Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080290178 | TRANSACTION CARD WITH THERMOCHROMIC FEATURE - A transaction card includes a substrate and a thermochromic feature. The substrate defines a first surface and includes an account identifier linking the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record. The account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The thermochromic feature portrays a character on a portion of the first surface. The thermochromic feature is configured to change between a first state and a second state when an actual temperature of the thermochromic feature reaches an activation temperature of the thermochromic feature. In the first state, the thermochromic feature appears as a first color. In the second state, the thermochromic feature presents at least one of a second color and a graphic not otherwise visible when the thermochromic feature is in the first state. Stored-value cards, combinations, methods of providing a transaction card, and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 11-27-2008 |
20090024519 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH SEPARABLE PIECES - A transaction product includes a substrate and an account identifier. The substrate defines a plurality of pieces separable from a remainder of the substrate. Following separation of the plurality of pieces from the remainder of the substrate, the plurality of pieces are configured to be assembled with one another to define a three-dimensional object. The account identifier is attached to the substrate and links the transaction product to at least one of an account and a record, wherein the account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. Stored-value cards, combinations, methods of facilitating use of a transaction product and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 01-22-2009 |
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 |
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 |
20090112761 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH MEMORY - A transaction product includes a memory, a housing, an electrical connector and an account identifier. The housing encloses the memory. The electrical connector is securely electrically coupled with the memory and is configured to be selectively received by a socket of a computing device such that the computing device can access the memory via the electrical connector. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record, the account identifier being 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. | 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 |
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 |
20090166437 | TRANSACTION CARD WITH MOVABLE MEMBER - A transaction card includes a base member, an auxiliary member and an account identifier. The base member defines a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and a slot extending therethrough. The auxiliary member includes a first section and a handle section and is coupled with the base member such that the first section is disposed on the first surface of the base member. The handle section extends from the first surface, through the slot and to the second surface of the base member such that movement of the handle section causes movement of the auxiliary member relative to the base member. The account identifier is included on one of the base member and the auxiliary member and links the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record. Other cards, combinations and associated methods are also disclosed. | 07-02-2009 |
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 |
20110101090 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT ASSEMBLY WITH MECHANICAL PRODUCT - A transaction product assembly includes a transaction product, a mechanical article, and a coupling member. The transaction product includes an account identifier statically connected thereto. 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. The mechanical article includes a body, an auxiliary member, and an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism extends from within the body to a position external to the body. User interaction with the actuating mechanism is configured to induce movement of the auxiliary member relative to the body of the mechanical article. The coupling member is secured to the mechanical article and configured to be secured to the transaction product such that movement of the auxiliary member relative to the body causes corresponding movement of the transaction product. Other cards, combinations and associated methods are also disclosed. | 05-05-2011 |
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 |