Remote control device with smart card capability

• US 20020084909A1
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Durden, George A., Stefanik, John R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,946,970 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.22
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205

Abstract

A remote control device including a processor, a transmitter in communication with the processor, a receiver in communication with the processor, and a smart card reader/writer in communication with the processor.

Claims

1. A remote control device, comprising:

a processor;

a transmitter in communication with the processor;

a receiver in communication with the processor; and

a smart card reader/writer in communication with the processor.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the smart card reader/writer is adapted to receive a smart card having user-specific information and preferences stored thereon.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the smart card has one of a processor and a memory.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the smart card is of a type selected from the group consisting of a contact smart card, a contactless smart card, a combi smart card, and a hybrid smart card.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the smart card reader/writer is selected from the group consisting of a manual insertion smart card reader/writer, a manual swipe smart card reader/writer, a motorized insertion smart card reader/writer, a hybrid smart card reader/writer, a TTL smart card reader/writer, an RS232 smart card reader/writer, and a proximity smart card reader/writer.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a storage area in communication with the processor.

7. A system, comprising:

a remote control device, the remote control device comprising;

a processor;

a remote control device transmitter in communication with the processor;

a remote control device receiver in communication with the processor; and

a smart card reader/writer in communication with the processor; and

an electronic device, the electronic device comprising;

a transmitter;

a receiver; and

an electronic program guide in communication with the transmitter and the receiver.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the transmitter is selected from the group consisting of an infrared transmitter, a radio frequency transmitter, an X-10 transmitter, a pulsed-code transmitter, a sound wave transmitter, and a microwave transmitter.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the smart card reader/writer is selected from the group consisting of a manual insertion smart card reader/writer, a manual swipe smart card reader/writer, a motorized insertion smart card reader/writer, a hybrid smart card reader/writer, a TTL smart card reader/writer, an RS232 smart card reader/writer, and a proximity smart card reader/writer.