Transaction Product with Integrated USB Flash Drive Memory
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transaction products, such as gift cards, primarily serve as stored-value instruments but lack the functionality of data storage and seamless integration with computing devices, limiting their utility beyond monetary transactions.
Innovation Solution
A transaction product incorporating a flash drive with a USB connector, allowing it to function as both a data storage device and a means to access monetary or non-monetary values, linked to an account that can be accessed via a computing device, enabling data storage and retrieval while facilitating purchases or service redemptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transaction products are designed as simple stored-value cards, then they are easy to manufacture and use, but they lack data storage capabilities and integration with computing devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a gift card with a USB flash drive into a single integrated transaction product. The housing contains both the stored-value card components and the memory device with electrical connector, allowing the product to function as both a payment instrument and a data storage device simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The transaction product is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a stored-value card for purchases, a USB flash drive for data storage and transfer, and a promotional item. The electrical connector enables the product to interface with computing devices for both data access and potential recharging of the stored value.
2Adaptability or versatility
If transaction products include data storage capabilities, then they provide enhanced functionality, but they require additional components and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the memory device and electrical connector directly into the gift card housing structure. This merging of components allows data storage functionality to be added without requiring separate carrying of additional devices, and the electrical connector serves dual purposes for both data transfer and potential card recharging.
3Ease of operation
If transaction products integrate computing device connectivity, then they enable seamless data access and management, but they increase manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector is designed to provide multiple functions: enabling data access between the memory device and computing devices, and potentially enabling recharging of the stored-value card at point-of-sale terminals. This universal interface reduces the need for separate specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
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.