Television signal activated interactive smart card system

• US 5,767,896 A
• Filed: 09/07/1995
• Issued: 06/16/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gamut Interactive Incorporated, GIX Holdings LLC, Koplar Interactive Systems International, LLC
• Original Assignee: Smart TV LLC
• Inventors: Nemirofsky, Frank R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, David E.
• Application Number:
  US08/524,087
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 348/12, 348/13, 348/473, 348/475, 348/476, 348/477, 348/478, 348/479, 348/486, 348/460, 348/552, 235/375, 235/379, 235/380, 235/381, 235/383, 235/385, 235/376, 364/410-412, 364/400, 364/401, 364/402, 364/403, 364/406, 364/478, 364/479
• US Class Current: 725/23
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3437 the counter having non-monetary units, e.g. trips
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0873 Details of the card reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 5/00 Receipt-giving machines cash registers giving receipts G07G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00098 via a television channel, e.g. for a series of still pictures with or without sound
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17363 : at or near the user terminal

Abstract

A smart card is disclosed which receives, decodes, and stores encoded data signals comprising redeemable coupons. Encoded data coupons are embedded within television segments and are transmitted along with the normal television segments. The smart card receives the luminescent signals which comprise the encoded data coupons directly from the display. The smart card decodes the data coupons. The coupon is then stored within the smart card for future use. The smart card is equipped with an LCD which enables UPC codes corresponding to each of the stored coupons to be utilized. A scanner reads the UPC codes at the coupon redemption site. Once redeemed, the coupon is erased from the memory in the smart card. Advantageously, all of the functions including receiving, decoding, and storing the data signals are performed by the smart card.

Claims

1. A television signal activated interactive smart card system featuring the transmission of data information along with a standard television or computer video signal for reception by a smart card imbedded with a photoelectric television signal optical pick-up device, and a human and light scan readable display at a benefit redemption venue in conjunction with television broadcasts, in home television reception and point of purchase locations, a method for offering point of purchase benefits and values, said method comprising;

transmission of television or computer video signal comprising a programmed message including audio and video portions;

encoding a data signal that identifies and offers value and/or benefit on products and/or services;

receiving said data signal on said smart card using said photoelectric television signal optical pick-up device;

storing said data signal on said smart card;

transporting said smart card to a point of purchase location;

reading said stored data for purposes of receiving value or benefits by purchasing said products or services; and

erasing said stored product or service identification and value or benefit.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said recording of said product identification and value/benefits comprise recording on a smart card.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said smart card records sequences of light pulses.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said method of recording includes interconnecting said smart card with an in-home television receiver.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said reading of said smart card includes reading of a plurality of sets of product identification and value/benefit data items that are for use in product purchasing.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said selective recovering includes selective removing of outdated value/benefits.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein said broadcast signal includes a visually observable indicator that the programming carries a non visual signal of product identification and value/benefit information.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein said product identification and value/benefit signal comprises a bar code and/or light scan readable method.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said stored data is automatically released after the expiration of a specific time period.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said specific time period is carried by said authorization signal and imputed into said smart card along with said product identification and value/benefit data.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said television advertising is recorded on a video recording for reading when said video is played on a television set.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said television programming is recorded on said video recording at the time of rental or sale of said video.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the scanning of said bar code recording erases said recording.

14. The method of claim 2 including the step of reading the stored data recorded on the smart card in the home prior to transporting said smart card to the point of purchase and/or benefit redemption venue.

15. The method of claim 2 wherein the use of said recording is recorded and compiled with the use of various other similar smart cards to measure the impact of the encoded televised programming.

16. The method of claim 2 wherein said smart card incorporates the attributes of a conventional credit card and wherein said method includes the step of recording the credit purchase of the televised product or service.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the TV Cardholder'"'"'s identity is read from the card and the purchase of the items is via a Credit Card transaction.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the TV Cardholder'"'"'s identity is read from the card and the purchase the items is recorded via an Identity Card transaction upon entering the proper personal identification number.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the TV Cardholder'"'"'s identity is read from the card and the purchase the items is recorded via a Debit Card transaction upon entering of a proper personal identification number.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the TV Cardholder'"'"'s identity is read from the card and the purchase records the purchased items via an Affinity Card transaction.

21. The method of claim 1 including the step of checking the card for possible fraud.

22. The method of claim 1 including displaying a confirmation to the TV Cardholder that good data was recorded.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the recorded data is segregated into indexed groups.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the scanning of the TV Card by a retail point of sale is detected by the card to initiate the erasure procedure.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the bar code display is incremented to the next item'"'"'s code following each scan.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the light from the LCD is concentrated and applied to a light detecting means.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein the scan light is conditionally accepted as a valid scan by amplitude, modulation and timing criteria.

28. The method of claim 3 wherein the TV Cardholder'"'"'s identity is read from the card and the cardholder is able to purchase the items via an Identity Card transaction if the proper optional personal identification number is entered.

29. The method of claim 2 wherein the TV Cardholder'"'"'s identity is read from the card and the purchase of the items is recorded via a Debit Card transaction.

30. The method of claim 2 wherein the TV Cardholder'"'"'s identity is read from the card and the purchase the items is recorded via an Affinity Card transaction.

31. The method of claim 2 including the step of review for fraud detection and prevention, encrypting means, and coupon misuse.

32. The method of claim 2 including the step of confirming visually that good data was received and recorded on the card.

33. The method of claim 2 wherein the data is segregated into groups with an index word or phrase to allow a group of items to be selected.

34. The method of claim 1 wherein the benefit offered on large value items and point of purchase venues which do not have point of sale terminals, the TV Card can be visually read.

35. The method of claim 2 including the step of transferring data from the advertiser to the point of sale terminal so as to pre-dispose the point of sale terminal to accept the data without requiring manual entry of data at each point of sale terminal.

36. The method of claim 15 wherein the identity of the TV Cardholder is recorded and compiled to measure the advertising impact.

37. The method of claim 1 wherein the scan light is conditionally accepted as a valid scan by amplitude, modulation, and timing criteria.

38. The method of claim 2 wherein the scanning of the TV Card by a retail point of sale is detected to initiate the erasure procedure.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the bar code display is incremented to the next item'"'"'s code following each scan.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the light from the LCD is concentrated and applied to a light detecting means.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the scan light is conditionally accepted as a valid scan by amplitude, modulation and timing criteria.

42. The method of claim 3 wherein the benefit offered on large value items and point of purchase venues which do not have point of sale terminals, the TV Card can be read by a human to obtain authority via telephone confirmation.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the telephone authorization method includes pressing buttons on the TV Card in a specific order, each of which displays a security/fraud prevention number to be read over the phone verifying a valid transaction.

44. The method of claim 2 where the identity of the TV Cardholder is recorded and compiled to measure the advertising impact.

45. The method of claim 2 where the scan light is conditionally accepted as a valid scan by amplitude, modulation and timing criteria.

46. The method of claim 16 wherein the identity of the TV Cardholder is recorded and compiled to measure the advertising impact.

47. The method of claim 16 wherein the scan light is conditionally accepted as a valid scan by amplitude, modulation, and timing criteria.

48. The method of claim 16 that includes fraud detection and prevention, encrypting means, and coupon misuses.

49. The method of claim 16 that includes confirmation to the TV Cardholder that good data was received via a human readable means.

50. The method of claim 16 wherein the data is segregated into groups with an index word or phrase to allow a group of items to be selected.

51. The method of claim 16 wherein a fall-back method is utilized to input data to the point of sale terminal in the event that the bar code and/or light scan reader fails for any reason.

52. The method of claim 16 wherein the scanning of the TV Card by a retail point of sale is detected to initiate the erasure procedure.

53. The method of claim 16 wherein the bar code display is incremented to the next item'"'"'s code following each scan.

54. The method of claim 16 wherein the light from the LCD is concentrated and applied to a light detecting means.

55. The method of claim 16 wherein the scan light is conditionally accepted as a valid scan by amplitude, modulation and timing criteria.

56. The method of claim 17 wherein the benefit offered on large value items and point of purchase venues which do not have point of sale terminals, the TV Card can be read by a human to obtain authority via telephone confirmation.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein the telephone authorization method includes pressing buttons on the TV Card in a specific order, each of which displays a security/fraud prevention number to be read over the phone verifying a valid transaction.

58. The method of claim 17 where the identity of the TV Cardholder is recorded and compiled to measure the advertising impact.

59. The method of claim 17 where the scan light is conditionally accepted as a valid scan by amplitude, modulation and timing criteria.

60. The method of claim 17 where the TV Cardholder'"'"'s identity read from the card and the cardholder is able to purchase the items via a Credit Card transaction if the proper personal identification number is entered.

61. The method of claim 17 wherein the TV Cardholder'"'"'s identity is read from the card and the cardholder is able to purchase the items via an Identity Card transaction if the proper optional personal identification number is entered.

62. The method of claim 17 wherein the TV Cardholder'"'"'s identity is read from the card and the cardholder is able to purchase the items via a Debit Card transaction if the proper optional personal identification number is entered.

63. The method of claim 17 wherein the TV Cardholder'"'"'s identity is read from the card and the cardholder is able to purchase the items via a Affinity Card transaction if the proper optional personal identification number is entered.

64. The method of claim 17 including fraud detection and prevention, encrypting means, and coupon misuse.

65. The method of claim 17 including confirmation that good data was received via a human readable means.

66. The method of claim 17 wherein the data is segregated into groups with an index word or phrase to allow a group of items to be selected.

67. The method of claim 66 wherein the bar code display is incremented to the next item'"'"'s code following each scan.

68. The method of claim 67 wherein the light from the LCD is concentrated and applied to a light detecting means.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein the scan light is conditionally accepted as a valid scan by amplitude, modulation and timing criteria.

70. The method of claim 68 in which the customer identity is correlated with a data base containing other information such as a history of prior transactions to produce reports useful to future marketing and advertising.

71. The method of claim 70 in which the customer'"'"'s identity and purchased items are down loaded to a collection point.

72. The method of claim 71 wherein the data is correlated and distributed to advertising to be used to verify information and demographics.

73. The method of claim 35 wherein the program material is encoded with the video light code and essentially simultaneously the data is down loaded to the point of sale terminal to predispose it to recognize that given transaction.

74. The method of claim 73 wherein the authorizing and authenticating data is down loaded to protect the transaction integrity.

75. The method of claim 73 wherein the means of down loading includes human interaction in the event of mechanical failure.

76. The method of claim 42 wherein the visual reading provides information for access to telephone authorization and verification, said method including pressing buttons on the TV Card in a specific order, each of which displays a security/fraud prevention number to be read over the telephone verifying the validity of the transaction.