Card reading device for service access

• US 20030023554A1
• Filed: 06/07/2002
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Smeallie, Robert, Newman, Andrew Timothy Robert, Simpson-Young, William, Yap, Sue-Ken
• Granted Patent: US 7,156,302 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/43
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0224 Key guide holders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0886 the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1075 PIN is checked remotely

Abstract

A read device (1) for reading an interface card (16). The card (16) is configured for insertion into the read device (1). The card (16) comprises indicia formed thereon and a memory having data stored therein for communicating with an external device (601, 700). The read device (1) comprises a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (16) upon receipt of the card (16) in the read device (1). The read device (1) also comprises a central processing unit (45) for sending a service identifier, a distinguishing identifier and a specific portion of the data to the external device (601, 700). The specific data is related to a user selected indicia (14). A service identified by the service identifier upon receipt of the data is provided via the external device (601, 700).

Claims

1. A read device for reading an interface card, said card being configured for insertion into said read device, wherein said card comprises indicia formed thereon and a memory having data stored therein for communicating with an external device, said read device comprising:

a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay said interface card upon receipt of said card in said read device,

a central processing unit for sending a service identifier, a distinguishing identifier and a specific portion of said data to said external device, said specific data being related to a user selected indicia, wherein a service identified by the service identifier upon receipt of said data is provided via said external device.

2. A read device according to claim 1, wherein said distinguishing identifier comprises at least a service identifier, and is set by a vendor of said service for use by an application.

3. A read device according to claim 2, wherein said service identifier and said distinguishing identifier are assigned to said vendor by a central authority.

4. A read device according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit sends a read device identifier, read from the read device, to said external device.

5. A read device according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit sends an insert message to the external device when said card is inserted into said read device.

6. A read device according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit sends a remove message to said external device when said card is removed from said read device.

7. A read device according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit sends a press message to the external device when at least one of said indicia is pressed via said touch sensitive membrane.

8. A read device according to claim 7, wherein the central processing unit sends a release message to the external device upon release of said at least one of said pressed indicia.

9. A read device according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit sends a move message to the external device upon a press position being moved without being released.

10. A read device according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit sends a bad card message to the external device when said an invalid card is inserted into said read device.

11. A read device according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit sends a low battery message to the external device when a charge level of a battery powering said read device reaches a predetermined threshold.

12. A read device according to according to claim 1, wherein coordinates of a users press position on said touch sensitive membrane are sent to said external device.

13. A read device according to claim 12, wherein coordinates are calculated by an application executable by said central processing unit, said application having been provided by a vendor of said service.

14. A read device according to claim 1, wherein the card stores said identifiers and said data in a memory chip.

15. A read device according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a set-top-box.

16. A read device according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a personal computer.

17. A program configured for execution in a read device, said read device comprising a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay a removable interface card received therein, said card comprising a substrate and indicia formed on said substrate, said program comprising:

code for reading a service identifier, distinguishing identifier and a specific portion of data stored within a memory of said card, said specific data being related to a user selected indicia; and

code for a sending said identifiers and said specific data to an external device, whereby a service is provided by said external device, said service being identified by the service identifier.

18. A program according to claim 17, wherein the program is stored on a computer-readable medium in said read device.

19. A method of processing data on a read device, said read device comprising a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay a removable interface card, said card comprising a substrate with indicia formed thereon, said method comprising the steps of:

reading a service identifier, distinguishing identifier and a specific portion of data stored within a memory of said card, said specific data being related to a user selected indicia; and

sending said identifiers and said specific data to an external device, whereby a service is provided via said external device, said service being identified by the service identifier.

20. A read device for reading an interface card, said card comprising indicia formed thereon and a memory having data stored therein and being configured for insertion into said read device, said read device comprising:

substantially transparent touch sensitive means arranged to overlay said interface card upon receipt of said card in said read device,

read means for reading a service identifier, distinguishing identifier and a specific portion of data stored in the card, said specific data being related to user selected indicia; and

send means for sending said identifiers and said data to an external device, wherein a service is provided via said external device, said service being identified by the service identifier.

21. A card interface system comprising an interface card and a read device, said card being configured for insertion into said read device, and said card comprising at least a substrate with indicia formed thereon, said read device comprising a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay said card, said system comprising:

a memory being associated with said card and for storing a service identifier, distinguishing identifier and data related to a user selected indicia; and

a central processing unit integrally formed within said read device for sending said identifiers and said data to an external device in order that a user of said card receives a service via said external device, said service being identified by the service identifier.

22. An electronic card reader for reading an electronic card, said electronic card having at least one indicia formed thereon and an electronic memory having data stored therein for controlling data controlled equipment, said electronic reader comprising:

a touch sensitive substantially transparent membrane having an upper surface configured to be depressible by a user of said reader;

a receptacle shaped to receive said electronic card, wherein said electronic card received therein and said indicia can be viewed through said touch sensitive membrane; and

an electronic circuit coupled to said membrane to read a specific portion of said data from said memory according to depression of said membrane associated with a specific one of said indicia, and for sending said specific data together with a service identifier and a distinguishing identifier to said data controlled equipment, wherein a function is provided via said data controlled equipment depending upon said specific data, said function being associated with said service identifier.

23. A read device for an interface card, said card comprising a substrate having at least one indicia formed thereon, said read device comprising:

a receptacle shaped to receive said interface card;

a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay said interface card upon receipt of said interface card in said receptacle such that said indicia can be viewed through said touch sensitive membrane; and

an electronic circuit for coupling to a memory component of said interface card and for reading data related to one of said indicia selected by a user of said read device via said membrane, wherein said electronic circuit is configured to send said data together with a service identifier and a distinguishing identifier to an external device, wherein a service associated with said service identifier is provided via said external device upon receipt of said read data.

24. A program executable in an electronic card reader for reading an electronic card having data configured for controlling data controlled equipment, said electronic card having at least one indicia formed thereon and an electronic memory having said data stored therein, said reader having a touch sensitive substantially transparent membrane configured to be depressible by a user of said reader, wherein said electronic card and said indicia can be viewed through said touch sensitive membrane upon insertion of said card into said reader, said program comprising:

code for detecting a selection of one of said indicia upon depression of said touch sensitive membrane;

code for reading selected data from said memory according to said depression of said membrane associated with one indicia, said selected data comprising at least a service identifier, a distinguishing identifier and specific data associated with said one indicia;

code for sending said selected data to said data controlled equipment, wherein a function being provided via said data controlled equipment upon receipt of said selected data, said function being associated with said service identifier.

25. A program according to claim 24, wherein said function is implemented according to said selected data.

26. A read device having a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay a detachable interface card which comprises a substrate and indicia formed on said substrate, said device comprising:

a central processing unit for determining a validity of said card upon insertion of said card into said read device, and for sending a service identifier and data stored in the card to an external device, said data being related to a user pressed indicia, in order that a card user receives a service identified via said external device according to said pressed indicia.

27. A read device according to claim 26, wherein the service is identified by an application that is executed in the external device.

28. A read device having a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay a detachable interface card which comprises a substrate and indicia formed on said substrate, said device comprising:

a central processing unit for determining a validity of said card upon insertion of said card into said read device, and for sending a service identifier and user press coordinates to an external device upon selection of at least one of said indicia utilizing said touch sensitive membrane, in order that a card user receives a service identified according to the service identifier.

29. A read device according to claim 28, wherein the service is identified by an application that is executed in the external device.

30. A read device having a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay a detachable interface card, said card comprising a substrate and indicia formed thereon, said device comprising:

a central processing unit configured for distinguishing an identifier stored in said card and for sending a service identifier and user press coordinates to an external device, said coordinates representing a press position on said touch sensitive membrane to select at least one of said indicia, wherein said service identifier is based on a result of said distinction, and wherein a card user receives a service identified by said service identifier via said external device.

31. A read device according to claim 30, wherein the service is identified by an application that is executed in said external device.

32. A read device having a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay a detachable interface card, said card comprising a substrate and indicia formed on said substrate, said device comprising:

a central processing unit configured for detecting a user press on said touch sensitive membrane and for sending touch coordinates corresponding to said user press to an external device, wherein said touch coordinates are used as cursor information.

33. A read device having a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay a detachable interface card inserted into said read device, said device comprising:

a central processing unit for reading information that affects functions that said card performs in said read device, and for performing the functions based on said information.

34. A read device having a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay a detachable interface card inserted into said device, said device comprising:

a central processing unit configured for generating a session identifier identifying a current session of a card insertion, said session identifier being a number incremented each time a card is inserted into said read device, said central processing unit being further configured for sending said session identifier to an external device in order to determine the validity of said inserted card.

35. A service providing apparatus for providing a service to a card user utilizing a card read device having a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay a detachable interface card inserted into said apparatus, said card comprising a substrate having indicia formed thereon, said apparatus comprising:

a central processing unit adapted for receiving, from said read device, a service identifier and user press coordinates corresponding to a press position on said membrane, and for matching said coordinates with data associated with at least one of said indicia in order to read at least a portion of said data corresponding to said coordinates from said service providing apparatus, said central processing unit being further adapted to provide said user with a service identified by said service identifier, said service being associated with said at least one indicia.

36. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said service is identified by an application executing on an external device.

37. A service providing apparatus for providing a service to a card user utilizing a card read device having a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay a detachable interface card inserted into said apparatus, said card comprising a substrate with indicia formed thereon, said apparatus comprising:

a central processing unit adapted for matching user press coordinates corresponding to a press position on said membrane with data associated with at least one of said indicia in order to read at least a portion of said data corresponding to said coordinates from said service providing apparatus upon said apparatus receiving a service identifier and said coordinates from said read device, said central processing unit being further adapted to provide said user with a service identified by said service identifier, said service being associated with said at least one indicia.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said service is identified by an application executing on an external device.

39. A service providing apparatus for providing a service to a card user utilizing a card read device having a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay a detachable interface card inserted into said apparatus, said card comprising a substrate having indicia formed thereon, said apparatus comprising:

a central processing unit adapted for receiving, from said read device, user press coordinates corresponding to a press position on said membrane, and for matching said coordinates with data associated with at least one of said indicia in order to read at least a portion of said data corresponding to said coordinates from said service providing apparatus, said central processing unit being further adapted to provide said user with a service associated with said at least one indicia.

40. A service providing apparatus for providing a service to a card user utilizing a card read device having a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay a detachable interface card inserted into said apparatus, said card comprising a substrate having indicia formed thereon, said apparatus comprising:

a central processing unit adapted for matching user press coordinates with data corresponding to a press position on said membrane with data associated with at least one of said indicia in order to read at least a portion of said data corresponding to said coordinates from said service providing apparatus upon said apparatus receiving said coordinates from said read device, said central processing unit being further adapted to provide said user with a service associated with said at least one indicia.