Remote control device with credit card reading and transmission capabilities having multiple IR LEDs
AssigneeSpectraVision, Inc.
InventorsAndre D. Henderson, William H. Fuller, James M. Rotenberry
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
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.
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.