Remote control device with smart card capability

• US 6,946,970 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): YANG, CLARA I
• Application Number:
  US09/751,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20020084909A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,726 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.22, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 341/176, 348/734
• US Class Current: 340/4.3
• 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;

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

a motion detector in communication with the processor, the motion detector for generating tilt directional information and for sending the tilt directional information to the processor, wherein the processor is for changing a mode of operation of the remote control device from a first mode corresponding to a first consumer electronic device to a second mode corresponding to a second consumer electronic device in response to the tilt directional information;

a directional mode indicator in communication with the processor, the directional mode indicator for indicating the mode of operation of the device based on the tilt directional information generated by the motion detector; and

a light source in communication with the processor, wherein the light source is one of an incandescent light and a light emitting diode, wherein the motion detector communicates a signal to the processor, and wherein the processor is also for affecting the light source to illuminate at least a portion of the remote control device upon receipt of the signal.

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;

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

a motion detector in communication with the processor, the motion detector for generating tilt directional information and for sending the tilt directional information to the processor, wherein the processor is for changing a mode of operation of the remote control device from a first mode corresponding to a first consumer electronic device to a second mode corresponding to a second consumer electronic device in response to the tilt directional information;

a directional mode indicator in communication with the processor, the directional mode indicator for indicating the mode of operation of the device based on the tilt directional information generated by the motion detector; and

a light source in communication with the processor, wherein the light source is one of an incandescent light and a light emitting diode, wherein the motion detector communicates a signal to the processor, and wherein the processor is also for affecting the light source to illuminate at least a portion of the remote control device upon receipt of the signal; 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.