  670 , can be inserted and/or removed. The rear surface  114  can also present one or more switches, such as a switch module  840 , or any such manual control device coupled to the one or more processors  620 , to provide a switching mechanism between different selectable modes (such as record mode and play mode) provided by the one or more processors  620 . The switch module  840 , in variable positions, can selectively modify a mode of the card  50 , such that the one or more processors  620  can perform different operations based on gestures detected by sensor array  410  or other such triggers, as later described herein. For example, when the switch module  840  is physically actuated into a first position (e.g., a record mode), a user&#39;s gestures detected by sensor array  410  through at least the cover portion  120  and/or the front segment  520  of the card body  110  can cause the one or more processors  620  to detect an encircling touch gesture and generate, based on the detected encircling touch gesture, a corresponding touch zone for storage in memory  630 . Further, the generation of the corresponding touch zone can cause the one or more processors  620  to initiate a recording of an audio clip to be associated with the generated corresponding touch zone and stored in memory  630  in association with the stored corresponding touch zone. When the switch module  840  is physically actuated into a second position (e.g., a play mode), a user&#39;s touch gesture (e.g., a push) detected by sensor array  410  through at least the cover portion  120  and/or the front segment  520  of the card body  110  and corresponding to a generated touch zone stored in memory  630 , can cause the one or more processors  620  to initiate a playback of an audio clip, stored in memory  630 , and associated with the generated touch zone that corresponds to the detected user&#39;s touch gesture. 
     In some embodiments, a sliding switch  660  can also be coupled to the audible greeting assembly  610 , and can be operable to selectively supply a current (e.g., turn the card&#39;s power on) from a power source, such as battery  670 , to the electronic components of the audible greeting assembly  610  when the card  50  is in the open state, as depicted in  FIGS. 2-4 , or selectively remove current (e.g., turn the card&#39;s power off) from the power source to the electronic components of the audible greeting assembly  610  when the card is in the closed state, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, an actuating portion or a slider  680  of the sliding switch  660 , comprising a paper or plastic tab by way of non-limiting example, can be secured or affixed (e.g., with an adhesive) to an inside surface of the cover portion  120 , while the sliding switch  660  can be secured to the rear segment  510 , such that pivoting the cover portion  120  into the open state actuates the sliding switch  660  to selectively supply the current, while pivoting the cover portion  120  into the closed state actuates the sliding switch  660  in an opposing direction to selectively remove the current. Among other things, the sliding switch  660  can advantageously prevent activation of the sensors  420  when the card  50  is in the closed state. 
     In another alternative embodiment, the sliding switch  660  can cause the one or more processors  620  to toggle between two different memory segments (e.g., sets of stored data) of the memory  630  when pivoted between the closed state and the open state. The different memory segments can include a first set of stored data including a first set of generated touch zones and associated audio clips, and a second set of stored data including a second set of generated touch zones and associated audio clips. In this way, the one or more processors  620  can generate and store a first set of touch zones and an associated first set of audio clips while the card  50  is in the closed state, and also generate and store a second set of touch zones and an associated second set of audio clips while the card  50  is in the open state. Similarly, while the card  50  is in the closed state, the one or more processors  620  can initiate a playback, via speaker  650 , of a stored audio clip selected from the stored first set of audio clips based on a touch gesture detected through the cover portion  120  that corresponds to one of the stored first set of touch zones. While the card  50  is in the opened state, the one or more processors  620  can initiate a playback, via speaker  650 , of a stored audio clip selected from the stored second set of audio clips based on a touch gesture detected through at least the front portion  112  and/or a photograph secured thereto that corresponds to one of the stored second set of touch zones. 
     The logic board of audible greeting assembly  610  can also include a variety of computer-readable media thereon or therein. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the components coupled on the logic board such as the processors  620  and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media can comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the various components of audible greeting assembly  610 . Computer storage media does not comprise signals per se. Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. 
     Memory  630  can include computer-storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. The memory can be removable, non-removable, or a combination thereof. Exemplary hardware devices include solid-state memory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. The logic board of audible greeting assembly  610  can include one or more processors  620  secured thereon that read data from various entities such as memory  630  or I/O components (not shown). The memory can be operable to store computer-readable instructions for execution by one or more processors. The memory can also be operable to store media (e.g., audio files, recordings, or audio “tracks”) including other data structures. In some embodiments, the data structures can be related to generated touch zones generated by one or more processors and corresponding to particular audio files, as will be described herein. 
     In some embodiments, the sensor array  410  is operable to detect touch gestures via any one of the plurality of sensors  420  disposed thereon. Each sensor  420  is operable to detect a touch gesture (e.g., a finger touch), such that the sensor array  410  can detect, from a user, a touch gesture from a single touch gesture conducted across one or more sensors  420  (e.g., a finger swipe). The sensor array  410  is operable to detect a single touch gesture across a plurality of sensors  420 , and communicate the location (e.g., position on the sensor array  410 ) of each sensor that detected the single touch gesture to the one or more processors  620 . In some embodiments, the sensor array  410  can be passive, such that the processor  620  detects the touch gestures based on body capacitance sensed by the individual sensors  420  on the sensor array  410 . In some other embodiments, the processor  620  can detect a touch gesture based on a threshold amount of pressure sensed by the individual sensors  420  on the sensor array  410 . The one or more processors  620  can be operable to receive, from the sensor array  410 , a plurality of signals each corresponding to a touch gesture on a particular sensor  420  and/or a plurality of sensors  420  and a location thereof with respect to the sensor array  410 . 
     In some further embodiments, the processor  620  can include executable instructions embedded thereon, or can read executable instructions stored in the memory  630 . As such, the processor can execute instructions for generating touch zones based on the detection of one or more touch gestures encircling any subset of sensors. In some embodiments, the generation of touch zones is performed sequentially, based on the order in which the touch gestures were detected. For example, a first touch gesture detected via the sensor array  410 , encircling a first group of sensors, can initiate the generation of a first touch zone by the processor  620 . In other words, the first group of sensors encircled by a path defined by the first touch gesture can include all sensors included in the path as well as all sensors  420  encircled thereby. As such, the first touch zone can include all sensors  420  in the first group. In some embodiments, a second touch gesture detected via the sensor array  410 , encircling a second group of sensors  420 , can initiate the generation of a second touch zone by the processor  620 . As a result, the second touch zone can include all sensors  420  in the second group. In some instances, the second touch gesture can overlap one or more sensors  420  included in the generated first touch zone. In such an event, the processor  620  can determine that, based on the second touch zone being generated after the first touch zone, the second touch zone has priority over the generated first touch zone. In this regard, any of the overlapped one or more sensors  420  associated with the generated first touch zone can be removed from the generated touch zone by the processor  620 , and reassociated with the second touch zone by the processor  620 . In some other instances, priority can be provided to the generated first touch zone, whereby the by the processor  620  does not remove overlapped sensors from the generated first touch zone, and the overlapped sensors are not reassociated with the generated second touch zone (e.g., the overlapped sensors are ignored). 
     In some embodiments, the processor&#39;s  620  generation of a touch zone can be performed upon a determined completion of a detected encircling touch gesture, or can be performed immediately or briefly after receiving an audio recording via microphone  640  for association with the touch zone. The term “briefly,” as used herein, may refer to an amount of time less than one second, less than two seconds, or less than three seconds, for example, although recording may be programmed via the processor  620  to begin automatically at any point following a detection of an encircling gesture or a generation of a touch zone corresponding to a detected encircling gesture, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, processor  620  can generate for playback, via speaker  650 , an audible feedback (e.g., a beep or voice instruction) to confirm detection of an encircling gesture or generation of a corresponding touch zone. The audible feedback can be output via speaker  650  to instruct a user to provide an audio recording corresponding to a touch zone that is being generated or was generated based on the detected encircling gesture. The processor  620  can enable microphone  640  to receive a user provided audio signal, such as a voice message, and record (e.g., store) the received audio signal to the memory  630  in association with the corresponding touch zone. In this regard, a touch zone can be generated based on the associated audio signal having been received and stored, or can be generated and stored prior to receipt and storage of the associated audio signal. In accordance with various embodiments described herein, the received audio signal can be stored as an audio clip, an audio track, an audio file, or any other term that can be reasonable interpreted as audio embodied in an electronically storable and playable format. 
     In some embodiments, the memory  630  can be partitioned to receive a predetermined maximum number of touch zones and/or associated audio recordings. In other embodiments, the memory partitions can limit each audio recording to a maximum recording duration. In embodiments, the processor  620  can limit an audio recording duration by generating and outputting (e.g., via speaker  650 ) an audible notification indicating that the maximum recording duration has been exceeded. In various embodiments, an audio recording can be stored in memory  630  with reference data (e.g., metadata) associated with a most recently generated touch zone. In other words, one or more sensor locations and or identifiers associated with the sensors included in a generated touch zone can be stored in association with an audio recording stored in memory  630 . 
     In some other embodiments, the processor  620  can actively terminate an audio recording session (e.g., receiving an audio signal for storage in association with a touch zone) based on a received stop command. A stop command for terminating the audio recording session can be detected based on a detection of a touch gesture, by the processor  620  via the sensor array  410 , corresponding to any one of the sensors encircled for generating the touch zone to be associated with the received audio signal. An audible confirmation (e.g., a playback of the audio recording or a beep) can be generated by processor  620  and output via speaker  650  upon storing the audio signal as an audio track associated with the generated touch zone. 
     In some embodiments, the processor  620  can detect a user&#39;s selection of a generated touch zone from a plurality of generated touch zones. For example, after the user has generated several touch zones having associated stored audio tracks, the processor can detect a user&#39;s selection of one of the touch zones to initiate playback of the audio track associated with of the selected touch zone. In some embodiments, the processor may need to be changed into a playback mode, so that touch gestures detected by the sensor array  410  and/or the processor  620  are not misinterpreted as touch zone defining inputs. In such embodiments, in order to enable touch zone generation and the storage of associated audio tracks, the processor  620  may need to be toggled into a recording mode. In embodiments, toggling an external switch, such as switch module  840  of  FIG. 8 , can toggle the processor  620  between the playback or recording modes. In various embodiments, the switch module can include a sliding switch, a touch or gesture-sensitive switch, a toggle switch, or any other switching mechanism adapted to toggle between two positions (e.g., playback or record) detectable by the processor  620 . In some aspects, the switch module can be toggled between two or more positions, including an off position that deactivates all electrical features (e.g., playback, record) of the card by decoupling the power source from any one or more components of the audible greeting assembly. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 9 , the illustration depicts a card, such as card  50  of  FIG. 1  including sensor array  410 , having exemplary photograph  310  overlaid thereon. As described herein above, the sensor array  410  can include the set of sensors  420  arranged in a grid-like format, though any configuration for presenting the sensors  420  can be employed within the scope of the present disclosure. As depicted in the exemplary photograph  310 , three separate and unique objects (e.g., faces) of interest are depicted: object one  910 , object two  912 , and object three  914  (i.e., the faces of a mother, her son, and her daughter, respectively). In some aspects, the card  50  must receive at least a first touch gesture from a user to initiate the creation of a first generated touch zone. The first touch gesture is detected using at least, for instance, the sensor array  410  of  FIGS. 4-6 . In some embodiments, the first touch gesture can be or must be a first loop  916  encircling an object of the photograph, such as object one  910  in  FIG. 9 . The first loop  916  can be a closed loop formed around any pictures, objects, graphics, text, or even a blank space presented on the front portion  112  and/or the cover portion  120  of the card  50 . The first loop  916  can be sensed by any of the sensors  420  contacted or otherwise activated via the first touch gesture. In accordance with various embodiments, a sensor  420  can be contacted or activated based on capacitance, pressure, detected distance, or the like. 
     The first loop  916  of  FIG. 9  can initiate the generation of a first generated touch zone based on the path covered by the touch gesture. The first loop  916  includes each of the sensors  420  touched or activated by touch gesture. Enclosed within the first loop  916  is a first subset of the sensors  420 . The card  50 , employing the processor  620  coupled to the sensor array  410 , can generate a first touch zone including a portion of the sensors  420  enclosed within the first loop  916  in addition to another portion of the sensors  420  included in the path of the first loop  916 . In some embodiments, the first generated touch zone can be stored temporarily in a cache or in the memory  630  for association with an audio track, both of which can be stored in the memory  630  based on a receipt of the audio track. 
     In some embodiments, upon generation of the first generated touch zone, the card  50  can output an audible feedback alert to notify the user that the first touch zone has been generated or activated for generation. In accordance with the audible feedback, the card  50  can initiate an audio receiving mode that activates a microphone, such as microphone  640  of  FIG. 6 , to receive a first audio track for association with the first touch zone. In the audio receiving mode, an audio signal is received by the microphone  640  and stored as an audio track in a memory, such as memory  630  of  FIG. 6 . The audio receiving mode can be terminated (e.g., microphone deactivated and audio signal stored as audio track) based on a determined time-out (e.g., a determination by processor  620  that a defined duration has exceeded) or a received manual stop command that is detected by processor  620  based on a received touch gesture corresponding to one or more sensors of the sensor array  410 . In some embodiments, the manual stop command can be detected based on a single touch gesture detected by at least one of the sensors  420  included in the first touch zone. In response to a terminated audio receiving mode, the processor  620  can initiate a playback of the first audio track or an audible feedback alert as confirmation that the first audio track was properly received and stored in memory  630 . In some further embodiments, after the first audio track is received, it can be stored to the memory  630  along with a reference or similar association to the first touch zone. In some embodiments, the first touch zone can be generated to include the received first audio track, such that both the first touch zone and the first audio track are embodied as a single dataset. 
     In some embodiments, a second generated touch zone (not shown) can be generated based on processor  620  detecting, via sensor array  410 , a second touch gesture forming a second loop encircling object two  912 . In some embodiments, the sensors  420  of the second generated touch zone can include at least some of the sensors associated with the generated first touch zone (i.e., within the first loop  916 ). In this regard, processor  620  can determine that the generation of a subsequent second touch zone has priority over any sensors  420  on the sensor array  410  based on an order of which each touch zone is generated. In other words, to generate a subsequent second touch zone overlapping a portion of a generated first touch zone, processor  620  can remove the sensors corresponding to the overlapped portion from the first generated touch zone, such that the overlapped portion is no longer associated with the first generated touch zone. When the subsequent second touch zone is generated, the sensors corresponding to the overlapped portion, including other sensors included in the second loop, can be associated with the generated second touch zone. It is contemplated that a plurality of touch zones can be generated, and as such, any subsequently generated touch zones can be given priority over previously generated touch zones by processor  620 , as described herein above. 
     Although  FIG. 9  illustrates gestures encircling images on a picture to select an area as a touch zone to be generated, any indicia or area presented on the card assembly&#39;s cover portion  120  or card body  110  can be defined as a touch zone utilizing any type of gesture (e.g., a touch, swipe, rub) that defines a point, regular, or irregular enclosed shape, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, individuals may sign the cover portion  120  or card body  110  and then form a generated touch zone by encircling or touching their signature, thus allowing each signer to record a personal message to the individual receiving the card  50 . Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than turning power on and off, the sliding switch  660  can allow a same touch zone to be used for two different audio recordings, one for when the card  50  is in the closed state and a first touch zone is touched via the cover portion  120  and one for when the first touch zone is touched via the card body  110  when the card  50  is in the open state. 
     The processor  620  or memory  630  can include executable instructions for determining a user&#39;s intent based on the duration of touch gestures for each sensor  420 . For instance, the detection of a long input (i.e., longer than 2 seconds) from one of the plurality of sensors can trigger, via the processor  620 , an activation of the microphone  640  for receiving an audio track for storage to the memory  630 . The audio track can be stored to the memory  630  corresponding to the sensors  420  within a boundary formed by the gesture that triggered the activation of the microphone  640 . In some embodiments, the memory  630  can be comprised of partitions, wherein each partition is configured to store an audio track received from the microphone  640  and to correspond to the sensors  420  that triggered the activation of the microphone  640  and receipt of the audio track. Such an embodiment allows for the display of a group photograph  310  on the cover portion  120  and/or the card body  110  and provides the members of the photograph  310  to record their own messages associated with the photograph. Subsequent viewers of the photograph  310  can press on individuals in the photograph  310  to hear what each of the members of the photograph  310  had to say about the photograph  310  or the event to which the photograph  310  pertained (e.g., a graduation, birthday party, etc.). 
     Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below. In accordance with various embodiments described herein, it is contemplated that various elements of the greeting card, such as the switch, sensor array, microphone, memory, microprocessor, speaker, battery, other components of the audible greeting assembly, photograph, photograph securement means, among other elements described herein, can be secured on, affixed to, or disposed in other or alternative portions of the greeting card. An alternative embodiment of the greeting card can incorporate aspects described with respect to the card body, into a front cover or cover page of the greeting card. By way of a non-limiting example, at least some portions of the audible greeting assembly (e.g., microprocessor, memory, microphone, speaker) can be disposed within a front cover page of the greeting card (e.g., between a first and second layer of the front cover page). Moreover, the photograph securement means can be affixed to the first layer of the front cover page, such that the photograph is presented on a front cover of the greeting card. In this regard, the sensor array can be disposed within the front cover page, affixed to the first layer behind the photograph securement means, or affixed to the second layer on a rear portion of the front cover, to detect touch gestures received through a photograph secured within the photograph securement means. It is contemplated that any one of the described portions, pages, or layers of the greeting card, and any one of the components of the audible greeting assembly, can be assembled in various configurations to provide a greeting card with user-definable touch zones while remaining within the purview of the present disclosure. 
     Embodiments of the technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.