Transaction Card With Integrated Electrical Plug And Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gift cards and similar transaction cards lack additional functionalities beyond their primary purpose, limiting their appeal and usage as gifts or promotional items.
Innovation Solution
A transaction product with an electrical plug that interfaces with a socket to provide power for additional features like illumination, linked to an account identifier for transactional and non-transactional uses, enhancing its gifting and promotional value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a transaction card is designed with additional functionalities like electrical plug and illumination, then the appeal and usage as gifts or promotional items is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transaction card is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a payment method through the account identifier while simultaneously functioning as an electrical power source through the integrated plug and illumination device. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the card adaptable to both transactional and non-transactional uses, enhancing its appeal as a gift or promotional item without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the electrical plug and illumination device directly into the transaction card structure, merging what would traditionally be separate devices into a single integrated unit. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the added functionalities, as the card itself becomes the power source rather than requiring external devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a transaction card remains in the user's purse or wallet, then it serves as an advertisement or reminder to revisit the associated retailer, but it lacks additional functionalities that would enhance its appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The transaction card with integrated electrical plug and illumination device provides multiple uses: it can be carried in a purse or wallet as a payment method and advertisement, while also serving as a functional light source or power device when needed. This multi-functionality enhances appeal without compromising portability, as the card remains a single compact item that users can carry easily.
3Power
If the electrical plug includes at least two blades to interface with the electrical socket, then electrical power transfer is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical plug with its blades is extracted as a separate functional component from the main card body, allowing the card to maintain its primary transactional function while incorporating the power transfer capability. This extraction enables the electrical components to be optimized for power transfer without unnecessarily complicating the overall card structure, as the plug can be integrated in a space-efficient manner.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The transaction product offers dual functionality, encouraging purchases and repeat use by providing a unique gift item that can be used for payment and serves as an advertisement, promoting sales and gifting while maintaining transactional value.
Implementation Method 1
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
Data Source
AI summary
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.