Magnetic stripe reader with power management control for attachment to a PDA device
First Claim
1. A magnetic stripe reader (MSR) attachable to a personal digital assistant the PDA having a data display, a synchronization port and hot sync capabilities, the MSR comprising:
- (a) means for reading and decoding data on a magnetic stripe;
(b) means for transferring electric power from the PDA to the MSR and for exchanging data between the MSR and the PDA through the PDA synchronization port; and
(c) means for managing electrical power consumption that control an automatic startup of the MSR for reading and decoding data on a magnetic stripe upon detecting encoded data on the magnetic stripe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic stripe card manual swipe reader (MSR) unit capable of attaching to and communicating with a conventional personal digital assistant (PDA) from various manufacturers, using only the electrical power available as supplied by the PDA device, and capable of effective electrical power management and conservation operations. Additionally, this PDA attachable MSR unit is capable of recognizing multiple magnetic encoding formats and data record formats and converting said formats to a standardized output format, includes the capability of updating and adding new formats while in field service, and is readily allows verifying card data and encoding sensitive material prior to transmission to the PDA. These custom formats can then be used to fulfill current needs in age verification, law enforcement, security, and numerous other applications.
29 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A magnetic stripe reader (MSR) attachable to a personal digital assistant the PDA having a data display, a synchronization port and hot sync capabilities, the MSR comprising:
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(a) means for reading and decoding data on a magnetic stripe; (b) means for transferring electric power from the PDA to the MSR and for exchanging data between the MSR and the PDA through the PDA synchronization port; and (c) means for managing electrical power consumption that control an automatic startup of the MSR for reading and decoding data on a magnetic stripe upon detecting encoded data on the magnetic stripe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 26)
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20. A method for making a magnetic stripe reader (MSR) attachable to a personal digital assistant (PDA), the PDA having a synchronization port and hot sync capabilities, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing means for reading and decoding data on a magnetic stripe; (b) providing means for transferring electric power from the PDA to the MSR and for exchanging data between the MSR and the PDA through the PDA synchronization port; (c) providing means for managing electrical power consumption that control an automatic startup of the MSR reading and decoding data on a magnetic stripe upon detecting encoded data on the magnetic stripe; (d) providing attachment means for firmly securing said means for reading and decoding data on a magnetic stripe to the PDA; and (e) providing a connector to enable electrical and data communication between said magnetic stripe reader and the PDA connected thereto. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification