Card reading device for service access

• US 20040024735A1
• Filed: 05/20/2003
• Published: 02/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Newman, Andrew Timothy Robert, Simpson-Young, William, Yap, Sue-Ken, Smeallie, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,159,763 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/005 the record carrier comprising an arrangement to facilitate insertion into a holding device, e.g. an arrangement that makes the record carrier fit into an etui or a casing ticket holders A45C11/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/006 the housing being a portable casing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• 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 20/346 Cards serving only as information carrier of service
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/20 involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs
• 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 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/233 Processing of audio elementary streams monitoring, identification or recognition of audio in broadcast systems H04H60/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4182 for identification purposes, e.g. storing user identification data, preferences, personal settings or data restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code in combination with an additional device, e.g. dongle or smart card G06F21/123
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47805 Electronic banking banking in general G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 : Games
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 : Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

A read device (1) for reading an interface card (10) is disclosed. The card (10) is configured for insertion into the read device (1). The card (10) comprises indicia (14) formed thereon and a memory (19) having data stored therein for communicating with an external device. The read device (1) comprises a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (10) upon receipt of the card (10) in the read device (1). The read device (1) also comprises a central processing unit for sending a service identifier, and a specific portion of the data to the external device. The specific data is related to a user selected indicia (14), wherein the external device provides a service identified by the service identifier upon receipt of the data.

Claims

1. A read device for reading an interface card, said card being configured for insertion into said read device, and 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, and a specific portion of said data to said external device, said specific data being related to a user selected indicia, wherein said external device provides a service identified by the service identifier upon receipt of said data.

2. A read device according to claim 1, wherein a service identifier is set by a vendor for use by an application.

3. A read device according to claim 2, wherein said service identifier is 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 1, 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 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 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 when a charge level of a battery powering said read device reaches a predetermined threshold.

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

13. A read device according to claim 12, wherein coordinates are calculated by an application which was provided by a vendor.

14. A read device according to claim 1, wherein the card stores said service identifier 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 to be executed in a read device having a receptacle to receive an interface card, said card comprising a substrate and indicia formed on said substrate, said program comprising:

code for reading a service 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 service identifier 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 data processing method for a read device that has a receptacle to receive an interface card, said card comprising a substrate with indicia formed thereon, said method comprising the steps of:

reading a service 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 service identifier 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.

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

read means for reading a service 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 service identifier and said data to an external device, wherein said external device provides a service, 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 receptacle to receive said interface card said system comprising:

a memory on said card for storing a service identifier and data related to a user selected indicia; and

a central processing unit integrally formed within said read device for sending said service identifier and said data to an external device in order that a user of said card receives a service from 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 to said data controlled equipment, said data controlled equipment providing a function controlled by receipt of said specific data, wherein said function is associated with said service identifier.

23. A read device for a interface card, said data 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 to an external device, whereby said external device provides a service associated with said service identifier upon receipt of said read data.

24. A read device having a receptacle to receive an 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 that was inserted into said read device and sending to an external device a service identifier and data stored in the card, said data being related to a user pressed indicia, in order that a card user receives a service identified by the service identifier according to said pressed indicia.

25. A read device according to claim 24, wherein the service is identified by an application that is executed in the external device.

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 that was inserted into said read device and sending to an external device a service identifier and user press coordinates pressed on said touch sensitive membrane to select said indicia, in order that a card user receives a service identified by the service identifier 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 distinguishing a identifier stored in said card and sending to an external device a service identifier and user press coordinates pressed on said touch sensitive membrane to select said indicia or a service identifier and user press coordinates pressed on said touch sensitive membrane to select said indicia, based on said result of said distinction, in order that a card user receives a service identified by the service identifier according to said pressed indicia.

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 which comprises a substrate and indicia formed on said substrate, said device comprising:

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

31. A read device having a receptacle to receive an interface card, said device comprising:

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

32. A read device having a receptacle to receive an interface card, said device comprising:

a central processing unit for generating a session identifier identifying a current session of a card insertion, which is a number that is incremented each time a card is inserted into said read device and sending said session identifier to a external device, in order to determining a validity of said inserted card in said external device.

33. A read device for reading a user interface card, said card being configured for insertion into said read device, and wherein said card comprises a plurality of indicia formed thereon and a memory having stored therein a service identifier for communicating to an external device to provide an identified service, said read device comprising:

a receptacle for receiving said card and providing visibility of said plurality of indicia upon receipt of said card in said read device;

a selection mechanism for allowing a user to select at least one of said plurality of visible indicia;

a central processing unit coupled to said selection mechanism for generating data related to said user selected indicia and for reading said service identifier from said memory; and

a transmission unit for sending said indicia related data and said service identifier to said external device, wherein upon receipt of said data and service identifier said external device provides a service identified by the service identifier and said data.

34. A read device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the generating of data related to said user selected indicia includes reading data associated with said selected indicia previously stored in said memory.

35. A read device for reading a user interface card, said card being configured for insertion into said read device, and wherein said card comprises a plurality of indicia formed thereon, said read device comprising:

a receptacle for receiving said card and providing visibility of said plurality of indicia upon receipt of said card in said read device;

a selection mechanism for allowing a user to select at least one of said plurality of visible indicia;

a central processing unit coupled to said selection mechanism for generating data related to said user selected indicia and for reading from a memory of said card a service identifier for communicating to an external device to provide a service; and

a transmission unit for sending said indicia related data and said service identifier to said external device, wherein upon receipt of said data and service identifier said external device provides a service identified by the service identifier and said data.

36. A read device as claimed in claim 35, wherein the generating of data related to said user selected indicia includes reading data associated with said selected indicia previously stored in said memory.