Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080223923 | STORED-VALUE CARD WITH PEDOMETER AND CLIP - A financial transaction card includes an enclosure, a step detector, and a processing device. The enclosure includes an account identifier linked to a financial account or record such that the financial transaction card can be used toward the purchase or use of at least one of goods and services. The step detector is positioned within the enclosure and configured to perceive movement caused each time a person carrying the financial transaction card takes a step. The processing device is positioned within the enclosure and in communication with the step detector, the processing device being configured to identify movement perceived by the step detector and to determine a cumulative number of steps taken by the person while carrying the financial transaction card. Stored-value card assemblies, methods of promoting sales of stored-value cards, methods of using a stored-value card, and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 09-18-2008 |
20080223939 | Financial transaction card assembly with packaged product - A financial transaction card assembly comprises a financial transaction card, a package, and at least one article. The financial transaction card includes an account identifier linking the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account or a financial record. The package is separate from the financial transaction card and defines an internal cavity. The at least one article is enclosed within the internal cavity. The financial transaction card is maintained outside of the internal cavity and is removably coupled to the package. Methods of assembling a financial transaction card assembly, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a financial transaction card assembly, and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 09-18-2008 |
20080245858 | TRANSACTION CARD WITH BEADS - A transaction card includes a substrate, a plurality of adhesive dots, and a plurality of beads. The substrate includes an account identifier linking the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record, and the account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The plurality of adhesive dots is applied to a surface of the substrate. The plurality of beads are each individually secured to the surface of the substrate with a separate one of the plurality of adhesive dots. Stored-value card assemblies, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card, and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 10-09-2008 |
20080245875 | STORED-VALUE PRODUCT WITH HOUSED ARTICLE - A stored-value card includes an aromatic item, a housing, and an activation area. The housing substantially encloses the aromatic item, and the housing is configured to be selectively closed and opened to provide access to the aromatic item. The activation area links the housing to at least one of a stored-value account and a stored-value record such that value can be added to or deducted from the at least one of the stored-value account and the stored-value record using the activation area. Financial transaction cards, methods of encouraging purchase, and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 10-09-2008 |
20080290177 | MECHANICALLY CONVERTIBLE TRANSACTION PRODUCT - A mechanically convertible transaction product includes a body, two or more appendages, and an account identifier. Each of the two or more appendages is rotatably coupled with the body and configured to selectively rotate relative to the body between a compact position and an expanded position. Each appendage extends further away from the body when in the expanded position such that an overall form of the transaction product is altered when any of the appendages are in the expanded position as compared to when all of the appendages are in the compact position. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record. Stored-value products, combinations, methods of providing a transaction card, and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 11-27-2008 |
20090050693 | TRANSACTION CARD WITH SOUND AND TRANSFORMATIVE PLAYBACK FEATURE - A transaction card includes an audio circuit, housing and an account identifier. The audio circuit includes memory configured to store an audio file having audio properties. The audio circuit is configured to transform at least one audio property of the audio file such that upon playback of the audio file, the audio file sounds different than when the audio file was initially stored to the memory. The housing substantially encloses the audio circuit, and the account identifier links the transaction card to an account or record. The account identifier is machine readable. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055253 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH GELATINOUS SUBSTANCE - A transaction product includes a housing, a gelatinous substance and an account identifier. The housing defines a storage cavity and is configured to be selectively opened and closed to provide selective access to the storage cavity. The gelatinous substance is selectively enclosed within the storage cavity, and, upon removal of the gelatinous substance from the storage cavity, the gelatinous substance is configured to selectively flow in a plurality of different directions. The account identifier links the transaction product to at least one of an account and a record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal such that value can be added to or deducted from the at least one of the account and the record using the account identifier. Other product, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055318 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH REMOVABLE ARTICLES - A transaction product includes a housing, a tray, one or more articles and an account identifier. The tray is selectively maintained within and readily removable from the housing. The one or more articles are selectively maintained by the tray, and each of the one more articles are readily removable from the tray. The account identifier is associated with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record having a value configured to be used toward one or more of a purchase and a use of goods or services. Other products, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed. | 02-26-2009 |
20090099674 | FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH CONNECTION CABLE - A financial transaction product includes an electrical assembly, a housing at least partially enclosing the electrical assembly, a connection cable, and an account identifier. The connection cable includes a first end, which is coupled with the housing and in electrical communication with the electrical assembly, and a second end, which is opposite the first end, is spaced from the housing, and includes an electrical connector configured to selectively interface with a electrical device separate from the financial transaction product. The account identifier is affixed to the housing and links the housing to at least one of a financial account or a financial record. Methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a financial transaction card assembly and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 04-16-2009 |
20090108078 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT - A transaction product includes a support member, an electrical circuit, a button and an account identifier. The support member at least partially depicts a measurement device. The electrical circuit is coupled to the support member, and the button is in communication with the electrical circuit such that user interaction with the button activates the electrical circuit causing the electrical circuit to automatically indicate a reading of the measurement device. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record and is machine readable. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
20090108079 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH GENERATOR - A transaction product includes an electro-mechanical circuit and an account identifier. The circuit includes a mechanical drive member, a generator in mechanical communication with the drive member, and an electrically driven device in electrical communication with the generator. The circuit is configured such that when a bearer moves the drive member, motion from the drive member is transferred to the generator, the generator uses the motion from the drive member to create an electrical voltage, and the electrical voltage is transferred to the electrically driven device to selectively power activation of the electrically driven device. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal such that value can be added to or deducted from the account or record using the account identifier. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112711 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH MOVABLE MEMBER - A transaction product includes a first member, a second member and an account identifier. The first member defines a window. The second member is substantially enclosed within the first member and depicts a first image and a second image. The second member is selectively movable relative to the first member between a first position, in which the first image is viewable through the window, and a second position, in which the second image is viewable through the window. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record and is machine readable. The account identifier is at least one of connected to and substantially enclosed within the first member. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112748 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT - A transaction product includes an enclosure, an account identifier and an electrical circuit. The enclosure defines an aperture. The account identifier is at least one of connected to or enclosed within the enclosure and links the transaction product to an account or record. The account identifier is machine readable. The electrical circuit includes a flexible circuit member, wherein the flexible circuit member extends through the aperture defined by the enclosure such that a first portion of the flexible circuit member is coupled to an outside surface of the enclosure and a second portion of the flexible circuit member is positioned inside the enclosure. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
20090166430 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH ELECTRICAL PLUG - A transaction product, which is configured to interface with and receive electrical power from an electrical socket, includes a support member, an electrical circuit and an account identifier. The electrical circuit is coupled to the support member and includes an electrical plug and an electrically driven device electrically coupled with the electrical plug. The electrical plug includes at least two blades extending from the support member. The at least two blades are configured to interface with the electrical socket such that electrical power from the electrical socket is transferred to the electrically driven device via the electrical plug. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record, wherein the account identifier is machine readable. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed. | 07-02-2009 |
20090166432 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH INFLATABLE ARTICLE - A transaction product includes a housing, an article and an account identifier. The article is selectively maintained within the housing. Following removal of the article from the housing, the article is configured to self-inflate upon activation of the article by a bearer of the transaction product. The account identifier is associated with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record having a value configured to be used toward one or more of a purchase and a use of goods or services. Other products, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed. | 07-02-2009 |
20090166436 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH STORAGE CHAMBER - A transaction product includes a housing and an account identifier. The housing includes a first member, which defines a primary panel and a side wall extending around the primary panel to define a storage chamber, and a second member slidably coupled with the first member. The second member is configured to slide relative to the first member between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the second member covers the storage chamber, and in the open position, the storage chamber is readily accessible. The second member slides relative to the first member between the open position and the closed position in a direction substantially perpendicular to an extension of the side wall from the primary panel of the first member. The account identifier links the housing to an account or record and is machine readable. Other cards, products, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed. | 07-02-2009 |
20090308919 | TRANSACTION CARD WITH MOVABLE MEMBER - A transaction card includes a housing, a first roller, a second roller and a machine readable link. The first roller is rotatably coupled to and at least partially stored within the housing and has a first rotational axis. The second roller is rotatably coupled to and at least partially stored within the housing and has a second rotational axis. The second rotational axis differs from the first rotational axis. The machine readable link to an account or record is coupled with the housing. The account or record is configured to track an associated value available for application toward one of a purchase and a use of one or more of goods and services. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed. | 12-17-2009 |
20090308920 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH REMOVEABLE COSMETIC ARTICLE - A transaction product has an account identifier and includes one or more cosmetic articles. The cosmetic article may be held in place by a tray such that both are readily removable from the housing. The transaction product and its various components, taken together, have a visual appeal accentuated by a sense of depth provided by employing indicia on different visual planes and by using transparent and/or translucent panels. The indicia may be evocative of the nature of cosmetic article, including graphics that depict the color, texture, or other physical properties of the particular cosmetic article enclosed within the transaction product. The account identifier is associated with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record having a value configured to be used toward one or more of a purchase and a use of goods or services. | 12-17-2009 |
20100108757 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH HINGED PUZZLE SEGMENTS - A transaction product has an account identifier and includes a series of interconnected, hinged puzzle segments. The various hinged segments may be collectively manipulated to reveal a variety of surfaces, graphics, and indicia. The transaction card may include a number of three-dimensional segments (e.g., eight polyhedral segments) interconnected such that each segment is hingedly connected to two other segments via a hinge structure, wherein the hinge structures on any given cube are orthogonal to each other, resulting in a closed chain of transformations. The hinge structures may be formed via skin components (e.g., plastic, paper, or other laminate media) bonded directly to respective pairs of the three-dimensional segments. The account identifier is associated with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record having a value configured to be used toward one or more of a purchase and a use of goods or services. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110274 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH CAMERA - A transaction product includes a digital camera assembly, a housing and an account identifier. The digital camera assembly includes a lens assembly, an image sensor aligned with the lens assembly, and a memory electrically coupled with the image sensor. The digital camera assembly is configured to capture images through the lens assembly using the image sensor and to digitally store the captured images to the memory. The housing substantially encloses the image sensor and the memory. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal such that value can be added to or deducted from the account or record using the account identifier. Other product, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed. | 05-06-2010 |
20100155490 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH SLIDE VIEWER - A transaction product includes a lens, a slide, an actuating mechanism, a housing and an account identifier. The slide depicts a plurality of scenes, and each of the plurality of scenes is separately depicted on a different portion of the slide. The actuating mechanism is positioned to cause movement of the slide to change which one of the plurality of scenes aligns with and is viewable through the lens at a given time. The housing substantially encloses the lens, the slide and the actuating mechanism. The account identifier is coupled with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record. The account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal such that value can be added to or deducted from the account using the account identifier. Other product, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed. | 06-24-2010 |
20100170946 | FINANCIAL TRANSACTION CARD WITH EMBEDDED MEMBER - A financial transaction card includes a substrate, an insert member, and a rim. The substrate is formed of a first material and defines a first major surface and an aperture though the substrate. The substrate further includes an account identifier linking the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account and a financial record and is configured for use a payment toward a purchase. The insert member is formed of a second material differing from the first material. The insert member defines a perimeter edge. The rim extends around at least a portion of a perimeter edge of the insert member and is coupled with the first major surface of the substrate adjacent the aperture in a manner at least partially coupling the insert member to the substrate such that the aperture and the insert member align with one another. Other products and methods are also disclosed. | 07-08-2010 |
20100276499 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH REMOVABLE ARTICLES - A transaction product includes a housing, a tray, one or more articles and an account identifier. The tray is selectively maintained within and readily removable from the housing. The one or more articles are selectively maintained by the tray, and each of the one more articles are readily removable from the tray. The account identifier is associated with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record having a value configured to be used toward one or more of a purchase and a use of goods or services. Other products, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed. | 11-04-2010 |
20110021106 | STORED-VALUE PRODUCT WITH MANUFACTURED ARTICLE - A stored-value product includes a toy automobile and a panel. The toy automobile includes a body and wheels rotatably coupled to the body. The panel is coupled to the body and includes an account identifier signifying a financial account or record linked to the stored-value card assembly. Stored-value product assemblies, methods of promoting sales of stored-value products, methods of using a stored-value product and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 01-27-2011 |
20110024498 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT - A transaction product includes an enclosure, an account identifier and an electrical circuit. The enclosure defines an aperture. The account identifier is at least one of connected to or enclosed within the enclosure and links the transaction product to an account or record. The account identifier is machine readable. The electrical circuit includes a flexible circuit member, wherein the flexible circuit member extends through the aperture defined by the enclosure such that a first portion of the flexible circuit member is coupled to an outside surface of the enclosure and a second portion of the flexible circuit member is positioned inside the enclosure. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed. | 02-03-2011 |
20110024508 | FINANCIAL TRANSACTION CARD ASSEMBLY WITH PACKAGED PRODUCT - A financial transaction card assembly comprises a financial transaction card, a package, and at least one article. The financial transaction card includes an account identifier linking the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account or a financial record. The package is separate from the financial transaction card and defines an internal cavity. The at least one article is enclosed within the internal cavity. The financial transaction card is maintained outside of the internal cavity and is removably coupled to the package. Methods of assembling a financial transaction card assembly, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a financial transaction card assembly, and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 02-03-2011 |
20110099106 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT - A transaction product includes an electrical circuit, a housing, and an account identifier. The electrical circuit includes a plurality of lights The housing substantially encloses the electrical circuit including the plurality of lights. The housing defines a plurality of light cavities separated from one another and substantially enclosed within the housing, and each of the plurality of lights is positioned in a different one of the plurality of light cavities. The account identifier is coupled to the housing and links the transaction product to a financial account having an associated monetary value available toward a price of a purchase, wherein the account identifier is machine readable. Other products, cards, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed. | 04-28-2011 |
20110106699 | TRANSACTION CARD WITH AUDIO FILE PITCH TRANSFORMATION - A transaction card includes an audio circuit, a housing, a switch, and an account identifier. The audio circuit is configured to capture an audio file and to transform a pitch of the audio file. The audio circuit includes a speaker configured to play the captured audio file as transformed by the audio circuit with a different pitch than the pitch originally captured for the audio file. The housing substantially encloses the audio circuit. The switch is movable by a bearer of the transaction card external to the housing. When the bearer interacts with the switch, the audio circuit is activated to transform the pitch of the audio file to the different pitch. The account identifier is fixedly coupled to the housing, and the account identifier links the transaction card to an account or record, wherein the account identifier is machine readable. | 05-05-2011 |
20110161187 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH LENS - A transaction product includes a substantially planar panel defining an aperture, a lens extending across the aperture, one or more auxiliary items, a foldable sheet, and an account identifier. The foldable sheet supports each of the one or more auxiliary items and is folded and positioned relative to the substantially planar panel such that at least one of the one or more auxiliary items is readily viewable through the lens. The account identifier is coupled with the substantially planar panel and links the transaction product to an account or record configured to track a financial value available for use toward a purchase price of one or more of goods and services. Other products, combinations, and associated methods are also disclosed. | 06-30-2011 |
20110174876 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH HINGED PUZZLE SEGMENTS - A transaction product includes a plurality of puzzle segments, four skin components, and a machine-readable account identifier. The four skin components each couple and form a hinge between at least two of the plurality of puzzle segments such that the transaction product is configured to be successively folded about the plurality of hinges to undergo a closed chain of transformations from an initial configuration to a plurality of intermediate configurations and back to the initial configuration. The four skin components are each positioned on an external surface of the transaction product when the transaction product is in the initial configuration. The machine-readable account identifier is coupled to at least one of the puzzle segments and links the transaction product to an account or record for tracking a value associated with the transaction product. | 07-21-2011 |
20110320350 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH A PLURALITY OF CARDS - A transaction product includes a housing and a plurality of cards. The housing defines a storage chamber and a substantially planar exterior surface facing away from the storage chamber. The housing is configured to repeatedly open and close to selectively provide access to the storage chamber and includes a machine-readable account identifier statically secured to the substantially planar exterior surface. The machine-readable account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record remote from the transaction product and having a value available for use as payment toward a purchase. The plurality of cards is arranged in at least one stack. The at least one stack is selectively maintained within the storage chamber of the housing, and each card of the plurality of cards is substantially planar. | 12-29-2011 |
20120323823 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH PADDLE - A transaction product includes a paddle, a string, a ball, and an account identifier. The paddle defines an enlarged portion and an elongated handle extending from the enlarged portion. The paddle is formed as a single piece of material. The string defines a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of the string is coupled to the paddle. The ball is coupled to the second end of the string and is configured to bounce on the paddle. The account identifier is statically connected to the paddle and links the paddle to at least one of an account and a record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. | 12-20-2012 |
20130116050 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH SELECTIVELY ILLUMINATED BUTTONS - A transaction product includes an electrical assembly, a housing, a button, and an account identifier. The electrical assembly includes a light. The housing substantially encloses the electrical assembly including the light, wherein the housing defines an exterior surface and an aperture extending through the exterior surface. The button has a rounded extremity and extends from within the housing to outside the housing through the aperture and beyond the exterior surface. The button aligns with and surrounds the light such that when the light is lit the button is illuminated. The account identifier is coupled to the housing and links the transaction product to a financial account having an associated monetary value available toward a price of a purchase, wherein the account identifier is machine readable. | 05-09-2013 |
20130161401 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH EXPANDABLE PAGES AND THREE DIMENSIONAL VIEWING - A transaction product includes a cover, a sheet support member, a plurality of separate sheet members, and an account identifier. Each of the plurality of separate sheet members transition between folded and unfolded configurations. Each of the plurality of separate sheet members is coupled to the cover via the sheet support member. In the folded configuration, each separate sheet member is maintained within a footprint of the cover. In the unfolded configuration, each separate sheet member extends beyond the footprint of the cover. When one separate sheet member is in the unfolded configuration others of the plurality of separate sheet members are in the folded configuration and substantially hidden from view via the sheet support member. The account identifier is statically connected to one of the cover, the sheet support member, and the plurality of separate sheet members and links the transaction product to a financial account. | 06-27-2013 |