US 6,283,367 B1 · IC card reader with synthesized voice output

Abstract

An IC card reader that can output data in an audio form. The IC card reader includes a small portable case in which an IC card can be inserted. A microcontroller powered by a battery within the case reads the stored data from the IC card and encodes the read data into a series of voice commands. A voice synthesizer circuit produces a synthetic speech signal from the encoded data. Thus, in use of the IC card reader, when a button is depressed to close a switch, the microcontroller is caused to interrogate the card so that the data stored on the card is read into the microcontroller. The microcomputer produces a synthetic speech signal that is amplified by the amplifier and output by the speaker as synthetic speech which can be heard by the user by holding the card reader with the speaker against the user's ear.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An IC card reader, comprising:

a portable case having a form factor for fitting into a pocket, purse or wallet;
a substrate in said case;
receiving means on said substrate for receiving an IC card having financial data stored thereon;
reading means on said substrate for reading the stored financial data;
transforming means on said substrate for transforming the read financial data into a series of voice command codes;
voice synthesis means, disposed on said substrate and responsive to the voice command codes, for producing a synthetic speech signal;
and
audio outputting means, disposed on said case and responsive to the synthetic speech signal, for outputting an audio synthesized speech signal corresponding to the stored financial data.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

IC card reader with synthesized voice output

Life of this patent

IC card reader with synthesized voice output

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10