초록 ▼

A transaction product includes a digital camera assembly, a housing and an account identifier. The digital camera assembly includes a lens assembly, an image sensor aligned with the lens assembly, and a memory electrically coupled with the image sensor. The digital camera assembly is configured to c

A transaction product includes a digital camera assembly, a housing and an account identifier. The digital camera assembly includes a lens assembly, an image sensor aligned with the lens assembly, and a memory electrically coupled with the image sensor. The digital camera assembly is configured to capture images through the lens assembly using the image sensor and to digitally store the captured images to the memory. The housing substantially encloses the image sensor and the memory. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record and is 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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A transaction product comprising: a digital camera assembly including: a lens assembly,an image sensor aligned with the lens assembly, anda memory electrically coupled with the image sensor,wherein the digital camera assembly is configured to capture images through the lens assembly using the ima

1. A transaction product comprising: a digital camera assembly including: a lens assembly,an image sensor aligned with the lens assembly, anda memory electrically coupled with the image sensor,wherein the digital camera assembly is configured to capture images through the lens assembly using the image sensor and to digitally store the captured images to the memory;a housing substantially enclosing the image sensor and the memory, the housing including a base and a cover, the base having a first substantially planar panel including a top half and a bottom half, the top half including apertures formed only through the top half of the first substantially planar panel; andan account identifier formed on the bottom half of the first substantially planar panel of the housing linking 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. 2. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the account identifier includes at least one of a bar code, a magnetic strip, an electronic device and a radio frequency identification device. 3. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the digital camera assembly includes a media port in electrical communication with the memory and configured to selectively receive a connector in a manner permitting the captured images to be exported from the memory via the connector. 4. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the image sensor includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). 5. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the base and the cover are coupled to one another to enclose the lens assembly and the image sensor therebetween. 6. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the digital camera assembly includes a display screen and is configured to function in a plurality of modes, and the digital camera assembly is configured to indicate a current one of the plurality of modes on the display screen. 7. The transaction product of claim 6, wherein the digital camera assembly includes a mode switch that is at least partially accessible from a position external to the housing, wherein when a user interacts with the mode switch, the digital camera assembly is configured to change which one of the plurality of modes is the current one of the plurality of modes. 8. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a side wall extending between the first substantially planar panel and a second substantially planar panel spaced from the first substantially planar panel, the second substantially planar panel is included on the cover, wherein a shutter switch extends through the side wall of the housing and is electrically coupled to the image sensor. 9. The transaction product of claim 8, wherein the transaction product includes a viewfinder extending between and visually aligned with apertures formed in the top half of the first substantially planar panel and the second substantially planar panel such that a user can look through the viewfinder and the apertures substantially simultaneously. 10. The transaction product of claim 8, wherein the transaction product includes a display screen viewable through one of the first substantially planar panel and the second substantially planar panel. 11. The transaction product of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a movable door selectively extending over an access opening to a battery cavity configured to selectively receive one or more batteries. 12. The transaction product of claim 11, wherein the housing includes a second substantially planar panel spaced from and parallel to the first substantially planar panel, and a side wall extending between the first substantially planar panel and the second substantially planar panel, the side wall defining the access opening. 13. The transaction product of claim 1, in combination with a compact disc and a package supporting the transaction product and the compact disc, the compact disc including at least one software component selected from a group including a driver for the digital camera assembly and an image viewing software. 14. The transaction product of claim 1, in combination with a package and a connection cable, wherein the digital camera assembly includes a media port configured to selectively receive an end of the connection cable such that the captured images can be exported from the digital camera assembly via the connection cable. 15. The combination of claim 14, wherein the package includes a first chamber for receiving the transaction product and a second chamber spaced from the first chamber for receiving the connection cable. 16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the package includes a retaining hub selectively securing a compact disc to the package. 17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the package includes two panels, and the transaction product, the connection cable and the compact disc are each maintained between the two panels. 18. The combination of claim 17, wherein an insert including one or both of a coupon and instructional information is maintained between the two panels. 19. A transaction product comprising: a digital camera assembly including: a printed circuit board including: a lens assembly,an image sensor aligned with the lens assembly, anda memory electrically coupled with the image sensor,wherein the digital camera assembly is configured to capture images through the lens assembly using the image sensor and to digitally store the captured images to the memory, and the lens assembly, the image sensor, and the memory are attached to the printed circuit board;a housing substantially enclosing the image sensor and the memory, the housing including a base and a cover, the printed circuit board disposed between the base and the cover; andan account identifier formed on the base of the housing linking 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,wherein:the base of the housing has a substantially planar panel including a top half and a bottom half,the housing includes apertures formed only through the top half of the substantially planar panel, andthe account identifier is formed on the bottom half of the substantially planar panel of the housing.