초록 ▼

A stored-value card includes an electrical assembly and a housing. The electrical assembly is configured to store an audio file and includes a light and a speaker. The housing encloses the electrical assembly and includes an account identifier signifying an account or record linked to the stored-val

A stored-value card includes an electrical assembly and a housing. The electrical assembly is configured to store an audio file and includes a light and a speaker. The housing encloses the electrical assembly and includes an account identifier signifying an account or record linked to the stored-value card and an activation area. The activation area and the electrical assembly are adapted such that user interaction with the activation area causes the electrical assembly to both play the audio file via the speaker and illuminate the light to collectively provide an audio and visual presentation to a user. Stored-value card assemblies, methods of promoting sales of stored-value cards, methods, of using a stored-value card and other embodiments are also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A stored-value card, comprising: an electrical assembly configured to store an audio file and including a light and a speaker; a housing enclosing the electrical assembly, the housing including: an account identifier signifying an account or record linked to the stored-value

What is claimed is: 1. A stored-value card, comprising: an electrical assembly configured to store an audio file and including a light and a speaker; a housing enclosing the electrical assembly, the housing including: an account identifier signifying an account or record linked to the stored-value card, and an activation area; wherein the activation area and the electrical assembly are adapted such that user interaction with the activation area causes the electrical assembly to both begin playing the audio file via the speaker and begin illuminating the light to collectively provide an audio and visual presentation to a user, wherein indicia are printed to a face panel adhered to an outer surface of the housing, and the face panel has a smaller outer perimeter than the outer surface of the housing. 2. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the audio and visual presentation is configured to amuse and promote sales of the stored-value card to potential consumers. 3. The stored-value card of claim 1, further including a single button corresponding with the activation area and being movable relative to the housing, wherein the single button, the activation area, and the electrical assembly are adapted such that user interaction with the activation area moves the single button, which, in turn, activates the electrical assembly to both begin playing the audio file and to begin illuminating the light substantially simultaneously with one another. 4. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein, when the audio file has finished playing, and the light has finished illuminating, the electrical assembly is automatically deactivated until subsequent user interaction with the activation area, and wherein an amount of power required during deactivation of the electrical assembly is relatively low as compared to an amount of power required during playing of the audio file and illumination of the light. 5. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the indicia includes depictions corresponding with the audio file and with the light. 6. The stored-value card of claim 5, wherein the indicia include a character, the light illuminates a portion of the character, and the audio file includes an audible expression readily associated with the character. 7. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the light is positioned entirely within the housing, and the housing defines an aperture generally aligned with the light such that illumination of the light is visible from a point external to the housing through the aperture. 8. The stored-value card of claim 7, further including at least one of a color filter, a light diffuser, and a light directing device positioned to generally align with the light such that the light emits light toward the aperture and through the at least one of the color filter, the light diffuser, and the light directing device when the light is illuminated. 9. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the electrical assembly includes a recording element. 10. The stored-value card of claim 9, wherein the audio file is a personalized message for a recipient of the stored-value card, the audio file being recorded via the recording element. 11. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the light is one of a plurality of lights of the electrical assembly. 12. The stored-value card of claim 1, in combination with a backer releasably coupled to the stored-value card. 13. A method of supporting use of a card linked to an account or record, the method comprising: providing the card including decorative indicia, a light configured to illuminate a portion of the decorative indicia, and a memory configured to store an audio file relating to the decorative indicia; activating the card to permit deductions from the account or record; displaying the card to permit playing the audio file and illuminating the light upon user demand to enhance the overall audio and visual presentation of the card, wherein the user demand is deliberately communicated to the card via user interaction with a single switch of the card; and receiving the card as payment for goods or services, the value of the goods or services being deducted from the account or record wherein displaying the card to permit playing the audio file and illuminating the light occurs prior to the activating the card, and wherein playing the audio file and illuminating the light include promoting sales of the card to potential consumers. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the card includes an integrated circuit, which includes the single switch, at least one battery, and a speaker, and wherein user interaction with the single switch causes increased current to flow from the at least one battery to the integrated circuit to drive the speaker to produce sound waves corresponding to the audio file and to provide current to the light to illuminate the light. 15. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the light includes at least one light-emitting diode. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the light includes at least one light-emitting diode, and playing the audio file and illuminating the light includes illuminating the at least one light-emitting diode.