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 thermochr
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.
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What is claimed is: 1. A transaction card comprising: a substrate defining a first surface, wherein the substrate includes an account identifier linking the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record, and the account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal; a the
What is claimed is: 1. A transaction card comprising: a substrate defining a first surface, wherein the substrate includes an account identifier linking the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record, and the account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal; a thermochromic feature portraying a character on a portion of the first surface, wherein the character is a being, and an outer perimeter of the character defines an outer perimeter of the thermochromic feature; and accent indicia printed over at least a portion of the thermochromic feature and having a thickness of between about 25 microns and about 50 microns to provide relief to the first surface of the substrate; wherein 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, and wherein, in the first state, the thermochromic feature appears as a first color, and 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. 2. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the account identifier is a bar code. 3. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the account identifier includes at least one of a bar code, a magnetic strip, a smart chip, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) device. 4. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the thermochromic feature is configured to be heated to the activation temperature by exposure to human body heat. 5. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the activation temperature is between about 20° C. and about 30° C. 6. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the thermochromic feature includes background indicia printed to the first surface and thermochromic ink printed over the background indicia, wherein when the thermochromic feature is in the first state, the background indicia are hidden from view by the thermochromic ink, and when the thermochromic feature is in the second state, the background indicia are viewable through the thermochromic ink. 7. The transaction card of claim 6, wherein the thermochromic ink is the first color when the thermochromic feature is in the first state and is substantially transparent when the thermochromic feature is in the second state, and the background indicia positioned between the substrate and the thermochromic ink includes the second color. 8. The transaction card of claim 6, wherein the background indicia positioned between the substrate and the thermochromic ink includes a graphic. 9. The transaction card of claim 6, wherein the thermochromic ink is applied with a thickness of between about 25 microns and about 50 microns to fully cover the background indicia when the thermochromic feature is in the first state. 10. The transaction card of claim 6, wherein the background indicia are a pattern included within the outer perimeter of the character. 11. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the accent indicia extend over the outer perimeter of the thermochromic feature and the outer perimeter of the character providing a ridge along the outer perimeter of the thermochromic feature, and the accent indicia are free from any thermochromic characteristics. 12. The transaction card of claim 11, wherein the character and the thermochromic feature are coextensive such that an entirety of the outer perimeter of the thermochromic feature is coextensive with an entirety of the outer perimeter of the character, the accent indicia extend along the outer perimeter of the thermochromic feature to form a ridge of relief along the outer perimeter of the thermochromic feature, and the accent indicia are free from any thermochromic characteristics. 13. The transaction card of claim 11, wherein the accent indicia extend along the entirety of the outer perimeter of the thermochromic feature. 14. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the thermochromic feature is configured to return to the first state when cooled below the activation temperature. 15. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the being is one of an animal, a person, an insect, and a fictional creature. 16. The transaction card of claim 1, in combination with a backer selectively coupled with and configured to support the substrate. 17. A stored-value card comprising: a substantially planar member defining a first surface; means for transitioning between a first visual impression and a second visual impression when heat is applied thereto, the means for transitioning being applied to the first surface; means for providing readily discernable texture to the first surface of the substantially planar member, wherein the means for providing readily discernable texture is provided separately from the means for transitioning; and means for linking the substantially planar member with at least one of an account and a record having a value associated therewith such that the substantially planar member can be used as payment toward a purchase of one or more of goods and services. 18. The stored-value card of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the means for providing readily discernable texture extends over an outer perimeter of the means for transitioning to create a relief ridge along the outer perimeter, and the means for providing readily discernable texture is characterized by an absence of thermochromic properties. 19. A card comprising: a substantially planar member defining a first surface; means for transitioning between a first visual impression and a second visual impression when heat is applied thereto, the means for transitioning being applied to the first surface in a manner defining a character, wherein an outer perimeter of the character defines an outer perimeter of the means for transitioning; means for providing readily discernable texture to the first surface of the substantially planar member, wherein the means for providing readily discernable texture is provided separately from the means for transitioning; and means for linking the substantially planar member with at least one of an account and a record having a value associated therewith such that the substantially planar member can be used as payment toward the purchase of one or more of goods and services; wherein the first visual impression presents a first color and the second visual impression presents at least one of a second color and a graphic not otherwise visible with the first visual impression. 20. A method of providing a transaction card, the method comprising: printing background indicia to a first surface of a substrate; printing heat-sensitive ink over a portion of the background indicia, wherein the heat-sensitive ink is printed with a thickness sufficient to initially hide the portion of the background indicia from view, and the heat-sensitive ink is configured to transition between a first appearance and a second appearance different from the first appearance when the heat-sensitive ink is heated beyond an activation temperature; adding an account identifier to a substrate, wherein the account identifier links the transaction card to an account or record including a value available toward one of the purchase and use of at least one of goods and services; and screen printing accent indicia over a portion of the heat-sensitive ink to have an accent indicia thickness between about 25 microns and about 50 microns to provide textural relief to the first surface of the substrate separate from the heat-sensitive ink, wherein the portion of heat-sensitive ink is less than all of heat-sensitive ink printed over the portion of the background indicia. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein in the first appearance, the heat-sensitive ink is a first color, and in the second appearance, the heat-sensitive ink is substantially transparent. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein in the first appearance, the heat-sensitive ink is a first color, and in the second appearance, the heat-sensitive ink is a second color. 23. The method of claim 20, wherein printing the heat-sensitive ink includes screen printing the heat-sensitive ink to have a thickness between about 25 microns and about 50 microns. 24. The method of claim 20, wherein printing the heat-sensitive ink includes curing the heat-sensitive ink under ultra-violet light. 25. The method of claim 20, wherein printing the heat-sensitive ink includes selecting the heat-sensitive ink configured to be heated to the activation temperature with human body heat. 26. The method of claim 20, wherein printing the heat-sensitive ink includes printing the heat-sensitive ink to define a character. 27. The method of claim 20, wherein the background indicia depict a character having an outside perimeter, the heat-sensitive ink is printed over the character such that the printed heat-sensitive ink defines an outer perimeter shared with the accent indicia, and the accent indicia provide textural relief to the card along the outer perimeter of the printed heat-sensitive ink.
Saywa, Alvin C.; Villalobos, Jr., Luis; Yaldo, Vincent; Isho, Daniel, System, process and computer writeable medium incorporating any of standard or adhesive attachable tags incorporating a unique identifiable number or alternately a digitally downloadable tag and application having GPS locating abilities and which are combined with a website or mobile application for registering and assisting in retrieval of tagged valuables or assets.
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