Patent ID: 7360710
Filing Date: 2008-04-22
Classification: G06K,G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
1. A stored-value card comprising: a first housing member defining a chamber; a second housing member defining a cavity and being selectively coupled and uncoupled with the first housing member to place the chamber and cavity in contacting relationship with each other and to collectively define a housing by enclosing the chamber and the cavity between the first and the second housing member, wherein repeatedly coupling and uncoupling of the housing members provides selective access to at least one of the chamber and the cavity, and wherein at least one cardholder accessible amusement item is stored within the housing; an account identifier fixedly connected to the housing, wherein the account identifier is machine readable and adapted to link the stored-value card to a financial account or a record of financial transactions that maintains a monetary balance associated therewith, wherein machine reading of the account identifier enables the stored-value card to be used towards the purchase of one or more goods or services.