Patent · US Active

Transaction card with thermochromic feature

US7628336B2 · kind B2 · utility

15Cited by
7References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 25, 2007
Grant dateDec 8, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 8, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB42D2035/24
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.