IR transmitter with integral magnetic-stripe ATM type credit...

Interactive video distribution systems – Video distribution system with local interaction – Receiver

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C725S133000, C725S006000, C348S734000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06275991

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an IR (infra-red) transmitter with integral magnetic-stripe card reader and method therefor and, in addition, a compatible IR receiver and display for use in an interactive environment, such as, for example, in a hotel room casino environment, with a cable TV home shopping network wherein a user communicates with the home shopping network from his or her home, an off track betting (OTB) environment, or any other financial transaction interactive environment having interactive communication capability, such as the world wide web.
Commercial reception to interactive environments is greatly increasing at the present time, particularly with respect to financial transaction interactive environments utilizing a magnetic stripe card such a credit card, ATM card, debit card, and other similar type cards. The magnetic stripe embedded on such a financial type of card contains credit line information from a financial institution for a particular user, together with other identifying information about the user.
As an example, in a cable TV home shopping network, a user must somehow provide credit information from a credit card so as to be able to purchase an item from the home shopping network. In another environment, a user who wishes to participate in off track betting (OTB) race track environment must generally have pre-established a credit limit in order to place wagers with the particular race track location.
It would therefore be very desirable to provide a more accurate and faster means and method of permitting a user to directly participate in the interactive environments such as described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved television remote control unit and method therefor for transmitting IR (infra-red) signals to a remote interactive location such as a television or a cable remote control box.
The present invention provides an IR (infra-red) transmitter with an integral magnetic-stripe credit card or ATM card reader, compatible IR receiver, for use in interactive environment, such as, for example, in a hotel room casino environment, a cable TV home shopping network, or OTB race track environment. The transmitter unit can be used to control TV functions, as well as transmit financial data read from the magnetic stripe of the card to a receiver that is equipped to receive the data. The unit can be used for interactive games, gambling, movies, or other such interactive events that require payment immediately.
In one preferred embodiment, the remote control unit includes an integral magnetic stripe card reader and a sensor which detects when a financial transaction type magnetic stripe card (e.g., a credit card) is swiped through the reader so as turn on the power of the unit. With the power on, the reader reads credit card information from the swiped credit card to form credit card information.
The remote control unit also includes a keypad such that a user can enter transaction information for a particular credit card transaction. The unit further includes a processor for processing the credit card information and the transaction information to form IR credit card transaction signals. The remote control unit also includes an IR transmitter for transmitting the IR credit card transaction signals to the remote interactive location.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


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