TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH MEMORY

• US 20090112761A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Target Brands Inc. (Target Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Target Brands Inc. (Target Corporation)
• Inventors: Samardzija, Primoz, Clegg, Timothy P., Halbur, Ted C., Robertson, Travis M., Reynolds, Adam W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,841,538 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07733 the record carrier containing at least one further contact interface not conform ISO-7816
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0833 Card having specific functional components

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A transaction product comprising:

a memory;

a housing enclosing the memory;

an electrical connector securely electrically coupled with the memory and 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; and

an account identifier linking 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.

2. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the account identifier includes at least one of a bar code, a magnetic strip, an electronic device and a radio frequency identification device.

3. The transaction product of claim 1, further comprising a controller enclosed within the housing, wherein the controller is electrically coupled to and configured to access the memory, and the electrical connector is securely electrically coupled with the memory via the controller in a manner configured to provide access to the memory via the electrical connector and the controller.

4. The transaction product of claim 3, wherein the housing includes a base and a cover coupled to one another to enclose the controller and the memory therebetween.

5. The transaction product of claim 3, wherein the controller is coupled to the electrical connector with a communication link, and the electrical connector and a portion of the communication link extend outside of the housing.

6. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the housing includes indicia relating to a media product, and the memory includes pre-stored data relating to the media product.

7. The transaction product of claim 6, wherein the pre-stored data include one or more of a game, a video clip, a music file, a web site link and a listing of other products associated with the media product.

8. The transaction product of claim 6, wherein the housing has a three-dimensional shape mimicking a character associated with the media product.

9. The transaction product of claim 6, wherein the media product is one of a television show, a movie and a book.

10. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the housing is sized similar to a credit card.

11. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a pocket open to an external surface of the housing, and the electrical connector is selectively received and maintained within the pocket.

12. The transaction product of claim 11, wherein the memory is coupled to the electrical connector at least in part with a communication link, and a portion of the communication link is selectively received and maintained within the pocket.

13. The transaction product of claim 12, wherein the housing defines an opening adjacent the pocket, the communication link extends through the opening and is coupled to the electrical connector opposite the opening, wherein the communication link and the electrical connector are rotatable about the opening relative to the housing.

14. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein when the electrical connector is in a storage position, the electrical connector is selectively embedded within the housing, and the transaction product comprises a button, wherein when a bearer of the transaction product interfaces with the button, the electrical connector is released from the storage position.

15. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first member and a second member, the first member enclosing the memory, the electrical connector extending outwardly from the first member, and the second member being selectively coupled with the first member to enclose the electrical connector between the first member and the second member.

16. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is a universal serial bus (USB) connector.

17. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the memory includes a solid state memory.

18. A stored-value card, comprising:

means for linking the stored-value card to an account or record;

means for visually associating the stored-value card with a media product;

means for storing data associated with the media product;

means for enclosing the means for storing data;

means for selectively coupling the stored-value card with a personal computer, wherein the means for selectively coupling are configured to extend from at least a portion of the means for enclosing and are in electrical communication with the means for storing data such that the personal computer can communicate with the means for storing data via the means for selectively coupling.

19. The stored-value card of claim 18, wherein the data include one or more of a game, a video clip, a music file, a web site link and a listing of other products associated with the media product.

20. The stored-value card of claim 18, wherein the means for storing and the means for selectively coupling are coupled to one another at least in part by a communication cable defining a first portion positioned inside the means for enclosing and a second portion positioned outside the means for enclosing, the second portion being coupled with the means for selectively coupling, wherein the communication cable and the means for selectively coupling are each movable relative to the housing.

21. A method of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a transaction product, the method comprising:

displaying the transaction product including a housing, a standardized electrical connector, which is at least partially maintained within a portion of the housing and is configured to be selectively coupled with a computing device, and a memory storing data associated with a media product, wherein the transaction product includes an activation area linking the transaction product to an account or record, and displaying the transaction product includes promoting the media product associated with the transaction product; and

activating the transaction product to permit deductions from the account or record including machine reading the activation area to determine the account or record linked to the transaction product.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving the transaction product as payment for goods or services, at least a portion of a value of the goods or services being deducted from the account or record.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the memory includes a solid state memory.

24. A method of forming a stored-value product, the method comprising:

placing a controller and memory coupled with the controller within an enclosure;

permanently coupling the controller with an electrical connector such that the electrical connector extends out of at least a portion of the enclosure, and the electrical connector is configured to be selectively received by a socket of a personal computer, wherein the personal computer can access the memory via the electrical connector and the controller to one or more of read data from and write data to the memory when the electrical connector is received by the socket; and

associating an account identifier with the enclosure, the account identifier linking the stored-value product to an account or record having an associated value.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising at least partially positioning the electrical connector within the enclosure for storage.