US5603078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote control device with credit card reading and transmission capabilities having multiple IR LEDs
Assignee: MESSAGEPHONE Inc
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Filing: 1995-09-15
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Granted: 1997-02-11
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Expires: 2015-09-15
Abstract
Abstract An infrared remote control unit including an integrated card reading device. The unit is used for purchasing products or services offered via a television monitor, such that the unit transfers data to a receiver connected to a television monitor connected via at least one modem to a control computer for processing and purchase authorization. The unit includes a card reader for reading data encoded on a magnetic stripe of a card. A microprocessor operatively connected to the card reader receives and reformats the encoded data. A transmitter connected to the microprocessor transmits the reformatted data to the receiver for the purchase.
Inventors
- 👤 Andre D. Henderson
- 👤 William H. Fuller
- 👤 James M. Rotenberry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:13
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for purchasing products or services offered via a television monitor using a remote control unit that transfers data to a receiver connected to said television monitor, said receiver connected via at least one modem to a control computer for purchase authorization, said apparatus comprising: a card reader connected to said remote control unit for reading said data encoded on a magnetic stripe of a card; a microprocessor operatively connected to said card reader for receiving and reformatting said encoded data; and at least two LEDs electrically connected to said microprocessor for transmitting said reformatted data to said receiver for said purchase, wherein at least one of said at least two LEDs is activated only for said transmission of said formatted data to said receiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for purchasing products or services offered via a television monitor using a remote control unit that transfers data to a receiver connected to said television monitor, said receiver connected via at least one modem to a control computer for purchase authorization, said apparatus comprising: a card reader connected to said remote control unit for reading said data encoded on a magnetic stripe of a card; a microprocessor operatively connected to said card reader for receiving and reformatting said encoded data; and at least two LEDs electrically connected to said microprocessor for transmitting said reformatted data to said receiver for said purchase, wherein at least one of said at least two LEDs is activated only for said transmission of said formatted data to said receiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for detecting the presence of said card in said card reader, where upon said detection, full power is applied to said card reader.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiver is connected to said television monitor via a room unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said reformatted data is arranged for transmission in packets formatted with error correction algorithms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said error correction algorithm is a Reed-Solomon error correcting code.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said reformatted data is transmitted by said transmitting means more than once.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein instructions for programming said microprocessor are stored on a magnetic stripe of a card and are input to said microprocessor via said card reader.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said card is a credit or debit card.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said card is a frequent customer account card.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said product or service is a pay-per-view video program.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for purchasing products or services offered via a television monitor using a remote control unit that transfers data to a receiver connected to said television monitor, said receiver connected via at least one modem to a control computer for purchase authorization, said method comprising: reading said data encoded on a magnetic stripe of a card; receiving and reformatting said encoded data; and transmitting said reformatted data to said receiver for said purchase using two LEDs, wherein one of said two LEDs is activated solely for effecting said transmitting.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for purchasing products or services offered via a television monitor using a remote control unit that transfers data to a receiver connected to said television monitor, said receiver connected via at least one modem to a control computer for purchase authorization, said method comprising: reading said data encoded on a magnetic stripe of a card; receiving and reformatting said encoded data; and transmitting said reformatted data to said receiver for said purchase using two LEDs, wherein one of said two LEDs is activated solely for effecting said transmitting.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising detecting the presence of said card in said remote control unit, where upon said detection, full power is applied to said unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said receiver is connected to said television monitor via a room unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said reformatted data is arranged for transmission in packets formatted with error correction algorithms.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said error correction algorithm is a Reed-Solomon error correcting code.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said reformatted data is transmitted more than once.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said card is a credit or debit card.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said card is a frequent customer account card.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said product or service is a pay-per-view video program.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for purchasing products or services offered via a television monitor using a remote control unit that transfers data to a receiver connected to said television monitor, said receiver connected via at least one modem to a control computer for purchase authorization, said apparatus comprising: a card reader connected to said remote control unit for reading said data encoded on a magnetic stripe of a card; a microprocessor operatively connected to said card reader for receiving and reformatting said encoded data; at least two LEDs electrically connected to said microprocessor for transmitting said reformatted data to said receiver for said purchase, wherein at least one of said at least two LEDs is activated only for said transmission of said formatted data to said receiver; and means for detecting the presence of said card in said card reader, where upon said detection, full power is applied to said card reader.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for purchasing products or services offered via a television monitor using a remote control unit that transfers data to a receiver connected to said television monitor, said receiver connected via at least one modem to a control computer for purchase authorization, said apparatus comprising: a card reader connected to said remote control unit for reading said data encoded on a magnetic stripe of a card; a microprocessor operatively connected to said card reader for receiving and reformatting said encoded data; at least two LEDs electrically connected to said microprocessor for transmitting said reformatted data to said receiver for said purchase, wherein at least one of said at least two LEDs is activated only for said transmission of said formatted data to said receiver; and means for detecting the presence of said card in said card reader, where upon said detection, full power is applied to said card reader.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-02-11 | 2000-08-12 | 2001-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-11 | 2004-08-12 | 2005-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-11 | 2008-08-12 | 2009-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |