Abstract: A transaction product includes a housing and a transaction card. The housing defines a storage chamber and a substantially planar surface. The substantially planar surface defines a perimeter portion and a recessed portion surrounded by, spaced from, and extending substantially parallel to the recessed portion to define a recess. The housing includes opposing tabs extending from the perimeter portion, toward each other, and partially across the recessed portion. The transaction card includes a machine-readable account identifier linking the transaction card to an account or record remote from the transaction product and having a value available for use as payment toward a purchase. The transaction card defines two opposing edges each selectively secured between the recessed portion of the substantially planar surface and a different one of the opposing tabs.

Abstract: A transaction product includes a housing and a transaction card. The housing defines a storage chamber and a substantially planar surface. The substantially planar surface defines a perimeter portion and a recessed portion surrounded by, spaced from, and extending substantially parallel to the recessed portion to define a recess. The housing includes opposing tabs extending from the perimeter portion, toward each other, and partially across the recessed portion. The transaction card includes a machine-readable account identifier linking the transaction card to an account or record remote from the transaction product and having a value available for use as payment toward a purchase. The transaction card defines two opposing edges each selectively secured between the recessed portion of the substantially planar surface and a different one of the opposing tabs.

Abstract: A system for managing voucher use includes a database, a voucher, and a processor. The database stores an account defining at least one approved item available for purchase and a financial balance. The voucher includes an identifier linking the voucher to the account. The processor is in communication with the database and is adapted to use the identifier to access the account. The processor is adapted to determine if an item selected for purchase is an approved item and to apply at least a portion of the financial balance toward the purchase of the selected item only if the selected item is an approved item. Other voucher systems and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of providing and processing a plurality of stored-value cards includes providing a stored-value card assembly including the plurality of stored-value cards in a housing. The plurality of stored-value cards includes a first stored-value card and a last stored-value card. Each of the plurality of stored-value cards is associated with a different account identifier linking each one of the plurality of stored-value cards to a different financial record or account. The different account identifiers collectively define a series of account identifiers. The method further includes scanning the different account identifier associated with the first stored-value card using a point-of-sale terminal, and scanning the different account identifier associated with the last stored-value card using the point-of-sale terminal. The housing indicates which of the different account identifier associated with the first stored-value card and the last stored-value card should be scanned first.

Abstract: A method of providing and processing a plurality of stored-value cards includes providing a stored-value card assembly including the plurality of stored-value cards in a housing. The plurality of stored-value cards includes a first stored-value card and a last stored-value card. Each of the plurality of stored-value cards is associated with a different account identifier linking each one of the plurality of stored-value cards to a different financial record or account. The different account identifiers collectively define a series of account identifiers. The method further includes scanning the different account identifier associated with the first stored-value card using a point-of-sale terminal, and scanning the different account identifier associated with the last stored-value card using the point-of-sale terminal. The housing indicates which of the different account identifier associated with the first stored-value card and the last stored-value card should be scanned first.

Abstract: A method of providing and processing a plurality of stored-value cards includes providing a stored-value card assembly including the plurality of stored-value cards in a housing. The plurality of stored-value cards includes a first stored-value card and a last stored-value card. Each of the plurality of stored-value cards is associated with a different account identifier linking each one of the plurality of stored-value cards to a different financial record or account. The different account identifiers collectively define a series of account identifiers. The method further includes scanning the different account identifier associated with the first stored-value card using a point-of-sale terminal, and scanning the different account identifier associated with the last stored-value card using the point-of-sale terminal. The housing indicates which of the different account identifier associated with the first stored-value card and the last stored-value card should be scanned first.

Abstract: A system for managing voucher use includes a database, a voucher, and a processor. The database stores an account defining at least one approved item available for purchase and a financial balance. The voucher includes an identifier linking the voucher to the account. The processor is in communication with the database and is adapted to use the identifier to access the account. The processor is adapted to determine if an item selected for purchase is an approved item and to apply at least a portion of the financial balance toward the purchase of the selected item only if the selected item is an approved item. Other voucher systems and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for managing voucher use includes a database, a voucher, and a processor. The database stores an account defining at least one approved item available for purchase and a financial balance. The voucher includes an identifier linking the voucher to the account. The processor is in communication with the database and is adapted to use the identifier to access the account. The processor is adapted to determine if an item selected for purchase is an approved item and to apply at least a portion of the financial balance toward the purchase of the selected item only if the selected item is an approved item. Other voucher systems and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of providing and processing a plurality of stored-value cards includes providing a stored-value card assembly including the plurality of stored-value cards in a housing. The plurality of stored-value cards includes a first stored-value card and a last stored-value card. Each of the plurality of stored-value cards is associated with a different account identifier linking each one of the plurality of stored-value cards to a different financial record or account. The different account identifiers collectively define a series of account identifiers. The method further includes scanning the different account identifier associated with the first stored-value card using a point-of-sale terminal, and scanning the different account identifier associated with the last stored-value card using the point-of-sale terminal. The housing indicates which of the different account identifier associated with the first stored-value card and the last stored-value card should be scanned first.

Abstract: A stored-value card assembly includes a plurality of stored-value cards and a package. The plurality of stored-value cards each include an account identifier linking the respective stored-value card to a different financial account or record. The package is configured to maintain the plurality of stored-value cards such that the account identifier of each of two of the plurality of stored-value cards is visible for scanning. Other stored-value card assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A stored-value card including a first surface and a second surface. The first surface stores data adapted to be read by an electronic device to perform at least one interactive activity. The second surface is opposite the first surface. The second surface includes account indicia signifying a financial account linked to the stored-value card, and brand indicia relating to a retail setting configured to redeem the stored-value card. The at least one interactive activity includes displaying at least one of a character, an object, a textual passage, and a symbol associated with the retail setting. Financial transaction card assemblies, packaged stored-value cards, and methods of using such cards are also disclosed.

Abstract: A stored-value card includes a housing and at least one internal wall substantially enclosed within the housing. The housing includes an account identifier signifying a financial account or record linked to the stored-value card. The at least one internal wall is configured to define an airflow chamber within the housing. The housing defines an opening leading into the airflow chamber. The stored-value card is configured to produce a whistle sound when air enters the airflow chamber from the opening and moves within the airflow chamber.

Abstract: A stored-value card including a first surface and a second surface. The first surface stores data adapted to be read by an electronic device to perform at least one interactive activity. The second surface is opposite the first surface. The second surface includes account indicia signifying a financial account linked to the stored-value card, and brand indicia relating to a retail setting configured to redeem the stored-value card. The at least one interactive activity includes displaying at least one of a character, an object, a textual passage, and a symbol associated with the retail setting. Financial transaction card assemblies, packaged stored-value cards, and methods of using such cards are also disclosed.

Abstract: A live insect container including a plurality of side walls and a bottom wall molded as a unitary structure, to form a hollow base, and having a common, peripheral, upper edge lying in a plane spaced-apart above the bottom wall, a first lid having a lower edge for fastenable sealing contact with the common, peripheral, upper edge of the base and including an upwardly oriented wall having a plurality of adjacent slots formed therethrough for allowing air currents to pass into and out of the container, a second lid formed in the first lid and pivotally openable upward therefrom to form, with the base and the first lid a fully enclosed container, a handle formed in the second lid, convertible from a first, carrying position, to a second, stored position, the second position out of conflict with the second lid during opening of the second lid, at least one hollow tube of terminal length for removable insertion through a one of the lids into the interior of the container, the tube first terminal end extending outs

Abstract: A live insect container including a plurality of side walls and a bottom wall molded as a unitary structure, to form a hollow base, and having a common, peripheral, upper edge lying in a plane spaced-apart above the bottom wall, a first lid having a lower edge for fastenable sealing contact with the common, peripheral, upper edge of the base and including an upwardly oriented wall having a plurality of adjacent slots formed therethrough for allowing air currents to pass into and out of the container, a second lid formed in the first lid and pivotally openable upward therefrom to form, with the base and the first lid a fully enclosed container, a handle formed in the second lid, convertible from a first, carrying position, to a second, stored position, the second position out of conflict with the second lid during opening of the second lid, at least one hollow tube of terminal length for removable insertion through a one of the lids into the interior of the container, the tube first terminal end extending outs

Abstract: A circuit provides an output signal having a portion with a constant maximum amplitude, followed by a portion decreasing down to a constant zero value when an input voltage increases from zero. The circuit includes an asymmetrical differential stage having a low gain branch and a high gain branch, respectively controlling two branches of a symmetrical differential stage. The current of the asymmetrical differential stage corresponds to the end of the decreasing portion. The current of the symmetrical differential stage corresponds to the maximum amplitude of the signal which is provided by one of the branches of the symmetrical differential stage. The high gain branch and low gain branch are respectively controlled by the input voltage and by a voltage corresponding to the beginning of the decreasing portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in draining, cleaning and refilling an aquarium tank including an elongated flexible hose having first and second opposite ends, a tube including an upper distal end for connection to the first end of the flexible hose, and a lower distal end adapted to be immersed in the aquarium tank such that the lower end may be placed near the bottom of the aquarium tank, a first device attachable to the second end of the flexible hose and for connection to a flowing water source for creating a flow of water from the tank through the tube and the flexible hose, and a grille, defined by a chamber and including a plurality of apertures formed in the walls thereof that are narrower than the width of the gravel particles, the grille and chamber attached to the lower distal end of the tube for contact with the gravel for moving the gravel about the floor of the tank such that the gravel particles are forced by the movement to bump and rub against each other outside the tube to dislodge the sediment and impur

Abstract: A coring circuit for an input signal in the form of a differential input current having two components in phase opposition. A first pair of cascode transistors biased by a first reference voltage applies a first fraction of each of the components of the differential current to respectively first and second resistors. A second pair of cascode transistors biased by the first reference voltage provides a second fraction of each of the components of the differential current to a differential current output of the coring circuit and respectively to first and second branches of a differential stage that also receives voltages across the first and second resistors. Two coring current sources respectively connect first and second outputs of the differential stage to a supply voltage and are connected to each other through a third resistor.

Abstract: An auxiliary video data slicer for extracting auxiliary video information from a video signal includes a peak detector. The peak detector determines a peak amplitude of horizontal sync pulses that are included in the video signal and a peak amplitude of a run-in-clock (RIC) waveform that is included in an auxiliary information component of the video signal. A variable threshold level for the peak detector is varied in a first range to detect the peak amplitude of the sync pulses. A threshold voltage for detecting the leading edge of sync pulses is derived from the peak amplitude of the sync pulses. The location of the RIC waveform within a video line interval is determined in response to detection of a sync pulse edge. The variable threshold level of the peak detector is varied in a second range to detect the peak amplitude of the RIC signal. A data slicing threshold level for extracting auxiliary video information is derived from the peak value of the RIC signal.

Abstract: In a color television receiver having first and second chroma amplifiers, a chroma overload detector uses a differential amplifier for peak detection of a chrominance signal over a predetermined threshold level, and in response thereto, for generating a control signal and applying it to the second chroma amplifier to control the gain of the amplifier.