Low power telecommunication controller for a host computer server

A low power bar code reader having a low power sleep mode, and said bar code reader comprising:

• a power supply interface;
• an interface to a central processing unit;
• a proximity detection means;
• a bar code reading means;
• a microprocessor having a program read only memory capable of processing bar code readings, determining a power level at a power supply interface, and maintaining the bar code reading means in the low power sleep mode when the power level at the power supply interface is low;
• and
• wherein the power level at the power supply interface comprises less than about 300 milliwatts.

A telecommerce system comprising a handheld low power user device for accessing and controlling interactive bidirectional real time voice and data telecommunications with a host server at a financial institution over a telecommunication path,

• said handheld low power user device comprising a communication h microprocessor, a power supply interface and an operator interface selected from among a keypad, a bar code reader, a display screen and an audio system comprising a speaker and a microphone,
• wherein the communication transceiver comprises a low power sleep mode, a modem, and a DTMF or an MF tone generator, and wherein said communication transceiver is connected to and in communication with a component selected from among the telecommunication path, the microprocessor and the audio system;
• wherein said audio system comprises a dual power audio system having a low power sleep mode;
• wherein said bar code reader comprises a low power bar code reader having a low power sleep mode and a low power means for detecting proximity of a bar code media;
• wherein said microprocessor comprises a program read only memory, a protected memory and a random access memory, and wherein said microprocessor is connected to and in communication with the transceiver and an operator interface selected from among the bar code reader and the display screen;
• wherein the protected memory comprises one or more of a credit or a debit card number, a financial account number, an encryption parameter, a spending limit, a password, a sequence number;
• a telephone access number, an encryption seed, a user identification number, an account number, and a postal address;
• and
• wherein the power supply interface is connected to the microprocessor and supplies less than about 300 milliwatts of power to operate said handheld low power user device.

A handheld low power user device for answering a telephone call, comprising a communication transceiver drawing less than about 10 nanoamps of current when in an off hook mode, a microprocessor, an telecommunications interface to a telecommunication path, a power supply interface, an on hook relay coil, a storage capacitor, and an operator interface selected from among a keypad, a bar code reader, an audio system comprising a speaker, a display screen and a microphone,

• wherein the communication transceiver comprises a low power sleep mode and a low power voice and data modem, and wherein said communication transceiver is connected to and in communication with a component selected from among the telecommunication path, the microprocessor and the audio system;
• wherein said audio system comprises a dual power audio system having a low power sleep mode;
• wherein said bar code reader comprises a low power bar code reader having a low power sleep mode and a low power means for detecting proximity of a bar code media;
• wherein said microprocessor comprises a program read only memory, a protected memory and a random access memory, and wherein said microprocessor is connected to and in communication with the transceiver and an operator interface selected from among the bar code reader and the display screen;
• wherein the user device has a first means for listening for a ring signal on the telecommunications path;
• a second means for using a ring power in the ring signal to turn on the relay coil;
• a third means for feeding the ring signal power to the storage capacitor thereby to provide a power supply for the user device at the power supply interface;
• a fourth means for activating said microprocessor after said storage capacitor reaches a specified voltage level;
• and
• wherein the power supply interface is connected to the microprocessor and supplies less than about 300 milliwatts of power to operate said handheld low power user device.